Snowboard Bindings
Snowboard bindings are a separate item from the snowboard itself. They are a very important part of snowboard equipment. The bindings main function are to hold the riders boot in place tightly so the rider can make necessary transitions.
There are several types of snowboard bindings. Strap-in, step-in, and hybrid bindings are used by most recreational riders and all freestyle riders.
Strap-in snowboard bindings are the most popular and technical. The snowboarder wears a boot which has a thick but flexible sole, and padded uppers. The foot is held onto the board with two buckle straps - one strapped across the top of the toe area, and one across the ankle area. These snow board bindings can be ratcheted closed for a tight fit and good rider control of the board. The downside for these snow board bindings is they take longer to put on, usually requiring the rider to sit in the snow and bend over to adjust the straps. Because there are two points of pressure, the strap locations must be adjusted for each individual rider, making it more cumbersome.
Step-in snowboard bindings were created to make entry easier for beginners, allow for fast ski-lift to slope transition, and appeal to more riders in the rental market. Step-in snowboard bindings use a stiffer shoe sole and boot to maintain responsiveness. Step-in snowboard bindings use a technology similar to the clipless pedals in cycling, by allowing the binding to snap into stiff hardware on the rider's boots. Rear entry snow board bindings combine the convenience of step-in systems with the control levels attainable with strap-ins. An example is the Flow snow board binding system which is similar to a strap-in binding, except that the foot enters the binding through the back rather than the top. The rider's boot is held down by an adjustable webbing that covers most of the foot. Highback snow board bindings have a stiff moulded support behind the heel and up the calf area. The HyBak was originally designed by inventor Jeff Grell and built by Flite Snowboards. This snow board binding allows the rider to apply pressure and effect a "heelside" turn. Plate snowboard bindings are used with hardboots on Alpine or racing snowboards. The stiff snowboard bindings and boots give much more control over the board and allow the board to be carved much more easily than with softer bindings. Snowboard bindings, unlike ski bindings, do not automatically release upon impact or after falling over. Automatic release is not required in snowboarding, as the rider's legs are in a fixed position and twisting of the knee joint cannot occur to the same. However, some ski areas say that snow board bindings are not enough and require the use of a "leash" that connects the snowboard to the rider's leg or boot, in case the snowboard manages to get away from its rider.
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