Snowboard bindings
How to pick the right snowboard binding?
If you want an in-depth look at a binding, read our buyer's guide and you'll understand everything about these pieces of tech. If you want a shorter answer, here's how we'd sum it all up. There are two main categories of snowboard bindings. The rear-entry and the strap-ins. There are no better or worse, it really depends on your tastes. The rear-entry system is very convenient and allows you to strap in faster than skiers. The brand Flow was first to release this system. The strap-in is slightly more customisable. If you can’t make your mind, go for both with a hybrid system! View our selection of men snowboard bindings , women snowboard bindings and kids snowboard bindings.
We often underestimate the importance of a snowboard binding. Yet, the binding is the only thing standing between the rider and the board. It is the thing that helps you steer, turn and stop when needed. Do not neglect it! If bindingsdo look a lot alike, they all have real differences. A good binding should deliver three essentials: comfort, precision and functionality. The higher in the range, the more the bindings will use superior materials offering performance, lightweight, durability and comfort. From the strap thickness to the responsive carbon chassis, focus on your priorities. Your style will also help you find out these priorities. Freestylers want something flexy and comfortable when freeriders want a stiff and responsive equipment. If comfort and performance generally come with a high pricetag, functionality doesn’t. By functionality we mean the ease of use, the straps and ratchets and more importantly the entry system. Once you have selected your binding, you will need to mount them on your strong>snowboard.
I) How to set your snowboard bindings ?
Unlike ski bindings, snowboard bindings do not release : if you fall or anything, your feet stay locked in. In order to avoid serious injuries (especially at the knees), you need to adjust them carefully. This goes through several steps :
1) Know your forward foot: Goofy or Regular ?
If you have never ridden on a snowboard before, there's a very simple test that helps you find out which foot has to be in the front for riding as naturally as possible: Ask somebody to puch you in the back. The foot that you will move first to keep balanced is your leading foot. You are 'Goofy' if it is the right foot and 'Regular' if it is your left foot.
2) Choose your stance according to your style :
There are three 'standards' in snowboarding:
a) The position "/ /"
Both feet are parallel, toes point downhill. This is a position used by riders who like speed and precision.
b) The position "| /"
The leading foot is angled with the toes pointing downhill (generally about 15° angled) while the rear foot is perpendicular with the board, with a 0° angle. We recommend this stance to beginners or to those who don't ride aggressive. It's also a good option for all-mountain riding.
c) The position "\ /"
Also called duck stance. Recommended to beginners as it makes balancing easier, it's also freestyler's favorite stance as it provides more balance through spins, jumps and switch riding.
3) Settings :
- your height (cm) x 0,32 = X for a man (+/- 2 cm)
- your height (cm) x 0,3 = X for a woman (+/- 2 cm)
- Freestyle/park : front foot from 15° to 18° / rear foot from -9° to -15° / bindings centered on the board
- Freeride/powder : front foot from 18° to 30° / rear foot from 5° à 15° / bindings setback on the board
- All-mountain/versatile : front foot from 15° to 21° / rear foot from -5° to 5° / bindings centered on inserts
- 0 to 1 cm setback for freestyle
- 1 to 4 cm setback for freeride
- 0 to 2 cm setback for alpine riding
a) Stance width (length between bindings)
It is essential as it is what improves the control you have over the board. To find out what your stance width needs to be like:
If the board matches you in terms of size, the ideal stance width is when mountiang the bindings in the central position of the inserts. But this is a general statement and doesn't apply to everyone.
b) Bindings angle
The rear foot angle is always lower than the front one (about half less). The higher the angle is, the faster the energy transmissions will be. However, it is very difficult to give an ideal position. Every rider adjusts his settings according to his feel and expercience. If you begin at snowboarding, you should go for a front foot angle between 15° and 21° and a rear foot angle at 0°. But according to your riding style, this may vary :
c) Position on the board :
Bindings are not necessarily symmetrical on the board. A setback will optimise powder control and floatation while a centered position will make freestyle moves easier. Here is how it goes :
II) Bonus feature :
Listen to Arnaud's tips and recommendations, he's our snowboard expert, login to our Youtube channel.
III) Glisshop recommendations
- All these settings are to help you improve performance and skills. They depend on your feel and they will change with your skills and style.
- Be careful with extreme positions, they're uncomfortable most of the time and could be dangerous for your body.
- If you have any questions, please contact our staff, we'll be happy to help.