Snowboard BInding Guide

How to buy snowboard bindings

All of the other guides out there are outdated so I decided to whip this snowboard binding guide up. Snowboard bindings have stayed basically the same over the years but have changed drastically as far as construction and performance goes.

There are two main types of bindings available now and they are a traditional two strap designs and a convertible high backs. We’ll start with the tradition two strap designs.

Two Strap Design

The two strap designs either have baseplates made of plastic/synthetic like Burton , full metal Ride- or a hybrid system such as Rome. Rome bindings have a plastic base plate with metal under loop.

Plastic designed base plates are usually more forgiving than metal ones. The choice one chooses is usually their preference in feel. I prefer Rome bindings because they offer the lateral flexibility of plastic based bindings but have the heel/toe response of a full metal binding.

These days there are two types of strap bindings, Freestyle and Freeride. Freestyle bindings are more forgiving and freeride bindings are typically stiffer and more responsive. Once you start snowboarding you will develop a preference for the bindings you like. I would start with a mid grade free ride binding for my first binding.

Most two strap bindings offer either a convertible toe strap, cap strap, or a tradition strap. A traditional strap goes on top of the boot over your toes. Cap straps cover the end of you boot pulling it into the binding. A convertible strap is a strap design that can either worn on top of the boot or on the toe Convertible straps are becoming the norm now..

The actual design is the same across the board. The more expensive bindings have better ratchets, straps, padding in the baseplate, better dampening and customization to fit exactly the way you want. A low end binding will offer basic adjustments and a no frills package.


Convertible High Backs

The next styles of bindings are convertible high backs. Flow

folds down adding ease of entry with out having to mess with buckles. You can also enter your binding with out having to sit down. The ease of use of Flow

bindings has appealed to older snowboarders and new users alike. Another great convertible binding is the K2 Cinch.

Binding hole patters- Burton uses both a three hole system and EST system. Every other board company uses the standard 4x4 patterns.. Most binding companies offer a mounting disk so they can fit Burton boards. The EST binding system is exclusive to Burton.

Plate Bindings - Unless your race or ride an alpine board stay away!

Step in Bindings- There is a reason that they are not produced anymore. They are horrible!!

I hope you get something out my snoboard binding guide I reccomend the both The House and Evo Gear for the best prices and service!

Flow Bindings

Flow bindings are some of the easiest bindings to get into! No more monkeying with straps, just slide your foot in and pull up the high back and go.

They are also compatible with any soft boot. This is a big advantage because it lets you choose from a wide variety of boots to find the best fit and not just have to go with one specific brand, although Flow does make their own boot, which apparently fit even better and are custom for their bindings. This is a major difference from step in bindings, which you have to buy at the time of buying a boot to make sure both are compatible. Flow bindings work with any soft boot.