The following are Snowboarding Profiles' top picks for the best all mountain snowboard bindings for men for the 2025-2026 season.
These bindings are rated on their ability to handle everything – the groomers, the park and the backcountry and riding any style - but they are more freeride leaning.
NOTE: The way we have defined our categories has changed this year vs last and this category is more of a cross between last year's all-mountain and all-mountain freeride categories. For more details about how our categories have changed, see the section at the bottom of this page.
Category Stats
Of the 30 current model all-mountain snowboard bindings that we tested:
OK, let's have a look at the top 10 for 2026!
#11=: Bent Metal Axtion
Flex: Medium (6.5/10)
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Best Suited to: Intermediate to Advanced | Moderate to Semi-Aggressive All-Mountain
Board-flex Match Range: 4.5/10 to 7.5/10 flexing board (5.5/10 to 6.5/10 ideal)
Rating score: 84.9/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Starting off the list at #11=, we have the Bent Metal Axtion.
Typically we'd restrict these lists to 10 max, but the Axtion and 390 Boss were just too good to leave out this year. Already leaving out very capable bindings like the Jones Orion and Union Force was difficult enough.
The new category re-jig we did for the 2025-2026 season has seen this category become very competitive.
The Axtion earns their place here and we found them to be super consistent across all the factors we test for. They felt equally at home whether you were bombing or looking to get tight turns at slower speeds in tight spaces and had no weaknesses. Just an overall very consistent solid pair of bindings.
>>See Full Review (review coming soon)
Score Breakdown for the Axtion
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 16/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 16/20 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 12/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 84.9/100 |
#11=: Rome 390 Boss FW
Flex: Medium (6.5/10)
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Best Suited to: Intermediate to Advanced | Moderate to Semi-Aggressive All-Mountain
Board-flex Match Range: 4.5/10 to 7.5/10 flexing board (5.5/10 to 6.5/10 ideal)
Rating score: 84.9/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Rome's 390 Boss FW shares the #11 spot.
The 390 Boss is built on Rome's Full Wrap baseplate, which helps to give them a nice supportive feeling. These bindings really lack any weaknesses and, like their number 11 partner above, performed at least above average in everything we test for.
These bindings were previously in the all-mountain-freeride category
Score Breakdown for the 390 Boss FW
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 16/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 3.5 | 14/20 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 12/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Adjustability | 4 | 8/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 84.9/100 |
#10: Union Atlas
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Best Suited to: Intermediate to Advanced | Moderate to Aggressive All-Mountain
Board-flex Match Range: 5/10 to 8/10 flexing board (6/10 to 7/10 ideal)
Rating score: 86/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
In at #10 we have the Union Atlas.
The Atlas are just an all-round quality set of bindings - with no weaknesses - and importantly for this category, provide great support to help keep you stable at speed and rip a carve, with a consistent, even, reliable feel.
They're also highly adjustable, compatible with pretty much every board out there out of the box, and are really comfortable. They don't have the same shock absorption as others on this list, but even that is still not bad.
These bindings were previously in the all-mountain-freeride category
Score Breakdown for the Atlas
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 16/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 16/20 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 12/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Adjustability | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 86/100 |
#9: Salomon Highlander
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Best Suited to: Intermediate to Advanced | Moderate to Aggressive All-Mountain
Board-flex Match Range: 5/10 to 8/10 flexing board (6/10 to 7/10 ideal)
Rating score: 86/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Next up we have the Salomon Highlander.
The Highlander are impressive bindings that have that knack for hard, deep carves at speed, but are also really good for manuevarability at slower speeds.
The Highlanders also have really decent board feel, despite not having a mini-disc or anything like that - part of it might be down to the flexible heel loop.
Whatever it is that makes this binding tick, it's got a great combination of all the factors that we test for, for an all-round, comfortable, fun, yet responsive binding.
These bindings were previously in the all-mountain-freeride category
Score Breakdown for the Highlander
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 16/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 16/20 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 12/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ankle Support | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 86/100 |
#8: YES Airmaster
Flex: Medium (6/10)
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Best Suited to: Intermediate to Advanced | Semi-Playful to Moderate All-Mountain
Board-flex Match Range: 4/10 to 7/10 flexing board (5/10 to 6/10 ideal)
Rating score: 86.6/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
The YES Airmaster, our #8 pick, offer up next level shock absorption, typical of YES (formerly NOW) bindings.
But shock absorption isn't their only outstanding factor. They are also great for carving and at the same time provide great slow speed response (two things that can often be in opposition).
Score Breakdown for the Airmaster
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 16/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Board Feel | 3 | 9/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 5 | 10/10 |
| Adjustability | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 86.6/100 |
#7: Nidecker Supermatic OG
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Best Suited to: Intermediate to Advanced | Moderate to Aggressive All-Mountain
Board-flex Match Range: 5/10 to 8/10 flexing board (6/10 to 7/10 ideal)
Rating score: 87.1/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
In next are Nidecker's Supermatic OG bindings.
As the name suggests, these are the Supermatic bindings that kicked off the whole Supermatic system (the OG also helps to differentiate them from Nideckers other Supermatic offerings - the Carbon Supermatic and LT Supermatic).
Their quick entry system aside, they have lots of other great qualities (which you'd expect of course, to make this list!). You can lay down some deep carves in these bindings but they've still got decent board feel. And they have really good absorption too to dampen those flat landings and chatter.
These bindings were previously in the all-mountain-freeride category
Score Breakdown for the OG Supermatic
Factor Rating (/5) Weighted Carving 4 16/20 Slow Speed Response 4 16/20 Board Feel 4 12/15 Shock Absorption 4.5 9/10 Adjustability 3.5 7/10 Comfort 4 8/10 Ankle Support 4 8/10 Entry/Exit 5 5/5 TOTAL (after normalizing): 87.1/100
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 16/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 16/20 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 12/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Adjustability | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 5 | 5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 87.1/100 |
#6: Flux CV
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Best Suited to: Intermediate to Advanced | Moderate to Aggressive All-Mountain
Board-flex Match Range: 5/10 to 8/10 flexing board (6/10 to 7/10 ideal)
Rating score: 87.1/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
In our #6 position we have Flux's CV bindings, the first of two Flux entries in this list (see also #1 above).
With the best ankle support in the industry, as Flux is known for, the CV offer a ton of carving response and despite their lower than normal shock absorption, they are still really comfortable. And that thinner footbed also creates some really decent board feel.
These bindings were previously in the all-mountain-freeride category
Score Breakdown for the CV
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 3.5 | 14/20 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 12/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 3 | 6/10 |
| Adjustability | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ankle Support | 5 | 10/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 87.1/100 |
#5: YES Drive
Flex: Medium (6.5/10)
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Best Suited to: Intermediate to Advanced | Moderate to Semi-Aggressive All-Mountain
Board-flex Match Range: 4.5/10 to 7.5/10 flexing board (5.5/10 to 6.5/10 ideal)
Rating score: 87.1/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
The YES Drive, occupying the #5 position, have plenty of...well.... Drive...... they let you really lean into carves, but have the rare ability to do so, while also being fun and capable for tight turns at slower speeds. This is presumably helped by their Skate Tech system.
Whatever it is that makes these bindings tick, they do a great job in assisting an outstanding turning experience, in addition to many other qualities, not least being their next-level shock absorption.
>>See Full Review (review coming soon)
Score Breakdown for the Drive
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 16/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 16/20 |
| Board Feel | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 5 | 10/10 |
| Adjustability | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Comfort | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 87.1/100 |
#4: Burton Cartel
Flex: Medium (6/10)
Style Best Suited to:
Best Suited to: Intermediate to Advanced | Semi-Playful to Moderate All-Mountain
Compatibility (Re:Flex model): 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Compatibility (EST model): CHANNEL ONLY
Rating score: 88.2/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Next up at we have Burton’s Cartel bindings.
The longstanding Cartel's are very versatile bindings that can compliment a wide range of different types of boards and styles.
They have great board feel, offer a really good turning and carving experience, and are nice and comfortable. A stalwart in the binding industry for good reason.
Note: Like most Burton bindings, they come in both Re:Flex and EST versions. We have broken down the scores for both below. Noting that the EST versions can only be mounted to the Channel system, where the Re:Flex can be mounted on 4x4, 2x4 and the Channel.
Score Breakdown for the Cartel EST
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 16/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 16/20 |
| Board Feel | 5 | 15/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Adjustability | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ankle Support | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 88.2/100 |
Score Breakdown for the Cartel Re:Flex
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 3.5 | 14/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 16/20 |
| Board Feel | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 4 | 8/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 85.5/100 |
#3: Jones Mercury & Mercury FASE
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Best Suited to: Intermediate to Advanced | Moderate to Aggressive All-Mountain
Board-flex Match Range: 5/10 to 8/10 flexing board (6/10 to 7/10 ideal)
Rating score: 88.2/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
The Jones Mercury are high-end carvers, but unlike a lot of bindings that are able to achieve this level of carving and stability, they are really enjoyable for slow speed quick turns as well.
Their shock absorption needs no introduction and they add to this with really good ankle support and we found them super comfortable.
This year, Jones also introduced a new FASE (fast entry) version of the Mercury. These are a little different in terms of their strengths and weaknesses vs the regular Mercury (see score breakdown's below) but come with the added bonus of being fast entry.
>>See Full Review (regular Mercury)
>>See Full Review (FASE - coming soon)
These bindings were previously in the all-mountain-freeride category
Score Breakdown for the Mercury
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 16/20 |
| Board Feel | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 5 | 10/10 |
| Adjustability | 3 | 6/10 |
| Comfort | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 88.2/100 |
Score Breakdown for the Mercury FASE
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 16/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 16/20 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 12/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 5 | 5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 86/100 |
#2: Burton Cartel X EST/Re:Flex
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Compatibility (Re:Flex model): 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Compatibility (EST model): CHANNEL ONLY
Best Suited to: Intermediate to Advanced | Moderate to Aggressive All-Mountain
Board-flex Match Range: 5/10 to 8/10 flexing board (6/10 to 7/10 ideal)
Rating score: 90.9/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
The #2 position belongs to the Cartel X, the bigger brother of the longstanding Cartel (see #4 above).
It's got some good upgrades from the regular Cartel, the most prominent being that they're stiffer and harder charging. They offer a better carving performance, but do so without sacrificing slow speed performance, board feel, comfort or shock absorption.
All round just a really good binding.
Like all higher end Burton bindings, the Cartel X comes in both a Re:Flex and an EST version. We have outlined both scores below.
Note: The EST version can only be mounted to a snowboard that has the "Channel System". The Re:Flex version can be mounted to pretty much all snowboards (2x4, 4x4 and the Channel).
>>See Full Review (EST Model)
These bindings were previously in the all-mountain-freeride category
Score Breakdown for the Cartel X EST
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 16/20 |
| Board Feel | 5 | 15/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 4 | 8/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ankle Support | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 90.9/100 |
Score Breakdown for the Cartel X Re:Flex
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 16/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 16/20 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 12/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Adjustability | 4 | 8/10 |
| Comfort | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 88.7/100 |
#1: Flux XF
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Best Suited to: Intermediate to Advanced | Moderate to Aggressive All-Mountain
Board-flex Match Range: 5/10 to 8/10 flexing board (6/10 to 7/10 ideal)
Rating score: 91.4/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Finally, in at # 1, a spot it has held for a long time now, we have the Flux XF.
The XF are one of the best carving/turning bindings out there, IMO.
The XFs achieve that elusive balance of being super supportive and explosive for carves, but without being unforgivingly stiff and still easy and enjoyable to engage at slower speeds. They also provide great board feel, top tier ankle support and are highly adjustable.
They give up a bit of shock absorption but apart from that they are about the perfect all-mountain-freeride binding.
These bindings were previously in the all-mountain-freeride category
Score Breakdown for the XF
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 5 | 20/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 16/20 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 12/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 3 | 6/10 |
| Adjustability | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ankle Support | 5 | 10/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 91.4/100 |
Thanks for Checking Out Our Top Rated Men's All-Mountain Snowboard Bindings
Thanks for checking out our top rated men's All-Mountain snowboard bindings. I hope this has helped you to narrow down your options for your next pair of bindings.
Check out the links in the where to buy boxes (the ones with the flags) for prices, availability and more info on the bindings. And the full review links for more details on how we experienced each pair of bindings.
Changes to the Category Criteria for 2025-2026
This has been something we've been thinking of doing for a while but needed to nut out the details to make it cohesive enough to implement the change.
I think the best place to start to describe the changes is to first look at the criteria for this list before now and the new criteria, starting for the 2025-2026 season.
How it Was
Previously we had 4 men's snowboard binding categories, namely:
- Freestyle
- All-Mountain
- All-Mountain-Freeride
- Freeride
These were determined predominantly on flex, with those close to another category, in terms of flex, considering other factors as to where they went i.e.:
- Freestyle: 5.5/10 flex and below
- All-Mountain: 5.5 to 6.5/10 flex
- All-Mountain-Freeride 6.5 to 7.5/10 flex
- Freeride: 7.5/10 to 10/10 flex
While this worked and was nice and simple to determine where each binding went, it didn't fulfill the category descriptions quite as well as we wanted them to. Particularly putting stiffer flexing bindings that had a more freestyle flavor to them in a category called all-mountain-freeride felt a little off.
How It is Now
We have reduced the number of categories from 4 to 3 and stripped out the all-mountain freeride category.
- Freestyle
- All-Mountain
- Freeride
And have changed the criteria for which bindings belong where. It now looks more like this.
Freestyle
These can now be any flex level all the way from 7.5/10 and down. Anything 8/10 flex or stiffer remains in our freeride category. The biggest determining factor for the bindings in this category relates to board feel and in general, how well we think the bindings are suited to freestyle riding.
So this category now covers different areas of freestyle riding, from more extreme larger features, to more playful, creative freestyle riding/for those just starting out with freestyle riding.
The stiffer bindings in this category are naturally going to be more suited to big jumps, etc, where you need more solidity to handle bigger impacts and higher speed take offs etc. and the ability to carve into a take off at higher speeds and remain in control. These options are also best suited to stiffer flexing freestyle and all-mountain freestyle boards.
The softer bindings in this list are for those who don't go big, but are creative and playful with their freestyle riding. Flatland tricks, smaller jumps, side-hits etc, butter tricks, jibs etc. Or for those who are just starting out with freestyle and may go big later but aren't yet. These are better suited to softer flexing freestyle boards.
All-Mountain
This category also cover the flex level from 7.5/10 and below, but has more emphasis on things like ankle support, consistent feel and stability, than their freestyle counterparts.
Put this way, the freestyle list is more like all-mountain-freestyle, covering park and all-mountain-freestyle riding and this category is more like covering all-mountain to freeride riding.
The stiffer bindings in this category are more suited to bombing, laying down big carves and for the more advanced all-mountain riders and those who have stiffer snowboards.
The softer bindings in this list are for those who don't ride overly fast, but still like a little speed, but prioritize maneuverability over stability and want to be able to be nimble and quick turning when riding at more moderate speeds - e.g. trees, bumps, etc. These are also for less experienced riders, those who just want to cruise, and those with mid to mid-soft flexing snowboards.
Freeride
This category hasn't really changed and is for hard charging bindings with emphasis on as much support as possible and the power to drive the stiffest flexing snowboards. The bindings in this list are in the 8/10 to 10/10 flex feel range.
The Old All-Mountain-Freeride bindings Category
Those bindings that were in the All-Mountain Freeride category moved to either the freestyle or all-mountain category, depending on what it felt like they were best suited to.
8 of the 12 bindings in this list were in the All-Mountain-Freeride category last year:
- Flux XF
- Burton Cartel X
- Jones Mercury
- Flux CV
- Nidecker Supermatic
- Salomon Highlander
- Union Atlas
- Rome 390 Boss
3 of last year's Top 10 All-Mountain bindings moved to the freestyle category this year:
- Union Strata
- Burton Genesis
- Bataleon Blaster Asymwrap
2 of last year's Top 10 All-Mountain bindings return this year
- Burton Cartel
- YES Airmaster
The remaining 5 of last year's top 10:
- Jones Orion (still in the category but finished outside the top 11)
- Union Force (still in the category but finished outside the top 11)
- Salomon Hologram (still in the category but finished outside the top 11)
- Flux DS (changed significantly enough that we need to re-test it and haven't been able to get on the 2026 model yet)
- Ride A-6 (discontinued - the new Drone takes its place, but more than just a name change, so we will need to test the Drone, before being able to rate it)
Recent Comments