Snowboard Bindings: Quality?

Question

What's the difference (specifically) between $30 strap bindings and $150 strap bindings?

Answer 1

The $30 bindings will probably be all plastic with cheap hardware that will break or fall apart (I see it every year) and the $150 bindings are probably a quality brand with metal buckles and high quality hardware. You don't need high end model with exotic materials (carbon fiber, etc - $300+) which are stiffer than you need and cost more than you want.

Look for a middle of the road quality binding from a good manufacturer like "Ride" - their mid-line bindings have high quality metal buckles and high quality hardware and will only have a street price around $100.

My friend bought these for $100 and they are worth the money:

http://www.ridesnowboards.com/bindings/binding.asp?ProductID=27

Answer 2

Snowboard Bindings Cheap

Answer 3

As a snowboard instructor and sponsered rider i have to say this, holy god dont be cheap with you gear. But obvously dont base quality on price. seriously, 30 dollar bindings? The bindings Ride gave me for the begining of this season are probably the best on the planet, and cost about 250 bucks. theres more expensive, but like i said, price doesnt equal quality. bindings can make or brake your day, althoug they arent as important as your boots, they are important. go with something made out of good materials, mostly metals. dont bother with overly complex bindings or anything plastic, that includes any burton binding. now clearly you dont have to spend 250 bucks for some great bindings, and i take it you're somewhat new to the sport, so a really great binding for you will probably be between 150 and 200 bucks. one last note, cap straps suck, seriously. convertable toe straps are best.

Answer 4

Another big difference between cheap and expensive bindings is that cheap bindings are designed to ONLY keep you attached to your board. While expensive bindings are designed to have specific contact points with your boots allowing for a smooth direct transfer of pressure while initiating turns or tricks.

So by going with cheap bindings you can actually create bad riding habbits due to there lack of function past holding your feet to the board.

hope this helps a little more!

Answer 5

Quality of the materials, weight, design. Go with the $150. They'll last you a lot longer and you'll enjoy them more. And I know that some companies will give you cap straps instead of regular straps. The latches will probably last longer too.

Answer 6

That extra cost went into the research and design of the product, and somewhat into the craftsmanship.

If you buy a really cheap set of bindings, it is old technology that the company is using. It's not horrible, but newer, more expensive stuff is going to be a lot easier to ride.