Snowboard Bindings

Snowboard Bindings

Snowboard bindings are the most essential part of your snowboarding equipment.  There are those that will say it is the snowboard.  The fact is that if you do not have the proper bindings for your board your snowboarding experience will be very poor.  The bindings allow you to interface and connect with your snowboard.  The bindings help you transfer your energy to the snowboard.   The bindings also help you control your board, allowing you to shift your weight and control direction.

The first snowboard bindings were reportedly a piece of cloths line chord.  Bindings have come a long way since then.  Snowboard bindings usually fall into two categories:

• Strap
• Step-ins

Most snowboards are secured with strap bindings.  Straps are the most common bindings used in snowboarding.

Strap bindings are the most affordable binding to implement.  They are also easily adjusted, comfortable, and secure.  Most “Strap” in bindings has a high back base plate that rises behind and over your ankle.  There are two or more straps that go around your boot and strap your foot to the board. There are a variety of different models of strap-in bindings.  Strap-ins differ in stiffness and the number of straps used.  The type of strap you use often depends on the terrain you will be snowboarding on.  The height and stiffness of the high back plate can differ from model to model.  The high back plate can help control your speed and tightness in turns.

Step-In Bindings are more expensive than the strap bindings.  They are becoming more popular because of the ease of use.  You no longer have to retie your straps every time you get on or off the slope.  Step-in bindings allow you to do just that; step into your binding and onto your snowboard.  Simply step down and click.  When you hear the click you are secured to your snowboard.

If you choose a Step-in binding you will lose some of your options in snowboard boots.  The boots and bindings work together and both must be Step-in.  These are the major two types of snowboard bindings.  There are other types of bindings but they are not as popular.

Snowboard bindings are very important for you to succeed in your snowboard endeavors.

Related posts:

1. Snowboard Boots: What You Need To Know
2. Burton Cartel 2010 Bindings Review
3. Burton 2010 Boards, Bindings, and Boots Reviewed
4. Burton’s ICS Boards & EST Bindings Explained
5. How to Snowboard 101: Moving Up a Slope