It is a lot like with other sports. If you have your own equipment, you will get used to how it performs and will be more comfortable with it. Most people rent the first few times out, then shop around to buy their own snowboarding gear.The advantages of buying your own gear is the cost. So most people rent a couple times to get a taste if snowboarding is something they would like to continue doing. If so, then they look to buy their own equipment.