Best Budget Snowboard Bindings of 2022
Bindings are an essential part of your snowboarding kit because they transfer energy to your board and respond to your body’s shifts for precise control. If you want to enjoy your day on the slopes, your boots should fit perfectly in your bindings. They are the point of contact between your boots and your snowboard. They allow steering and control of your snowboard. It’s been said that a good pair of bindings are those that you don’t notice. If you are a beginner or just a casual rider, then budget options make a lot of sense. They provide all the necessary functions that you need so you can have fun without feeling broke.
So here is the list of top budget-friendly snowboard bindings that provide good value for money.
1. Arbor Spruce
Flex: Medium
Ride Style: All-mountain
Binding Style: Bow-Strap Adjuster
Ability Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Arbor has been in the snowboarding world for quite some time now but they are new to bindings. The Arbor Spruce is a solid and reliable pair of bindings at a low price point. These bindings are suitable for beginners with a new kit. The Spruce is focused on functional features like comfort and performance. It has a medium flex which makes them a good fit for all-mountain riding. The baseplate and highback feature a single-mold design to keep the weight low and increase durability. The adjusters on the Spruce are Arbor’s patented Bow Strap Adjusters that retain a bow-like shape for easy entry and easy adjustment. The Snapback aluminum ankle and toe ratchets are durable and allow for fast tightening and tool-less adjustment. The Spruce only comes with a 4×4 universal disc mounting option.
The new baseplate has double the fiberglass which makes it stiffer and more responsive. The baseplate has an EVA adjustable footbed for shock absorption. The shock absorption is excellent; makes the ride comfortable and prevents fatigue during longer sessions. The footbed is also canted at an angle of 2.5o which helps in keeping the knees aligned and creates a more natural position for the feet. The highback is low-mounted and asymmetrical. It has a pre-rotation of 5° which provides an ergonomic feel. Being asymmetrical, the highback of each leg works well with it providing appropriate freedom for movement.
What I like: A good set of binding for those looking to start getting comfortable jibbing off anything on the resort.
What I don’t: The straps dig into the snowboard boots and cut up the material.
2. Union Rosa Women’s
Flex: Medium
Ride Style: Freestyle
Binding Style: Forma Ankle Strap
Ability Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Union Rosa Women’s is an entry-level and cheap binding for women who are just getting into snowboarding. But being entry-level doesn’t mean that it’s a step down by any means. At an affordable price, the Rosa has top-of-the-shelf technology, the kind of technology that you find in bindings towards the high-end of the price range. The Rosa is aimed at freestyle riding. But it’s also for riding out of the park on mountains and trails. The baseplate of the Rosa features the all-new Stage 8 Duraflex which is lightweight and is compatible with all mounting patterns out of the box. Thermoformed EVA Brushing does an effective job of shock absorption and protecting the heels.
Almost all Union bindings feature 3D aluminum heel cups which effectively hold the heels and minimize drag. These heel cups are the strongest on the market. The highbacks feature Stage 12 Duraflex which is engineered to maintain consistent flex in cold temperatures. It makes the highbacks lightweight and durable. Buckles also feature a new fast-in-fast-out mechanism which is among the best on the market. The frame of the bindings also uses Grade 8.8 Hardware which is the strongest steel on the market right now. With a medium flex, Union’s Rosa is best suited for women just beginning snowboarding. It is extremely durable and will last a long time.
What I like: Getting in and out after each ride is easy, great for hitting big jumps, easy to adjust, and has cushy straps
What I don’t: The ankle straps are somewhat short and need some effort to get the first click.
3. System MTN
Flex: Soft
Ride Style: Park or freestyle
Binding Style: Rear-entry step-in
Ability Level: Beginner
The System MTN is a rear-entry binding on this list. Rear-entry step-in bindings are becoming popular now. They provide convenience and an equal amount of comfort and response as regular strap-in bindings. The MTN has a soft flex. The highbacks also have a soft flex which makes the MTN suitable for park riding. The highbacks also feature full EVA padding for comfort. The baseplate is not flexible itself but it does have a high-density dampening material in the footbed. The dampening material does a really good job of absorbing shocks making the ride comfortable and providing more control.
The adjustment on the MTN is so easy and saves a lot of time. The adjustment only requires a single lever push. It’s easy to put the boots in and with a single push of a lever, all your adjustment is done. The MTN also features an auto-tightening feature where the straps tighten themselves to a degree if your boot is jumping a lot which is an excellent feature at this price point. The MTN is compatible with all board types in use today. It is not compatible with some old board types which are rare to find now. The MTN also features some 3D printed parts which are unique at this price point. The only downside is that over time, the ratchets may come loose or break completely.
What I like: Easy transitions in and out of the binding, extra buckle adjustment, easy to adjust and step in and out while boarding
What I don’t: Need some tweaking to get the straps set up initially
4. Union Force
Flex: Stiff
Ride Style: All-mountain
Binding Style: ExoFrame 4.0 Ankle Strap
Ability Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Union makes some great snowboard bindings. That is why there are a few of them on this list. The Union Force is an all-mountain budget option that can handle all kinds of terrains. This is the 16th iteration of the Union Force this year that makes some minor improvements here and there to make the already adored Force, even better. The footbed of the Force features Multi-Density Thermoformed EVA Brushing. It is reliable and lasts a long time, unlike other brushings, for example, urethane rubber which becomes brittle over time. The footbed is also canted to provide a more natural position for the knees and feet.
The new design also features Duraflex ST in the footbed which is the same as normal Duraflex but with more glass. The footbed has an increased response without increasing the weight and has consistent performance in a range of cold temperatures. The ankle support is excellent in the Force without causing pressure points. The Force comes with the ExoFrame 4.0 Ankle Straps which are extremely durable and are also found on the high-end models offered by Union. Magnesium buckles add to the durability of the Force while keeping it lightweight. Just as in the Rosa mentioned above, features Grade 8.8 Hardware. The shock absorption is not excellent, not as good as the Union Atlas, but still pretty good for a budget option.
What I like: Super versatile, great value for the money, durable construction
What I don’t: Not as cushy as some other options but for the price, you can’t complain
5. STAUBER Dyna
Flex: Medium
Ride Style: All-mountain
Binding Style: Ankle & Toe Strap
Ability Level: Beginner-Intermediate
STAUBER Sports is a small family-owned business and it has only a few but some functional sports gear to offer. The Dyna is the only pair of bindings made by STAUBER currently. This binding is all about flexibility whether it is about compatibility, build, or customization. The core of the binding is made of 100% original Poplar wood that naturally provides it with a medium flex. The medium flex of this binding makes it pair well with a stiff boot. The Dyna is designed to flex under tension while remaining rigid to the snowboard and the boots.
The outstanding point about the Dyna is that it is a binding that you can customize completely to suit yourself. You will hardly find any binding that allows you so much customization at this price point. You get to have multiple slope strap grooves, completely adjustable highbacks, and retractable/extendable base plate and toe strap mountains. No matter what type of boot you have, you can adjust the binding to fit it in. STAUBER offers the Dyna bindings as a package with their Hybrid rocker profile snowboard. Together, both, the bindings and the snowboard can give you a smooth snowboarding experience and can significantly improve your performance. It will also save you time to look for compatible boards and deal with other compatibility issues.
What I like: Works well even with older boards, compact, and easy to use for a first-time snowboarder
What I don’t: The area where you have to screw on the board is not very durable.
6. Burton Freestyle
Flex: Soft-Medium
Ride Style: Freestyle
Binding Style: Strap
Ability Level: Beginner-Intermediate
The name of the Burton Freestyle makes it obvious that it is aimed toward freestyle riders. It is a low-price offering by Burton most suitable for beginners. There is nothing fancy about the Freestyle. It is a budget pair of bindings that provides you with all the necessary functions that you need. This binding is a Re:FlexTM binding, which means it binds to the outside of the boot having no hardware under the boots. There isn’t much difference in the performance of these bindings compared to bindings with other mounting systems. The Freestyle also features the Re:FlexTM Full bed Cushioning System which has full underfoot cushioning anchored to the baseplate. The baseplate provides a decent amount of shock absorption and comfort.
Freestyle has a medium flex, suitable for the park. The baseplate of the Freestyle is made of single-component lightweight polycarbonate. A single component throughout the baseplate provides a more consistent response and allows a better feel of the snowboard. The core baseplate is also minimized reducing weight and the overall footprint of the binding making them look small. The highbacks also feature a single-component construction and are slightly canted for better comfort and support. The ReactstrapTM has a 3D curved triple-axis spine that conforms easily to any boot. Freestyle is compatible with 4×4, 3D, and Channel snowboard mounting systems.
What I like: Easy to mount and adjust, convenient for all types of boards, and super comfortable
What I don’t: Not compatible with boards with a 3D bolt pattern
7. Union Flite Pro
Flex: Medium
Ride Style: Freestyle
Binding Style: Strap
Ability Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Union makes some good bindings that keep popping up in the lists of cheap snowboard bindings. This is the third Union entry on this list and it has been completely redesigned this year. They are 30g lighter now. The Flite Pro is suitable for all skill levels and it’s primarily aimed toward freestyle riders. They have a medium flex and EVA brushing for shock absorption. But the shock absorption is not that great. But it gets the job done.
The Flite Pro has solid straps that are comfortable. The straps don’t irritate yet somehow manage to firmly keep the boot in place. The Flite Pro has Stage 12 Duraflex for the footbed while the Union Rosa used Stage 8 Duraflex. The rest of the features are almost the same. The 3D aluminum heel cups are the strongest in the market and provide a solid hold on the heels. But Union has made the Flite Pro somehow perform better with similar materials and similar features. You get a lot more binding for the price you pay for them. It’s a solid performer and will keep you happy.
What I like: Easy to install and adjust on the board, solid and tight heels, easy to get in and out
What I don’t: Toe straps become loose while riding.
Best Budget Snowboard Bindings: Comparison Table
| BINDINGS | FLEX | RIDE STYLE | BINDING STYLE | ABILITY LEVEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arbor Spruce | Medium | All-mountain | Bow-Strap Adjuster | Beginner-Intermediate |
| Union Rosa Women’s | Medium | Freestyle | Forma Ankle Strap | Beginner-Intermediate |
| System MTN | Soft | Park or freestyle | Rear-entry step-in | Beginner |
| Union Force | Stiff | All-mountain | ExoFrame 4.0 Strap | Intermediate-Advanced |
| STAUBER Dyna | Medium | All-mountain | Ankle & Toe Strap | Beginner-Intermediate |
| Burton Freestyle | Soft-Medium | Freestyle | Strap | Beginner-Intermediate |
| Union Flite Pro | Medium | Freestyle | Strap | Beginner-Intermediate |
Critical Snowboard Binding Considerations
It is important to make the right choice when buying snowboard bindings because they affect your performance. Since bindings are a link of contact between your boots and your snowboard, they have an important role. Bindings provide you control over your board so you can steer the board. If your bindings are a mismatch with your style, you may have a hard time controlling your board. It affects your performance and may even become dangerous if you try to go fast. Since bindings are complex pieces of equipment, choosing the right pair can be tricky. With a few parameters to consider, people are often confused and often end up making the wrong choice.
The following are the critical considerations that you should consider before making a purchase.
Riding Style and Flex
Your riding style is a major factor that influences the choice of your bindings. Your bindings should match your riding style. But what is meant by that? It all comes down to the flex of the bindings. Every riding style requires the bindings to have a certain amount of flex.
The flex of your bindings should also match the flex of your boots. Having soft bindings and stiff boots makes no sense. The idea is that your bindings along with your boots should provide as much support as possible so you can stay safe and perform well.
Brands include a flex rating with their bindings. Flex rating includes a value from 1 to 10 – with 1 being the softest and 10 being the stiffest. For different types of riding styles, you need different types of flexes. The flex ensures that you get freedom of movement along with an adequate amount of support.
Here are the types of riding styles in snowboarding.
All-Mountain
These bindings can be used for all types of riding styles like parks, side-country, etc. They have a varying degree of flex based on the skill of the rider and the terrain. To go fast, like in the side-country or downhill, you would need more support. While in the parks, you would need more freedom to move and so soft flex would do.
Park or Freestyle
Parks are areas for snowboarding filled with obstacles like rails, pipes, boxes, etc. These obstacles allow snowboarders to perform tricks, jumps, spins, and flips. Such movements require some flex for the boots and legs to move and adjust accordingly. Bindings with a soft flex allow turning ease and maneuverability.
Freeride and Split-board
Freeriding or split-boarding happens on unmarked backcountry and side-country terrains. Stiff bindings are suitable for freeriding and split-boarding because they allow more control over the snowboard. Since the terrains you will be encountering would be unknown, you would need more control over your snowboard.
Powder
To snowboard in powder, you need stiffness for more control. The snowboards are also wider and loner to float in deep powder.
Types of Snowboard Bindings
Snowboard bindings differ in the way you bind your boots to them. Common binding types are as follows:
Strap-in
The strap-in bindings are the most common type. They have been the standard for ages. It also makes sense; if you want to hold something, strap it down. They are easy to use and they are secure and responsive. All you have to do is slide your foot in and tighten the straps.
Rear-Entry
Rear-entry bindings are just as they sound. They allow you to enter your boot from the rear. You can identify them from their reinforced highbacks. They also only have a single strap at the toe. Entering the boot is easy. You just pop open the highback, slide your foot in, tighten the strap at the toe and close the highback on the boot. Most people find them convenient over the regular strap-in bindings as there is only one strap to adjust.
Burton Step-on
Burton Step-on Bindings are the easiest to work with. You just slide your boot in and click the heel into place. But they require the Burton Step-on boots as well. So why do strap-in bindings and rear-entry bindings exist when you can simply just click your boots in and be on your way? There are a couple of reasons for that. First, they are not as secure and as reliable as the other bindings mentioned above. The clicking system can fail at any time and it can let go of the boot in case of heavy impact. The mechanism is proprietary by Burton and so you are left with Burton boots only.
Mounting Options
Mounting options refer to what boards can your bindings be mounted on. Most boards have universal mounting patterns which are bolt holes with 2cm x 4cm or 4cm x 4cm. Burton has its proprietary layouts which are either a diamond-shaped 3D bolt pattern or the Burton Channel. The Channel system makes it far easier to mount the bindings on the snowboard. Channel system works with any Burton bindings but they work with only a selected few bindings from other brands. Recently, brands are making more and more bindings compatible with all mounting options including the universal and the Burton mounting options.
Fit
The fit of the snowboard bindings is another important factor for you. Bindings that don’t fit right will be uncomfortable for you. The right fitting bindings will grip your boots snugly and securely without a lot of force from you. After you tighten your boots, you shouldn’t get any pressure points that will hurt you during riding and cause you discomfort. The straps shouldn’t dangle when they are tightened. They should be placed firmly over your boots. Snowboard bindings for women are different from bindings for men. Bindings for women differ in their dimensions. The highbacks of women’s bindings are more suited for women’s calves and boots.
