How To Buy Snowboard Bindings

Snowboard bindings serve as the vital connection point between you and your snowboard. Determining what type of snowboard bindings best match your snowboard and riding style is critical and will ultimately result in better board control and a more enjoyable time on the mountain. This guide will quickly explain everything you need to know about different snowboard binding types and will help you determine how to choose snowboard bindings that will best suit you.

how to buy snowboard bindings

We categorize snowboard bindings into three types and recommended uses: All-Mountain, Freestyle, and Freeride. A bindings recommended use and flex rating will go hand-in-hand so it is important to determine your ride style and ability level before selecting a pair of bindings. For example, all-mountain riders and beginners should look for a binding with a medium flex as they offer the most versatility. Soft and stiff bindings are geared towards more experienced riders who have specific preferences on whether they prefer a soft binding for freestyle riding or a stiff binding for response and power in challenging terrain.

Strap snowboard bindings are the most common type of snowboard binding. These typically feature two straps, an ankle strap and a toe strap. The ankle strap spans across the top of the boot to secure the foot into the heel cup area of the binding against the highback. The toe cap strap ratchets across the toe of the boot, ensuring the toes and ball of the foot are securely fit into the binding, preventing any unwanted forward or lateral movement. Strap-in bindings come in a variety of support, cushioning and price options, making them a great option for all ride types and skill levels.

Splitboard bindings are often very responsive as they cater to aggressive big mountain riding and come with multiple features and adjustments not found on standard strap snowboard bindings. Looking to get into splitboarding? These are the bindings you are after.

Rear-entry bindings strive to blend the control and support of traditional strap bindings with the quick and easy use associated with Step On bindings and step-ins of the past. Companies like Gnu and Flow are the most recognizable manufacturers of rear entry bindings today. At first glance, these bindings look very similar to strap bindings with either two independent toe and ankle straps, or a single large panel that extends across the top of the boot. The most defining characteristic of rear entry bindings is the folding or hinging highback that allows for entry into the bindings. Although these bindings offer a quick and easy way to get strapped in, the drawbacks are they are not as easy to adjust compared to strap bindings and the overall level of fit and support is diminshed compared to strap snowboard bindings.

To ensure your boots are compatible with your bindings you will need to reference each binding manufacturer sizing chart. Bindings come in different sizes and matching your boot size to the corresponding binding size is crucial for a correct fitting and functioning pair of bindings. Bindings that are too small for your boots will not ratchet and secure your foot correctly while bindings that are too large for your boot will prevent proper board control and response.

Before getting out on the snow it is important to know how to properly adjust your bindings to fit your boots. Bindings are sized to fit a range of boot sizes which come in different profiles from brand to brand, therefore adjustments may need to be made to ensure your bindings fit properly. Some bindings come with tool-free adjustment, while others require a binding tool or screwdriver to make the proper adjustments.

To adjust your snowboard bindings, the most important areas to tune will be the ankle and toe straps. Aim to center both the toe and ankle straps over your boot to eliminate any uneven pressure on the inside or outside of your foot. Centering the straps will also equally distribute energy between your legs and board ensuring more response and less fatigue. These will be set to a factory setting and may need to either be shortened or lengthened a notch or two to ensure the proper fit over your boot.

Your bindings will need to work with your board. Most bindings on the market today are designed to work across multiple mounting platforms. Below is a list of the four main types of snowboard binding mounting interfaces. Note that many models will work across multiple platforms. However, pay close attention to ensure the bindings you are purchasing will work with the corresponding board you plan to mount them on.

Rear entry bindings can be identified by the reinforced highback and single strap at the toe. The highback of these bindings will pop open, you slide your foot into the strap and then close the highback onto your boot.

The actual Channel System refers to the two integrated slots that run parallel to the edge of the board and are the system used to attach your bindings to your snowboard. Allowing for a full range of customizable stances the Channel system allows you to slide your bindings down the length of the entirety of the snowboard.

Burton's EST bindings bring out the best of Channel system's flex and are considered to be more comfortable since there is no hardware underfoot. The EST bindings will only mount to Burton's channel system.

This is evo. We are a ski, snowboard, wake, skate, bike, surf, camp and clothing online retailer with physical stores in Seattle, Portland, Denver, Salt Lake City, Whistler, Snoqualmie Pass, and Hood River. Our goal is to provide you with great information to make both your purchase and up-keep easy.evo also likes to travel to remote places across the globe in search of world-class powder turns, epic waves, or legendary mountain biking locations through evoTrip Adventure Travel Trips. Or, if you prefer to travel on your own, check out our ski & snowboard resort travel guides, and mountain bike trail guides.

Beginners and freestylers tend to choose bindings with short, flexible highbacks (the vertical plate that rests against your Achilles tendon) for a softer, forgiving ride and easy recovery when landing jumps and tricks.

All-mountain: Best for any terrain, including groomed runs, powder, park and pipe. Flex levels of bindings vary based on your skill level and preferred terrain. Most riders choose soft to medium flex, while racers choose stiff flex.

Strap Bindings: The most common kind of snowboard bindings, strap bindings feature straps that ratchet down to secure your boots in place; the highbacks do not move. Strap bindings feature multiple adjustment options, excellent support and cushioning.

On the downside, manually buckling and unbuckling the straps can be cumbersome and time-consuming when wearing gloves or in very cold conditions. Strap bindings are generally suitable for both soft and firm-flexing boots.

Speed-entry Bindings: These bindings look similar to strap bindings, but have reclining highbacks that allow quick and easy in-and-out boot access, which is preferred by many casual riders. These bindings stabilize your feet with a yoke system that applies uniform pressure across the forefoot.

Binding baseplates feature bolts or discs that attach to a snowboard's binding interface and adjust to attain your preferred stance on the board. Make sure the baseplates are compatible with the interface on your chosen snowboard.

Most bolt patterns are 2x4 or 4x4. Some Burton boards have a diamond-shaped, "3D" bolt pattern found only on its boards. Burton also has a line of boards featuring The Channel system which works with any Burton binding and some bindings from other major brands.

Snowboard bindings must accommodate your boot size. A compatible binding will grip a boot snugly and securely, but without forcing the boot into position or pinching it into place. Bindings should allow your boots to flex, without letting them wobble or shift.

This really revolves around your boots. Get the right sized board for your boots and the right sized bindings for your boots and your bindings and board will automatically be the right size for each other.

Snowboard bindings come in two main types. There are others that are more specialized but most riders go with either Strap-In or Speed Entry (a.k.a. Rear Entry) Bindings.

Freeriders: Free-riders love the backcountry right? If you have to strap-in at any point on steep slopes (sitting down) or with a lot of powder around it can be tricky to do so with speed entry bindings.

Precise about pressure: Strap-in bindings are also good for anyone who is fussy about getting the pressure of the binding straps precise and completely independently on both toe and ankle.

A lot of the binding manufacturers make their binding discs (which hold the base plate of the bindings to the snowboard) compatible with both 4 hole and 3 hole mounting systems so that their bindings can be used on either.

Hopefully you are now more in-the-know about how to choose your snowboard bindings. To get greater detail on each section of this article, check out the the links at the end of each section (these go more into depth on each topic).

Nate is passionate about and loves learning new things everyday about snowboarding, particularly the technical aspects of snowboarding gear. That, and becoming a better rider and just enjoying and getting the most out of life.

Complete your set with snowboard bindings.Choosing the best snowboard bindings on the market is easy when scrolling through our selection! Shop the top brands, including Burton, Union, K2, Ride, Rossignol, Rome and many more. Whether you're a seasoned vet ripping up the black and blue trails or a beginner just getting comfortable on their edges, we have something for everyone. Shop our selection of men's bindings below to find the binding that is going to keep up with you from those early bluebird fresh corduroys, all the way to the final ascend down the mountain. Good luck searching and happy shredding! 041b061a72