Snowboard binding help for a SB JONG

**bigsugar** · 11-30-2006, 01:52 PM

Alright, I'm a bit of a fish out of water with this snowboard gear.....me abd the wife are gonna learn together (awwwwww) and while I'm knowledgable enough on ski stuff, I really know fuck all about snowboards. so....

My brother, who's been riding for years, swears by burton bindings.....he's saying the missions would be good, but the burton sight says those are focused more towards park and pipe. I'm more focused on trees and powder, and just cruising. So I figured I'd get some opinions on this board, since I got some good help on the snowboard purchase.

I'd like to keep the cost around 200, since I'm trying to get some Apache Chiefs this season too. More focused on "freeride". I'm a big stocky guy, and I imagine I would advance relatively quickly given my skiing ability (maybe not though?). So I want something I can sorta grow into.

No step-ins, and they're going on a winterstick allmountain 162.

Any help at all would be good. Thanks.

**MarsB** · 11-30-2006, 02:36 PM

Burtons are excellent bindings, and at one time (say 1987-1994), were the only bindings made that weren't absolute POS. Many other companies have since caught up with them, so they are far from the only game in town, but still among the best. That said, as a first pair of bindings for the type of riding you describe, you could do worse than a pair of Customs or even the classic Freestyles. Both are well under $200, will serve you well for many years, and will allow you to save your $ for new skis. The performance differences you would get from higher-end bindings (stiffer baseplates, lighter materials, etc.) are of no significance while you are learning, and you will decide later on down the road if these features are worth it to you.

**Shepherd Wong** · 11-30-2006, 03:23 PM

I have had horrible luck breaking Burton bindings. They do feel good and work well while they aren't getting warrantied. If you're hard on your gear I would steer clear. One problem with them is the forward lean wedge doesn't sit flat on the baseplate and no amount of adjustment will make it work. I busted 3 baseplates slamming the forward lean block thorough the baseplate.

advres · 11-30-2006, 03:42 PM

I personally really like Burton bindings. I have ridden pretty much everything under the sun and I stick with Burton. The Burton Custom Mars described isn't the Custom of old. The used to be higher end binders but now they are pretty crappy. They are made like Freestyles... crappy.

I myself would go with either the missions or cartels. They are stiffer and would last quite a bit longer then Customs. Also, if you really enjoy riding, you won't need to buy a better pair of bindings next year like you would if you went with the Freestyles or Customs. You would outgrow the binding, ability wise, too quickly.

Also, bring your boots to the shop. Make sure they fit correctly in the binding you want to buy. Sounds like they should all work with each other but this is not always the case. This whole arguement could be moot if your boots don't fit in the binders

**bigsugar** · 11-30-2006, 03:52 PM

good stuff guys, thanks a bunch. I guess maybe I should get my boots first.

I'm thinking Burton or Northwave.....which I figure should fit in Burton bindings.....they don't seem as bulky as some other brands, like DC for instance.

advres · 11-30-2006, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by bigsugar

good stuff guys, thanks a bunch. I guess maybe I should get my boots first.

I'm thinking Burton or Northwave.....which I figure should fit in Burton bindings.....they don't seem as bulky as some other brands, like DC for instance.

I am a firm believer that the boots are absolutely, 100% the most important part of any setup. You could have the best board in the world but if you are uncomfortable and miserable you are not going to enjoy yourself. If you splurge on anything, then splurge on your boots.

just my $.02

**MarsB** · 11-30-2006, 04:21 PM

Definitely agree with advres on the boots, and his advice is probably more current than mine on the bindings. The only Burtons I've ridden in the past couple of years were the '06 Cartels (which were great); I'm a Drake/Northwave rider myself. Didn't know that the Frees and Customs had gone down the shitter quality-wise, they used to be great for the $. I last rocked the Freestyles back in '98 and they were a helluva nice binding for ~$100. Too bad, things change I guess...

The old line of thought was that if you had a medium to wide foot, look at Burtons- medium to narrow foot- Northwaves.

**trainnvain** · 11-30-2006, 07:40 PM

For around the 200 dollar mark(+30 or so) the Rome Targa rocks. Composite baseplate for good flex, lightweight aluminum chassis (sp?) gives it good lateral stiffness and strength in the heelhoop. Good hardware, construction, toe cap, ankle strap stiffness options and kick ass high back.
I am 185, ride all mountainide DH and love this binding (in all honesty, I've logged two days on it, but I'm convinced)