How to choose a splitboard?

Are you passionate about snowboarding and interested in splitboarding to explore untouched slopes in breathtaking landscapes? Looking for a more efficient solution than snowshoeing, tired of carrying your snowboard on your backpack? Then check out the Glisshop splitboard gear guide, which explains everything you need to know from A to Z to enjoy splitboarding all winter long.

Splitboarding: A Chance to Explore Remote Spots

Much like ski touring, splitboarding allows you to explore vast, wild landscapes and reach incredible freeride spots. Splitboards can be separated into multiple parts, transforming into touring skis for the climb. They need to be lightweight while maintaining a torsional flex similar to a traditional snowboard, ensuring great downhill performance. Splitboards typically feature a directional shape to perform well on all terrains and in varying snow conditions.

What Gear Do You Need for Splitboarding?

A splitboard is essentially a snowboard cut into two parts along the length, which function like skis for climbing. For the descent, the board is reassembled to form a traditional snowboard. To safely enjoy splitboarding, here’s what you need:

• A splitboard
• Assembly clips
• Custom-cut climbing skins
• Crampons
• Splitboard bindings or a compatible interface
• Poles for the skinning phase

Climbing Skins for Splitboard

To grip on the snow and avoid sliding backward when trying to climb, splitboarders use climbing skins that are very similar to those used in ski touring. Modern climbing skins are made either from 100% mohair or a blend of synthetic and natural fibres. The advantage of mohair wool lies in its exceptional glide, though it's relatively fragile. To increase durability, most skins combine mohair with synthetic materials like nylon, offering the best of both worlds.

Climbing skins are attached to the front of the splitboard with clips or brackets specific to each board. They adhere to the base of the board either using glue or modern silicone-based technologies. To make things easier, Glisshop offers splitboard models that come with trimmed skins ready to go.

As crucial accessory, binding crampons are installed directly under the bindings. These crampons help grip on hard or icy snow, preventing slipping or sliding during climbs. They provide additional security on steep, icy slopes where traction is limited.
The Karakoram crampons can be easily installed mid-climb without the need to remove your bindings.

                     

A Closer Look at Karakoram Bindings

These are simply the industry-leading bindings of the moment, specifically designed for splitboarding. 

Touring Mode

Let's start with the obvious: once the splitboard is separated into two, make sure to swap the two halves to avoid catching your tips.

Don’t hesitate to use the heel lifts at the back of the bindings to compensate for the slope and reduce strain on your calves. These heel lifts are typically activated and deactivated with your pole. Yes, sorry, but with a splitboard, you’ll need to get used to poles. To ride comfortably on the descent, go for telescopic poles that you can easily stow on your backpack.

Downhill Mode

In ride mode, the second set of inserts on the board allows you to regain your usual stance and angle, so you can ride in powder just like with a dedicated freeride board.

The front of the binding fits into the touring toe piece. This articulation provides great freedom of movement, making the uphill phases feel as natural as possible.