Snowboard Gear Picks: Seven Pieces Worth Packing This Season

Introduction

Packing for a full snowboard season forces some honest decisions about gear. What follows is a rundown of seven pieces that made the cut for a New Zealand winter: two boards, bindings, boots, mitts, pants, and a backpack. Some were picked up on sale, some were long-term daily drivers, and all of them earned their place.

Volcom Arthur Longo Gore-Tex Pants

These were picked up right before the trip and have quickly become the favorite pair in the lineup. The fit is the headline: super baggy, super lightweight, and genuinely comfortable to move in while riding. A previous pair of Volcom L pants had tightness in places that restricted movement, and these solve that completely.

They also carry a Gore-Tex build, and because they were last year’s model, they were picked up at a discount. If baggy, waterproof, and lightweight is the target, this is the pair to chase. The newer model year looks stylish too, but the Gore-Tex version is the one worth prioritizing if the budget allows.

Vans Hi-Standard Pro Boots

A year into these boots, the verdict is simple: for many riders this is close to the perfect all-round boot. Traditional laces plus a power strap up top, a medium flex that works in the park and for freeriding, and the kind of comfort Vans is known for. Nothing aggressive, so no strange pain points on the foot after long days.

Traditional laces also bring a practical benefit: after about six months of riding, the first pair of laces is still holding fine, and if anything ever does give out, swapping a lace is effortless.

Vans Brighton Mitts

A midweight mitt that hits a useful middle ground: not too heavy and warm, not too light. The palm grip is excellent, which pays off in the terrain park and when grabbing the board. Straps let them dangle off the chairlift, and the soft thumb works well for wiping goggles or a camera lens.

After being worn all summer as well as on the snow, they are still in near-perfect condition. A simple mitt, often available on sale.

Jones Descent 25L Backpack

This is a multi-season favorite, and the standout feature is the helmet carry on the rear panel. Not many packs offer it, and once you get used to clipping a helmet to the back every single day, it is hard to go back to a pack without it.

The 25-litre size is big enough for everything needed in a day, with plenty of functional pockets: camera batteries and sunglasses up top, and hip strap pockets that fit sunscreen. The back panel stays comfortable even when the pack is loaded up.

Capita The Aon Snowboard

The Arthur Longo pro model, and it has been awesome across the full range of mountain riding: carving, riding powder, side hits, everything. It is a stiffer board, and that stiffness is part of the appeal. Combined with positive camber, it gives real support and stabilization when charging at high speeds.

Surprisingly, it also got ridden in the park on this trip, and it handled those days well. It looks set to be the pick for freeriding and side hits around the mountain.

Capita Indoor Survival Snowboard

This one was a pleasant surprise. It is pretty soft, which makes it excellent for butters and jibs, and versatile enough to recommend to beginner and intermediate park riders alike. Butters and ollies come easily on it.

Ride time on this trip was limited thanks to windy down days and a run of powder days pulling attention elsewhere, but expect more days on it as the season gets going.

Clew Snowboard Bindings

These bindings strap up just like traditional bindings, then add a step-in and step-out function via the highback release. The clever part is the two sets of bases: the binding can be clicked out of one board and onto another, so a planned park day can turn into a powder day without re-strapping anything. Made in Germany.

So far, they have been a genuine highlight of the trip, with more testing planned through the season.

View more details for Clew Snowboard Bindings

Conclusion

If one piece had to be singled out, it would be the Volcom Arthur Longo Gore-Tex pants: baggy, lightweight, comfortable, and often found on sale as last season’s model. Beyond that, the lineup covers a complete setup. Comfortable lace-up boots, grip-friendly mitts, a pack with a helmet carry, a stiff cambered charger, a soft forgiving park board, and step-in bindings with dual-board flexibility. Match each piece to how you actually ride, and this is a kit that makes a season on the mountain noticeably better.