How to choose your snowboard bindings

In order to protect yourself from injury and make snowboarding as emotional and comfortable as possible, the choice of auxiliary equipment must be given the utmost attention. This is especially true of snowboard bindings – it is on them that stability on the board depends and the ability to confidently and, most importantly, safely maneuver while descending the mountain.

The best manufacturers of snowboard bindings

Traditionally, the best are bindings made by leading manufacturers of snowboards and equipment for it:

1. Vans

2. Burton

3. Never summer

4. Lib Tech

5. GNU

Experienced riders advise choosing bindings from the same company that made the board itself. Before giving preference to this or that model, you should study the characteristics and main technical points, as well as reviews of specific users who know firsthand the strengths and weaknesses of the device. Only in this case, the real characteristics will fully meet the expectations.

Types of snowboard bindings. Which model should you choose?

The main purpose of snowboard bindings is to rigidly fix the rider's boot and transfer the force applied during movement to the board for subsequent control.

Soft mounts

The classic look that is currently the most popular. Locks the boot at two points, back and front. The heel in soft bindings is fixed with a hard heel counter, while the ankle part is pulled together with special straps, which allow the rider to maneuver during the descent.

Advantages

• Inexpensive;

• Reliable construction;

• Provide decent maneuverability;

• Comfortable;

disadvantages

• Not suitable for performing various tricks;

Now bindings

One of the most modern types of soft mounts. Its essence lies in a special method of installation: the fasteners do not have a rigid fixation, but for this purpose a special hinge element is used, which is flexible, regardless of the installation angle. This design significantly increases the sharpness and precision of control and significantly increases the rider's mobility.

Advantages

• High mobility;

• Control acuity;

• Lack of rigid fixation;

• The convenience of use;

disadvantages

• The need for careful monitoring of the condition;

• Unpredictability due to the clogging of the structure with snow;

Step-in mounts

An extremely popular alternative to the Now bindings system. Designed for increased mobility while riding. It is fixed with special latches in automatic mode: all the rider needs to do is to stand on the supporting part. Provides decent control and agility while descending the mountain.

Advantages

• High mobility;

• Control acuity;

• Lack of rigid fixation;

• The convenience of use;

disadvantages

• The need for careful monitoring of the condition;

• Unpredictability due to the clogging of the structure with snow;

Rigid mounts

Designed for downhill skiing, as well as for performing all kinds of tricks, freestyle and freeriding. The platform is mounted using two special frames, one of which comes with a lock. Provide maximum rigidity and secure boot.

Advantages

• Maximum rigidity;

• Ideal for performing various tricks, freestyle and freeriding;

• Suitable for high speed descents from the mountain;

• High stability;

disadvantages

• Bulky;

• Not the best option for a beginner;

• Expensive;

What are the main criteria for choosing snowboard bindings?

Mount size

The mounts available on the market are available in three different sizes – small, medium and large. A specific model is selected for the boots used. The choice is considered correct in the situation when the boot is rigidly fixed in the mount, does not dangle and does not play even with intense movements.

Materials from which fasteners are made

Models made of light and hard metals or polymeric materials are considered optimal. Depending on the planned budget, you should pay attention to fasteners made of aluminum, titanium, fiberglass, natural carbon. The characteristics of the above materials in terms of fasteners are approximately the same.

The shape and parameters of the strap

Straps are fasteners that are designed to fix the boot to the attachment frame. They must have sufficient rigidity and at the same time not pinch the leg. Modern models of straps are made from a special material that has a 'memory': they remember the shape of the boot in the fastening part and facilitate quick installation. The best option is the so-called multi-strap – a multi-point boot fixation system, which excludes the possibility of snow getting under it and does not allow the boot to move while riding;

Highback and its design

Highback is the back wall of the mount, which has the ability to adjust the angle of the boot. Angle adjustment is carried out using a special washer, which allows you to set both positive and negative angles if necessary. The best options for a beginner rider are 18 and 9 degrees for the front and back legs, respectively;

Distance between fasteners during installation

It is impossible to give exact numbers, but the general rule here is the following – the higher the height of the rider, the greater the distance should be. Otherwise, the use of the snowboard will be fraught with loss of balance and constant falls. Reducing the distance between the bindings is possible only with the growth of the snowboarder's skill.

In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose snowboard boots and the secrets of choosing a snowboard jacket.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.