Snowboard binding
A snowboard binding connects the snowboarder's snowboard boot with the snowboard . The bindings for both feet, which are variably attached to the snowboard with screws, can be adjusted for the right foot ( Goofy ) or the left foot ( Regular ) in the direction of travel, for different distances and for different foot angles .
Bond types
There are different ways to fix the shoe in the binding. All binding types can be attached to all snowboards. Exceptions are bindings from Burton . While most have four mounting holes, these only have three.
Plate binding
The first commercial binding was the plate binding. Various ski and touring ski bindings serve as the basis for this type of binding. Hard boots are used for this. The shoe is first hooked into the rear part of the binding under a steel bracket and then fixed at the front with a folding bracket. This type of binding is usually chosen together with hard boots for race boards , as it offers an almost loss-free power transfer to the board. It is therefore particularly suitable for high speeds and groomed slopes. Another advantage is that this binding enables you to get on and off the lift faster.
Soft binding
The soft binding (also known as strap, ratchet or cup binding) is the most common type of binding. The back of the foot is held in place by a sturdy shaft that extends to the calf (the so-called spoiler or high back) and in the front by two ratchet straps over the instep and toes. It is used together with so-called soft boots and mainly used in connection with freeride and freestyle snowboards.
Soft bindings are made from a wide variety of materials. Some are made of conventional plastic (soft and flexible), while others use carbon or aramid fiber reinforced plastic , aluminum and other high-quality materials (hard and stiff). A harder binding means more direct power transmission and is therefore better suited for carving on the slopes or for freeriding. A soft binding is easier to control and is therefore more suitable for freestyle . It is usually mounted in such a way that the distance between the snowboard bindings corresponds to the length of the lower leg. The mounted binding angle is adjusted individually according to driving ability and driving style.
Step-in binding
In contrast to plate and soft bindings, which are fixed by hand, a step-in binding has a mechanism that allows you to lock into the binding while standing. There are step-in systems for hard and soft boots.
In contrast to the bindings mentioned above, the binding is mainly integrated in the shoe. The back of the shoe is reinforced by a spoiler (see above) and a metal bar with a diameter of about 0.6–1 centimeters runs horizontally below it. This metal pin is connected to a plate attached to the board. As a variation, this binding is also available with a spoiler attached to the plate (instead of the shoe). However, this makes no difference in driving behavior.
Step-in bindings also exist for hard boots as plate bindings, but are made very differently for hard boots and are similar to plate bindings.
In the step-in area, the INTEC system for hard boots and the robust SWITCH system for soft boots dominate. Earlier systems from Snow Pro (FAST) as well as various step-in systems that were marketed by Burton exist almost exclusively in the used trade.
Flow binding
Flow is a binding for all soft boots. In contrast to a normal soft binding, the Flow is provided with a semi-rigid material on the instep, the tension of which can be adjusted. There are no ratchets in the conventional sense. To get into the binding, the highback can be folded down using a small lever. The name "Flow" goes back to the eponymous manufacturer of these binding types. Further details (including binding) can be found in the main article Flow Snowboarding .
Cinch binding
The cinch binding is a system developed and marketed by K2 for soft boots. It combines the advantages of a strap binding (better power transmission compared to a flow binding) with those of a flow binding (faster entry and exit). The boot is attached to the binding with the help of 2 ratchets. As with the Flow, the highback can also be folded down to enable faster entry and exit. However, disadvantages of this type of binding are the relatively large weight that is created by the lifting mechanism. By lifting the strap at the instep, entry is made easier in contrast to the flow binding and is gentle on the top of the boat.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Snowboard binding: assembly and adjustment: Snowboardbverbind.org