Snowboard Binding Buying Guide

Snowboard bindings and stance

There are two stances for snowboarding: regular-footed or goofy-footed. Unless you’re coming from another board sport such as surfing or skateboarding, you probably don’t know which you are.  Most right-handed people are regular, meaning their left foot is forward, while left-handed people are goofy, with their right foot in front. 

There are many exceptions to this rule, so determining which stance you truly have is crucial to selecting the right snowboard bindings. One way to figure out if you’re regular or goofy is to run across a floor and slide. Which foot did you put in front of you? That’s the foot that will go in front on your snowboard.

Riding style

Your riding style can help decide which type of snowboard binding you’ll need.  Do you plan on spending most of your time in the snowboard park and on the half-pipe? As a freestyle snowboarder, you’ll need low high-back snowboard bindings with two straps. You’ll also probably want your snowboard bindings to have a strap-in system.  This will provide you with ultimate freedom and unity with your snowboard.

Perhaps you’re a beginner, or just want to enjoy all the mountain has to offer.  You’ll want snowboard bindings with a higher high back with two or three straps, which will give you more control. A freeride snowboarder can use snowboard bindings with either the strap-in or the step-in system.

An Alpine snowboarder (racer) should choose snowboard bindings with a stiffer set-up, including hard boots.  Plate or hard snowboard bindings give an Alpine snowboarder more control in tight turns.

Soft vs. hard snowboard bindings

Soft snowboard bindings are used mostly by freestyle or freeride snowboarders. They are more comfortable than hard snowboard bindings and allow the foot more freedom.  Soft snowboard bindings are best for boarders planning on performing tricks, as the foot can move with the board rather than the boot.  However, the give that soft snowboard bindings allow doesn’t provide very much support.

Hard snowboard bindings are similar to ski bindings and offer more support. They are best for those who are going to race or carve down the mountain.  Hard snowboard bindings keep the snowboarder separate from the board, although they do permit tighter turns.

Insert patterns

An insert pattern is a system of holes and inserts that you simply screw together, giving you the ability to change the setup of your snowboard bindings as often as you like. There are four patterns to choose from: the 4x4 insert pattern, the 4x2 insert pattern, Burton’s proprietary 3D Pattern, and sliders.

The 4x4 is the industry standard for snowboard bindings. In this pattern, the bindings have four holes 1.5” apart in a square shape and the snowboard has a series of these four-holed squares. These snowboard bindings are compatible with most snowboards, but they offer the user the least amount of choice since you can only change your stance in 1.5” increments.

The 4x2 insert pattern is an improved version of the 4x4.  Instead of the holes being spaced 1.5” apart, the holes are ¾” apart, giving you twice the options in selecting your stance.

Slider snowboard bindings offer the snowboarder the most freedom. They’re compatible with standard 4x4 snowboard bindings, but instead of holes, they have long grooves. You can slide your snowboard bindings to the position that you want before screwing the bindings to your snowboard.  Some snowboarders say the slider setup detracts from a board’s flex, although others don’t notice a difference.

Burton’s 3D pattern overlaps sets of triangular inserts. As Burton is the only brand to use this snowboard binding, you must buy a Burton snowboard.  This snowboard binding system gives you almost unlimited freedom to set up your stance.

Step-in vs. strap-in

Step-in snowboard bindings have long been the industry favorite since they appeared on the scene a few years ago.  The ease of use that step-in snowboard bindings provide is driving their popularity, although some snowboarders find their performance lacking compared with strap-in bindings.

The step-in snowboard binding system lets you step onto a snowboard, press your boot down and connect with a click. This snowboard binding setup is a favorite for cross-over skiers, who are used to getting in and out of their equipment easily.  The stiffer boot in these snowboard bindings also mimics the feel that skiers are accustomed to.  Step-in snowboard bindings can attach to either your boot’s toe and heel or both sides of your boot. Heel and toe snowboard bindings are best for experienced riders who plan on performing tricks, as they hold the boot in one place.  Bindings that hold the sides of the boot are best for a beginner, as they are easy to get into and fasten.

A downside to step-in snowboard bindings is that these bindings must be bought with boots. Buy your boots first, as their comfort is the most critical part of the snowboard setup. Step-in snowboard bindings don’t offer as much support as their strap-in counterparts, so you’ll need boots that can support you on their own.

Strap-in snowboard bindings are compatible with any snowboard boot, except step-ins. The two (and sometimes three) straps on these snowboard bindings offer support while keeping the boot soft, which is preferable for high-performance riders. The biggest disadvantage to strap-in bindings is convenience.  Rather than simply stepping out of your snowboard, you have to unfasten the straps on your rear binding each time you need to ride the chairlift.

Need to know more?

• Storing a Snowboard for the Summer
  http://snowboarding.about.com/cs/gear/a/StoreBoard.htm
• Binding Setup for Alpine Snowboarding
  http://www.alpinecarving.com/binding_setup.html
• Learn to Snowboard Centers by Burton
  http://burton.com/LTR/LTR_Index.aspx#