7 Reasons Why Do Snowboarders Wear Backpacks

Travel and adventure are the two things that always go side by side. With the ever-increasing interest in various forms of sports, snowboarding is becoming more and more popular among the youth, and that has left us with some questions to be answered such as why do snowboarders wear backpacks?

A lot of people whenever they enter a new sport ask this question as to how prepared they should be, especially if it requires some extra levels of precautions like snowboarding. One of the questions is whether it requires a backpack or not since the common understanding is that a backpack during snowboarding may cause you to lose your momentum.

This article will bust the myths related to wearing a backpack while snowboarding. You will also get to know its importance such as holding your gear, for example, an axe. (Read out our article on how to carry an axe to a backpack).

The Practical Reasons for Wearing Backpacks:

There are a lot of reasons many professional and leisurely snowboarders like to keep a backpack with them whenever they embark on their adventure sport.

Ranging from keeping their very important stuff close to them to having a basic first aid kit all the time, the benefits surely outweigh some of the risks that may be involved. Following are some of the reasons why snowboarders carry their backpacks.

1. Carrying Essential Gear:

When you are snowboarding, it is important to remember that it is snow we are playing with. As much as it is fun it can be deadly and prone to avalanches, sticky conditions, etc. Therefore, it is important to keep the basic equipment such as an avalanche beacon, a probe, a shovel, etc. This always ensures a safe experience with all your necessary tools available right in your backpack.

2. Storing Extra Clothing and Layers:

Whoever has been to the mountains knows that they are unpredictable places. One moment it can be scorching sunlight despite ice, and the next you can be freezing to death.

For this reason, it is essential that all snowboarders have all kinds of clothes and extra layers in case the ones they have to get wet or damaged. To carry these extra layers, a good backpack is conveniently used during snowboarding.

3. Hydration and Snack Storage:

Snowboarding at high altitudes comes with its own risk of motion sickness and hypoxia, both of which can be cured by having an adequate amount of water. Gulping down a lot of water before the activity, however, can cause a fishbowl effect on your stomach which in turn can make you even more sick.

A simple solution to this problem is to take a hydration pack with you and sip the water from time to time to prevent any kind of sickness. For this reason, the snowboarders keep their backpacks close by.

Along with water, some snacks are also essential to raise a low glucose level and give instant energy. Again, a backpack is used to store them so they can be used when needed.

4. Carrying Emergency Kits:

Emergency kits are a must for all kinds of hikers and adventurers but particularly in the case of snowboarders, they should never be forgotten. Study suggests that snowboarders are at a 50 percent higher risk of head and neck damage compared to skiers which can lead to loss of consciousness and concussion.

A crucial add-on to snowboarding is having every kind of emergency kit so that any unfavorable situation can be tackled there and then. Hence a backpack is effective for carrying the proper emergency and first aid kit.

5. Carrying Communication Devices:

Snowboarders are constantly lurking in dangerous snow whether for professional or recreational purposes and it is a known fact that they can be stuck in dangerous situations.

Under these circumstances, they need immediate assistance and that requires direct communication with anyone that can help. This is one huge reason that snowboarders keep their backpacks close to them as they can carry communication devices.

6. Secure Place for Personal Items:

The most obvious reason to carry a backpack while snowboarding is of course to keep your personal items secure. Objects such as your phone, wallet, etc. Cannot be taken in your pocket during these sports and shouldn’t be left back either. Under these circumstances, keeping them secured and close to you in a backpack is a route many snowboarders take.

7. Maintaining Balance:

This might come as a self-contradictory point since many snowboarders avoid using a backpack for the very reason that they disrupt their momentum but it is also true for many snowboarders that adding a backpack of the proper shape to their gear makes them more stable. Thus making them safer when they are snowboarding. So apart from carrying essentials, backpacks can also maintain your balance during snowboarding.

Features Necessary in a Good Backpack:

The best kind of backpack while snowboarding is the one that keeps your balance, holds all your essentials, and is comfortable to carry during snowboarding. A backpack that has all the following with an ergonomic design is the one for you.

Along with these things, the size of the backpack is also important as the weight of the backpack can make it a blessing or a curse. If we talk objectively, a 20 L backpack can be adequate for snowboarding as it can carry all the essentials without disrupting your weight distribution.

However, your size preference might change depending on what and how you need it. (To know more about what to look for in a good backpack, read our buyer’s guide under the article Best hiking backpacks)

Tips For Wearing a Backpack while Snowboarding:

As we have already mentioned, a backpack worn wrong can end up causing unwanted snowboarding accidents and trouble in maintaining momentum.

Thus, here are a few tips you can remember to make your backpack useful for yourself when you go snowboarding.

1. Using a backpack with padded shoulder straps, back ventilation, etc. is the key to having a comfortable snowboarding experience. It can ensure a safe and memorable trip.
2. Make sure to not overstuff your backpack as heavy backpacks are always more difficult to carry. Whatever it is that you need, only fill 2/3rd of your backpack.
3. Wear it tightly so that its weight helps your momentum rather than disrupt it.  
4. Take off your backpack when you are traveling on a chair lift to avoid getting stuck.
5. Use a waterproof and snow-resistant backpack.

Following these tips properly can improve your experience and make it much safer as well.

Conclusion:

Now that we have explained to you why do snowboarders wear backpacks, we believe we can summarize it in two words. Backpacks make snowboarding more efficient and convenient.

Thus, with the right backpack and the ability to use it correctly, your snowboarding experience can be vastly better and safer. For this reason, we recommend you buy a good backpack for your experience and let the fun with snowboarding begin!

FAQs:

Is it safe to snowboard wearing a backpack?

If used properly and with precaution, a backpack is extremely safe and crucial during snowboarding as it can keep your necessities close to you and thus keep you well-fed, hydrated, and safe.

How do you carry your phone while snowboarding?

The best way to use your phone while snowboarding is by first putting it in a nice waterproof case and then securely placing it inside your backpack. This will ensure the safe carrying of your phone.

What are snowboarding essentials?

Some of the absolute essentials while snowboarding includes water, snacks, basic equipment, extra clothing, and an emergency kit. Without these, going snowboarding can be extremely dangerous.