A Comprehensive Overview of Snowboard Binding Parts

Whether you're looking to order some spare parts, or you just want to talk tech details at your local shop, it's important to have a good understanding of the names and functions of the various snowboard binding parts. To make your life easier, we sat down with some of Burton's seasoned binding engineers to build out this comprehensive overview of snowboard binding parts, with clear descriptions of why each part is important.

• Overview of Snowboard Binding Parts
• Snowboard Binding Materials
• Snowboard Binding Parts: Burton EST & Burton Re:Flex
• Burton Step On Binding Parts
• Kids' Grom Disc Binding Parts
• Splitboard Binding Parts

Overview of Snowboard Bindings

Snowboard bindings are the crucial link between you and your board, providing the control, response, and feel that allows you to power through turns and stomp landings with ease. Binding technology has evolved significantly since the 1980s - in fact, early snowboards (like the Burton Backhill) didn't even really have bindings at all. It's wild to think about: even as a skilled rider, falling meant that your snowboard could get away and finish the run without you. The good news is that this is no longer the case and modern snowboard bindings are engineered to keep your feet firmly attached to your board.

Snowboard Binding Materials

Burton snowboard bindings are made from a variety of materials, all of which deliver varying degrees of flex, weight, and performance, allowing every rider to find the perfect binding for their needs.

Baseplate/heelcup/footbed Materials

• Polycarbonate: Polycarbonate binding parts deliver a flexible, laidback, and durable ride quality, that is perfect for new riders and little groms.
• Short-glass/nylon composite: Short-glass/nylon composite binding parts deliver a spectrum of "response/personality" as we refer to it at Burton. We describe our bindings by their short-glass percentage (for example, 30%). If this sounds confusing, don't worry. All you need to know is that just like Goldilocks, we've got a blend that's juuuust right for you.
• Aluminum: Aluminum binding parts have minimal flex with lightweight, durable construction, that's ideal for finding your perfect line in the backcountry.
• Injection-molded foam: Injection-molded foam binding parts provide reliable cushioning under your boots to maintain comfort and traction, even in wet, freezing conditions.

Hiback Materials

• Plastic: Plastic hibacks come in many different shapes and sizes, and all have different riding characteristics.
• Carbon fiber: Carbon fiber hibacks, which can be found on Burton X EST snowboard bindings, provide the ultimate combination of control and strength in a feather-weight package.

Strap Materials

Straps are generally made from injection-molded plastics and a variety of other materials including foam, and sometimes leather.

Pro tip: Test ride a wide variety of snowboard bindings at your local mountain to feel the differences between models and determine what type of bindings complement your riding style best.

Snowboard Binding Parts: Burton EST & Burton Re:Flex

In the most basic terms, a snowboard binding is made up of three main components: the baseplate, the hiback, and the straps.

Note: Burton Re:flex bindings are compatible with a variety of different brands of snowboards, but Burton EST bindings are only compatible with snowboards featuring The Channel™ mounting system.

Baseplate, Heelcup & Footbed

The baseplate and heelcup of a snowboard binding are often talked about together as one component, but if we're being extremely technical (which we are, because we're working with binding engineers here) these parts each perform different functions. Additionally, the footbed is a critical part of the baseplate.

• Baseplate: The binding baseplate is the structural portion of the binding underneath the foot that connects the binding to the snowboard with mounting hardware (generally bolts/screws). Often, the heelcup and baseplate are one piece of composite, plastic, or metal. However, some binding designs (like the Malavita EST) incorporate a hinge for added flexibility and the heelcup and baseplate are two separate pieces that fit together with hardware.
• Heelcup: The binding heelcup is the rounded portion of the binding that wraps around the heel of the snowboard boot. The heelcup keeps the foot in place and prevents the boot from sliding backward or side-to-side. The heelcup also provides attachment points for the binding's straps.
• Footbed/EST Bed: The binding footbed (or EST Bed on Burton EST bindings) is the cushioned portion of the binding that sits between the baseplate and the bottom of the boot. The footbed can be flat or feature a slight rise from heel to toe, providing additional support and response.

Pro tip: All Burton snowboard binding baseplates are covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty

Hiback

The snowboard binding hiback is the vertically oriented plastic, carbon fiber, or composite part of the binding that supports the back of the rider's leg (calf). Hibacks come in different shapes and sizes and sometimes include special features (like the wings on the Burton Mission GTs) that allow riders to choose the level of support that fits their riding style.

The hiback connects to the baseplate/heelcup via hiback mounting hardware. In some bindings, the forward lean (the angle from perfectly vertical) of the hiback can be adjusted; this feature is called the FLAD (forward lean adjuster) on Burton snowboard bindings.

Note that many snowboard binding manufacturers use the term "highback", but at Burton, we call them “hibacks” due to proprietary materials and designs.

Straps

A snowboard binding typically has at least two straps: one that tightens across the toes and one that tightens across the ankle. These straps connect to the heelcup/baseplate on each side of the foot. Snowboard binding straps are usually made from plastic and are designed to be both flexible and durable. A complete binding strap is comprised of a few different parts, including the tongue, slider, buckle, and strap.

• Tongue: The tongue (or ladder strap) is a thin piece of plastic that is usually anchored to the pinkie toe side of the binding and features closely spaced notches, ridges, or teeth. There are two tongues on each binding: one tongue for the ankle (ankle tongue) and one tongue for the toes (toe tongue).
• Slider: The slider is a thin piece of plastic that is usually anchored to the big toe side of the binding and features incremental holes. These holes are used to lengthen or shorten the strap to accommodate a variety of boot sizes. There are two sliders on each binding: one slider for the ankle (ankle slider) and one slider for the toes (toe slider).
• Buckle: The buckle is the ratcheting mechanism that travels along the tongue, taking up slack to tighten the bindings. There is usually one ankle strap buckle and one toe strap buckle.
• Strap: The snowboard binding strap is the wide (and often padded) part of the binding that presses down across the bridge and toe areas of the boot, securing it in the binding. The upper strap that secures the ankle is referred to as the ankle strap, and the lower strap that secures the toe is the toe strap.

Pro tip: Many snowboard binding parts are foot-specific (left foot or right foot) so make sure to pay close attention when ordering spare parts.

Burton Step On Binding Parts

Burton Step On® bindings are the result of an ongoing quest to evolve snowboarding. The Step On system allows riders to drop into their next run hands-free, making the sport even more accessible and maintaining the high performance that people expect from Burton.

Because there are no straps, some binding parts of Step On bindings are different from traditional bindings. Step On utilizes spring-loaded toe and heel mechanisms that operate similarly to a modern ski binding. They clamp down on the corresponding heel and toe cleats found on Step On snowboard boots.

• Baseplate: The Step On binding baseplate is the structural portion of the binding underneath the foot that connects the binding to the snowboard with mounting hardware (generally bolts/screws).
• Heelcup: The Step On binding heelcup performs the same function as a traditional binding heelcup (keeping the foot in place and preventing the boot from sliding backward or side-to-side) but also incorporates the heel clip locking mechanism which secures compatible boots in the binding.
• Hiback: The hiback on a Step On binding serves the same purpose as the hiback on a traditional strap binding, although because of the position of the Step On heel clip, Step On hibacks are slightly smaller.
• FLAD: Step On bindings include integrated FLAD, which stands for forward lean adjuster. This feature is incorporated directly within the binding heelcup and is used to customize the angle of the hiback.
• Step On Toe Hooks: Step On binding Toe Hooks are located on either side of the toes and align perfectly with the toe cleats on compatible boots to secure the boot in place. As of 2022, there are two versions of Step On Toe Hooks, including Step On Toe Hooks and Step On 2.0 Toe Hooks.
• Step On Binding Quick Release Lever: The Step On binding quick release lever is located on the pinkie toe side of the heelcup and is lifted to disengage the heelclip and get out of the binding.

Note: We've tested the Step On system extensively and consider it bomb-proof. But in the event that replacement parts are needed, you may have to send your Step On bindings in for repairs. Check out the Burton warranty to see what is covered.

Burton Grom Disc Binding Parts

Whether you're just getting started teaching kids to snowboard or your kiddos are already sending it harder than you in the park, it's important to understand how kids' binding parts are different from adult binding parts. In general, kids’ snowboard bindings are simplified versions of classic adult bindings, with key features designed just for little hands.

• Hiback & Heelcup: Grom Disc bindings have a multi-position one-piece hiback/heelcup to help accommodate a range of boot sizes, but there is no FLAD (forward lean adjuster) to keep things simple.
• Onestrap Ankle Strap: Grom Disc bindings utilize a simplified strap system called Onestrap. This strap, tongue, and slider system features a single over-sized buckle, making it quick and easy to operate for even the smallest fingers.
• Integrated Baseplate & Footbed: Grom Disc bindings include an integrated baseplate/heelcup/footbed constructed from one single piece of polycarbonate; the one-piece design makes for an extremely light binding.

Burton Splitboard Binding Parts

If you've experienced the freedom of the backcountry on a splitboard, then you no doubt already understand why splitboard bindings are unique. The bottom line is that splitboard bindings are designed to operate in two modes: walk mode (for touring uphill) and ride mode (for downhill travel). And this dual-mode nature of splitboarding calls for some specialized splitboard binding parts.

As an example, Burton Hitchhiker splitboard bindings utilize Spark R&D's Tesla T1 system baseplates, which feature a lightweight design that is specifically shaped to integrate with puck mounting systems. All Burton splitboards include mounting pucks for this purpose. Other unique splitboard binding parts include touring brackets, climbing bars, and crampons.

• Integrated Baseplate/Footbed: The Hitchhiker splitboard binding baseplate is backcountry minimalism at its finest, with an integrated baseplate/footbed made from a single piece of machined aluminum.
• Heelcup: The Hitchhiker splitboard binding heelcup is the rounded portion of the binding that wraps around the heel of the snowboard boot. The heelcup is made from machined aluminum and keeps the foot in place, preventing the boot from sliding backward or side-to-side. The heelcup also provides attachment points for the bindings straps.
• Hiback: The Hitchhiker splitboard binding hiback is the part of the binding that supports the back of the rider's leg (calf).
• FLAD: Hitchhiker splitboard bindings include a FLAD (forward lean adjuster). The FLAD allows riders to adjust the angle of the hiback from negative (for touring) to positive (for shredding).
• Straps: Hitchhiker splitboard bindings feature two straps: one that tightens across the toes (toe strap) and one that tightens across the ankle (ankle strap). These straps connect to the baseplate and heelcup on each side of the foot and each complete strap is made up of a tongue, slider, buckle, and strap.
• Touring Brackets: Splitboard touring brackets are mounted directly to each split ski (half of the splitboard) and provide a secure attachment point for the toe of the binding while touring uphill. Touring brackets allow a natural walking motion while touring, since the heel of the binding is not connected, and the binding can pivot freely at the toe.
• Heel Rest: Hitchhiker splitboard binding heel rests catch the climbing bar wire and are designed to align the heel on every step.
• Climbing Bars: Splitboard binding climbing bars are typically integrated onto the underside of the baseplate and are used for sustained uphill climbs; when engaged (flipped up), climbing bars reduce calf strain by raising the heel of the foot to be more level with the slope. Note that many climbing bars come with two height options.
• Crampons: Splitboard crampons can be added to splitboard bindings during touring when greater traction is needed. Sharp teeth provide strong grip on steep terrain and firm snow.

Pro tip: Setting up splitboard bindings requires a mounting system. Burton splitboards include mounting pucks that are compatible with the Hitchhiker binding. Binding mounting systems for other brands of splitboards are sometimes sold separately from the board and may include: pucks, touring brackets, heel rests, and climbing bars. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer to find out which binding parts are included with your board or bindings.

A Final Word on Snowboard Binding Parts

Obviously, there's a lot of different things to remember when it comes to snowboard binding parts. But at the end of the day, all that matters is that you have as much fun as possible. So, if you want to learn all the details and geek out on the specs, you do you; if you never learn a single name of a binding part and still stack 100+ days a season, just remember the Burton Guides are there to help you get spare parts if you need them.