If you’ve ever tried snowboarding, you’ve probably relied on a stomp pad to help you get off the chair lift safely. Stomp pads are devices designed to provide traction for snowboarders unattached foot and are attached to the top deck of a snowboard. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials.
When you buy a new snowboard, one of the first items that most snowboarders attach is a new stomp pad. No matter what style or size of stomp pad you choose, you’ll need to know how to attach it. This is the method I’ve used for the past twenty years on my snowboards with great success.
Clean the Deck
Whether you are attaching a stomp pad to a new board or a used board, clean the board before trying to attach a stomp pad. The new board may have chemicals leftover from the manufacturing process and the used board may have dirt and other impurities on it.
Take some soap and water and clean the area where you want to put the stomp pad. Do a final rinse with water. Then, dry the deck of the board. Put some rubbing alcohol on a clean dry cloth or paper towel. Wipe the area that was cleaned with soap and water with the rubbing alcohol. Dry the snowboard or let it air dry. Keep bare hands away from the cleaned area as hand oils may interfere with the adhesive bonding process.
Placement
Proper placement of the stomp pad is critical if it is going to be useful. First, attach your snowboard bindings to the snowboard. The best place to attach a stomp pad is on the top of the deck just in front of the rear snowboard binding. With this placement you can achieve the widest possible stance for balance, can place your foot on the stomp pad, and you can use the rear binding for support while getting off the chair lift.
Attaching the pad
To attach the pad, you’ll need a hair dryer. Set the hair dryer on dry/hot and a medium air speed setting. Aim the warm air stream to the spot on the snowboard where you will be attaching the stomp pad. Warm this area until it is warm to the touch. Be careful not to get the board scorching hot or you may delaminate the snowboard.
While you are warming the snowboard, you can prepare the stomp pad at the same time. Take the adhesive protection off the bottom of the stomp pad. Lay the stomp pad upside down next to the spot where you will place the stomp pad on the deck of the snowboard.
Warm the deck of the snowboard and the bottom of the stomp pad at the same time. Warm both till they are warm to the touch. When both are warm, take the stomp pad and place it right side up on the warmed up spot on the deck of the snowboard. Press the stomp pad firmly onto the deck of the board. Try to remove any air bubbles.
Let the adhesive set
Let the snowboard stomp pad set before using it. It’s best to let it set for a minimum of 24-48 hours before using the snowboard. This will allow the adhesive to achieve maximum bonding to the snowboard.
Go snowboarding.
More on snowboard equipment:
How to Buy Snowboard Goggles
How to Mount Snowboard Bindings
Tips for Choosing Snowboard Boots
Sources:
personal knowledge and experience
