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What are some things I should look for when buying a snowboard (URGENT?

What are the things you should look for in buying snowboard bindings?

  • suggested brands, styles, how they should fit on your boots, etc.

  • Answer:

    The most popular bindings are made by Flow, Burton, Union, Rome, and Flux. Flow has a special patent on it's style of binding.  Instead of unbuckling the two straps to enter, you leave the strap done and open/close the highback.  This makes them much easier (and faster, if done right) to enter while standing up, but harder to enter/exit in certain situations (like stuck in deep powder).  At least as of the '09 models, the high-end NXT models are considered very good bindings, but the lower-end Flows are not well-received. Union and Rome are the mainstays of standard-style bindings.  Along with newer-comer Flux, they're generally considered the highest quality standard bindings. Regardless of which brand you choose, you need to decide if you want a flexible binding (good for in the park) or a stiff binding (good for exerting pressure for steep carving).  For example, for Rome, the 390s and Targas (the fancier version) are a little flexier, and the Arsenals are stiffer, and the Flow NXTs come in 3 models: NXT-FS (freestyle), NXT-AT (all-terrain), and NXT-FR (freeride). Flexibility is, to some degree, a choice dependent on what you want to do with your board.  The other marks of high quality are generally durability of components, low weight, and comfort (such as padded or adjustable straps).  Most brands will have premier lines as well as economy lines that will generally sacrifice some or all of the above.  Generally speaking, these cheaper lines will be soft or all-mountain flexibility. Finally, it's important to make sure your bindings fit your boots, but that shouldn't be difficult; bindings usually come in just a few sizes (S/M/L/XL) and any official information should contain a mapping between boot size and appropriate binding size. Burton has a special mount called EST that only works with newer Burton boards that now have the ICS channel system.  You can mount a non-EST binding on a Burton ICS board via adapters, but you cannot mount a EST binding on a non-Burton ICS board, including Burton's older boards. Burton also makes non-EST versions of all their bindings (e.g., Cartels, CO2, C60, Missions), and these can be mounted on non-Burton boards, older Burton  boards, and their ICS boards with an adapter.  I personally wear Flow NXT-ATs.  I like them but consider them a bit of an advanced binding.  Unlike with other bindings, you have to precisely adjust the straps to just the right level of tightness such that you maintain control but can easily slip in and out.  This took me a few days to get right (like most people, I initially over-tightened), and so for those just starting out I might recommend something else.

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Other answers

When I'm teaching, I see many students with many different kinds of bindings.  To me, bindings are one area of equipment where it won't hurt you to save a little money, assuming that the bindings aren't getting in your way.  How would they get in your way?  Here are a few reasons: Seems basic, but about 10% of the time, people haven't put their boots in the bindings to make sure they fit.  You want to be sure that the straps fit over the boot fairly easily and can be cranked down to a snug fit.  If the straps are as tight as they'll go and the boot can still move, the bindings are too big.  If it takes effort to get the straps to connect over the boot (or if the boot can't sit flat on the baseplate of the binding), the bindings are too small. Occasionally, I see very heavy bindings.  Most are fine, but make sure you pick up a few pairs to ensure that yours aren't twice as heavy as the other models.  Heavy is fine when you're on the snow, but can put strain on your front leg when you're on the chairlift. I'm not speaking against the brand generally, but I wouldn't recommend Flow bindings for beginners.  Though they are supposed to be faster/easier to strap on, I've watched many a beginner struggle all day trying to get their Flow bindings closed. Beyond those basic watchouts, it comes down to style of riding, personal preference, and how much you want to spend.  I really don't believe brand is a big factor at all.   Choose a softer binding if you're into jibby freestyle, a moderate flex if you're into all-mountain riding, or a stiff flex if you love high speed carving and a very responsive ride (all brands should give some indication of the stiffness of the different bindings in their line).   Most bindings are still the traditional 2-strap style, which are slightly more customizable than bindings designed for the fastest strap-in possible.  You can find traditional bindings from any brand except Flow, and most are perfectly fine - just be sure the rachets seem to work smoothly.  There are currently a few bindings that are designed for (at least theoretically) faster strap-in: Flow, K2 Cinch, and Ride Contraband.  Some people love these, but I will say that most riders I know who are on their boards a lot each season are still using traditional 2-strap bindings.  Just go with the style that appeals to you.   If you can spend more on your bindings, you will get more for your money.  Cushier straps and baseplates for more comfort, lighter/stronger materials, better-functioning ratchets, and greater adjustability.  If you only ride a few times a year, the higher price is probably not worth it, but if you're out 30+ days/season, you'll appreciate the extras.   Finally, if you have a Burton board with "The Channel," you will have to get Burton EST bindings (or an adapter kit) to attach the bindings to the board.  Most of my fellow riders see the EST system as a move by Burton to try to lock consumers who want Burton boards into Burton bindings, though a few do say that the system improves the 'feel' of the ride.  I think the jury is still out.

Virginia Fuller

There are lots of good bindings.  If you travel much, I highly recommend Burton bindings.  That's because if you need spare or replacement parts, just about every shop, including repair shops on the mountain (like at Whistler), have parts for Burton, but hit or miss for anyone else.  So if you break a strap or lose a screw, if you're on Burton bindings, your chances of getting replacements are very high.  I know this from experience, as I used to ride another popular brand, and when I busted or forgot something (like a disk), I couldn't get parts.  But with Burton it's no problem.   I like Burton bindings a lot, but that's really secondary to the convenience and peace of mind of being able to easily get parts.

Brad Silverberg

Fit with your boot is the number 1 criteria.  Salomon also made some great bindings that are easy to get on and off, since the toe strap do not separate.  Took a look at those too!

Ed H. Chi

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