Snowboard equipment should be supportive as well as comfortable. You should not have to endure pain while riding! So now we're going to look at why snowboard boots hurt your calves.
If your snowboard boots do not fit properly, they can cause calves pain. A broad stance or a strong forward tilt can also put strain on the muscles, causing pain. When the binding goes too far in one way, it can cause pain in your calves. Your calves may be hurting because you are out of shape.
Continue reading to find out why your snowboard boots are hurting your calves and whether it's your boots or something else!
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Reasons snowboard boots hurt your calves |
My snowboard boots constantly hurt my calves!
There are a handful of prevalent causes of calf pain when wearing snowboard boots. Exclude them one by one and enjoy the ride!
The following are some of the most common reasons of calves pain while snowboarding:
1. Your boots do not fit properly.
This should go without saying, but must say it anyway, The most common cause of calf pain while snowboarding is that your boots do not fit!
Don't get me wrong: they should be tight. While standing erect, your toes may press up against the end of the boot, but they should pull away once you drop into your snowboarding stance.
When you snowboard in boots that are too small for you, your calves will hurt. Try sizing up at least a half size. However, too-large boots will cause problems since you will over-tighten them.
2. Your bindings are positioned incorrectly.
The second most prevalent cause of calves pain during snowboarding is most likely not the fault of the boots!
Instead, it is due to the bindings not being properly aligned with your boots and riding stance.
Positive Motion Chiropractic has created an excellent video that demonstrates how binding position may be the culprit... and why your snowboard boots are killing your calves:
3. You Should Stretch More!
Another reason your boots are causing calves pain is that you did not prepare for the snowboard season. This is something we're all guilty of!
Stretching is essential for overall physical wellness, which includes snowboarding.
Take a moment and stretch your calves if your boots are creating pain. If they feel better afterward, this could be the cause. Here are the best snowboard stretches.
4. Injuries
An underlying injury is another prevalent cause of your snowboard boots hurting your calves.
These injuries can range from minor to serious, and they can all have an impact on your calves while snowboarding.
Take note of your body. There are numerous minor ailments that can cause your boots to hurt your calves. Some of the most common ones are Achilles tendonitis and muscle strain. Get it checked out if you suspect an injury!
5. Excessive reliance on toe-side turns.
Toe-side turns are notorious for putting a lot of strain on your calves. You'll feel the burn as you travel a wide pitch on your toe-side!
Make sure to practice your heel side turns and to vary your riding style. Switch riding is also beneficial because it lets you to ride in both directions.
Here are some examples of common carving errors. Make certain you dodge them all!
6. Old snowboard boots.
Examine the padding in your boots!
The cushioning will degrade over time. The outer boot will wind up rubbing up against your calf. Painful!
If your lining has thinned out, you can either replace it or get new boots (my preference). My preferred boot is the DC judge. You may read my review here.
7. Wearing the incorrect layers.
Never tuck your base layer around your boots. This will result in pressure points that are unequal. These are definitely going to hurt!
My advise is to invest in a good pair of long snowboard socks that cover your calves appropriately. This was covered in depth in our piece on whether snowboard socks are worth it.
Conclusion
By checking off the common difficulties listed above, you should be able to alleviate the painful calf condition.
Check the fit of your boots, base layer, and socks. Check that you are not over-tightening your boot, and if you are, it is possible that your boots do not fit properly.
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