When you're getting ready to hit up your favorite snowboarding slopes, picking out the best pair of bindings is critical. The binding anchors the bottom of your snowboarding boots to the actual snowboard. You typically secure bindings to the board using four -- and in rarer cases, two -- screws. Understanding the differences among bindings can help you choose the one that's best for the way you board.
Terrain Differences
How you ride your snowboard differs depending on the terrain in which you're riding, and your binding style also differs. Bindings typically come labeled for these specific terrains. If you need an all-purpose mountain slope binding, choose one that's labeled "all-mountain." If flying up half-pipes is your thing, select a "park" or "freestyle" binding. If you love going off the beaten slope, pick one that's labeled "freestyle." "Powder" bindings come crafted for softer snow environments. Finally, snowboarders who like exploring backcountry expeditions usually need bindings labeled for "splitboards."
Price Differences
Like with many things in life, you get what you pay for when buying snowboard bindings. The price point often gives you a hint as to the kind of quality in the construction and durability. In general, bindings that ring in at $139 or less are often made for beginners and use less-durable design features such as plastic buckles. For that sweet spot in the mid-range, you'll need to spend anywhere from $149 to $199. Bindings that cost more than $200 generally offer the highest quality, the latest technology designs that may enhance performance, and the strongest and lightest feel.
Size Differences
Always bring your favorite pair of snowboard boots with you when you're shopping for snowboard bindings. The bindings come sized not for your board but for the size of your snowboard boot. Most manufacturers separate their binding sizes into small, medium and large. Besides matching the bottom of your boot with the binding, you'll also have to make sure the binding's strap size works for your boot's height. Once you're strapped in, the binding's ankle strap should be centered for your foot's arch and your binding's toe strap should be right above the ball of your foot. Anything too small won't secure you properly, and anything too big can reduce your performance and create tripping or wind drag hazards.
Highback Differences
The highback ranks as one of the most important design features of your bindings. This is the plate on the back of the binding where your ankle would rest, and it helps give you increased control over the movements of your board. Beginner snowboarders and those who enjoy all-purpose riding or freestyle tricks generally like shorter highbacks, which increase your ability to turn and maneuver. If you're a racer who is more focused on straight and narrow speed than flexibility, taller highbacks can give you the speed control you crave.
References
- East Tennessee State University's Department of Kinesiology; Snowboard Review; Chris Ayres
- REI; How to Choose Snowboard Bindings; Adam McVay, et al.
- Snowboards.net; Snowboard Bindings Buying Guide; February 2010
- Modern Skate & Surf: Selecting a Snowboard Binding
- "Transworld Snowboarding"; Binding Adjustment; Julia Milan; October 2006
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