Hello and welcome to my list of the best snowboard bindings for men for the 2015/16 season.
Criteria for this List?
It is a bit broad to just give a list of generally the best snowboard bindings since different bindings are made for different purposes – freestyle, all-mountain, etc.
So this list will list the # 1 binding for each of 4 different categories as follows.
- Men’s Freestyle
- Men’s All Mountain
- Men’s Freeride
- Men’s Beginner
O.k. let’s get on with the list!
Men’s #1 Freestyle Bindings
Bindings: Union Contact Pro
Price: $249
Smart rating score: 90/100
The #1 spot for men’s freestyle bindings goes to Union’s Contact Pro bindings.
It was up against some stiff (well technically soft to medium-soft!) competition but came out on top. Check out how the Contact Pros beat out the competition in my top 5 Freestyle Bindings of 2015 list here.
With superior shock absorption, super butterability and a perfectly balanced medium-soft flex, the contact pro’s have everything you want in a freestyle binding.
On top of that they perform well pretty much everywhere else you want to go on the mountain – as an extra bonus!
Check out the video for more
Men’s #1 All Mountain Bindings
Bindings: Burton Genesis
Price: $329
Smart rating score: 88/100
The top all-mountain bindings for 2015/16 are Burton’s Genesis Bindings.
You can see how the Genesis beat the competition in my Top 5 All-Mountain Bindings of 2015 list.
Burton’s Genesis bindings come about as close as bindings can to being great at everything. They have no major obvious weaknesses. And as all mountain bindings are designed for, but often fail to deliver on, they can do pretty much anything and everything that you imagination desires.
Butterability, shock absorption, adjustatability, comfort, great boot support and responsiveness are all delivered up in a nice medium flex that won’t leave you wanting in the park, on the groomers or in the backcountry.
Check out more on the Genesis in the video below
Men’s #1 Freeride Bindings
Bindings: Burton Diode
Price: $419
Smart rating score: 93/100
My choice for the #1 freeride binding for the 2015/16 season is the Burton Diodes.
If you’re looking for that binding that can take you screaming down the mountain, slicing through the powder, weaving through the trees and bombing down the chutes, then you won’t be disappointed doing it strapped into the Burton Diodes.
With their superior responsiveness, insane boot support and a super light futuristic feel, the Diodes are everything you want in a free-ride binding.
Check out how the Diodes blew away the competition in my list of the top 5 Freeride Bindings.
Learn more about the Diodes in the video below
Men’s #1 Beginner Bindings
Bindings: Burton Custom
Price: $179
Smart rating score: 88/100
And finally the #1 men’s bindings for beginners for the 2015/16 season are Burton’s Custom bindings.
There was no bias in deciding on the top bindings for this list, it’s just the way it turned out. So Burton must be doing something right when it comes to bindings.
The Customs have all the perfect specs for the beginner to maximize enjoyment and progression for the rider that’s just starting or just a couple of seasons into their snowboarding life.
Adding to the perfect specs in all the right places for beginners, they’re also really reasonably priced.
Check out my list of the top 5 men’s beginner bindings to see more options.
Check out the video below to learn more about the Customs
Thanks for Reading
So there’s my list of the best snowboard bindings for the 2015/16 season. Check out the links to the top 5’s for each different style of binding for more options.
What do you think of the list? Any bindings you think don’t belong? Any bindings you can think of that deserved to get a top spot in any of the categories? Let me know by leaving a comment in the comments section below.
Related: Top Women’s Bindings
Hey Nate, it’s me again. : )
What are your thoughts on the Rome 390 as a beginner binding? My 2016 Rome Tour is on its way to me now, and from your previous thread, I commented that I would get the Burton Customs, but I wanted to get your thoughts on the Romes.
Thanks,
John
Atlanta, GA
Hey John
The 390s would do the job but wouldn’t be my first choice for beginner bindings. I think there are better beginner options – like the Burton Customs. If you really want to go with Rome bindings then I think the 390s would be the best choice in the Rome range for a beginner. The 390s would be a great second pair of bindings – they do have a rep as being great all-mountain bindings (especially the 390 Boss which comes with canted footbeds).
Awesome to hear you have ordered your board!
Well, things have changed a bit here for me. I received a big gift card for REI, and they have the Flux DS on sale for $162. If I can get them for $62 instead (including the gift card), I think that’s a no-brainer, especially since you rated them higher than the Burton Custom anyway.
Thanks for all your continued help and insight. I really like the information you’ve taken the time to produce here on your site. Keep up the good work!
John
Sweet deal!
I would 100% go for the Flux DS if you can get them for $62.
You’re going to have a sweet set up!
Hey Nate,
Thanks for you advice on a previous thread – much appreciated! Having sites like this where I can get personalized advice by someone that understands snowboarding (as opposed to me who have gone once) is so valuable!
Hate to resurrect this, but I have a similar question and want to know more.
Why do you not suggest the 390 Boss over the Customs? I was going to get the Customs as a beginner bindings (first board – I got the Rossignol Templar). Then, I found a deal on the 390 Boss for cheaper than the Customs and figured they would be the better option since original price they are way higher of a tier
I see he had the same question, and I am at the same decision now. As a beginner why should I get the Customs over the 390 Boss?
Is it due to flexness? Evo says 5/10 for the Boss and 4/10 for the Customs – is that a big difference?
Hi Rob
Great question.
When I review beginner bindings I do take cost into account because usually beginners don’t want to pay as much and understandably so. So that’s one reason I rate the Custom’s over the 390 Boss as beginner bindings.
And like you say, flex is also a factor. Whilst there isn’t a huge difference between 4/10 and 5/10 it’s still something and usually I rate a binding higher as a beginner binding if it has a 3 or 4 out of 10 compared with a 5/10. It just won’t be quite as forgiving of errors with that little bit of extra stiffness.
That being said, they would do the job as beginner bindings but preferably they would be for intermediate and up. The Customs would still be a better choice for a beginner in my opinion but if you can get the 390 boss cheap then they’re an option too.