Snowboard binding/boots Options

[woodstock]

Copying this out the tele rental thread as not to hijcack it.

Snowboarding is fairly easy if you stick to flat terrain. There's only a few who let it hang in the bumps. The problem with snowboarding is the equipment still is in the dark ages if you want to push it. I use K2 clickers still as it is the only system that gives me the control and comfort I want in all terrain. It won't let me tweak in the pipe like a 2 strap system but how many people do you see with those bindings taking advantage of that movement?

I'm curious of your set-up? K2 clickers are not even close to recent equipment. that comment doesn't make much sense to me... at all? theres boards out now with double edges, the burton vapor, lib tech magne-trac, rides got the slimewall, salomon has there suspension system aswell... theres far far more money in the snowboard industry than the skiing industry I think. It's just differen't styles of riding. bumps+board is just an ugly ugly picture, I'd rather not paint.

________________________

I'm old school and your right my clicker set-up is obsolete. I bought a couple pairs on e-bay a few years ago as back-ups and should have bought another set of boots as they are now pretty aged. They are gen2 clickers with the rubber bushings that help absorb some energy with the Shimano lace/one strap boot. I was at Sugarbush a couple weeks ago and broke the rear binding portion on the boot and had to rent. The burton bindings and boots I rented were next to new although I don't think were there best set-up and I really hated it. It reminded of the challenges I had prior to going clicker when I broke 2-3 sets of bindings a year. Burton was great back then and would replace them in a heartbeat but it was a bummer breaking them that often. The straps were painful across the boots and in the steep/trees bumps I had way less control.

Bumps+board is very do-able just takes practice. I've done the bust-n-burn for years on a board and usually place in the top half. I started boarding in 1991 and the people I hang with skied bumps, usually white heat and agony so if I wanted to ski with them I had to learn bumps.

What binding/boot system do you ride? I'd like to try another step in system as my boots are just about done.

don

This post has been edited by woodstock: Feb 28 2008, 09:05 AM

[SlottyskimmerIZ]

I'm on burton cartles from a few years ago, they're the ltd series, leather straps, they're a really good binding, but a bit too much plastic for my taste. I'm riding DC phantom... 3's? I think? they're my favorite boot I've ridden, like riding on air (with the bladder system I guess you are...) and I'm on a rome anthem. What stick are you riding?

I can see what your saying though, step ins did have an odd sense of being unified with your board. are yours the ones with the high back on the binding, not on the boot?

as for bumps, i just never got into watching snowboarders do it, it always seems like they're about to die...

if your a fan of the step in, have you tried flows at all? I don't like them personally, but probably a solid 8/10 guys I ride with ride them

[rightcoastrider]

I'm riding Burton Hails for boots right now.

I've been riding a set of next years Cartel EST's a bit, but you need a Burton board with the ICS system to use it. Has a removable footbed, very cushy, and it has some removeable canting pads as well. Awesome bindings. The highback has been canted and it's less stiff and also has less forward lean than old Cartels.

I normally like softer bindings, Customs,Triads and P1's are really comfy and surfy.

Don't worry about stuff breaking, you can get spare parts fast with the B warranty/cust service team. I've been riding B bindings since the early nineties and have only broken 1 ratchet. That's it.

Stay away from Flows, they are a pain to get in and out of. Not much faster than a regular strap binding.

Step ins have been relegated to the way of the dump pile.

It only takes a few seconds to strap in, with practice you don't need to sit down even. If it takes you 20 seconds to strap in and you do it 20 times a day that's a only a few minutes out of your whole day. I'd rather ride with precision and comfort if it means strapping in, versus pain and boot slop and weak performance but you step in.

Get yourself a good pair of bindings and the most comfy boots you can find for your feet. Have them heat molded at the shop.

Feel free to ask any questions.

[Thelumpya2]

I'm on burton cartles from a few years ago, they're the ltd series, leather straps, they're a really good binding, but a bit too much plastic for my taste.

I ride these same bindings and I LOVE them. I have them paired with the Sabbath boots from that year as well. These bindings and boots have done me well, but they will need to be replaced next season because 30+ days on the hill this year is slowly killing them

[SlottyskimmerIZ]

you really like burton stuff that much? seems like lately it's all about how ugly of a product they can make. I just really don't like burton as a whole anymore... granted we wouldn't be riding if ti wasn't for them, but theres far better companys out there now than the early days. They bought out channel island surfboards a few years ago, and I'm still not sure how I feel about that...

as for flows, I agree, they aren't worth it, but all my friends ride them, and most of them are better than me... so idk... I guess it's all int he rider? I personally would rather ratchet in.

I'm shocked you've only broken one ratchet too, I've already broken 4 over the life of the cartels (they have close to 200 days on them though...)

[woodstock]

I can see what your saying though, step ins did have an odd sense of being unified with your board. are yours the ones with the high back on the binding, not on the boot?

I rode the clickers during demo days in 1994 (I think or somewhere around that time) and bought a pair that week. They are the same vintage of the binding with the highback although at that time you had the option of the highback in the boot (what I have) or external.

I'm not wedded to the step in although it is highly desireable. I can skateboard down kansas and clip in on the fly. I do a lot of woods riding too, not the normal and need something I can hike and click in.

On burton warranty they are incredible. I broke no less than a dozen flex bindings in the early 90's and about 7 boards that they replaced no question. I have every version of craig kelley burton ever made, along with the brushie models and a few other classics. The one thing about Burton i don't care for is the proprietary lock in of their binding/boards.

I now K2 and prefer the low end wood core for the lightweight and snap. I rode K2 darts for a bunch of years and now ride a K2 access. I don't care for cap boards at all as I find they are heavy and slow.

Do any of the boots/bindings your talk about give you the shin support that the 2 strap doesn't? That's why I rode the flex binding back in the early 90's. I'm not in the half pipe so I don't need to tweak, I'd rather have a solid connection. I had a short stint with hard boots and bindings too but ripped them out of the boards and gave up. Comfort wasn't there either.

don

[mattisaacs]

i have a pair of missions on one board, and a pair of customs on the other board, i have been riding customs and missions since my first board...they are the way to go without dropping a boatload of cash.....as far as boots, i had a few pair of Solomons, i now ride Burton boots, they fit the binding better....however all my friends have thirty 2 boots....and they swear by them....i have tried them on, they are hands down the most comfortable boot i have had, only thing is they cut my into my leg funny because my legs are pretty muscular...

but really, demo a board with some high end bindings and you will notice a big difference.....as far as boots go to a board shop and try on all their boots....my personal recommendation is the Burton hail boots, or the thirty two's

[powhound]

Burton ruler boots and a Burton Binding that has a strap that clicks in then you pull a cord to tighten it~ can't remember the name.

Before this I was riding click ins and absolutely loved em. Would still be on em if I could find boots.

Loved pushing off the lift clicking in and going...

Pray someone comes up with another click in style set up!

Burton Custom X and Volkl Boardercross for surfboards~ luv em both. . .

This post has been edited by powhound: Feb 28 2008, 11:09 AM

[Backintoit]

I love my Rome Anthem board! I love my flow bindings too. I had never seen that Burton binding with the strap that clicks and the cord to tighten until this year. I guy I know loves it.

Hate my DC Graphix boots

[SlottyskimmerIZ]

Why not experiment with your own stuff a little bit? sounds like you'd like a hard boot on the toe side, and a nice soft feel against your high back in the rear. atleast thats what I'm getting out of it. try different plastics on your tounge. thats an odd place to support, not too much demand for shin support in snowboards haha

[woodstock]

My boots are starting to disinigrate. You've got the jist basically looking for hardboot control with soft boot comfort. I'll probably start trolling looking for a pair of clicker boots on ebay that are barely used. I don't like the presure points of the straps across the top of the foot/toe and believe the base connection allows a much better transfer of power.

I've still got a new set of bindings in the box. There were some other step in systems that came out in the 90's I'm just surprised they didn't get traction. Time to stop in a snowboard shop and get educated.

don

[rightcoastrider]

My boots are starting to disinigrate. You've got the jist basically looking for hardboot control with soft boot comfort. I'll probably start trolling looking for a pair of clicker boots on ebay that are barely used. I don't like the presure points of the straps across the top of the foot/toe and believe the base connection allows a much better transfer of power.

I've still got a new set of bindings in the box. There were some other step in systems that came out in the 90's I'm just surprised they didn't get traction. Time to stop in a snowboard shop and get educated.

don

You don't need to go to a shop.

You need some stiff bindngs and stiff boots. They are built much supportive than any of those old dinosaur step ins. You don't want those!! Don't bother ebaying a pair of those.
So, look at something like a DriverX or SL10's and pair it with some c60's or C02's. Super solid, perfect for powerful freeriding. It won't be as comfy as a softer boot/binding combo. Pair those with a solid freeride deck and you'll be set.
The new boots have adjustable tightening around your shin area. You can also tighten or loosen with 1 pull different areas of your boots,upper and lower w/ speedzone lacing.

[powhound]

I love my Rome Anthem board! I love my flow bindings too. I had never seen that Burton binding with the strap that clicks and the cord to tighten until this year. I guy I know loves it.

Hate my DC Graphix boots

I don't "love" the bindings, but they'll have to do for now.

The only new piece of equipment that I "love" is my Arc'Teryx Herren jacket. $600 bucks, but well worth it. (I didn't pay that~ I traded it for lots of toilet paper)

[Maine-ly DH]

This year I have the Vans Cirro boots with the Ride RX bindings. No complaints so far except the bolts on the RX's need a little more loctite than they come with. The Cirros are awesome, they have dual BOA lacings, one for the top/tounge and one for the bottom.

[VB]

I think powhound and myself have tried more bindings than anybody.
I finally went back to Flow bindings NXTAT and I have a pr of M9 for racing.
I have burton ruler boots the most comfortable boots in the world and for boards
Ride Timeless 164cm and a Neversummer 168cm for the powder days that I seem to always miss this yr.
Hope this helps.

[SlottyskimmerIZ]

how tall are you that a 164 isn't a sufficent enough powder board? haha I can only imagine how fun that 168 is though...

[fever]

Burton T6, Cartel Bindings and Ruler boots. I welcomed change as I rode the same set up for 9 years and went from a 166 to 162. The Cartels seem to break, I broke a strap and rachet this year after 1 season on them.

I agree the boards & bumps are a great time! Not all bumps are created equal.

[Backintoit]

I love my Rome Anthem board! I love my flow bindings too. I had never seen that Burton binding with the strap that clicks and the cord to tighten until this year. I guy I know loves it.

Hate my DC Graphix boots

I don't "love" the bindings, but they'll have to do for now.

The only new piece of equipment that I "love" is my Arc'Teryx Herren jacket. $600 bucks, but well worth it. (I didn't pay that~ I traded it for lots of toilet paper)

There's a lot of love in that post for sure. I'm not sure what I was on yesterday but I must have been feel'in good.