The 6 Best Online Snowboard Retailers

Based on factors like shipping costs, return policy, sales, and discount offerings, and more.

The popularity of online shopping means dozens of online snowboard retailers all promising a dozen and one things. But if you’ve been around long enough like me, you’ll know that it’s easy to get disappointed when shopping for snowboards and snowboarding gear online. 

So if you’re looking to purchase a new board because you want a spare board just in case, want a different board for a new set of mountains, or whatever your reason might be, I’ve done the digging, verifying, and substantiating for you. 

My top picks are:

Retailer	Shipping Costs	Return Policy	Biggest Pro	Worst Con
Tactics Boardshop	Full refund within 60 days of purchase if not satisfied.	90 days for unused items; 30 days for used items.	Specializes in boards, offering more options than general retailers.	Limited shipping options.
Backcountry	Free standard shipping on orders of $50 or more.	90 days for unused items; 30 days for used items.	Good selection of products with many different sizes.	Limited product specifications provided.
REI	Free for members; free on orders over $60 for non-members.	Up to one year for members; up to 90 days for non-members.	Excellent member benefits and a very generous return policy.	Snowboards and gear are not always available for shipping.
Steep & Cheap	Free standard shipping on orders of $50 or more.	30 days for new, unused items with original packaging.	Good selection of products at discounted prices.	Not as many options as larger retailers.
Gear Trade	Free on orders over $100	14-day policy with a $4 restocking fee; shipping not refunded.	You can find great deals on used gear.	Unreliable and limited inventory as it’s a used marketplace.
Amazon	Free standard shipping for Prime members.	30 days for new, unused items (unless from a third-party seller).	Good discounts and fast shipping for Prime members.	Fewer options for quality gear and poor customer service.

#1. Tactics Boardshop: Offers More Options than General Retailers

Tactics Boardshop has been offering specialized snowboard and skate gear since 1999. Today, you can still find an impressive range of boards and accessories. Basically, all of the brand names you might want are there, like Vans, Burton, Union, K2, and Volcom. 

They offer men’s and women’s snowboards as well as kids’ snowboards, snow skates, and split boards. You’ll find different deals throughout the year, like 40% off a new split board from Lib Tech plus a 10% for the holidays. Their collection of men’s and women’s boards are some of the best, with brands like Nitro and Salomon on display.

One of the things I really like is they give you guidance on which board might be best for you based on things like your writing style, board profile, or size and shape. So if you aren’t sure what board you want but want to do more tricks this season, you can get advice on picking a freestyle board and all things twin shapes and softer flex.

#2. Backcountry: Offers Free Shipping on Purchases Above $49.99

Backcountry does snowboards, boots, bindings, accessories, and even gear for kids. If you purchase anything from them, as long as you spend at least $50, you get free shipping, so that’s a plus. However, since you are purchasing online, if you have to return something, you only get a refund if it’s in its original packaging, hasn’t been used, and it’s within 90 days. But barring that, any returns that are processed will earn you store credit.

Backcountry, like REI, focuses a lot on apparel, so you’ll find some really good snowboard pants or jackets. If you find the same gear in an identical fashion somewhere else, they‘ll do better than price match; they’ll offer you 5% off the cost as listed on their website.

Honestly, though, I’ve had a lot of trouble with the limited product specs they have; usually, I end up confirming with at least three other websites to make sure that the product I’m trying to buy is the correct size or style.

#3. REI: Offers Up to One Year Returns For Members

REI is a pretty popular name in the snowboard retailer space. When you shop here, you can save an average of 30% off full prices for snowboards and snowboard gear. I also like that they have true twin, directional twin, and directional boards with stiff and medium flex options. You can get all mountain, freestyle, free ride, or split styles too. 

They are obviously one of the most popular co-ops, and you get a ton of perks when you sign up as a member; benefits like 10% off full-priced items as well as access to used gear. You basically get a lot as a member, including generous return policies.

However, REI is really focused on backpacking and camping. So your selection isn’t going to be as vast if you are looking for snowboards and snowboard gear in particular. They might have some leading brand names with good clothing, but most of the deals you get from them are going to be things you find in person. 

Tip: If you have a location near you, always go to their biannual garage sales as these can offer a lot of unexpected finds at ridiculously low prices. 

#4. Steep & Cheap: Offers a Good Selection of Products at Cheaper Prices

Steep & Cheap is owned by Backcountry, doesn’t operate physical storefronts, and is your go-to if you don’t want to pay Backcountry prices. In terms of shipping, they will send to the US, international shipping for an extra fee, APO addresses, and PO boxes. It’s important to note that while they can ship to PO boxes, it is often limited. Specifically, their premium shipping options (like 2-Day or Next-Day Air) cannot be sent to P.O. boxes. Standard or economy shipping is typically required for these addresses.

Now, once you get your items, as long as you don’t look at them or try them on or sneeze near them, you can return them within 30 days of delivery, but it’s going to cost you $9 and a lot of your time locating a FedEx drop-off location. They are pretty sneaky, though, because you can get that $9 fee waived if you opt for store credit instead of a return to your original payment method. No thanks. 

Anywho, all of the snowboard gear you buy has to be returned in the condition in which you received it, and that includes original packaging and manufacturer tags exactly where and how they were attached or affixed, according to the fine print. 

Let me be clear, I totally understand not wanting to take back gently used equipment that may have tried for the day on the mountain, scuffed up, and then decided they didn’t like. But if I’m ordering a new pair of boots,I definitely want to try them on, and the same goes for clothes that need to fit me in a particular way. So if snowboard pants come wrapped in a plastic bag, I obviously have to open that bag to get to the pants to try them on, in which case the mere act of opening that bag means I can’t return them if they don’t fit. I don’t like. 

#5. GearTrade: Offers Loads of Great Deals on its Used Inventory

GearTrade is a good retailer for online snowboards if you are looking to buy used outdoor gear. It’s basically a marketplace. They have wide snowboards, kids’ snowboards, split boards, powder boards, freestyle boards, all-mountain boards, and even snowboard packages if you want the whole kit and caboodle in one place.

As a place where you buy used equipment, I’m genuinely surprised that they have as many board options or accessories as they do.

Now the downside is the return policy really sucks sour pickles; you have 14 days from the time your products arrive to figure out if the board’s going to work for you, and then ship it back if it doesn’t. So if you aren’t on the ball, that deadline is going to fly right by you. But I suppose I should just be grateful they have a return policy at all, given that they are a used outlet. 

#6. Amazon: Offers Great Discounts for Prime Members

Okay, honestly, I hate to even mention them because their business model discourages local businesses from thriving, but if you are willing to search around in the endless inventory they offer, you might find some good deals. 

Amazon.com has a lot of potential offerings, especially for people who are Prime members. You get things like free 2-day shipping, which is great if you suddenly realized that some of your gear doesn’t fit or work anymore, and you are about to leave for a weekend snowboard trip.

But if you have problems processing a return or a missing delivery, you’ll feel like Indiana Jones hunting along their website for customer service links or return settings. And don’t even get me started on customer service; you won’t find knowledgeable staff who can help you with sizing or any other questions you might have relating to snowboards or snowboard gear. So you better come prepared with exactly what it is you are looking for in exactly the right sizes, colors, or dimensions. 

Summing It All Up

The best online snowboard retailer really depends on what you need. If you need snowboard packages and advice as a beginner, your preferred store might be different from someone who wants to get extra accessories. Here’s how I would look at it: 

• If you want the biggest range of killer brand names, Tactics is your store. 
• If you like really cheap, beginner stuff, or you know exactly what you are looking for, check out Amazon or Steep & Cheap.
• If you want used gear that might have hidden finds, check out Gear Trade.
• If you are a member, stick with REI for their member discounts.
• If you want to chat with someone about the right board to go with your bindings, or for your particular boarding style, use Backcountry.