How to Choose Snowboard Bindings & Compatibility Guide

Snowboard bindings are an integral piece of a snowboarder’s riding experience. Your bindings are your direct connection to your snowboard, transferring your muscle movements to your board. If your snowboard bindings are well matched to your board and style, you'll have a better riding experience.

Riding Style

It is important to seek snowboard bindings that match your riding style. Snowboard bindings can fit into three general style categories. As important as it is for binding flex to match your style of riding, you should also determine the amount of binding flex you would want according to the flex of your boot. It would not make sense to have a stiff binding and a soft boot or vice versa. For the best results in tailoring your ride to fit your style, make sure that the flex of your bindings matches closely to the flex of your boots.

Park or Freestyle

Riders who spend the majority of their time in the terrain park laying down tricks are considered park or freestyle riders. Snowboard bindings in this category generally offer a softer flex allowing greater room for error, easier landings, and the ability to tweak grabs.

All-Mountain

The all-mountain category includes riders who do a little of everything: powder, groomed runs, park, etc. These bindings usually have a medium flex for all-purpose use.

Freeride

This category is all about the steep and the deep - powder and speed on challenging terrain. These bindings have a stiffer flex for better response and energy transfer to the snowboard for going fast and going big.

Flex Rating

Many manufacturers will give a number rating ranging from 1-10, 1 being softest and 10 being stiffest. Here at evo we have standardized the manufacturers' number ratings to a feel rating ranging from soft to very stiff. Generally, you will find flex ratings of 1-2 as soft, 3-5 as medium, 6-8 as stiff, and 9-10 as very stiff. Flex ratings and feel may ultimately vary from binding to binding.

Types of Snowboard Bindings

Strap in Bindings

These most common type of snowboard binding. They're easy to use, secure, and responsive and have been the standard for ages. Just slide your foot in, tighten the straps and you're ready to go.

Rear-Entry Bindings

Rear entry bindings can be identified by the reinforced highback and single strap at the toe. The highback of these bindings will pop open, you slide your foot into the strap and then close the highback onto your boot.

Burton Step-On Bindings

The Burton Step On Bindings get you snowboarding quick. They require the Burton Step On boots and allow you to easily slide your boot in and click your heel into place.

Snowboard Binding Components

Snowboard Boot & Binding Compatibility

How Should Snowboard Bindings Fit My Boots?

Snowboard bindings come in general sizes - Small S/M, Medium M/L, and Large L/XL. It is essential to have the right size bindings for your boots, so always check out the manufacturer’s binding size chart on individual product pages to see what size binding you need.

After consulting the manufacturer’s size chart, it is very to check that the binding fits your boots. Do this by placing your boot in your binding as if you were to strap in; the boots shouldn’t hang excessively off the bindings, nor should the straps be painfully tightened or have left over slack. If the strap ladder does not reach the ratchet, it may need to be adjusted - binding straps typically adjust from both sides in order to center the strap over your boot. The heel should fit snugly in the binding. A properly fit binding should allow the boot to flex, but not sway. If you have comfortable boots, and the bindings securely grip your boots with no extra play, then you have a good match.

Binding Compatibility with Snowboards

Just like snowboards, snowboard bindings come with different options for mounting. There are a variety of mounting options and hole patterns on snowboards. Most patterns are compatible with each other, but it's good to make sure you are not stuck with the wrong set. Luckily, most brands nowadays have universal discs or make multiple discs to cover different types of mounting holes, check with the manufacturer or our team to make sure that binding will work for you.

Snowboard Mounting Patterns

There are four different snowboard hole patterns that you will find on conventional snowboards. The patterns include: 4x4, 2x4, Burton 3D and Burton Channel. 3D and Channel technology are specific to Burton Snowboards, although some board makers have begun liscencing Channel technology from Burton. 2x4 is a variation of 4x4 that gives the rider more mounting options.

2x4 Insert Pattern

Burton 3D Insert Pattern

4x4 Insert Pattern

Channel Insert Pattern

The Snowboard Binding Channel System

Chances are if you've spent any time around a snowboard, you've seen the channel system. This unique system can be found on all modern Burton snowboards and a couple of other binding companies, it offers a variety of stance variations and options. Understanding the ins and outs of this system is key to getting the most out of your gear and finding a setup that works well together.

What is The Channel System

The actual Channel System refers to the two integrated slots that run parallel to the edge of the board and are the system used to attach your bindings to your snowboard. Allowing for a full range of customizable stances the Channel system allows you to slide your bindings down the length of the entirety of the snowboard.

Re:Flex™ vs EST Bindings

Burton's EST bindings bring out the best of Channel system's flex and are considered to be more comfortable since there is no hardware underfoot. The EST bindings will only mount to Burton's channel system.

How to Mount Channel System Snowboard Bindings

Channel System Binding Compatibility

These days, most binding companies have made their products compatible with the Channel system. Looking for bindings that say they are either Channel compatible, Re:Flex™ compatible or offer a universal mount disc are going to get you what you need.

Be aware that some binding companies only make their higher priced bindings compatible with the Channel system. Generally, these companies sell a universal disc that you can purchase separately. Always ask if you are unsure if the bindings you're looking at are right for your set up.

Oh and a friendly reminder... ALL Burton bindings will work on Burton snowboards.

How to Choose the Right Snowboard

Snowboard Boot Fit Guide

What is Rocker and Why Does it Matter?

Learn More With Our Other Snowboard Guides:

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This is evo. We are a ski, snowboard, wake, skate, bike, surf, camp and clothing online retailer with physical stores in Seattle, Portland, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Whistler. Our goal is to provide you with great information to make both your purchase and up-keep easy.

evo also likes to travel to remote places across the globe in search of world-class powder turns, epic waves, or legendary mountain biking locations through evoTrip Adventure Travel Trips. Or, if you prefer to travel on your own, check out our ski & snowboard resort travel guides, and mountain bike trail guides.

Still have questions? Please give our customer care team a call at 866-386-1590, Customer Care Hours. They can help you find the right setup to fit your needs.