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Best Snowboard Bindings
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Flexibility
If you have ever done research on snowboard bindings, then you probably are aware of how important the flex is. Most of the time, you will see a manufacturer provide a certain number for their binding. Typically, it is a number between one and ten with one being the softest and ten being the stiffest. But, in general, 1-2 is soft, 3-5 is a medium flex, 6-8 is stiff, and 9-10 is incredibly stiff. Now, depending on what you prefer is going to alter your decision on what you want this number to be.
For example, bindings with more flex (a lower number) are typically ideal for beginners as they allow a greater range of movement and more absorption to shock. But, stiffer bindings are great for riders who like to have precise control of their snowboard and enjoy making quick and tight maneuvers. However, the response is also very important and falls in roughly the same category. Basically, the response is how sensitive the binding is to your input. So, if it is more responsive, it means that it will react quicker and be more sensitive to your input.
Comfort
Considering snowboarding can be a sport with a lot of unpredictability into it, it is important for bindings to be comfortable. Depending on the terrain that you are riding on, you may encounter huge bumps and obstacles in your path. Or, you may be on slopes that have several hills for you to jump on. As such, you may want to prioritize those that feature shock absorption technology as this can aid tremendously in rough and uneven terrain. You may not think so at first, but over time, enough massive blows to your feet will take its toll.
But, just having a binding that has some cushioning or B3 Gel is nice because it provides a great feel for your feet. Also, especially if you opt for a binding that is softer, flexing your feet can quickly become painful so integrated technology that is able to reduce the amount of fatigue your foot experiences when flexing is ideal.
Adjustability
Everyone is going to prefer a different fit for their bindings, there is no doubt about that. That is why they are all, more or less, designed with adjustability in mind. With a typical binding, you will be able to adjust the straps, the highback angles, and the forward lean. Clearly, if a model is designed that does not allow these to be adjusted then you may want to veer away from it. But, there is something else that comes into play and it is very important. Depending on how it is designed, it may require an external tool to be adjusted. Most of the time, this will be a standard screwdriver that should not be that hard to find.
But, that is not the point. Even if it is not a huge deal, it can quickly be a nuisance to unscrew the area you need to be adjusted. Especially, if you want to adjust it while riding. As such, manufacturers may provide you with tool-free adjusting which means you can forget about carrying around your screwdriver wherever you are snowboarding.
Fit
Above all else, this may be the most important design feature for you to pay attention to. No doubt, this can either make or break your investment. It is enhanced when you are ordering online as you can’t physically see the bindings. Snowboard bindings are not one-size-fits-all, that is for sure. For the most part, they either come in small, medium, large, or extra-large. Guess what, this is something that you need to take note of beforehand as the proper size is vitally important.
However, it can be a little tricky. For starters, your boots should not be hanging on the outside of the bindings and if they are, they are too small. But, they should not be so tight that they are literally painful to put on. As a point of reference, your heel should fit snug in the binding (not to the point of discomfort but you also do not want it moving around). Also, your foot should be allowed to flex (assuming the flex rating is not a 9 or 10) but not have excess room to flop around. If all this is met, then you should be good to go.
Top Ten Snowboard Bindings
1. Burton Cartel
Burton is a well-trusted brand in the snowboarding community and rightfully so. Their Cartel Bindings sport a medium-stiff flex, an excellent cushioning system and exclusive technology that manages to reduce the weight of the bindings without compromising strength.
Read moreFlex and Response
To assist with technical maneuvers at higher speeds, these bindings sports a medium-stiff flex. Plus, the 30 percent glass/nylon composite is both responsive and playful.
Comfort
Integrated into this binding is both B3 Gel and a cushioning system and the result is both a comfortable and shock-absorbing experience. Past this, Burton’s exclusive technology flexes your leg in a way that will reduce fatigue in the long run.
Adjustability
Thanks to the living hinge, there is not any unnecessary weight increase. This also allows you to easily adjust both the hi-back rotation and the forward lean independently.
Sizing and Fitting
The wraps, which are crafted from a very grip rubber, ensure that your toes and feet are locked into place, while also not adding any pressure. When choosing sizes, you have the options for small, medium, and large.
Ease of Entry
Burton designed these bindings with a flex slider and what this achieves is a simple entry. Because the straps are strategically designed to fully stretch open, entry is a breeze.
Overall
Words can’t describe the brilliance that Burton has crafted here. Without a doubt, this is the best snowboard bindings that you can find. There are so many impressive and noteworthy features that stand out, that it is difficult to point out the best.
2. Burton Stilletto
The Burton Stiletto binding is all about comfort and performance for a female snowboarder. With this Women's Specific True Fit Design, all components fit anatomically for a woman's stance.
Read moreFlex and Response
This features a medium-stiff flex and this adapts for all sorts of terrain types and riding styles, which is nice when you want to change up your normal snowboarding style.
Comfort
Integrated inside of this binding is a full EVA footbed and besides being overall comfortable, it significantly aids in impacts as it implements shock absorption technology.
Adjustability
Thanks to the adjustable toe ramp, it is incredibly easy to adjust the bindings at your toes. Plus, the micro max strap adjustments allow for fast and precise adjustments to ensure the best fit possible.
Sizing and Fitting
The overall shape of this binding is meant for the female form, meaning that every element is designed to fit a woman's shape.
Overall
If you're looking for a binding that is better fitted to the female form, this is your girl. In addition to other True Fit products from Burton, you'll get a better fit and better ride.
3. Burton Freestyle
These bindings come from Burton who is a powerhouse when it comes to snowboarding bindings. These bindings are no exception. If you are looking for comfort, support, and style then these are the bindings for you.
Read moreFlex and Response
The flex is more on the soft side as it is designed for flex and feel. Plus, there are three power transmission pads that perfectly align with the natural geometry of your feet making for an ideal amount of flexing.
Comfort
This is designed in a way that provides more support to the outside of your feet. Also, for longer rides, the design ensures that the amount of fatigue you experience will be greatly reduced.
Adjustability
No matter your ideal riding movements, you will be able to adjust and tweak the bindings to better suit your needs. This is possible because of the toe strap adjustability and an onboard power ramp.
Sizing and Fitting
It is irrelevant what snowboarding boot you plan to wear with these bindings as its unique hinged design adapts to all styles. Overall, the toe strap sits in a low profile which is user-friendly.
Ease of Entry
These bindings are quite easy to slip your feet into and make it so you can quickly jump on the board and shred some snow.
Overall
It really is difficult to find any faults here. The design and performance are simply that good.
4. Rome Guild
What a masterful construction that is at play here with the Rome Guild Binding. Of course, a better toe cap design would have been ideal but besides that, everything is great to excellent.
Read moreFlex and Response
To deliver a proper amount of flex for you, Rome engineered their binding to maintain a powerful connection from the lateral side of your heel to your big toe. While, also, lifting the two corners of the binding.
Comfort
In conjunction with the 3D EVA footbed is a rubber fill that manages to lift the corners of the baseplate to provide a strong amount of cushioning throughout.
Adjustability
All you need to do to adjust the ankle straps is to loosen a screw to snap the arm into your ideal position. But, this does mean you will need a screwdriver to do so.
Sizing and Fitting
Besides the fact you can choose from either small/medium and medium/large, the ankle straps are designed in a manner that does not add unnecessary pressure.
Ease of Entry
Looking over many reviews and user feedback, it does not seem that anyone has complained about any difficulty when it comes to the entry design.
Overall
While the toe cap is really not the greatest, resembling a loose rubber object, there is no denying how excellent this is in terms of flex, comfort, and fitting.
5. Flow Fuse GT
As opposed to the other bindings on this list, this is the stiffest one yet. But, it still manages to be comfortable to wear for long stints. It is just with this binding, you can easily power through the toughest of obstacles.
Read moreFlex and Response
Scoring a seven-flex rating out of ten, making it very stiff, this is ideal for power. But, thanks to the soft baseplate, it also manages to have a fantastic response time and feel.
Comfort
The 2.5-degree BankBeds, which are full-length EVA footbeds, provide an exceptional amount of support. Meanwhile, the OC-Kush heel pad delivers enough cushioning to soften the blow when you land from a jump.
Adjustability
As soon as you open the hi-back, which does recline, it is designed to lift up the straps and automatically tighten them when you close it.
Sizing and Fitting
You can select from either a large or extra-large binding. No matter, the Fusion Powerstrap manages to fuse your ankle over the mid-foot which delivers a form-fitted binding.
Ease of Entry
Thanks to the design of the reclining hi-back, there are multiple ways to enter this binding making them very versatile
Overall
When you first try these out, it may take a while for you to grasp how to get the most response out of them. Plus, if you are used to more flex, the stiffness could throw you off a bit. Just give it time because when you do, you will begin to realize why these are so amazing.
6. Ride Rodeo
The Ride Rodeo bindings definitely deserve a spot of our list. As a crowd-favorite for freestyle riding, these have been a staple of the line for years. They have decent adjustability, medium twist, and great shock absorption.
Read moreFlex and Response
Featuring a flex rating of four, these excel when it comes to freestyle skills in the mountains. Besides this, the 30 percent fiberglass blend delivers a great amount of response and stability at blistering speeds.
Comfort
Both the EVA footbed and the toe straps lock your feet into place in a comfortable fashion. Thus, during vigorous rides, your feet should never feel discomfort.
Adjustability
The ankle strap of the Rodeo is versatile, with an asymmetric design that's built to support you for big tricks while allowing enough play for smaller stuff.
Sizing and Fitting
The canted footbed places your boots at a slight angle, raising the outside of each foot to reduce knee pain during the long runs. The straps fit well over most boots and there's enough adjustability without creating too many weak spots.
Overall
In nearly every single main design section, there is nothing but high-quality. When you have a product that has this, you know that it is worth every single penny that you will put into it.
7. System MTN
These bindings from System our not only stylish, affordable, and built to last but also are easy to use and provide a great ride when shredding down a mountain. If you are just getting into snowboarding and are looking for a great pair of bindings at a great affordable price, these are the bindings you want to check out.
Read moreFlex and Response
These bindings offer a great sense of control and are quite flexible to ensure you can steer where you are going and feel comfortable while shredding the next mountain you have your eye on.
Comfort
These bindings offer a comfortable fit for your snowboarding boots and offer some cushion to ensure you stay comfortable while in use. The system understands that a comfortable snowboarder is a happy snowboarder.
Adjustability
These bindings come with two adjustable areas which include the toe and middle boot area. This ensures you can tighten or loosen your bindings to ensure you have the perfect fit for your next ride.
Sizing and Fitting
To provide you with a secure and snug fit during your ride, the toe strap fits seamlessly inside of every boot. This binding comes in medium, large, and extra-large.
Ease of Entry
When you step in, and out of for that matter, this binding the ratchet straps do not get in your way. In addition, the buckle funnel is very wide and assists when guiding the ratchet.
8. Union Atlas
Clearly, this next binding was designed with men in mind as overall, it is very rugged and durable. Thanks to the Stage 3 Atlas base, this is a mountain ripping machine and you are sure to have a blast.
Read moreFlex and Response
Featured here are a stiff highback and an overall responsive design. However, when it is injected with the Duraflex Stage 3 Atlas base it quickly becomes ideal for the craziest of snowboarding adventures.
Comfort
To alleviate the amount of pain during a run, the canting allows the ankle and the knee joints to be properly aligned. In addition, thanks to the high back, which manages to eliminate the pinching of your skin, the overall comfort is enhanced.
Adjustability
Not only are there multiple straps that can be adjusted to the base of this binding but the forward lean can be quickly and easily adjusted in the blink of an eye.
Sizing and Fitting
For sizes, the options are available for either medium or large. In addition, both the thermoplastic anti-slip material and multiple options for positions allow your feet to stay in place when snowboarding.
Ease of Entry
Overall, not too many users or reviewers have taken issue with the entry. From the sounds of it, this is not something that you will need to concern yourself with.
Overall
As great as these are for rugged snowboarding, they do not hold up very well to violent jumps. But, throughout the run, they do an adequate job of alleviating any possible foot pains and offer exceptional adjustability.
9. Burton Lexa
Burton achieves yet another exceptional snowboard binding with their Lexa. The medium-stiff flex assists with technical movements at high speeds and the ergonomic design contours naturally to your feet.
Read moreFlex and Response
With its medium-flex, these are ideal for powerful freeriding. Also, because it is composed of 30 percent nylon, there is a consistent amount of response when you are riding.
Comfort
As the EVA footbed places your boot in a manner the resembles the natural position of your feet, over the long haul, this results in enhanced comfort and less fatigue. The cushioning system with B3 Gel also helps, as well.
Adjustability
Because Burton designed this with a living hinge, you can adjust both the hi-back rotation and forward lean. What makes this truly spectacular, though, is these can be adjusted independently.
Sizing and Fitting
Small, medium and large are the size options available from Burton. In terms of fitting, the binding contours to your right and left leg for a natural feel.
Ease of Entry
The heel strap can flex and fully open and this aids when you are entering inside of these as it will not get in the way.
Overall
Really, anytime you see the brand Burton plastered on anything, you are pretty much guaranteed to be satisfied. Due to its placement on this list, there are some bindings that are better but not by much.
10. Flow Omni
Capping off this list is the highly-impressive Omni Hybrid Binding from Flow. While not quite as good as the other binding from Flow on this list, the Hybrid Omni is still component thanks to its high-quality makeup.
Read moreFlex and Response
There is a great blend of response and flex with a six-flex rating. Plus, the soft glass-filled, nylon baseplate offers the feel of a molded base while maintaining a great response time.
Comfort
Not only is the Fusion Powerstrap 3D shaped and padded for a comfortable fit but the BankBeds deliver a perfect amount of support and comfort during long snowboarding rides.
Adjustability
Due to the active strap technology that has been included, the strap is designed to automatically lift up as soon as you open the reclining hi-back. Then, when you close it, it tightens it back up again.
Sizing and Fitting
There are two different size options that you can select from; either choose medium or large.
Ease of Entry
Besides reducing the total amount of friction and weight, the aluminum buckles also come in handy when you are entering in this binding as they give you the option to get in the way that you prefer.
Overall
Clearly, a lot of thought was put into the design and this is apparent with the active strap technology and ease of entry. While it may be the last binding on this list, it is still more than worth your money.
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