A well-appointed and reliable snowboard tool kit is worth assembling and carrying, because on a long enough timeline, everyone needs to make a small adjustment or repair while on the mountain. However, we all ride different terrain and have different objectives when we strap in (or Step On), so the equipment that each individual carries may vary slightly.
In this guide, Burton’s experts outline the basic items you will need to assemble a snowboard tool kit, so you can have as much fun as possible, stay out there longer, and make it back to the car at the end of the day.
- Snowboard Multi-tool: The Foundation of Your Snowboard Tool Kit
- Snowboard Tool Kits for Resort, Touring, and Trips/Travel
- A Note on Snowboard Tuning Tools
Snowboard Multi-tool: The Foundation of Any Snowboard Tool Kit
The centerpiece of any good snowboard tool kit is a reliable multi-tool that features Philips and flat head screwdrivers, Allen keys, and a 10mm wrench to make adjustments to bindings and straps. A good multi-tool is compact, lightweight, and fits easily into the pocket of your snowboard jacket. Snowboard multi-tools come in many different shapes and sizes, so explore your options before grabbing the first one you come across.
The Other Foundational Tools
Once you’ve found a multi-tool you are happy with, build your snowboard tool kit out with additional items as needed. If you have what you need to adjust every fastener found in your kit, you've got the right tools.
- Check your snowboard boots. There are few user-serviceable parts on a pair of modern boots, but some lacing systems like BOA® may require specialty tools, like a T-6 Torx driver bit.
- Check your snowboard bindings. Many bindings feature tool-free adjustments, but some buckles and clips may require specialty tools to get you riding again.
- Check your outerwear. Are your zippers in good shape? Do you have a self-adhesive patch ready in the event that you tear your jacket while in the field?
- Check your helmet and goggles. Do you have a spare goggle clip? Is your helmet buckle in good shape?
Snowboard Tool Kits for Resort, Touring, and Travel
What you choose to pack in your tool kit, beyond a multi-tool (and the other basic essentials), should reflect where you plan to ride and the equipment you will be using. This typically means that snowboard tool kits for resort riding, touring, and international travel include slightly different items.
Pro tip: While you could pack all of your repair kit items into your jacket pockets, falling on your multitool is a great way to have a bad day. Instead, consider a small zippered accessory pouch to help keep everything organized in your pocket or backpack.
Tool Kit for Resort Riding
For resort riding, you can often get away with bringing a multi-tool and leaving spare parts (spare binding straps, extra mounting hardware, new buckles) in the car. Carrying your tool in a slim hard case can prevent injury in the event of a crash and still allows for easy access if you need to make quick adjustments in the lift line.
Additionally, many resorts have community tuning benches with a few tools located near the main base area, in case you leave your tool kit at home or need a place to complete more complicated fixes.
Pro tip: No tuning bench in the base area? No problem. Swing through the rental shop and ask nicely to borrow a screwdriver. Just make sure to always say “thank you” and high-five the shop crew for helping out.
Splitboarding Tool Kit
For backcountry travel on a splitboard, where reliable gear can literally mean the difference between life and death, you will want to place a bit more thought into building out your tool kit. We will say that again: when traveling outside of maintained terrain, make sure you have all of the right spare parts and tools to repair your gear in the event of failure or accident. This means assembling a snowboard tool kit that includes a selection of replacement parts in addition to multi-purpose supplies so you can troubleshoot trickier repairs.
- 1 spare ankle strap
- 1 spare toe strap
- 1 spare ratchet
- Spare screws
Given how much extra wear and tear we put on our snowboard outerwear while touring, it’s also a great idea to carry a universal repair patch. These will cover small tears on jackets, bibs, and packs alike. We love NoSo gear patches for this specific purpose.
Lastly, every snowboarder worth their salt carries an extra Voile strap or two, which are incredibly versatile and can be used to secure a broken snowboard boot, a blown strap, or climbing skins that are giving out.
Snowboard Trip/Travel Tool Kit
When packing for a snowboard trip that requires travel, it's important to expand your basic tool kit to include a few more backup parts, in the event that something happens and you are unable to source replacement parts at your destination. In addition to the gear you pack for a day in the backcountry, we recommend packing a few more pieces of spare hardware, and some basic tuning equipment including an edge file and rub-on snowboard wax.
Research the local conditions where you are traveling a week or so ahead of your trip to know what snowboard wax type to put on your board and the riding conditions you should be prepared for. No extra points for being the last one down the mountain.
Pro tip: If you’re taking multiple boards, bring a spare mounting hardware kit. It’s easy for small pieces of hardware to get lost in your snowboard bag during transit.
A Note on Snowboard Tuning Tools
Even though this guide is focused on snowboard tool kits for field repairs, the Burton Guides receive lots of questions about snowboard tuning tools as well, so here’s some basic info.
When you purchase a new Burton snowboard, it will come factory tuned and ready to ride right out of the box, so you won’t need any tuning equipment initially. However, maintaining the edges and base of your board as you inevitably put some wear and tear on it will be the key to preserving that factory-fresh riding experience for years to come.
You can certainly take your board into your local snowboard shop for general maintenance, but there is something to be said for spending an evening at home waxing your board with a good snowboard movie and an cold (or hot) beverage.
For general maintenance, most riders will benefit from owning a few basic snowboard tuning tools.
- Hot wax iron
- Scraper
- File guide
- Tuning vises
While there are plenty of other specialty tools you might want to invest in as you get more confident in your tuning abilities, these are all you really need to turn your basement or garage into your own private snowboard shop.
Pro tip: For additional information on tuning tools, as well as detailed instructions on tuning, read How to Wax a Snowboad: 6 Quick & Easy Steps and How to Sharpen Snowboard Edges: A Step-by-step Guide.
A Final Word On Snowboard Tool Kits
At the end of the day, taking care of your gear, storing it properly, and replacing worn parts will reduce the odds that you will need a snowboard tool kit on the mountain. Nonetheless, assembling a tool kit and tailoring its contents to your needs will ensure that you’re never caught flat-footed. The last thing anyone wants is to be stuck in the tuning shop while all of your friends are out there enjoying the goods after a big storm. Gather the right tools and get familiar with making adjustments to your gear in the off-season so that when winter comes, you’re ready to go.
