In snowboarding, a complete setup consists of three parts: the board, the boots, and the bindings. Often, snowboarders carefully select their board and boots but sometimes neglect the choice of their bindings. However, bindings are just as important as the rest and deserve careful consideration. They connect you to your board, transmitting your power and movements. They provide control, comfort, and precision. They are a key element of your riding experience and can truly ruin your day if they’re not chosen right. That's why we’ve created this guide to help you better understand how snowboard bindings work and why they are so important. The goal is to help you choose the right bindings for your board, style, and needs.

Where to Start Your Search?

This guide is divided into four parts:
- What are the different components of a snowboard binding?
- What types of snowboard bindings are available on the market?
- Which snowboard binding should I choose based on my riding style?
- Is this binding compatible with my board and boots?

Of course, the question of budget also comes into play, and you might be wondering why there is such a significant price difference between entry-level bindings and the most high-end models. In short, the higher you go in the range, the more comfortable and high-performing the model becomes, with padding and better shock absorption for cushioning impacts and landings. An uncomfortable binding can create pressure points around the straps, hindering blood flow and making your sessions a real nightmare. In some cases, spending just a few extra pounds can get you a suitable model that feels good and allows you to fully enjoy your days on the slopes.

Moreover, it’s important to note that high-end models are more durable. They feature more robust materials such as aluminium chassis, magnesium buckles, or urethane high backs. These will last longer than cheaper, less durable plastic materials. They are therefore better suited for snowboarders who ride frequently and put their gear through its paces due to their style and skill level.

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Anatomy of a Snowboard Binding

A snowboard binding is made up of several parts:

- Buckles: the buckles guarantee a secure closure of your binding. Using a ratchet system on a ladder strap, buckles are super handy and easy to use. In most cases you just need a few clicks to get a secure fit on your boots. Again, buckles are available in different materials. Lower end bindings tend to come with plastic buckles which are light. High-end buckles feature aluminium or even magnesium buckles offering the best strength to weight ratio.

- Highback: the highback is the vertical plate behind your lower calf. Highbacks provide support throughout the turns and transfer your energy to the board. Available in different materials, you'll find a variety of heights, flexes and shapes. Generally speaking, shorter and/or softer highbacks work well with freestylers or beginners. They offer more mobility and make the ride more playful and forgiving. On the other hand, taller and stiffer highbacks are best suited for freeriders or advanced riders. They deliver more control, more precision and more reactivity.

But there are no right or wrong choices, riding is a matter of personal feel. You may be a freestyler who likes to ride with tall carbon highbacks or a powderhound looking for a flexy binder. Choice is yours!

- Heel cup: Heelcups are those metal or plastic loops at the base of the highback (they are not connected). On some bindings, heelcups are just the extension of the chassis (1 piece). On other bindings, the heel cup is an actual component and can be adjusted forward or backward for a proper fit. You want the heel of your boot to fit in nice and snug. The heelcup transfers your energy to the chassis, then to the board.

- Chassis: it is the soul of your binding. Its main piece and the actual connection with the board. Chassis, also called baseplates, can come in a variety of materials from regular plastic to aluminium and other alloys. They have a central part in the riding game. They transfer power to the board with speed and accuracy but they also absorb impacts, shocks and vibrations caused by landings, terrain changes or speed. They should alter the board's flex as little as possible and they must be strong as they are under a lot of stress all day.

- Footbed: it is actually part of the chassis. The footbed is where lies your foot. Footbeds are often padded with EVA foams but you can find other dampening systems like air cushioning. Sometimes, footbed are canted. This means they are slightly tilted (inward) so that they create a better alignment ankle-knee-hip. It helps reduce stress on your joints and minimise fatigue. Footbeds increase comfort and feel.

- Straps: a snowboard binding features two straps, in most cases. The toe strap and the ankle strap. Ankle straps are pretty straight forward. They loop around your ankle to maintain your boot in position and transfer the energy of your moves to the chassis. High-end straps are padded and designed to reduce pressure points and possible foot pain. However, toe straps can differ.

Traditional toe strap

The traditional toe strap goes over your toes and hold your boot on the footbed. They're pretty basic and less and less popular.

Cap strap

The cap strap offers a more secure grip on the boot as it wraps the toe box in front of the boot and pushes it against the heelcup.

Mono strap (Nidecker's Flow range)

You may find bindings with only one massive strap instead of two straps. Often featured on rear-entry bindings, they cover the boot and offer a snug and strong hold.

Hybrid Toe Strap

There is also the hybrid toe strap (convertible toe strap). This convertible strap can be used in two different ways: as a traditional toe strap or as a cap strap, depending on your needs or preferences.

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The Different Types of Snowboard Bindings

For a long time, traditional "Strap-In" bindings dominated the market, but other systems have gradually emerged. We have grouped them into four main categories:

- Strap-In Bindings

- Rear-Entry or Speed-Entry Bindings

- Step-On Bindings

- Clicker Bindings

Strap-In Bindings

Strap-In bindings are the best-selling bindings in the snowboarding world. With two straps, a baseplate, and a high back, they are fastened from the front by placing the boot on the footbed, with the heel against the heel cup and the calf against the high back. Tighten the straps, and you're ready to ride. It may not be the fastest system, but it is reliable, comfortable, and effective. These bindings are typically customisable for added comfort: adjustable heel cup, high back angle, footbed canting, etc.

Rear-Entry/Speed-Entry Bindings

Rear-entry bindings or speed-entry bindings have appeared more recently on the market. Equipped with a foldable high back, they allow you to close the binding from the rear without adjusting the straps. Lower the high back, slide your foot into the binding, lift the high back, and engage the locking mechanism: you're ready to ride. This quick fastening system offers a real time-saving advantage and has won over many riders. Today, most rear-entry bindings are hybrid, allowing the rider to also fasten them from the front.

Burton Step-On Bindings

Since 2017, Burton has offered a revolutionary new system inspired by older snowboard bindings: the Burton Step-On. No more need for straps; the idea is to lock the boot into the binding using cleats located on the sides and the back of the boots. The Step-On system eliminates all the disadvantages of front- and rear-entry bindings, including the pain and discomfort associated with straps. This system works exclusively with Step-On compatible snowboard boots.

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K2 Clicker HB Bindings

Just like Burton, K2 also offers a Step-In binding system called the K2 Clicker. Far from being new, this system originally appeared in a more basic form in 1995. A few years ago, K2 brought the Clicker back, modernising the boots but leaving the system itself largely unchanged. In 2021, the brand released the V2 of the Clicker system, the Clicker HB. Well-refined, the Clicker HB system offers the feel of traditional bindings, with a good balance of support and flex, while being very quick to and easy to use.

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How to Choose Your Bindings Based on Your Riding Style?

All snowboard bindings are versatile and can handle different terrains without too much trouble. However, some perform better when it comes to sending technical tricks in the terrain park, while others are more suited for tackling a steep chute. The key factor in this case is the flex of the binding. Additionally, the shape of the high back, its height, and its angle can also be crucial elements in choosing the right binding for your riding style.

Freestyle bindings

Snowboard bindings designed for freestyle are generally more flexible, with cushioning and a canted footbed. They often feature asymmetrical high backs with a cut-out profile to enhance flex and reduce weight. The goal is to offer maximum freedom of movement. Shorter high backs provide forgiveness and typically allow for greater lateral range of motion. They are perfect for effortless tweaked grabs or jib trick.

Freeride bindings

Freeride bindings are designed to offer maximum control and response to the snowboarder, allowing them to perform well on the most technical terrains. To achieve this, they are stiffer, reinforced with durable materials, and equipped with taller high backs. These bindings are intended for advanced snowboarders who want to ride with power; they leave no room for error and require greater physical commitment.

All-mountain bindings

Versatile or All-Mountain bindings are the perfect middle ground. Their medium flex makes them flexible enough for freestyle, while providing the support and precision needed to ride on all terrains. They don't have a specific preferred terrain and allow you to switch between fresh snow, carving and terrain park riding in the same day.

Once again, there are no hard and fast rules, and some riders will feel comfortable freeriding with a rather flexible binding, while others may find that a stiff binding offers them maximum control for throwing big tricks in Big Air events. At the risk of repeating ourselves, we emphasise that snowboarding is really a matter of personal feel. If you're hesitating between different models, we're here to help and provide the information you need to determine the bindings that will best meet your expectations and personal preferences.

Compatibility Guide for Bindings and Board Inserts

Will I be able to mount my bindings on my board? Many of you ask this question. In fact, there are only four different systems or types of inserts on the market. Your board is equipped with one of them:
- 2x4 Inserts
- 4x4 Inserts
- Burton 3D Inserts (older system)
- Burton The Channel Inserts

The 2x4 system (2 x 4 cm) is the most common. The 2 cm refers to the vertical distance (along the length of the board) between each insert hole, while the 4 cm refers to the spacing between the two rows of holes (across the width of the board). Typically, boards equipped with this system have 12 holes for each binding. They are compatible with most bindings, except for Burton EST.

The 4x4 system (4 cm x 4 cm) is very similar to the 2x4 system and works in the same way. You place the disc of your binding over the holes in your board, typically 6 per binding, and adjust according to your preferences. Like the 2x4 system, 4x4 inserts are compatible with most bindings on the market, except for Burton EST. This standard is now less common.

Burton 3D inserts were only used on Burton boards. This triangular-shaped system is not compatible with 2x4 or 4x4 binding discs and requires a specific disc. Most manufacturers provided compatibility discs with their bindings to allow you to mount them on a board equipped with the Burton 3D system. This system has now disappeared, giving way to The Channel.

The The Channel system, formerly known as ICS, is a patented technology by Burton, easily recognisable by its long and narrow slot instead of inserts. Available only on Burton boards, The Channel allows for a wide range of adjustments of your riding stance based on your preferences.

Regarding compatibility, please note that:
- All Burton bindings can be mounted with the The Channel system.
- Burton EST bindings are ONLY compatible with the The Channel system.
- Other Burton bindings are compatible with all other snowboard brands.
- Bindings from other brands are generally compatible with the The Channel system. This information is mentioned in our product descriptions.

If you have any doubts about the compatibility of your bindings, we encourage you to contact our experts, who will respond as quickly as possible.

How to Choose the Right Binding Size for My Boots?

To help you easily choose the right binding size according to your boot size, all our product pages indicate the range of compatible sizes. They also include a size conversion chart. With all this information, there's no risk of choosing the wrong binding size.

Choosing Boots Based on the Binding System

Some bindings require specific boots. This is the case with Burton's Step-On system or K2's Clicker system. This information is also provided on our product pages.

The Best of Snowboarding at Glisshop

We hope this guide has been helpful and answered your questions. Taking the time to understand how snowboard bindings work can truly transform your snowboarding experience and make your sessions more enjoyable. If you want to learn more, check out our complete guide on how to mount and adjust your bindings on your board. Just remember that investing in high-end gear ensures better comfort and greater durability. Before purchasing, we encourage you to check the compatibility of your bindings with your board.

And don't forget, our snowboard advisors are available to assist you free of charge at 020 3129 3301 .

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How to choose snowboard bindings?