The following are what I consider to be the best all mountain snowboard bindings for men for the 2020/21 season.
These bindings are rated on their ability to handle everything – the groomers, the park and the backcountry and riding any style – but they have a more of a freestyle focus than the all-mountain-freeride list (see link for that at end of post) - and suit boards with a 4/10 to 6/10 flex range best (IMO).
Of 21 different all-mountain bindings that I rated:
OK here’s my top 5.
ALL-MOUNTAIN BINDING #5=
Bindings: Union Force
- CANADA
- UK/EUROPE
Smart rating score: 84.9/100
Flex: Medium (6/10)
Kicking off the list at #5 are Union’s Force bindings.
The Force are a great all-round pair of bindings, that have the bonus of coming in at a really reasonable price tag for what you get.
A great option for those looking for a solid quality all-mountain binding but don't want to break the bank.
Check out the video below for more on the Force
Score Breakdown for the Force
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.0 | 16/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 16/20 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
COMFORT | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 84.9/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN BINDING #5=
Bindings: Flux DS
- CANADA
Smart rating score: 84.9/100
Flex: Medium (5/10)
Next up we have Flux’s DS bindings.
The DS’s have the butterability of softer flexing bindings but also manage to have the response of a stiffer flexing binding – so you really can ride freestyle without compromising too much on responsiveness for when your bombing and carving up the mountain.
These bindings, typical of Flux bindings also have awesome adjustability and it’s all tool-less (apart from actually screwing the bindings into the board, of course!) so you can adjust just about everything on the fly. And they have Flux's typically good ankle support.
I rode the 2016 model of these bindings for the best part of 2 seasons (after buying a pair) and they stood up to everything I could throw at them. So in terms of durability they are tough too.
Check out the video below for more on the DS
This video is a little old now and there have been a couple of changes since then but gives you a general impression.
Score Breakdown for the DS
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.0 | 16/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 16/20 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 2.5 | 7.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 5.0 | 10/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 84.9/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN BINDING #4
Bindings: Burton Cartel
- CANADA
- UK/EUROPE
Smart rating score: 87.1/100
Flex: Medium (6 out of 10)
And coming in at #4 we have Burton’s Cartel bindings.
The Cartel's are very versatile bindings that can compliment a wide range of different types of boards.
They will match with pretty much any board you put them on – maybe not the best on the very stiffest boards or the very softest boards but otherwise they’re versatile enough to handle everything in between (which is most boards out there).
They have a nice medium flex, bordering on medium-stiff, good board feel and great shock absorption that will allow you to still ride the park if you want to. But they won’t stop you from carving up the groomers or exploring the backcountry either.
Check out the video below for more on the Cartel’s
Score Breakdown for the Cartel
They come in Burton’s Re:Flex (which fits standard 2 x 4 insert packs (which most boards have) as well as 4 x 4 in addition to Burton’s Channel system) and in an EST version (which only fits Burton’s Channel System). Both systems provide great board feel but you get a little bit more board feel with the ESTs and just a touch more response too, but sacrifice a little in shock absorption and comfort (from my experience).
Cartel Re:Flex
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 3.5 | 14/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 16/20 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 87.1/100 |
Cartel EST
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.0 | 16/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 89.2/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN BINDING #3
Bindings: K2 Lien AT
- CANADA
- UK/EUROPE
Smart rating score: 88.7/100
Flex: Medium (6 out of 10)
Next on the list, at #3, we have K2’s Lien ATs.
They offer the ideal flex (medium pushing towards mid-stiff), response and board feel for tackling everything the mountain has to offer from the park to the backcountry and provide great ankle support and easy adjustability.
What’s unique about Lien ATs is that they feature K2's Tripod tech with interchangeable pods. You get 3 sets of these pods and you can put in different sets depending on the kind of flex you’re going for – there’s a softer set, a mid set and a stiff set. For 2019 & later models the pod at the heel is larger and not really a pod anymore.
A great option particularly if you're looking for one set of bindings to cover a whole quiver.
Check out the video for more on the Lien ATs
Score Breakdown for the ATs
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 3.5 | 14/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.5 | 9/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.7/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN BINDING #2
Bindings: Burton Genesis
- CANADA
- Third Tab
Smart rating score: 93.0/100
Flex: Medium (5/10)
Not as responsive as others in this list, but what they fall behind in, in response, they make up for in every other category.
Outside of response the Genesis are near perfect. Easy butterability, great shock absorption and a nice versatile medium flex. They are lightweight and super comfortable (helped in equal parts by the 2 part hammock highback, super conforming straps, their awesome shock absorption and a canted footbed).
Basically, if you’re after something mid-flexing and super comfortable, like you're not strapped into anything at all, you can’t go wrong with the Genesis.
Check out the video below for more on the Genesis
Score Breakdown for the Genesis
Like most Burton bindings they come in an EST version, which fits Burton’s Channel System and the Re:Flex version (which fits 2 x 4, 4 x 4 as well as the Channel system).
Genesis Re:Flex
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 3.0 | 12/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 5.0 | 15/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 5.0 | 15/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93.0/100 |
Genesis EST
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 3.0 | 12/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 89.8/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN BINDING #1
Bindings: Union Strata
- CANADA
- UK/EUROPE
Smart rating score: 93.5/100
Flex: Medium (6/10)
And finally in at #1 we have the Union Strata.
Like with most Union bindings the Strata possess a response that's a little better than their flex would suggest.
And since the Strata use a mini-disc, they get that great Union mini-disc board feel as well. They're the perfect middle ground between the Contact Pro and the Falcor - a very versatile binding that can transcend styles and accommodate a wide variety of different boards.
Check out the video below for more on the Strata
Score Breakdown for the Strata
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.0 | 16/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93.5/100 |
Over to You
Thanks for reading and I hope this list has helped you to find the best all mountain bindings for you.
If you’re interested in any of the above bindings check out the links under each binding for more info.
NOTE:
These are what I consider bindings that can do a bit of everything and are more freestyle oriented than freeride bindings. You could almost think of this list as being all-mountain-freestyle bindings.
I have created a new category of all-mountain-freeride bindings, which covers those bindings that are in between these all-mountain-freestyle bindings and freeride bindings.
Check out the link below for my top 5 all-mountain-freeride bindings list if you think this is more what you are looking for.
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