Learning how to set up snowboard bindings is a lot easier than it sounds, and all you will need are a few ordinary tools. Also, whatever you learn in this post will also help you have a better understanding of your snowboard works, so you don’t feel like you have to depend on the experts.
What You’ll Need to Set up Your Snowboard Bindings
- A #3 Phillips screwdriver (for most snowboards)
- A Wrench
- A multi-tool (to make quick adjustments while you’re on the mountain)
How to Set up Snowboard Bindings in 7 Steps
Now that you know the tools you’ll need, let’s go ahead and take a look at how to set up snowboard bindings the right way.
Step 1: Fit Your Bindings to Your Snowboarding Boots
You’ll come across many different sizes of bindings, which is why you need to first make sure that you have the best size for your foot. You will also find some bindings with micro-adjustments in their sizes so you can make them fit a little loosely or tightly.
Using your wrench, you can easily take out the bolts at the bottom of your ankle straps. Once you’ve moved each strap inward or outward, you can finally replace each bolt.
Step 2: Understand Board Compatibility
Binding base plates come with bolts or discs that can be attached to the binding interface on your snowboard. You will find that your bindings will have various base plates, which makes them compatible with a lot of snowboards.
Most snowboards also have bolt mounting patterns that measure 4×4 and 2×2. However, some Burton snowboards have a 3D, diamond-shaped bolt pattern that is only found on their boards.
Speaking of which, Burton has also come up with a line of snowboards that feature a ‘Channel System’, which only works with their EST bindings. In contrast, bindings from some other manufacturers can easily be adapted to fit with Burton’s Channel System by buying some compatible discs.
Step 3: Consider Your Lead Foot
To determine your lead foot or the foot at the front of the board, stand straight on the ground and then allow yourself to tilt forward till you fall down, or better yet, ask someone to push you.
The foot you reflexively use to stabilize yourself will be your lead foot. If your left foot springs into action, then you have a regular stance. However, if your right foot springs forward, then you have a goofy stance.
Step 4: Look For Your Right and Left Binding
You can easily tell the difference between the right and left bindings based on how your snowboard curves, just like you do with your shoes. Also, you can just as easily have a look at the straps on your bindings. The straps are supposed to buckle towards the outermost side of your feet.
Step 5: Pick the Right Stance Offset and Width
Stance Width
In most cases, snowboards have some markings on them, which indicate the screw holes for the center-mount binding. If this is your first time, we recommend starting right at the center mount to see how you ride with this stance.
Of course, you can try quite a few variations with the stance width, foot angle, and, therefore, binding position. Once you are comfortable snowboarding in one position, you will want to experiment with other options till you really feel balanced.
If you have a bigger board or you’re feeling too much pressure around your quads, you should consider shortening your stance. One great way of fine-tuning the width of your stance is to measure your shinbone’s length. In other words, you should measure the distance between your heel and right below your knee.
Stance Offset
Most snowboard manufacturers recommend the optimal mounting position as the center of the snowboard. This is so because the center offers better turn initiation and more control.
As you earn more experience and develop your own riding style, you will begin to prefer to setback or offset your bindings towards your snowboard’s tail. By doing so, you will have the ability to turn your snowboard more aggressively and have better floatation over the powder.
Step 6: How to Mount the Front Bindings (With the Discs)
Your first step here will be to pick up the left binding if you prefer to ride regular or otherwise, the right binding. Next, you should position your binding at your preferred angle (every tick mark over the slot is 3 degrees).
Now place each binding together by placing the disc over a center screw hole in the front of your snowboard. Position each binding so that there will be an equal length of the board behind your boot heel and in front of your boot toe.
After doing so, begin to turn the first screw loosely and then insert all the remaining screws as well. Make sure that the bindings are positioned appropriately before tightening the screws. Also, ensure that you don’t over-tighten them.
Step 7: How to Mount the Back Binding
To do so, follow all the steps to mount your front binding. The only thing different here will be that you should set them at an angle of -6 degrees (which means that they will be pointing backward.
Our Final Thoughts
Snowboarding bindings are a lot easier to mount as compared to ski bindings. In fact, you can mount them on your own and just as easily fine-tune them and adjust them according to your preferences.
When you’re mounting the bindings of your snowboard, it is best to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. You see, every brand has a unique procedure when it comes to setting up and adjusting your bindings.
We hope this guide will allow you to understand the basic principles and be on your way to enjoying the slopes within no time. If you think about it, learning how to set up snowboard bindings is as simple as considering the perfect stance and using a screwdriver. Anyone can do it!
