Fit the Bindings to Your Boots
Snowboard bindings come in different sizes and styles, so first of all make sure you get the right size bindings for your boot and riding style (read our Snowboard Binding Buyers Guide if you are unsure). There are some micro-adjustments within sizes to make the binding fit tighter or more loosely. Using a tool you can remove the bolts or screws at the base of the ankle straps, move the strap inward or outward, and replace.
Binding / Board Compatibility
Binding base plates feature discs or bolts that attach to a snowboard’s binding interface. Bindings often come with multiple base plates, making them compatible with most snowboards, please read our Snowboard Binding Buyers Guide to make sure you get the correct bindings for your board.
Tools Required
In general you need will only a large Phillips head screwdriver to attach your bindings however to adjust the binding straps you may need other tools, these could be allen key, spanners or flat heads and will depend on you binding make. All these tools can be found on a multi-tool, which due to their compact size are great for minor adjustments when you are away and on the mountain. See our selection of snowboard multi tools.
Which is your front foot?
As a beginner this is one of the first things to work out and there are a couple of easy ways of doing this. 1) Imagine you are about to run and slide in your socks on a polished wooden floor, whichever foot you would use to lead your slide will be your front foot. 2) Stand still on the ground and then let yourself fall forward or have someone push you (nicely!). The foot you use to catch yourself is again your foot. In both cases if your left foot goes forward, your stance is “regular,” if your right foot goes forward then your stance is “goofy.”
Left and Right Binding?
Most bindings will have a small L or R moulded in the base to denote which is which however if not you can tell the difference by looking at the straps, the buckle on each strap should be on the outside of each foot.
Stance Width
Most snowboards will have markings on them to indicate the center-mount screw holes for each binding. If you are unsure of your stance then it’s a good idea to start with a center mount and see how that feels when you ride it.
Once you are comfortable riding you may wish to play around with your stance and there are many variations in position and angle of the bindings, some will feel better than others depending you your riding style.
Stance offset
The recommended center-mount position that is marked on the board will give you a close to the center stance, this offers good all-around control and easy turn initiation. As you develop you own riding style, you may find you prefer to move your stance towards the tail of the snowboard also known as offset. An offset stance can offer more aggressive turning and better flotation in powder as will help you keep your weight back and nose up. If you ride a lot of “switch” (riding with your back foot forward) then you will want a centered stance with a similar distance to the nose and tail from your bindings.
Binding Angles?
Snowboard bindings can be positioned on the snowboard so that your feet are angled forward, backward or somewhere in between.
If you’re a beginner rider it is recommended that you mount your snowboard bindings in what is known as the “duck stance” position, so both your feet are angled away from each other. A good starting point would be to have your front binding at around 15° angle and the rear binding at somewhere between 0° and a -6° angle. This is a great position for learning as it forces you to distribute your weight correctly. Once you are confident with your technique you can try experimenting with the angles.
Mounting Snowboard Bindings
The following steps are for installing bindings in a “duck stance” at a standard stance width, with the front binding at 15° and the back binding at -6°. If you prefer your bindings set at different angles, these steps still apply but you will need to adjust the angles.
Mounting the Front Binding (Bindings with Discs)
- Pick up the front binding (the left binding if you ride “regular” or the right binding if you ride “goofy”) and the disc and position the binding at your desired angle (each tick mark should be 3 degrees).
- Place the binding together with the disc over the center screw holes at the front of the snowboard. Position the binding so there will be the same amount of board in front of the boot toe as there will behind the boot heel.
- Turn the first screw in loosely.
- Insert the remaining screws and screw in loosely. Ensure the binding is positioned properly then tighten all the screws. Do not overtighten. It can be helpful to put a boot in the binding when fine-tuning the binding position.
Mounting the Front Binding (Burton EST Bindings)
- Using your screwdriver, pop the Channel plug out of the Channel at the front of your snowboard.
- Slide The Channel inserts that came with your EST bindings through The Channel opening. Reinsert the plug.
- Pick up the front binding (the left binding if you ride “regular” or the right binding if you ride “goofy”) and place the binding over The Channel inserts.
- Insert screws into The Channel inserts and secure them loosely so the binding can slide.
- Slide binding to your desired stance.
- Pivot the binding to set the stance angle at 15°. The degrees can be seen in the stance indicator window.
- Position the binding so there will be the same amount of board in front of the boot toe as there will behind the boot heel.
- Tighten screws one turn at a time until they are equally tight.
Mounting the Back Binding
- Follow the same steps for mounting the front binding, but set the angle at -6° (pointed backward).