Quantcast

Snowboards, bindings, clipless?

dump

Turbo Monkey
Oct 12, 2001
8,194
4,419
I used to snowboard back in the mid-90s - never very serious, but learned enough to get down the hill and do a few tricks. The last few times I went out, I rented boards with step-in bindings. That's probably not the name, but they were basically like clipless pedals but for snowboards.

Well, after 14 years or so, I headed back out for the first time last weekend and it looked like everyone was on traditional strappy bindings.

From what I remember, I enjoyed the clipless bindings. Did these fall out of fashion or am I missing something.

Can anyone explain?
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,031
5,921
borcester rhymes
Step in bindings require stiff boots, which make you walk funny and don't look nearly as cool as regular boots.

Plus the clickers were a bit more difficult to lock.
 

dump

Turbo Monkey
Oct 12, 2001
8,194
4,419
Gotcha, so clip-in bindings are no longer in fashion and the strap-bindings are much improved.
 

dump

Turbo Monkey
Oct 12, 2001
8,194
4,419
Sandwich... hehe. I actually find the fashion obsession in snowboarding (& skiing?) slightly irritating.
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,031
5,921
borcester rhymes
sorry, I'm just bored at work.

My understanding was that clip-in bindings just couldn't approach the same level of control you got with straps. I'm just really fed up with snowboarders and their constant concern over how cool they look. I just imagine how much higher or twistier shawn white could have gone with a skinsuit instead of baggy baggy jeans, or whether the snocross bozos could have gained reasonable time with the same.

I know, it won't look cool, and looking cool is snowboarding (who needs snow) but it's the friggin olympics....you should want to win, not look cool in second.
 

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,562
24,182
media blackout
sorry, I'm just bored at work.

My understanding was that clip-in bindings just couldn't approach the same level of control you got with straps. I'm just really fed up with snowboarders and their constant concern over how cool they look. I just imagine how much higher or twistier shawn white could have gone with a skinsuit instead of baggy baggy jeans, or whether the snocross bozos could have gained reasonable time with the same.

I know, it won't look cool, and looking cool is snowboarding (who needs snow) but it's the friggin olympics....you should want to win, not look cool in second.
fwiw, i used to use step ins. I still have 'em somewhere. they were the original sin ones, with the rod on the bottom of the boot (side to side) that latched into the baseplate and also had a highback. I actually loved em. The convenience of them was definitely a win. They could suck if you didn't tie them tight enough though...
 

dump

Turbo Monkey
Oct 12, 2001
8,194
4,419
fwiw, i used to use step ins. I still have 'em somewhere. they were the original sin ones, with the rod on the bottom of the boot (side to side) that latched into the baseplate and also had a highback. I actually loved em. The convenience of them was definitely a win. They could suck if you didn't tie them tight enough though...
Those sound like the ones I used... remember them being great, but you had to make sure you made good contact & have no snow in there.
 

sstalder5

Turbo Monkey
Aug 20, 2008
1,942
20
Beech Mtn Definitely NOT Boulder
Back in the day when I rented equipment, most mountains used step ins on their rental boards. They were alright i guess, but the boots were extremely uncomfortable and the bindings would sometimes freeze on which was a PITA especially with gloves on.
 

dump

Turbo Monkey
Oct 12, 2001
8,194
4,419
Back in the day when I rented equipment, most mountains used step ins on their rental boards. They were alright i guess, but the boots were extremely uncomfortable and the bindings would sometimes freeze on which was a PITA especially with gloves on.
Freezing on doesn't sound fun. I liked to rent from my local bike/ski shop. Once I remember walking in and asking if they had boards for rent... he said sure - pulled a new board off the wall & said - this should work. I asked for boots & he said, go upstairs and find something that fits! Damn, I miss Cycle Sport.
 

Al C. Oholic

Monkey
Feb 11, 2010
407
0
FoCo
Gotcha, so clip-in bindings are no longer in fashion and the strap-bindings are much improved.
it's not that they're not in fashion, they lack the performance. Most of em didn't have solids backs, and the ones that did didn't fit snug against your boot like they do when you're strapped to em. They tried to compensate for this with stiffer boots, but it still flexed more than a back would. So, without the same stiff connection to the board, you just lack some control.

and ya, straps have come miles. I love the cartels because, like a lot of bindings have now, the toe strap is more of a cup that snugs your boot both back and down. I had a big problem with my Marker step ins with icing up, making it hard to get in or out of the binding and i had to chip it away with a credit card on cold days.
 

kazlx

Patches O'Houlihan
Aug 7, 2006
6,985
1,957
Tustin, CA
I used to ride K2 clicker step-ins. About 3 years ago, I needed new gear and went to traditional strap bindings. To me, it was a night and day difference in feel and control. I would never go back to steps. The boots are way too stiff and aren't as comfortable. I think the other huge thing is just the amount of selection. I ride Burton P1 bindings with Burton boots and an older Burton Custom board. I really like the setup as it does everything fairly well. The other part that I like is the toe cap strap. It seems to give a lot better feel when going heelside. I don't change stuff that often, but really doubt I would ever go back to a step in system. In all honesty, once you are used to regular bidings, they are really quick to get in and out of. The clickers I had also used to get iced up and you had to clean it out before you could step in anyway. I don't have any issues with my current setup.
 

chicodude

The Spooninator
Mar 28, 2004
1,054
2
Paradise
sorry, I'm just bored at work.

My understanding was that clip-in bindings just couldn't approach the same level of control you got with straps. I'm just really fed up with snowboarders and their constant concern over how cool they look. I just imagine how much higher or twistier shawn white could have gone with a skinsuit instead of baggy baggy jeans, or whether the snocross bozos could have gained reasonable time with the same.

I know, it won't look cool, and looking cool is snowboarding (who needs snow) but it's the friggin olympics....you should want to win, not look cool in second.
Skin suits should NEVER be defended. FAIL.
 

DirtMcGirk

<b>WAY</b> Dumber than N8 (to the power of ten alm
Feb 21, 2008
6,379
1
Oz
I used to teach people that all rented the step in garbage.

Let me tell you something, they have a bad habit of disconnecting at the worst times. Absolute garbage.
 
Sep 19, 2008
67
0
Central Alamance County
I bought the Shimano clipless offering which had a built in stiff back on the base plate. It clicks in just like the pedals and gives you a toe to heel attachment. I think I got them in '95 or so and still have them and use them. I still like straps better but I think these clipless were the best design available since the boots are soft and comfortable, Shimano boots as well.
 

dump

Turbo Monkey
Oct 12, 2001
8,194
4,419
Great info guys - appreciate it.

@TN, I never got the hang of skis. I tried twice & didn't really like it.
 

skinny mike

Turbo Monkey
Jan 24, 2005
6,415
0
sorry, I'm just bored at work.

My understanding was that clip-in bindings just couldn't approach the same level of control you got with straps. I'm just really fed up with snowboarders and their constant concern over how cool they look. I just imagine how much higher or twistier shawn white could have gone with a skinsuit instead of baggy baggy jeans, or whether the snocross bozos could have gained reasonable time with the same.

I know, it won't look cool, and looking cool is snowboarding (who needs snow) but it's the friggin olympics....you should want to win, not look cool in second.
do you even snowboard?
 

Damo

Short One Marshmallow
Sep 7, 2006
4,603
27
French Alps
Step in bindings:

Unclip at the worst of times. I have seen a board fall off a foot on a chairlift before. Funny as sht.

Pain in the ass to clip in in deep powder or if you have ice/snow on binding/boot.

Uncomfortable boots


As has been said before, straps have come a long way. have a look at every company's offerings before just buying Burtons. Burton bindings are flexy as hell. You can lift the base plate 10mm off the board just by twisting. Not necessarily a bad thing, but not my cuppa tea. I have ridden Burton bindings for years before recently switching to Ride bindings with an alu base plate. Rigid, stiff and give you an awesome rapport with the board. Thin and light as well.

Welcome back to the game!
 

woodsguy

gets infinity MPG
Mar 18, 2007
1,083
1
Sutton, MA
While you are at it. Give hard shell boots and plate bindings a try. When I switched over 14 years ago (after 10 years in soft boots) it changed my life. Comparing it to a wide board is like comparing a Hummer to a Ferrari. Turns are so quick and precise. I have a freestyle board too but every year I ride it less and less. I don't think I rode it once last year (and I have a skateboarding background). Leaning into a tight carve at 40mph is way better than sliding a rail or even clearing a 50' table top. Sure its a little tougher to tweak airs but not impossible.

If you enjoy the whole mountain and not just grinding rails in the park with the kids, you owe it to yourself to give an alpine set up a try. If it wasn’t for carving I probably would have given up snowboarding long ago.
 

SkaredShtles

Michael Bolton
Sep 21, 2003
65,376
12,532
In a van.... down by the river
While you are at it. Give hard shell boots and plate bindings a try. When I switched over 14 years ago (after 10 years in soft boots) it changed my life. Comparing it to a wide board is like comparing a Hummer to a Ferrari. Turns are so quick and precise. I have a freestyle board too but every year I ride it less and less. I don't think I rode it once last year (and I have a skateboarding background). Leaning into a tight carve at 40mph is way better than sliding a rail or even clearing a 50' table top. Sure its a little tougher to tweak airs but not impossible.

If you enjoy the whole mountain and not just grinding rails in the park with the kids, you owe it to yourself to give an alpine set up a try. If it wasn’t for carving I probably would have given up snowboarding long ago.
You made NO mention of powder.

:(
 

douglas

Chocolate Milk Doug
May 15, 2002
9,887
6
Shut up and Ride
Yesterday, my friend had a board with step ins (I was on skis). They seemed very cool especially when we got off the lift we didnt have to wait for him sitting on the ground like the rest of the boarders do. And he had no problems with control or keeping up as we tore up the glades all day.
 

blue

boob hater
Jan 24, 2004
10,160
2
california
While you are at it. Give hard shell boots and plate bindings a try. When I switched over 14 years ago (after 10 years in soft boots) it changed my life. Comparing it to a wide board is like comparing a Hummer to a Ferrari. Turns are so quick and precise. I have a freestyle board too but every year I ride it less and less. I don't think I rode it once last year (and I have a skateboarding background). Leaning into a tight carve at 40mph is way better than sliding a rail or even clearing a 50' table top. Sure its a little tougher to tweak airs but not impossible.

If you enjoy the whole mountain and not just grinding rails in the park with the kids, you owe it to yourself to give an alpine set up a try. If it wasn’t for carving I probably would have given up snowboarding long ago.
lololol alpine carve board in powder lolololol.

this thread is full of opinions from people who obviously don't ride much.
 

mantispf2000

Turbo Monkey
Aug 9, 2001
1,793
243
Nevada, 2 hours from Mammoth
I used to work with the guy that developed the Fly Trap bindings. Used your normal boot/binding with the addition of an adapted plate. You didn't actually step in-- you aligned some plugs with key holes in the board plate, little twist of the foot, and you're attached. What little bit I tried of them felt very secure. Don't know if he still produces them out of Tacoma, WA, but they sure were better than the step-in's from the time.....