photos: Mike Basher
When it comes to outfitting the shredders of tomorrow with the gear they need today, features, fit, and price point are paramount. Mini boarders enjoy their time in the mountains even more when they are warm, comfortable, and can see clearly, fully benefiting from youthful iterations on the tech and features that parents appreciate in their own gear. Because if a grom is having a good day, that probably means the adults are, too. To round up some of our favorite kids’ snowboard gear, we turned to Jeff Baker, because he has kids—three of them, in fact—who have grown up on the trails of Mammoth Mountain. Baker knows how a solid snowboard can make it more fun for a little one to make turns, so take his wisdom and apply it to your own brood of boarders. – Mary T. Walsh
As seen in issue 18.1.
Roxy Girl Non Stop Bib – $139.95
Roxy Girl Shelter Jacket – $159.95
The Roxy Girls Shelter Jacket may have a faux fur hood, a kangaroo pocket, and gaiter in the hood, but we can assure you no animals were harmed in the production of this coat. However, the Shelter Jacket has just the right amount of insulation to keep your young rider toasty like a black bear snuggled up for its long winter’s nap. In addition to the Shelter’s 15k waterproofing and proprietary WarmFlight Eco insulation, Roxy has infused ample aesthetic into the color-blocked pullover. Pair the Shelter with the tailored fit of the 10k Non Stop bibs for a winter kit that is loaded with style, as well all the features to ensure season-long warmth, comfort, and protection from the elements. -Jeff Baker
Never Summer Shredder – $239.99
sizes: 80, 90, 100, 110
Coming in a pint-sized 80cm, the Never Summer Shredder is the perfect first board and is ready to rip! From the technical side, the Shredder has rocker between the bindings, making turning a breeze; your kiddo will progress from falling leaf to full-blown linked turns with ease. And let’s face it, kids grow fast, and thankfully this board is priced to not break the bank. Inevitably, your child will outgrow the 80cm, so the fine folks at Never Summer made 90cm, 100cm, and 110cm options so your little one can remain a Shredder for years to come! – JB
Rome Slapstick – $289.95
sizes: 130, 135, 140, 145
The jump from riding blue squares to black diamonds is a milestone for any young snowboarder on the come up. The Rome Slapstick is the board that will take their riding to new heights and give them the confidence to ride every pitch of the mountain. With just enough camber between the bindings, the board is stiff enough to hold an edge at higher speeds in the steeps, while the Twin Diamond 3D scoop shape in the nose and tail will prevent that dreaded edge catch when stomping landings in the park. Also available in 130cm, 135cm, and 145cm, the Slapstick is the ideal choice for pre-teens and teenagers. -JB
Burton Yeasayer Smalls – $294.95
sizes: 125, 130, 138
Burton Kids Step On Re:Flex Binding – $159.95
Burton has been developing the high-quality boards for kids, and kids at heart, for decades. Constantly fine- tuning the art of board construction, the designers at Burton have taken the magic of the Yeasayer women’s model and sized it down to accommodate for the little ones. Packed with all the great attributes of the larger version, the Yeasayer Smalls, when combined with the Step On binding is the easiest kit for kids of any age to manage. With the step-on-and-go process, the days of parents buckling and unbuckling their kids’ bindings in crowded lift lines are over! Step On is the game- changer set up parents have been waiting for.
Smith Prospect Jr. Helmet – $130
Smith Daredevil Goggle – $35-50 (depending on lens)
Smith knocked it out of the ballpark with a one-stop- shop helmet and goggle combo for your youngster. Packed with all the cutting-edge protective features like MIPS and zonal Koroyd construction, the Prospect Jr. helmet has your child’s safety in mind, first and foremost. Equally impressive (especially for our pocketbooks) is Smith’s proprietary Grow with Me feature that allows micro adjustments within the helmet lining to size up as your child grows. Remarkably, the helmet fits groms as young as age two, all the way up to age twelve! Lastly, the Daredevil goggle seamlessly fits the contours of the helmet’s brim, allowing for zero gaper gap and snug fit all day on the mountain.
