The 11 Best Snowboard Bindings of 2023 | Step in & Step on

Snowboard bindings have evolved dramatically over the years since the sport began. In the early days of snowboarding, the binding actually came before the dedicated snowboard boot.

When the “highback” binding was finally commercialized, it stuck as the most important factor in achieving board control and the ability to make turns.

Whether you plan to lap the park and learn new tricks or charge in the backcountry, selecting the right bindings is crucial. Their flex will either compliment the board or hold it back. So know the flex of your board too!

Below you’ll find our top 10 lists for the best snowboard bindings-including all mountain, freeride & freestyle models.

BUYING GUIDE

Snowboard bindings come in a wide range of styles and options to choose from. Each system, whether it be step-in, step-on, or speed-entry (hybrid), has its own set of pros and cons to navigate. With many important factors to consider when choosing the best pair such as flex, durability, riding style, and entry method, it can seem a little overwhelming.

The best snowboard bindings will be a true love affair with the snowboard they match up with. A soft flex board will do best with soft bindings so the boarding experience is more organic. Similarly, hard bindings match up with a hard board.

Mounting Options

On every set of snowboard bindings, you’ll find a baseplate component which allows the rider to adjust the stance and angle of the bindings to suit their personal preference.

While most snowboard brands will have universal mounting patterns with blot holes which are 2cm x 4cm or 4cm x 4cm, Burton has their own proprietary layouts.

On Burton snowboards, you’ll see either a diamond shaped 3D Bolt Pattern, or the Burton Channel. The Channel system will work with any Burton binding, however it will only work with a few select bindings from other major brands.

Read more about flex and other considerations, including how to adjust your snowboard bindings below.

It’s All About the Flex

What’s the difference between all mountain, freestyle and freeriding? It all depends on your style and the terrain you’re riding.

Just like with snowboards and boots, binding flex can vary wildly between brands and models. Flex is usually measured on a scale from 1 (extremely soft) to 10 (extremely stiff). Although there is an element of personal preference in deciding on flex, it mostly depends on intended riding style.

Freestyle and All-mountain bindings will usually feature a softer flex. This means they will be more forgiving and easier to turn with, which is great for beginners. This would also be desirable for allowing more flexibility while doing tricks in more advanced free-style park riding.

Freeride and Powder snowboard bindings will be much stiffer. A stiff binding will provide improved stability and power when riding at higher speeds. These are more ideal for expert-level riders, or anyone intending to hit the backcountry

Adjustments

Take a look at one of snowboarding’s best carvers, Ryan Knapton. In the video he’ll guide you through tweaking your bindings to get the best ride. Adjust straps, flex, etc., to get what you want, also while you’re on the mountain.

Entry Method

There are 3 major types of snowboard bindings. These are the traditional step-in, speed-entry (also known as hybrid or rear-entry), and the newest version of step-on bindings.

Step-in: The most common snowboard binding type is the step-in system. These allow the rider to ratchet each strap down to a desired tightness and secure the boot in place.

They provide a high level of adjustability for the individual, however, constantly buckling and unbuckling the straps can be considered a time-wasting nuisance.

Speed Entry (Hybrid): The speed-entry system has a similar appearance to the step-in system, although they prioritize entry efficiency over adjustability. With this system, the high-back reclines to provide easier boot access, then snaps back up into place to secure the boot.

The idea is to set your desired adjustments once, allowing for a quick and easy transition from chair-lift to run. Unfortunately, these bindings are often heavier and provide reduced control in comparison with traditional step-in bindings. Sourcing parts for maintenance will also be a little more tricky for these bindings.

Step-on: The 2017-18 season marked what could be the beginning of the next evolution of snowboard bindings, although it’s still too early to tell for sure. With Burton announcing the comeback of the “step-on” binding system idea, riders were understandably wary. The first time around, the Step-on binding system earned itself a brutal reputation in the past for being a total disaster.

However, coming into the third season that Burton Step-on bindings have been available, the concept seems promising. With a reliable 3-point snapping attachment system, it is easy to step your boot securely into place, no straps required. To dismount, you simply lift the lever on the side and twist your foot to detach.

This system has received mostly good reviews so far, with only a few reported downsides. These include trouble clicking in and out in deep snow, and an annoying clicking sound while riding. Its important to reminder if you are interested in Burton Step-on bindings, you will also be required to buy specific Burton Step-on compatible boots.

Since this is a brand-new technology, many people in the industry refuse to take them seriously yet. But innovation is important and that train keeps on chugging, so we’re excited to see the future of Step-on binding systems.

Men’s Bindings vs Women’s Bindings

The difference between men’s and women’s ski and snowboard gear is a very hot topic at the moment. Woman’s gear is generally regarded as a joke, just like those pink shaving razors that last half as long as the men’s, but are twice the price.

In terms of woman’s gear, the argument is that not all women want to ride around wearing “figure-flattering” jackets with pink flowers. Woman’s gear also seems to lack in the technical aspect, implying that women can’t shred as hard as men do. However, as the market for women’s gear grows, we’re seeing certain brands putting considerable effort into closing that (e)quality gap.

In terms of hard goods, women’s snowboards do tend to be smaller and lighter, with a softer flex than the mens. Some take this as a jab at their weakness, but honestly, it’s more likely to account for their often smaller bodies which usually carry less weight. Since women’s feet are also often smaller and shaped differently than men’s, their boots are designed differently as well.

So this is why buying woman’s snowboard bindings, rather than considering the men’s to be unisex could be helpful. Women’s bindings will be scaled down with slightly smaller sizing and have different strap designs than the men’s, to pair with smaller women’s boots. They will also be slightly softer in flex, making the whole system more consistent.

While women certainly can decide to ride a men’s board and bindings simply by choosing smaller sizes, keep in mind that there are considerations being made to fit women’s unique body type better. While at first women’s gear may truly have seemed ridiculous and even a little insulting, more and more women are getting out there and brands are catching on.

Quality and Maintenance

When considering the quality of any piece of gear, it is usually the safest bet to choose a well-known brand. While it might seem more budget-friendly in the moment to buy from a lesser-known source, it will probably come back to bite you when your bindings fail later on.

The reasons for this are simple. When a company makes much less money than others, they will purchase their materials from a less reliable and cheaper source. This, among other reasons, is how they are able to sell their products for so much less.

While there are a few instances where you might truly pay extra just for the brand name, purchasing gear that your safety relies on usually isn’t one of them. After-all, a sudden binding failure while sliding down a mountain at high-speeds is definitely not an ideal situation.

When it comes to bindings, sticking with the options at different price points from the major brands is recommended. On top of the quality aspect, there is also maintenance to consider. Most shops will be extremely familiar with the maintenance of more common brands.

Availability of parts for repair is a really important aspect here. Most often, a binding failure will happen in the middle of a ride day. In this situation, the ideal solution is to head to a shop in the village for a quick repair and get back out there.

While most shops will have spare parts lying around from major brands, having a lesser known binding brand will usually mean ordering a new part in. In this case, either your day is done, or you’re switching to a beat-up rental setup.

Budget and Riding Style

What brand are your board and boots? Would you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate, or expert level rider? Do you plan on cruising around on green and blue runs, shredding the park and hitting jumps, exploring tree-runs and backcountry areas.. or all of the above?

These are the most important questions to ask yourself when deciding on the price-point and style of bindings to purchase. Each brand will usually provide at least one example of each binding style at a high, low, and medium price-point to choose from.

All mountain: An all mountain rider with an all mountain snowboard would be best suited with a medium flex binding. All 3 entry systems mentioned above would serve this category well. The typical all-mountain rider would be beginner or intermediate level riders who is still learning in all styles of snowboarding and exploring the resort.

Freestyle: Freestyle bindings feature a very soft flex. This is most appropriate in park riding, as in hitting jumps and rails. The softer flex provides the rider with a more playful range of motion, making it easier to achieve certain tricks and grabs. This more forgiving feel also accounts for rider error and makes it easier to stomp your landing.

Freeride: Freeride bindings are designed to take a beating with a stiffer and more secure feeling amount of flex. Designed with more expert-level riders in mind, freeride bindings find their place in either technical resort riding, or in the backcountry. These will provide the stability and support needed for quick energy transfers and extreme speeds.

Snowboard Binding Parts and Features

Highback: Provides support and control over the bindings overall flex.

Straps: Fasten over the ankle and toe areas to provide support and response.

Ratchets: Mechanism attached to the strap responsible for tightening over the boot.

Baseplate: The piece which attaches the binding to the board, using bolts. This is used for adjusting stance and binding angle.

Forward Lean Adjuster: Most bindings have a lever on the back of the highback to adjust the highback angle.

Toe Ramp: Some bindings have an adjustable toe ramp which covers the baseplate to provide a more customizable fit.

Heel Cup: The ring at the base of the highback for keeping your heel in place. Some bindings have an adjustable heel cup for a more customizable fit.

Tool Free Adjustment: Nuts and bolts can be adjusted with your fingers, rather than screwdrivers, for on the fly-adjustments.

If you already have a snowboard binding or you just bought one, leave a comment in the comment section below and share your experience with it.