After choosing your boots and your snowboard, snowboard bindings are most likely the next piece of equipment on your shopping list.
This guide will help you learn how to navigate what’s on the market to make the best choice and help you perform at your best.
The three main types of snowboard bindings
There are three main categories of bindings available on the market today, each with their own pros and cons. As a career snowboard instructor, I’ve seen students using all three systems.
Read on to learn about each one.
Strap bindings
These bindings are the traditional bindings that you think of when you think of snowboard bindings.
They use two straps, a heel strap and a toe strap, to fasten you to your snowboard. Heel straps are pretty standard, and most toe straps today are in fact toe caps, meaning that they fasten around the toe of your boot rather than over the toe.
Toe caps not only keep your boot from lifting, but they also pull your boot towards the heel cup bolstering their snug fit.
Strap bindings offer a snug and secure fit, but are not as fast to put on as the following two binding types.
Step-in bindings
Step-in systems do not use straps, but rather use hooks and clips to fasten your boot to the binding, and in turn the board.
Originally this system would fasten somewhere around the middle of the boot sole, but now systems like the Burton Step-On® fasten at three points: the heel, and on either side of the toe box. Several other brands have licensed the Step-On® system in the design of their own bindings.
In my opinion, they don’t give quite the same secure feeling as traditional strap bindings, but they are certainly much quicker to put on and simpler for people with reduced mobility.
Rear-entry bindings
Rear-entry bindings have been on the market for quite some time and the latest iteration of the technology is the FASE® binding system now used by a number of different brands, such as Nidecker, Jones, and Nitro among others.
They allow for quick-entry and offer the same snugness as traditional strap bindings. The only con I’ve noticed is the challenge to put them on while sitting.
However in my opinion as a career snowboard instructor, we should all learn how to put our bindings on standing up!
Read more: A Guide to Rear-Entry Snowboard Bindings
Snowboard binding mounting systems
Snowboard bindings need to be attached to the snowboard in some way. In our industry there are a few main mounting systems that exist.
2×4
This is the most common mounting system in the industry. It is the classic mounting system that uses two rows of inserts, i.e., the screw holes in the board, spaced 2cm apart. There are usually 6 to 8 holes per row.
The Channel
This mounting system design is owned by Burton and used on the entire Burton line up. Other brands, like Endeavor and Signal have licensed the use of the channel on their boards as well.
The channel allows for millimeter-precise customization of your binding positions, as the bindings can be slid into the desired position and locked in place through two screws.
Burton makes special EST bindings which are designed exclusively for the channel system, and all other bindings generally come with disks that are built to interface with the channel.
The only downside is that the forces exerted in snowboarding all go through two screws rather than four, making them more susceptible to loosening. Make sure to check your bolts before dropping in!
4×4
This system is generally found on older boards, as it’s the predecessor of the 2×4 system. It’s essentially the same, only the holes are four centimeters apart rather than two.
3D
This is another legacy mounting system used by Burton where the bindings were fastened to the board using a three bolt system. It’s only worth mentioning because you might see it on the hill and wonder what it is!
How are snowboard bindings supposed to fit?
Snowboard bindings are supposed to fit snugly and allow for the straps to be centered over your boots.
The goal is to have as snug of a fit as possible, and you can tell by how much of a gap there is between the side of your boot and the side of the binding. Try to choose bindings that make the gap as small as possible, without being so small that they pinch the side of the boot.
Bindings also need to fit on the snowboard as well. They shouldn’t be overhanging either of the edges. If the bindings are fine but your boots are overhanging the edges.
To make sure you’ve got the right size, put the binding on your board, place your snowboard boot in the binding and give it a visual inspection. Look for snugness and overhang.
Another thing to be aware of is the presence of any pressure points. I suggest mounting the bindings and strapping into your board on flat ground. Move around, flex and twist the board, and make sure there are no pressure points or pain.
If you see or feel anything suspect, try a different brand, model, or size.
For more info on how to adjust snowboard bindings, view our bindings guide here.
What flex do I need in my snowboard bindings?
Snowboard bindings, just like snowboards and boots, come with a flex rating. The general rule is to choose a stiffness that matches your body type, ability level, and riding style.
More often than not, the stiffness we refer to in bindings relates to the stiffness of the high back.
The stiffer the bindings, the more responsiveness and performance they can offer. The softer the bindings, the more playful and forgiving they can be.
Soft bindings
Soft bindings are recommended for beginners and park riders, unless the main focus is hitting big jumps and half pipe. Softer bindings offer more forgiveness and more playful feeling.
The fact they’re easier to bend means you can lean into them without an immediate effect on the snowboard. They make it easier to twist and tweak your board in the air for stylish jumps.
Medium bindings
These bindings deliver a happy medium between performance and playfulness. They can give you stability and response at higher speeds and in more demanding terrain, while still giving you the ability to tweak your board and do flatland tricks without feeling locked in.
Medium-stiff bindings are a great choice for snowboarders who want to retain playfulness and style, while still being able to generate performance when needed, such as when hitting jumps or half pipe.
Stiff bindings
Stiff bindings are often the high-end bindings that brands design. They are high-end because they deliver maximum response and performance. They are often built with strong, yet light, materials like carbon.
If hard charging and speed are your game, then stiff bindings will offer you the precision and stability you need to make the mountain yours.
Conclusion
There are a number of options available on the market and it might take a bit of shopping around to find the best pair of snowboard bindings for you.
Choosing bindings depends on your body type, agility, need for speed when strapping in, ability level, and riding style.
Beyond the category, be it straps, step-in, or rear-entry, check the fit and feel of your bindings to make sure they are the right size and the brand for your boots.
