Whether you need a stomp pad for your snowboard or not will depend on a few factors. Of course, they have pros and cons, but how do you know if you need one? Or where and how to put them? This article tells you all the information you need about stomp pads, so you know if you actually need them.
But first things first, what are stomp pads anyway? Stomp pads are a piece of equipment made of a high-friction material, and it is used when you do not have your back foot strapped into the snowboard binding, so you have a place to grip in.
Stomp pads give you a place to rest your back foot when riding with just your front foot in the binding. It also helps with stability and traction, which helps you on the chair lifts and the steering control for drag lifts and scooting on flat sections.
Do snowboards need stomp pads?
If you need stomp pads on your snowboard or not is an entirely personal decision. However, if you like to ride with your back foot outside the binding or if your board’s surface is slippery, they might come in handy. Some snowboards have a more rustic texture on their surface; in this case, the stomp pad might be unnecessary.
For beginners, they are beneficial as they provide gripping and stability; some people even see stomp pads as a piece of equipment that is just for beginners. But if you feel comfortable having a stomp pad attached to your board, go for it as they make snowboarding easier.
The pros and cons of stomp pads.
Like most things in life, stomp pads have their pros and cons. However, the pros of this accessory are greater than the cons.
Pros
They help with getting off the chair lift.
When you start practicing snowboarding, getting off the chair lift to the trail can be challenging without a stomp pad as your back boot might slip off. This is where stomp pads can help you; they will allow your foot to stay in place.
Stomp pads give you support and control when riding with just the front boot attached to the flats.
If you do many one-foot tricks or ride on flat surfaces, or even getting around the mountain, you cannot have your back foot attached to the bindings. Stomp pads will help you create traction to move better across flat fields and give you the freedom to perform any trick with the security of having a place to stabilize your foot.
They help to clear snow from the bottom of your boot.
Stomp pads can be an outstanding help when scraping snow from the bottom of your boots before clipping them to the bindings, a thing that is really difficult to do with your gloves on, and let’s be honest, you won’t take them off.
Stomp pads provide you security.
The surface of a snowboard is sleek; when the snow gets melted on the board, the surface gets slippery. Suppose you are afraid of your foot slipping off. In that case, stomp pads can help you get the confidence to ride without any worries about getting the surface of your board wet and slippery.
Cons
They might cover your board’s graphics.
If you like the way your snowboard looks, some stomp pads are not for you as they might cover the designs on your snowboard. But in the market, there are transparent or clear stomp pads available, so you do not have to worry about this.
They “make you look like a newbie.”
The majority of stomp pad users are newbies; this is because most newbies (not to say all of them) are not used to the slippery surface of the snowboard; they might lose control easily. However, stomp pads help people have more gripping and stability, so this is a good accessory for beginners.
Most snowboarders do not mind this. But let’s suppose you do not feel comfortable with the idea of people looking at you as a newbie. In that case, you will have to practice a lot to master one-foot tricks and flat fields without using a stomp pad. Unfortunately, this is something skilled snowboarders won’t tell you when saying whether you need a stomp pad or not.
Types Of Stomp Pads
As years pass by, things have changed; stomp pads used to be a black rubber piece. Nowadays, there are different types and styles of stomp pads in the market, a wide variety where you can choose from, as you can see here and here.
Here you have the different types of stomp pads you can find in the market:
Rubber stomp pads
These are made to be cut off to the shape and size of the user’s preference. Although thanks to the material the pads are made of, they are becoming more popular, the foam allows the pad to compress and acquire the boot’s shape, so the grip is firm. In addition, they hold better at different temperatures; unlike rubber, they maintain their softness in really cold temperatures. Another advantage of foam over rubber is that it is cheaper and lightweight.
Foam stomp pads
These are made to be cut off to the shape and size of the user’s preference. Thanks to the material these are made of, they are becoming more popular, the foam allows the pad to compress and acquire the shape of the boot, so the grip is firm. They hold better at different temperatures; unlike rubber, they maintain their softness in really cold temperatures. Another advantage of foam over rubber is that it is cheaper and lightweight.
Studs
Studs are the most customizable stomp pads in the market. These are made of metal and come in a pack of individual studs. Their design allows them to be more subtle and place them the way you want on your board. Also, if they start to come off, you do not lose all the grip as they are individual.
Rails
These are a little less popular. Rails come in pairs; they are long thin lines you place right next to the foot you detach from the binding. They have the grip of a stomp pad and have a subtle design, so they are another option if you do not like the pads.
Combo
Some snowboarders like to combine stomp pads; some use a combination of studs and rails or stud and foam stomp pads.
Where Do You Put A Stomp Pad On A Snowboard?
Most of the time, stomp pads are placed right in front of your back binding; this is because it is the closer and more comfortable place to put it and get almost the same control as if you had the boot attached to the binding. However, you can place them any way you want depending on how you ride and feel more comfortable. It can be closer to the front binding or right in the middle.
How To Apply Stomp Pads
Applying stomp pads is quite simple, but you need to do it right, especially with the individual studs and rails. The pads come with an adhesive side that has a potent glue on them. These are the general steps you need to follow to place your stomp pads on your snowboard:
- Clean the surface of the snowboard, and snow might get in the way of the adherence of the pad. Make sure the surface is clean and dry.
- You will want to heat the surface of the board; you can do this with a hairdryer. For stronger adherence, heat the pad.
- Place the pad carefully. If you got rubber or foam pads, try to avoid bubbles by pressing firmly.
- Let the board rest according to the manufacturer.
Final words
Stomp pads are an accessory that might come in handy and highly beneficial for snowboarders of any level of experience. But the use is not required, and if you do not feel like you need them, you can forget about them and save that money for other things.
The preferences on the stomp pads may vary, so you can go ahead and check everything on the market to know which ones you are going to buy.
Sources:
https://360guide.info/snowboarding/on%20your%20board%20for%20extra%20controls%20-stomp-pad.html
