Snowboard Bindings
Buyer's guide

Medium bindings are ‘just right’ for many riders. An intermediate rider will like the added support and control which these bindings give. An all-mountain rider can appreciate the versatility of binding which are more supportive but not too stiff. More aggressive freestyle and jib riders will even like the ability to go bigger off features.

Some people want it a little harder. If you are riding fast on piste and lying deep carves into the snow, you will appreciate the added control. Equally, if you’re freeriding on big mountain terrain, these bindings will help you when you need it the most.

FASE® is the newest system in the world of snowboard bindings. It is based on years of development work with the support of pro riders and the proven advantages of a classic 2-strap binding, combined with an ultra-fast strap-in process – including a natural board feel and top performance all day long. The FASE® system is currently used by the snowboard brands Bataleon, Rome, Jones and ThirtyTwo in some of their bindings.

Where Burton leads, others follow. This is definitely the case with their revolutionary Step On® system. Many of us assumed that step in systems were dead and buried - Burton proved us wrong back in 2017. They redesigned the system from the bottom up to guarantee the same quality as traditional bindings. Step-On® bindings have no straps and are characterised by speed, safety, comfort and performance, which countless snowboarders and pros have already confirmed. Meanwhile, further brands are producing Step-On® bindings and compatible boots.

Note: For Step-On® bindings, you need Step-On® boots.

Supermatic® is an innovative entry system developed by Nidecker and now also used by other snowboard brands. The Nidecker Supermatic® was the world's first automatic binding – ‘kick, click, go’ is the concept. After the lift ride, simply click your foot in at the back and kick the heel pedal to automatically raise the highback. Active Strap technology ensures that your pre-set strap configuration is retained every time you step in and out.

Rear-entry bindings, such as the Flow design or SP Fastec, are easy to use and can also be individually adjusted. Their design allows you to slide your boots in from the rear. After you have placed your boots securely, pull up the highbacks and close the lever. That's it. When it’s time for the next lift ride, you can quickly release the lever and the binding opens again. Adjustable straps guarantee the ideal fit and top support.

Equally as important as fitting to your snowboard boot your binding has to fit with your snowboard. There are two different systems for mounting snowboards, the traditional and channel systems. The traditional system uses as a 12 pack of inserts which you attach four screws into through the binding disk. The channel system is a CNC’d rail which you attach two screws to. The channel needs either a special EST binding, from Burton or a special disk. Nowadays most companies included such a disk for free with their bindings. If you choose both a Burton snowboard and binding an EST binding offers the best board-feel and most stance options.

Watch our short video and learn how to mount your snowboard bindings. You'll find detailed information and step-by-step instructions in our how-to mount snowboard bindings story.

The baseplate is the frame of the binding. Everything on the binding is attached in some way to the baseplate. Aluminium or glass filled nylon is commonly used for baseplates as they are designed to be durable and responsive. After all, all your weight goes through the baseplate.

The footbed is the direct connection between you and your bindings. Its functions are cushioning and power transmission. Usually made from foam the footbeds take a large amount of the shock absorption. For more comfort footbeds are canted, so the angle slightly outwards so your knees are aligned better. Footbeds can also have a ‘gas pedal’, where the toes of the raised up for better power transmission.

The straps hold you in the binding. Normally there are two: one over the ankle and one over the toes. The ankle strap holds you in the heelcup of the binding and is usually padded for comfort. The toe strap is little less padded and helps with toe-side turns. All of the straps on bindings are adjustable so you can position your straps to fit your boots perfectly.

The disk is the direct link between you, your bindings and your snowboard, so in short, it is pretty important! Depending on the manufacturer of your bindings they might look and feel differently. The key here is adjustability, you want to be able to fit with any insert pattern and have any stance you desire. Thankfully now manufacturers either have disks with multiple mounting possibilities (4x4 and channel) or supply multiple disks for different systems with their bindings. The exception here is Burton EST bindings, which only fit with Channel snowboards.

The heelcup holds your heel in the binding. It can be made in the same mould as the rest of the base plate or made separately. A separate heelcup can be adjusted to fine tune your kit. A separate heelcup is often made from aluminium.