The Best Snowboard Bindings of 2024-2025

Snowboard bindings are your point of contact with your snowboard — as a joint, they change how you connect with your gear and with the ground.

Bindings come in a variety of flex, shape, and construction from rigid freeride and big-mountain bindings to flexible park bindings, with a few different entry and exit styles. If you’re looking for a comfortable, malleable, all-around pair go for the Rome Women’s Katana and Rome Men’s Katana Pro. If you prefer a stiffer build, you might prefer the support of the Union Legacy.

Here are our picks for the best snowboard bindings of the year, from the park to freeride to the backcountry. At the end of the list, read the Buyer’s Guide or scroll to the Price & Value summary about snowboard bindings. Still have questions? Scope out the Comparison Chart to see how binders drill down side by side. Otherwise, take a look at our awarded duos for the 2024-2025 season.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Snowboard Bindings buyer’s guide on November 13, 2024, with the Union Legacy Women’s Snowboard Bindings, Yes Conda, Rome Women’s Katana, and Rome Men’s Katana Pro.

The Best Snowboard Bindings of 2024-2025

Best Overall Snowboard Bindings: Rome Women’s Katana and Rome Men’s Katana Pro
Best Budget Snowboard Bindings: Union Flite Pro
Best Rear Entry Snowboard Bindings: System MTN Men’s Rear-Entry Step-In Bindings
Best Moderate Flex Snowboard Bindings: Union Force
Best Stiffer Snowboard Bindings: Union Legacy Women’s Snowboard Bindings
Most Durable Snowboard Bindings: Yes Conda
Best Step On Snowboard Binding: Burton Step On

Specs

Style: Strap-in
Flex: Medium-to-firm

Pros

Lightweight thanks to infused Carbon
Adjustability for perfect fitment

Cons

Price

Rome has stepped up their lightweight, high performance bindings by infusing them with carbon fiber in the all new Rome Men’s Katana Pro ($450). The Katana aims to be a one binding quiver that will excel in all types of high performance riding conditions.

The Katana Pro bindings are really unique in the materials used. Both the highback and the baseplate are infused with 30% Carbon. This delivers enhanced responsiveness and durability all while shaving a few grams of weight compared to the standard Katana.

Additionally the Katana Pro is incredibly adjustable thanks to a handful of adjustment points ranging from the unique pivot mount where the straps connect to the binding, to the straps themselves offering two different ankle strap positions. Additionally riders can adjust the highback rotation, highback cant, and the baseplate. All this lets riders dial in the perfect boot fit so they can squeeze every drop of comfort and performance out of these bindings.

Overall, the Katana Pro binding is pricey at nearly double most snowboard bindings in our guide. But if you chase the ultimate performance and responsiveness and enjoy dialing in the perfect setup, these bindings will take you there.

Testing the Rome Men’s Katana Pro; (photo/Eric Phillips)

Specs

Style: Strap-in
Flex: Medium

Pros

Extremely comfortable with zero pressure points
Easy-release toe and ankle straps fit flush around boot
Lightweight
Well built and durable

Cons

Pricier choice
Not the stiffest select if that’s your priority

New for 2024-2025, the premium-grade and surfy Rome Women’s Katana ($400) was resurrected from a ghostly ‘18 iteration and completely transformed into a tech-loaded goddess on par with the top-selling men’s Katana. Utilizing a 3D printer, designers dished out binding parts throughout the prototype phase to dial in the fit and feel. The result? One of the lightest yet most comfortable and close-to-board feelings we’ve found in a ladies’ snowboard binding.

The Katana introduces the women’s specific highback, which is shorter and narrower than the guys — we find this really helps with comfort on the backside of the leg. The durable yet airy construction is 15% glass and 85% nylon while the comfortable yet supportive and 2-degree canted baseplate is 30% glass with the remaining nylon.

Also, the binding only extends on the medial side — not down the lateral side — which creates an asymmetrical wrap that’s supportive yet enhances the surf-like feel. Don’t worry, the binding still delivers plenty of responsiveness.

Both the toe cap and the ankle strap are ultra flexible, lean, and strong: AuxTech, what Rome dubs the construction, reminds us of a plastic, stretchy hammock with a repetitive, nature-inspired pattern that expands around and sticks to the shape of our boot. No gaps. Compared to a traditional solid strap, this woven build has ample tiny air pockets — like a spiderweb — and the malleable material stretches laterally while providing reinforcement. The best part? Zero pressure points or shifts.

The ergonomic ratchets easily bite and smoothly tighten down or release with a sweet amount of pressure. So we never need to force the seat belt but equally don’t need to be afraid of an early departure. Lightweight and responsive without feeling stiff or pressurized, the Katana is a dream binding that we love for all-mountain shredding from the extremes to the groomers.

Testing the Rome Women’s Katana; (photo/Eric Phillips)

Specs

Style: Strap-in
Flex: Medium/Soft

Pros

Lightweight
Price

Cons

Soft feel is less responsive on steep and icy slopes

Park riders are going to love the ultralightweight feel of the Union Flite Pro ($180). As the name suggests, this freestyle binding is built for air: The light weight gives it a skateboard feel when putting lines together in the terrain park. Plus, the soft flex gives you the mobility to tweak tricks and make surfy turns.

Going big? No problem. The EVA bushings will soak up that shock if you overshoot a big jump. And the Duraflex construction and 3D aluminum heel cup allow it to take a beating.

So, you can keep trying to ride out that rainbow rail without worrying about your bindings breaking when you slide out and bail. And on the off chance that they do, the lifetime warranty on baseplates and heel cups of the Flite Pro has you covered.

Specs

Style: Rear-entry step-in
Flex: Medium

Pros

Price
Quick boot entry

Cons

Takes some tweaking to get the straps set up initially

If you’d rather step in quickly and get riding than having to fiddle with straps every time you get off the lift, System MTN Men’s Rear-Entry Step-In Bindings ($120) are a great choice.

Instead of strapping and unstrapping every time you want in and out of the bindings, these bindings feature highbacks that lay down so you can kick your feet in, then pull the binding back up to lock yourself into your board.

A rear cable locks the highback in and is designed to tighten as pressure increases. So, the harder you carve, the stiffer and more responsive the highback is. When you want out, flip the lever, pull your boot out, and wait for the chair lift to come around.

The Men’s Rear-Entry Step-In Bindings are a solid budget pick.

Specs

Style: Strap-in
Flex: Medium/Rigid

Pros

Versatile
Comfortable
Responsive in any terrain

Cons

If you want a soft pair, look at other options

If you want one binding for every type of terrain, the Union Force ($330) is the way to go. The Italian company’s all-mountain workhorse is built for everything from double blacks to deep powder and everything in between.

The 2024-2025 model is the Union’s 20th iteration of the Force. This year, it added the Exoframe 2.0 ankle straps for added durability and response. The Duraflex baseplates and highbacks are designed to maintain consistent flex in a wide range of temperatures. This gives you a predictable ride, so you won’t be surprised by a snappier response when the weather gets cold.

For added versatility, the forward lean and strap adjustment of the Force let you make adjustments on the fly, so you’ll be prepared for whatever terrain you find. If you need one binding that will handle everything, the Force is the way to go.

Also, the Force’s magnesium ratchets are stronger and lighter than the more common aluminum ratchets.

Specs

Style: Strap-in
Flex: Moderately Stiff

Pros

Light and lean
Lateral flex
Longitudinal stiffness
Stiffer than soft, if you dig that

Cons

Some riders might prefer a softer, more forgiving design

Stout and limber in the right spots, there’s a reason why the Union Legacy Women’s Snowboard Bindings ($260) are among the most popular at our local snowboard shops. Not entry-barrel and not premium carbon — which is pricier and stronger but in some instances, less durable than plastic — these heels bring clout to the table.

This saddle took us from deep pow and drops to cliffy bottlenecks and tight, moguled trees. While cruising all over the mountain, we noticed the Duraflex ST Highback is more rigid than flexy. Laterally, we found the most freedom-of-limb while our boots were longitudinally locked in. Lightweight and porous-patterned, the grippy straps married our feet pretty well. And the toe strap is multi-positional, so it rests across the top or front of the toe box.

The Forma Lab ankle belt is responsive toward the lateral side while the medial side is ever-so-slightly pillowed — not much, but it counts. Backing you up, the highback is on the stiffer end of the spectrum, and it’s also fairly wide: a consistent 5-inch wrap while some of our other favorite women’s highbacks have an hourglass shape and a 4- to 4.5-inch width.

Aluminum ratchets are sturdy and easy to click down. On the flipside, the release lever loftily reaches through the buckle frame, making it easy to grab but we often accidentally freed the binding after tightening her down. Fix your habits early! Finding happy ground, the mid-flex baseplate cruises anywhere on the mountain without going buck wild or folding. On top, the cover between the plate and your outsoles — dubbed the OTE Fused Vaporlite Bushing — provides a natural feel while dampening chatter.

If you want to switch up the positioning and lengths of the straps, heelcup, highback, and overall stance, you can. But this design is more catered to a ‘set it and leave it’ approach: The too-free strap hardware needs to be pulled out to adjust the length. The baseplate cover is screwed in, as are the settings of the highback and heelcup. That’s one area of improvement we’d like to see.

Overall, the Legacy Women’s Snowboard Bindings are a steady investment for park, freestyle, or freeride snowboarders looking for a durable, lightweight, responsive jacket that’ll go anywhere on the mountain.

Specs

Style: Strap-in
Flex: Moderate

Pros

Tenacious
Perfectly flush fit
Supportive, comfortable highback
Easy-to-lift baseplate cushion and simple strap adjustment

Cons

New riders might prefer a softer binding
Some like an even stiffer saddle

It’s almost embarrassing to admit the beating that our women’s Yes Conda ($330) snowboard bindings have endured. Almost. Clearly these whips are built for prowess down every run at the resort.

We first pulled on these freeride jewels in 2016, and the ship didn’t sink until seven seasons later. Rest assured, they lived well, charging hard from the Jackson Hole sidecountry to Gold Hill Chutes at Telluride Ski Resort. R.I.P., dear thrones.

La crème de la crème comfort and a flush fit dances with locked-in security. The Conda’s responsiveness sailed us through tight trees, sat with us off cliff drops, and coasted off jumps. A solid hold and flex served us well through speedy turns and corduroy sprints without feeling like a wood plank. We also love how easy the plush baseplate cushion flips up for quick adjustments or tightens. And those ratchets? Steadfast chompers. Only one needed to be replaced over the years.

Now upgraded the take with an Asymmetrical FRS strap, Asymmetrical FM highback, and the Hanger 3.0 baseplate. While this dress has evolved over the years — the straps are less cushy and heel plate has more cut-outs making the package more lightweight — those rich genes are still swirling in the Conda. If you’re not riding the step-in or step-on train, and love exploring the untamed lanes at your local zone, toss your lasso around this pair and don’t look back.

Specs

Style: Step-on
Flex: Medium

Pros

Quick
Secure locking system
Responsive highback

Cons

Only compatible with Step On boots

Step-on bindings have come a long way since they first came out — they were basically a metal plate that hooked into your boots’ soles, with no highback or baseplate. The Burton Step On ($300) is a showcase of the advancements that step-on bindings have made since then.

The traditional highback and baseplate give you the feel of your favorite strap-in bindings with the convenience and speed of your favorite set of step-in bindings.

Built specifically to work with step-on boots, these bindings offer three points of attachment to make sure you don’t kick a leg out in the middle of a turn. And the single-component highback of the Step On sports zero lean for a more laid-back feel but can be adjusted to your preference.

Read Review: Click On, Ride Down: Burton Step On Binding Review

Specs

Style: Strap-in
Flex: Rigid

Pros

Extremely responsive
Tool-free adjusting

Cons

Pricier choice

Already one of the most responsive bindings we’ve seen, the newest version of the Union Atlas ($370) has been re-engineered to tighten down response and durability. This all-mountain rockstar is bolstered with high-density Vaporlite bushings that are stiffer and more responsive than traditional Vaporlite with the same damping ability.

The highback is a blend of Duraflex and carbon fiber for added stiffness and a drop in weight, while the steel hardware bumps up durability. All of this adds up to a setup that delivers instant response and solid board connection, so your board will feel like an extension of your body.

Coming up on unexpected terrain? No problem: The quick, tool-free adjustment of the Atlas lets you stop and tweak your settings for whatever style of terrain lies ahead. Plus, the baseplate and heel cup come with a lifetime warranty.

Specs

Style: Strap-in
Flex: Medium

Pros

Price
Quick boot entry

Cons

Zero forward lean may not be responsive enough for aggressive riders

Comfort is king with the Burton Malavita EST ($280). The AutoCANT Full-bed cushioning system uses dual-density EVA foam to settle your boot into the perfect riding position. This reduces fatigue and provides better board control over a long day of riding.

Canted highbacks follow the natural contours of the leg, adding to the control and comfort, and the zero-forward lean offers a relaxed, playful feel on the mountain.

The single-component baseplate features one material throughout, giving you a consistent ride on varied terrain. The B3 gel cushioning in the footbed is made to resist hardening to keep your ride the same no matter how cold it gets. This also helps it resist breaking down over repeated impacts, so feel free to stomp all the kickers you want.

We still don’t recommend clearing the landing. Your bindings will survive, but your knees might not. Don’t hesitate to check out the Malavita EST.

Specs

Style: Strap-in
Flex: Rigid

Pros

All-mountain performance

Cons

Only compatible with Burton’s Channel board mounting system

One of the OGs of the Burton binding line, the Cartel upgrades to be lighter and more responsive with the Burton Cartel X EXT ($330) all-terrain binding. For park rats, the new rubber wings in the lower part of the highback keep your boot in place while you hit the tabletops. Also, the highback hinge flexes with your leg for increased foot roll, less pressure, and easier ollies.

For big-mountain riders, the chassis has been tweaked to be more responsive for steeper terrain. And the rotating dial on the highback lets you adjust the forward lean to accommodate whatever terrain you find.

The Hammock ankle strap and highback hold your boot securely and enhance response, while the zero forward lean lets you customize your stance. The SensoryBED cushioning in the baseplate of the Cartel X EXT adds control and comfort for long days on the mountain.

Specs

Style: Strap-in
Flex: Medium

Pros

Asymmetrical heel cup provides flex without sacrificing power

Cons

Upper price tier

An all-arounder, the Rome Vice ($300) was built to give you a great ride whether you’re in the park or hitting some off-trail powder. This lightweight binding offers a supportive feel and plenty of adjustment, so you can tune them in perfectly for however you ride.

The PivotMount feature lets you adjust the strap position to dial in how responsive you want it to be: looser for park and powder, tighter for big mountains and groomers. The mid-stiff flex rides the line between going steep and fast, but it offers enough flexibility to tweak a grab.

This is due to the AsymWrap tech, which eliminates the outer wrap of the heel cup to add flexibility for tweaking in the park while still maintaining the support to provide carving power on steep lines. There’s a super-grippy toe strap that locks your boot in for extra security, too.

If you’re looking for a feathery load that still backs you up, pick up the Vice.

Specs

Style: Rear-entry, strap-in
Flex: Rigid

Pros

Stiff support
Step-in
Strap-in options

Cons

Stiffer choice might not be prime for park riders

The super-stiff GNU Freedom ($330) is built for big-mountain dominance. Starting at the bottom, the baseplate is built with superlight aerospace aluminum for a solid response on sketchy slopes.

Boasting a stiff asymmetrical highback, that spine contours to your leg for added comfort and reduced fatigue. It’s stiff enough to respond immediately to pressure for quick adjustments on steep terrain or speedy tree runs.

And when those runs get choppy, the triple-damping wrap helps absorb those bumps, so your knees won’t have to. Micro-buckles offer tool-free adjustments, so you can dial in your fit on the fly.

This Freedom offers traditional strap-in entry to dial in the fit, as well as a quick rear entry and exit option, so you can run to the lodge to beat the lunch rush. There’s also a triple-damping wrap that soaks up bumps from choppy, icy runs.

Specs

Style: Strap-in
Flex: Medium

Pros

Price
Responsive
Versatile

Cons

Pressure from the ankle ratchet can get uncomfortable

For ladies, the Arbor Sequoia ($250) are built for every aspect of the mountain, from groomed trails to tree runs to hitting up the terrain park. The System X baseplate efficiently transfers and distributes a rider’s energy onto the snowboard for a quick response.

The outsole features a TPE-damping rubber to absorb shock on choppy trails and hard landings when you finally hit that kicker you’ve been eying on your last few runs.

These bindings feature low-mounted asymmetrical highbacks that add comfort and freedom of movement. The pre-curved straps swing out of the way for easy entry and exit, and the heel has a secure, locked-in feel.

And the aluminum heel and buckles add durability without extra weight. And the universal disc lets you mount the Sequoia on any board, making this a great binding for bargain hunters.

Specs

Style: Strap-in
Flex: Medium

Pros

Costs half as much as most of the bindings on this list

Cons

Straps can grow brittle and break in extremely cold weather

Another great bargain binding, the Arbor Spruce ($200) offers a lot of bang for your buck. The adjustable EVA footbed is canted at 2.5 degrees to encourage a natural foot position, minimizing fatigue and maximizing comfort.

The asymmetrical highbacks contour to the lower legs for more comfort. The baseplate in the newest model has been bolstered with double the fiberglass for a stiffer, more responsive feel.

In addition, the beefed-up outsole damps shock, and the laterally supportive highback gives you plenty of edge-to-edge response for high-speed carving. The ankle and toe straps of the Spruce can be adjusted without tools, so you can fine-tune your fit whenever you need to.

The flex of a snowboard binding is usually rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with the lower number being softer; (photo/Eric Phillips)

Snowboard Bindings Comparison Chart

Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Style, Flex.

Snowboard Binding	Price	Style	Flex
Rome Men’s Katana Pro	$450	Medium-to-firm	Medium-to-ferm
Rome Women’s Katana	$400	Strep-in	Medium
Union Flite Pro	$170	Strap-in	Medium/Soft
System MTN Men’s Rear-Entry Step-In Bindings	$120	Rear-entry step-in	Medium
Union Force	$280	Strap-in	Medium/Rigid
Union Legacy Women’s Snowboard Bindings	$260	Strap-in	Moderately Stiff
Yes Conda	$330	Strap-in	Moderate
Burton Step On	$330	Step-on	Medium
Union Atlas	$350	Strap-in	Rigid
Burton Malavita EST	$360	Strap-in	Medium
Burton Cartel X EST	$300	Strap-in	Rigid
Rome Vice	$290	Strap-in	Medium
GNU Freedom	$320	Rear-entry, strap-in	Rigid
Arbor Sequoia	$250	Strap-in	Medium
Arbor Spruce	$200	Strap-in	Medium

Close up of Rome Katana snowboard bindings for women; photo credit Eric Phillips — Testing snowboard bindings at Crested Butte Mountain Resort; (photo/Eric Phillips)

How We Tested Snowboard Bindings

Our Expert Testers

Leading the snowboard gear crew, Senior Editor Morgan Tilton specializes in snowsports and has been a snowboarder since 2002, when she learned to ride at her home ski area in Telluride, Colorado. While she grew up competing in slopestyle, Tilton enjoys backcountry and in-bounds days alike. She tested snowboard bindings for 104 hours across 34 days, in 2023. To date in 2024, she has tested snowboard bindings for 135 hours across 38 days. She’s also the former manager of the late Transworld Snowboarding annual snowboard boots test. (R.I.P. TWS.)

Contributing photographer and tester Eric Phillips is a formerly certified Level II PSIA-AASI instructor and big mountain pow surfer when he’s not at the resort or on splitboard tours.

GearJunkie Editor and gear tester Austin Beck-Doss has been snowboarding since 2005. Growing up far from the mountains, trips to the slopes were a special once-a-year treat for Beck-Doss. After moving to Colorado in 2014, his repetitions increased dramatically. In recent years, he has logged lots of glorious days at various resorts in the Wasatch mountains of Utah. He’s also worked as an adaptive snowboard instructor with people with disabilities.

California-based GearJunkie Editor Billy Brown contributed to this guide when it was first scribed in 2020. Since then, the guide has been updated twice.

Newer riders and park rats typically want a softer binding but you’ll also need to consider how stiff your boot is; (photo/Eric Phillips)

Our Testing Grounds

The GearJunkie team meets for an annual on-snow test week to grind out turns and swap notes, including two previous gatherings at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, which is known for its expert terrain.

Beck-Doss is based in Wyoming, Phillips is based in Crested Butte, and Tilton typically tests bindings at Telluride Ski Resort and Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Our Testing Process

While we test snowboard bindings, we consider the flex, highback shape and height, baseplate, strap ergonomics, ratchet and release system, materials, durability, ease of use, ease of installation and adjustment, snowboard compatibility, boot compatibility, and price.

We research the best options before pulling them into the field for tests including consideration of the most innovative, popular, and legacy bindings.

Lineup of snowboards and snowboard bindings; (photo/Eric Phillips) — We tested snowboard bindings across all snow and weather conditions and in all levels of terrain; (photo/Eric Phillips)

Buyers Guide: How to Choose Snowboard Bindings

Bindings are built to accommodate riding styles starting with freeriding, which consists mostly of surfing through powder or carving down groomed runs. Bindings that are ideal for freeriders are stiffer and more aggressive. This provides the quick and reliable response that carvers need to make fast turns on steep downhill slopes.

Freestyle riders — also known as park rats — are the riders that you see bombing off kickers, sailing over tabletops, and grinding everything that you can slide on. Freestyle bindings tend to be more flexible to allow for tweaking grabs and for adjusting your balance on rails.

All-mountain riders do a little bit of everything — hitting the groomers, finding powder off-trail, and making a few park runs here and there. All-mountain bindings need to ride a delicate balance between flex and rigidity.

They need enough stiffness to provide control on steeps while maintaining enough flex to hit the park. All-mountain riders should look for bindings that are in the medium range of flexibility.

A stiffer snowboard binding provides a more responsive experience, more rigidity, and less chatter at higher speeds; (photo/Eric Phillips)

Flex

A snowboard binding’s flex refers to how rigid the construction is, particularly in the highback and the heel cup. This affects responsiveness, or how quickly the snowboard reacts to varying amounts of pressure you create as you carve.

A rigid flex provides stability and increases the binding’s response to your movements. This is ideal for high-speed runs and steep hills, where a quick turn can make a difference between holding your edge or catching it and cartwheeling down a hill.

A more flexible binding is ideal for park riding. Snowboarders who ride mostly in terrain parks value a more flexible binding profile, which allows for more mobility. This is ideal for tweaking grabs and for adjusting your center of gravity on rails.

Baseplate

The baseplate is what attaches the binding to your board. It can be adjusted to vary the angle of a rider’s foot in relation to the board. This is based on the rider’s stance preference.

Some riders prefer a narrower stance or a neutral angle. However, others may want a wider stance or have their toes pointed slightly outward, based on their anatomy and style of riding.

Baseplates also generally feature some sort of damping technology that allows them to act as shock absorbers. This is usually made up of rubber or a composite. The damping helps absorb the shock of landings and minimizes vibration (also known as chatter) on icy or excessively bumpy terrain.

Highback

The highback is the wing that comes up the back of the binding, supporting the back of the leg. Highbacks are what give you control of your snowboard and add power when riding on your heel edge.

They vary in flexibility — more rigid highbacks increase the board’s response, while flexible highbacks are generally more comfortable.

Binding sizes range from small to extra-large but not all models are size-inclusive — be sure to check the size charts, which are unique to each brand; (photo/Eric Phillips)

Straps

Not only do straps secure your boots to your binding, but they also provide control and power when carving on your toe edge. Most bindings feature a larger ankle strap that wraps around the ankle and top of the foot, as well as a toe strap that wraps over the forefoot.

Some bindings’ toe straps go over the toecap of the boot, which can more effectively secure the boot in the binding. Straps are secured via ratcheting buckles, which allow for fast entry and exit. The ratchet levers also let you adjust your straps, tightening and loosening them as needed.

You’ll find three different hole mounting patterns for bindings, including 2X4, 4X4, and the Channel; (photo/Eric Phillips)

Snowboard Compatibility

Some bindings do not work with every board, so it’s important to make sure any bindings that you are considering buying will work with your snowboard. Many bindings come with universal baseplates or multiple baseplates that allow them to work with different mounting styles. Others are designed to work with specific boards.

When you’re considering a binding, check the binding’s webpage. There should be a list of boards and mounting styles that the binding will work with.

While the Channel system was initially created by Burton, other brands have adopted the format with compatible bindings and boards; (photo/Eric Phillips)

Sizing & Fit

Instead of the specific fits that you’ll find in shoes and snowboard boots, bindings tend to come in small, medium, and large sizes, with additional sizes for youths.

Despite the range of shoe sizes per category, bindings are designed to fit securely without feeling restrictive. You don’t want to allow any movement between the boot and the binding, as that results in a loss of control.

The ankle and toe straps offer a wide range of adjustability, which lets you dial in your binding’s fit every time you step into it. Check your binding’s webpage to see which category your shoe size fits in before buying.

snowboard bindings freestyle — Brands often sell a separate universal disc for channel-compatible bindings; (photo/unknown)

Price & Value

The price of bindings varies widely, from the least expensive sitting at under $100 to the higher end reaching into the $500-$600 range.

Budget

Beginners may want to look for a lower-end binding while they learn — they can upgrade as they improve without taking a big bite out of their wallets. Check out a snowboard bindings review or two to find a good, low-cost binding that doesn’t sacrifice functionality.

For instance, the rear-entry step-in System MTN Men’s Rear-Entry Step-In Bindings ($120) offer an efficient, progressive design at under $200. To keep the price lower, no carbon or glass is woven into this construction, and the EVA padding is likely a tier lower and less durable. But these offer plenty of comfort and long-lasting durability for most riders.

Mid-Tier

Bindings such as the Union Legacy Women’s Snowboard Bindings ($260) are made with stiffer materials for a more responsive feel that some experienced riders tend to prefer. The flex is intricate, too, in that there’s longitudinal rigidity but a forgiving feel from side to side.

The main parts of snowboard bindings include the toe and ankle straps, highbacks, and baseplate; (photo/Eric Phillips)

Premium

Usually, the cost comes with more durability and responsiveness, as well as more sport-specific features like aggressively angled highbacks for big-mountain riding.

If you know what style of riding you prefer, it can be worth it to opt for a higher-end binding that will accommodate your riding style. Bindings like the Rome Women’s Katana and Rome Men’s Katana Pro ($400-$450) boast an innovative design — like the asymmetrical heel skeleton and the woven straps — and are made with very lightweight, tenacious materials that are extremely comfortable and form-fitting to whatever boots they come across.

Testing the Rome Katana snowboard binding; (photo/Eric Phillips)

Frequently Asked Questions

Professional snowboarders tend to use bindings that are dialed into their personal style. They often use different board and binding setups to fit where and how they plan to ride on any given trip.

Freeriding snowboarders tend to use bindings with less flex, as the increased rigidity provides better edge-to-edge responsiveness during hard-charging lines and high-speed carves.

Freestyle riders usually use bindings with more flex. The added mobility provides the freedom to tweak grabs and to adjust their center of gravity when grinding rails and boxes.

All-mountain riders usually use all-mountain bindings with a medium flex. They need a binding that will provide the responsiveness required for reliable carving but with the flexibility to hit a kicker or grind the occasional rail.

Testing rear-entry snowboard bindings; (photo/Eric Phillips)

When learning to snowboard, simplicity is key. Go with a strap-in binding rather than a step-in binding when you start out.

The highbacks that come with strap-in bindings will make the board more responsive. This helps train riders to carve and develop trust in the board and binding connection.

Less expensive bindings are great for beginners as well. Binding preference is specific to the user, and a cheaper binding will be easier to replace as riders improve and start learning what bindings will better suit their preferred riding style.

adjusting snowboard bindings — Strap up and rip it; (photo/Red Morris)

Most bindings are universal, but not all. Some bindings are made to work specifically with certain brands. For instance, many Burton bindings are made to work primarily with Burton boards, so they come with multiple baseplates for use with other brands.

The good news is that any bindings that will only work with one type of board will note this in the technical specs section on the website. If you’re considering a set of bindings, be sure to check online that its baseplate is designed to work with the board you’re planning to use.

Closing up the rear-entry snowboard bindings; (photo/Eric Phillips)

Thanks to the strapping system, strap-in bindings will fit a wide range of snowboard boots. The sizing (XS-XL) refers to the length of a boot sole, not the thickness of the boot, so if you are considering a binding size, the only thing you really must worry about is whether the length of the sole will work.

Step-on bindings attach to the bottom of boots with soles that have anchor points designed to lock into that specific binding. If you’re considering a pair of step-on bindings, make sure that you have a pair of boots that are made to work with that binding.

snowboard boots and bindings — Traditional toe straps cover the top of the metatarsal and toe area rather than across the front like the pictured toe cap; (photo/**Buzz Andersen**)

You want your boot to be as secure as possible without feeling uncomfortable. The boots should not move around in the bindings at all. The movement you provide by leaning and applying pressure to different parts of the binding is what steers and controls the board, so any slippage between the boot and binding will result in a loss of control.

However, the binding straps should not be so tight that they cause pinching or an uncomfortable amount of pressure. You don’t want to come out of your first run wanting to unstrap as soon as possible.

Several types of bindings exist including traditional strap, rear-entry with a pop-open highback, and step-on designs; (photo/Eric Phillips)

The most noticeable difference between step-in and strap-in bindings is that strap-in bindings use two straps to hold boots in. Step-on bindings secure the boots via clips on the outsole of the boot that connect it to the baseplate.

Step-on bindings provide faster entry and exit, but the lack of straps (and in some cases, highbacks) has been known to sacrifice control.

snowboard bindings style — Be sure your snowboard and snowboard bindings share a compatible mount system; (photo/unknown)

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