EXPLANATIONS - BINDINGS
Snowboard Bindings are essential for Snowboarding. This Snowboard
Equipment ensures that your Snowboard Boots (and of course your feet)
are attached securely to your Snowboard. The primary function of
Snowboard Bindings is to transfer the movements of your body to the
snowboard you're riding on, in the most efficient manner. Consequently,
it keeps you attached and in control of your board.
If you're planning to buy Snowboard Bindings, you must first
buy your Snowboard Boots. This is because you need to bring your
Snowboard Boots with you when shopping for Snowboard Bindings
to be able to get the right fit. However, having Snowboard Boots
is not enough. You need to know the different types of bindings,
how it works, and even how to adjust it before buying one. The
following sites contain all the information you need to know
about Snowboard Bindings - from its Different Types to Selecting
the Proper Snowboard Bindings for You:
Snowboard Bindings - A Detailed Look
This section provides you with complete information on the
features and characteristics of Strap Bindings. The Strap Bindings
is the original and still the most popular Binding System in
Snowboarding. This is because Strap Bindings are not only adjustable
and very secure, they are also comfortable. Nowadays, this
Type of Bindings is designed to be lighter and stronger.
Strap Bindings consists of a contoured baseplate where a
rider can place his Soft Boots upon. At the back of the baseplate
is a vertical plate (the highback) that rises behind your ankles
and lower calves. The highbacks on Snowboard Bindings secure
the heel of your feet and the backside of your lower legs. It
also helps you to force the heel side edge of the board into
the Snow Surface and brings the toe side of the board up. At
the front of the binding are two or three adjustable straps which
can be used to secure the front side of your feet and ankles
to the Snowboard. Initially, you may have to sit down to strap
in, but with a bit of practice, it'll be easier to strap in while
standing.
Strap Bindings can differ in the number of straps, the shape
of the base, and highback plate. Alpine riders who need to perform
high speed turns will prefer taller and stiffer highbacks for
greater control and improved edge control. On the other hand,
Freestylers will want a shorter backplate for more flexibility
and turning power. Most people go for these kinds of bindings
as they are more common, offer excellent control, and offer more
options when it comes to boots-bindings combinations.

The combination of the highback plate and the front side
straps gives great control. This Type of Bindings is used in
combination with Soft Boots. As the Binding gives all the support
needed, the Snowboard Boots can remain soft and comfortable.
Keep in mind that the Best Strap Bindings have ample amounts
of wide padding at the toe and ankle straps.
Snowboard Bindings - Mounting & Adjusting
To be able to use the Snowboard Bindings
effectively, you must know how to mount it, and be able to adjust
it to a stance that works for you and your Riding Style. What
follows are steps on How to Put on a Strap Bindings and How to
Adjust Snowboard Bindings.
How to put on a Strap Binding
Put your front foot in the front binding. Ensure that your
heel is placed securely against the highback.
Secure the ankle strap first, then the toe strap. Tighten them
as snug as possible but not to the point of pain. Put your back
foot in the back binding and then tighten the ankle and toe straps
firmly.
How to Adjust Snowboard Bindings
With everyday use, the screws, nuts and bolts that hold the
highest stress areas together tend to loosen up. Consequently,
they need to be tightened regularly to ensure that a strap doesn't
fall off and get lost.
However, not every Mountain Resort provides tool stations,
so it's important to have a Snowboard Tool within reach (preferably
in your pocket) at all times. Remember, a snowboard tool is a
small investment that will definitely pay off over years of riding.
Also, with the standardized insert pattern of snowboards, and
with the built-in adjustment capacity in most Bindings, Mounting
and Adjusting Bindings has become simple quite a simple task.
To be able to do this, make sure you have a screwdriver and
a wrench or two. Also, it would be a plus if you have some basic
knowledge about the stance width, stance location and stance
angle.
The distance between your front and rear foot is the Stance
Width. The basic stance width is roughly the length of your shoulder-width
apart (about 30 per cent of your height). The location of the
center point between your Bindings relative to the center of
the snowboard is the Stance Location. Conversely, the angle of
the Bindings across the snowboard's longitudinal axis, wherein
zero degrees represents a line that is perpendicular to the snowboard's
length, is the Stance Angle.
Forward Lean
For starters, check your board's Forward Lean. The forward
lean is the amount of forward angle on the highback support.
For more leverage and more responsive heelside turning, add
more forward lean. By adding forward lean, you also force your
knees to bend, consequently ensuring a good riding stance.
Still, too much forward lean makes your knee bend too much.
Over bending your knees put pressure on your quadriceps muscles
and reduces your ability to turn easily. So don't overdo it.
You can usually adjust the forward lean in soft-boot Bindings
by changing the position of a plastic stay behind the highback.
Rotating the Highbacks
You can easily rotate your Bindings' Highbacks if your bindings
have slots on the hinges where the highbacks are fastened to
the binding's baseplate. To make your heelside turning more
responsive than when it is angled along with the baseplate,
adjust your Bindings in parallel with the Snowboard's Heel
Side Edge. You can do this by loosening the bolts and rotating
the highbacks.
Adjusting Strap Position
Generally, this involves unscrewing the straps from the baseplate
and moving them forward or backward on the Bindings. To improve
control, move the straps higher up on the foot. Conversely,
move them down lower to increase flexibility.
Make sure that the toe strap is resting around the base of
your toes and is securely holding down the tip of the boot. Shorten
your straps if you find yourself pulling on them for a snug fit.
You can do this by fastening the straps to the baseplate further
along the length of the strap. Most straps already have extra
holes for this adjustment.
Visit the Bindings Buying Guide - How
to buy Snowboard Bindings |