Benefits of Choosing the Right Bindings & Things to Consider When Buying

When people start snowboarding and are out to get their first snowboard, they completely neglect the importance of getting the right bindings as well. If you’ve never snowboarded before, the bindings are the parts that connect your feet to your snowboard. And determining the best match for that is extremely important for board control and having a more enjoyable snowboarding experience. However, picking the right snowboard bindings demands some basic knowledge. Things like types, flex and binding styles can all impact your snowboarding experience.

Type of Bindings

The most important thing when considering to buy snowboard bindings is the type that will suit your snowboarding style. That being said, bindings are categorised into three types – all-mountain, freeride and freestyle. All-mountain bindings are designed for people who ride a variety of styles and terrain. Freestyle bindings are for snowboarders who need mobility and range of motion. Generally, these bindings feature a soft to medium flex and add maneuverability. And lastly, freeride bindings are designed for experienced riders who need support and quick response times. Generally, these bindings feature a medium to stiff flex and provide better energy transfer when leaning forward.

Binding Styles

You’ll come across three different types of binding styles – traditional strap, splitboard, and step-on bindings. Each style has its distinct advantages and disadvantages in terms of functionality. Strap bindings are the most common type, and they feature a toe and ankle strap. The ankle strap spans across the top to secure the foot into the heel area, while the toe strap goes across the toes, ensuring they’re secured into the binding and preventing any unwanted lateral or forward movement. Splitboard bindings are found on splitboard designed snowboards, and they’re very responsive to cater to more aggressive riding styles. And lastly, step-on bindings are a relatively new invention, and they basically imitate how skiers lock their boots into ski bindings. These are fast, convenient, and don’t require you to sit down to lock your feet into them.

Binding Flex

The flex of the bindings is determined by the manufacturer and it’s measured on a scale from 1 to 10. Bindings that have 1 flex are the softest, and 10 are the stiffest. However, the flex levels can vary from brand to brand, but you can still refer to the scale for approximate flex levels. That being said, 1-2 flex rating are soft bindings, 3-4 are medium-soft, 5-6 are medium, 7-8 are medium-stiff and 9-10 are stiff.