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Expert Advice Snowsports Snowboarding

How to Choose Snowboard Bindings

3.9 (51)

The Basics of Snowboard Bindings

When matched to your board, boots and ride style, snowboard bindings transfer energy and
respond to your body’s shifts for precise control. Choose bindings based on your riding style, ability
level, board/boots compatibility and comfort.

Shop REI's selection of snowboard bindings.

Snowboard Bindings by Riding Style and Flex Level

The Kex of your snowboard bindings should be appropriate to your ability level and the terrain you
ride. It should also match the Kex in your boots.
Beginners and freestylers tend to choose bindings with short, Kexible
highbacks (the vertical plate that rests against your Achilles tendon)
for a softer, forgiving ride and easy recovery when landing jumps and
tricks.

Advanced riders and freeriders typically prefer bindings with tall, stiff
highbacks for precise control at high speeds, in deep powder and on
steep terrain.

Your choice of snowboard bindings can be narrowed based on the

following riding styles:

All-mountain: Best for any terrain, including groomed runs, powder, park and pipe. Flex levels of
bindings vary based on your skill level and preferred terrain. Most riders choose soft to medium
Kex, while racers choose stiff Kex.

Freestyle: Best for jumps, spins, tricks and park features such as half-pipe, rails and boxes.
Freestyle bindings typically offer soft Kex for greater turning ease and maneuverability.

Freeride and Splitboard: Best for unmarked backcountry and sidecountry terrain. Bindings are
stiffer for greater control.

Powder: Bindings are typically stiffer for greater control on wider, longer boards that Koat in deep
powder.

Types of Snowboard Bindings

Strap Bindings: The most common kind of snowboard bindings, strap bindings feature straps that
ratchet down to secure your boots in place; the highbacks do not move. Strap bindings feature
multiple adjustment options, excellent support and cushioning.

On the downside, manually buckling and unbuckling the straps can be cumbersome and time-
consuming when wearing gloves or in very cold conditions. Strap bindings are generally suitable
for both soft and Vrm-Kexing boots.

Speed-entry Bindings: These bindings look similar to strap bindings, but have reclining highbacks
that allow quick and easy in-and-out boot access, which is preferred by many casual riders. These
bindings stabilize your feet with a yoke system that applies uniform pressure across the forefoot.

They are often heavier than strap bindings, and performance-focused riders feel they reduce board
control. Speed-entry bindings are generally suitable for both soft and Vrm-Kexing boots.

Snowboard Binding / Board Compatibility

Binding baseplates feature bolts or discs that attach to a snowboard's binding interface and adjust
to attain your preferred stance on the board. Make sure the baseplates are compatible with the
interface on your chosen snowboard.

Most bolt patterns are 2x4 or 4x4. Some Burton boards have a diamond-shaped, "3D" bolt pattern
found only on its boards. Burton also has a line of boards featuring The Channel system which
works with any Burton binding and some bindings from other major brands.

Snowboard Binding Fit Tips

Snowboard bindings must accommodate your boot size. A compatible binding will grip a boot
snugly and securely, but without forcing the boot into position or pinching it into place. Bindings
should allow your boots to Kex, without letting them wobble or shift.

Binding straps should not dangle excessively when tightened. Look for different bindings if the
strap ends are overly long when the bindings are cinched to your boots.

Women-speci<c bindings have dimensions and highbacks that are designed to Vt a woman's
calves and boots.

Related Articles
Snowboard Bindings Installation

Snowboard Boots: How to Choose

Snowboards: How to Choose

How helpful was this article? Click a star to rate.

51 votes so far - average rating 3.9

Questions Ask a question

1–2 of 2 Questions Sort by: Newest answers ▼

nick · 2 months ago 1

answer
Hi. I have boots size 10 (280 mondo)) and pruchased Nitro
Uberspoon 159cm. Now I am buying bindings and I prefer
Nitro brand. Size chart says M size is for 7-10.5 boot size
and L size is 11+ boot size. Sould I take M or L, in your
opinion?

Joe at REI Co-op · 13 days ago

Hi Nick. It's important for snowboard bindings to Vt snugly, as this will give you
the most control as you are riding down the mountain. Based on the information
you've provided, we'd recommend you go with the M. If you need more help,
please contact us via live chat, a phone call, or an email: https://help.rei.com/.
 Helpful? Yes · 0 No · 0 Report

RyRyLando14 · 6 months ago 1

answer
I am wondering what size snowboard , what size boots and
what size bindings I need. I am 195 pounds and 5’10 and
1/2 and I’m a beginner. What size of those should I get ?

Joe at REI Co-op · 5 months ago

Hi there. Here a few tips to get your started. It's wise to pick your boots Vrst
because they can dictate the width of the board you need. If you haven't seen our
How to Choose Snowboard Boots article, check that out here:
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/snowboard-boots.html. Then look at
boards. You'll size a board mostly based on your height and weight, and you
normally want to be in the middle of the range that the manufacturer
recommends. Make sure to check this article out:
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/snowboard.html. Then pick your
bindings based on your riding style and the binding Kex level (since you're a
beginner, you'll probably want a softer-Kexing binding). I recommend that you
stop into one of our stores or give us a call at 1-800-426-4840 to get
personalized help Vnding the best snowboard equipment for you. If you prefer to
email or live chat with our sales specialists, you can Vnd that contact info here:
https://help.rei.com/.

Helpful? Yes · 1 No · 1 Report

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