When upgrading your snow apparel and equipment, snowboard bindings may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Often it’s overlooked as boots, clothing, and a stellar snowboard takes priority. However, a great pair of snowboard bindings are essential when it comes to choosing the right gear. It can make or break your time on the slopes.
Snowboard bindings are the connection between you and your board. They act as a steering wheel for you to control your board with ease, keep your feet comfortable, and absorb vibrations while you cruise down the mountains. Snowboard bindings are just as important as the rest of your winter get up, as they transfer energy from your legs and feet straight to the board and have the power to enhance your riding experience.
Features of good snowboard bindings
But what are some key components to look out for when choosing snowboard bindings? It will depend on your riding style as bindings usually come in three types, all-mountain, freeride, and freestyle. Also, you’ll want to make sure your bindings offer the proper built-in technologies offering stability, including ankle straps, supportive highbacks, tool-free adjustment, and forward lean adjuster.
It’s important to examine the right flex that will complement your riding style too. Are you after a soft flex? A stiff flex or a medium flex? Ultimately, you want snowboard bindings that result in better board control while feeling super comfortable and supportive.
Snowboard bindings FAQs
Why do I need snowboard bindings?
Snowboard bindings serve as the critical connection point between you and your board. Determining the right pair of bindings for you is reliant on your type of riding style. Snowboard bindings deliver power from your body, legs, and feet to the board allowing you to control the board with ease while keeping your feet comfortable as you ride.
What are the types of snowboard bindings?
The most common types of snowboard bindings are all-mountain, freestyle, and freeride. These three types of bindings go hand in hand with your type of riding style. For example, all-mountain riders may want to consider a binding with a medium flex as they offer versatility. More experienced riders usually opt for soft and stiff bindings, as the soft binding is suitable for freestyle riders, while a stiff binding is perfect for response and harsh terrain.
Can you mix and match snowboard bindings?
Although there's a variety of binding options, most pairs are compatible with different snowboards as most brands now offer universal discs or multiple discs designed to cover all sorts of mounting holes.
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Reviewing all these key technologies to find the perfect snowboard bindings can seem like a lot, but we’ve got you covered. Listed below, we’ve assembled some brands offering the best snowboard bindings, bound to give you precision, making you and your board feel like one.
Burton
1/8Price: From $180
Sizes: S-L
Customer Reviews: “Excellent stance adjustability. Great comfort. Good ratchet system. Great shock absorption.”
Burton is an A-grade ski and snowboarding brand that’s led the industry over for four decades. Founded by Jake Burton Carpenter in 1977, Burton set to make the very best clothing and equipment, manufactured out of groundbreaking and innovative technology. With the snowy mountains of Vermont close by, Burton develops and tests their products right in their own backyard to keep striving for the next technical evolution.
Burton recognises that snowboard bindings are one of the most critical setups for your winter apparel, just as important as the snowboard itself. That’s why their snowboard bindings are designed to be super responsive and comfortable.
With a lot of their range featuring bindings with cushioning and a baseplate construction, your boots will be able to effortlessly click into place, providing you with the ultimate support. Known for the Burton Cartel, these bindings feature a Re: Flex mounting system, which greatly improves board feel and flex while providing a cushioning system that maximises comfort while minimizing fatigue.
Flow
2/8Price: From $200
Sizes: L
Customer Reviews: “The best! Easy, efficient, and 100% worth the money.”
As the name suggests, Flow bindings are created for you to seamlessly glide through the snow, tackling all sorts of rocky terrain. Founded in 1994 by Reinhardt Hansen and Neil Pryde, the two set out to redefine the status quo that binding only needed two straps and a fixed heal. Instead, they offer a diverse range with some of the best bindings available.
For Flow, movement is zen – a blissful place where body, mind, and spirit blend together. With this in mind, Flow aims to create products that will embrace freedom and joy on the slopes, with their unique bindings suitable for all riders. Whether you’re after all-mountain, freestyle, or freeride bindings, Flow has got you covered.
Their range of bindings delivers a great mix of response, support, and flexibility while providing versatile and consistent performance across a wide range of conditions and riding styles. Many of their designs feature lightweight construction and an easy rear entry system. Offering everything from a soft flex to a medium flex to a stiff flex, you’re guaranteed to find what you’re looking for.
Arbour
3/8Price: From $200
Sizes: M/L-L/XL
Customer Reviews: “Great style and price.”
Founded in 1995 by Bob Carlson, Arbor’s mission remains the same – to deliver responsible progression by blending forward-thinking design and traditional craftsmanship made from sustainable materials. Since the mid-90s, Arbour has been led by a passionate ground of artists, designers, and friends to produce high-quality gear for action sports while protecting the planet.
Their bindings are some of the most well crafted, thoughtful designs on the market. Suitable for all-terrain movement and comfort, with many including a single-moulded baseplate, tool-less forward lean adjustment, and a heel cup design with pre-curved ankle straps that provide a lightweight, seamless feel to your board. Arbour also features bindings with a lighter and stiffer supported highback that’s perfect for the more aggressive riders shredding on harsh surfaces. Also, most products have a lifetime warranty too.
Flux
4/8Price: From $190
Sizes: S-L
Customer Reviews: “They look cool and will goes well with my board.”
As Flux is one of the very few only independent snowboard boot and binding businesses that’s been around for over 25 years, you’re sure to find reliable gear of the highest quality. Launching in 1993, when there were hardly any binding brands, Flux released its first model, which has inspired the brand’s pioneering, innovative ways ever since. Constantly upgrading and designing newer bindings, Flux sets out to create a line to fit each individual’s feet and riding style, down to a tee.
Flux’s bindings are perfect for fit, support, and response securing a comfortable and stable performance. Their technology features an Alpha baseplate, tailor-made for support and flexibility. Also, their ankle straps are super supportive while their toe and foot straps are highly versatile as they accommodate any riding style – whether you want to freestyle or charge down the mountains.
Union
5/8Price: From $170
Sizes: S-L
Customer Reviews: “Great bindings! It has a bit higher end baseplate giving better highspeed precision. A good compliment for a jibby feel.”
Union are devoted to manufacturing the best bindings for the most affordable prices. Perfect for snowboarders after quality equipment without breaking the bank. Union provides the most impressive snowboard bindings, made for different riding styles, from all-mountain to freestyle to split boarding; their range is diverse and endless.
Union’s bindings are super durable and supportive, thanks to its Duraflex technology, perfect for all-day riding. Performance-enhancing through the aluminium heel cups and an ankle strap that comes with an anti-slip Hexgrip toe strap, designed to make it feel secure and comfortable the minute you step onto your board.
Known for the Union Atlas range, this range also includes a medium flex, soft high back, and very responsive base plates that suit a wide variety of board types. Union bindings offer some of the most impressive mountain bindings as well, as they offer multi-zone Force highback that is responsive and tweakable while their construction is super durable, suitable for mountain riders covering rocky terrain.
Ride
6/8Price: From $220
Sizes: M-L
Customer Reviews: “Very smooth and damp binding. Great job dissipating chatter underfoot.”
Ride was founded by a group of like-minded snowboarders, all with distinct riding styles who were passionate about exploring the alpines. Founded in 1995, with only four boards and the vision to create a brand that was “for the people”, today Ride has cultivated a huge following of snowboard enthusiasts as it’s one of the largest snowboarding companies in the US. Headquartered in Preston, Washington, Ride is committed to building innovative products that are the absolute best.
With some of the best bindings on the market, Ride’s bindings are so unique as they are crafted from the best materials. With many offering a three-piece ankle strap, a minimalist toe strap, and an ultimate highback and baseplate, these bindings are made to give you a lightweight and durable board feel.
However, if you’re looking for snowboard bindings more suitable for all-mountain riders who want to charge fast down steep mountains, Ride offers strong binding highbacks made from a nylon blend, which reduces weight while still providing a responsive ride. Meanwhile, their Carbon Slimebac highbacks provide the response of carbon fibre with the damping of urethane for unmatched performance.
Salomon
7/8Price: From $220
Sizes: M-L
Customer Reviews: “Ankle support was really really good. Relatively good adjustability.”
Salomon group is a French sports equipment manufacturing company based in France. In 1947, Salomon was founded in the heart of the French Alps by the Salomon family when they opened their first ski shop in downtown Annecy.
In 1957, the brand created its first pair of ‘le lift’ bindings, which replaced the traditional leather binding straps and soon after, Salomon invents the first binding to have a self-release heel piece, featured at the 1966 Olympic Games. Since then, the company has led the industry due to its originality and innovative technology that manufactures the most advanced equipment the world has ever seen.
With bindings that continue to revolutionise snow sports, Salomon is the answer if you’re looking to up your snowboarding game. Their bindings are strong and precise, made to enhance performance. Offering a range of bindings suitable for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders, Salomon offers a lower baseplate securing power while you ride.
Some of its designs also include an asymmetrical highback, super flexible heel cups for enhanced fit and flex with boots, and easily adjustable toe and ankle straps. If you’re looking for versatile bindings providing maximum support and comfort, make sure to check out Salomon’s collection.
K2
8/8Price: From $210
Sizes: M-L
Customer Reviews: “The binding that has an easy flex and mellow ride to it but it seems to blend well with a wide variety of boards.”
K2 has supported riders globally since 1962 when Bill Kirschner manufactured the very first pair of fibreglass skis. Today, it’s one of the most highly respected brands in the industry as it’s known for detailing their equipment with exceptional detail and quality, that’s also available for affordable prices.
Providing the best bindings made for ultimate comfort, without sacrificing performance, K2’s range features designs that are made with a secure toe and heel metal mount point that aid in a quick response and natural lateral mobility for a familiar flex and feel. Their bindings include a tool-less forward lean adjustment, allowing you to dial on your stance with a quick and easy channel system. Its newly added three canted chassis will secure you in your natural riding, making shredding in powder feel effortless.
Also, K2 produce some of the most well-supported pair of bindings with their adjustable aluminium heel cup, ensuring you feel stable while your heel doesn’t drag, which after facing a long day on the mountains, you’ll be thankful for.