If you’re looking for your first pair of snowboard bindings and aren’t sure where to start, then check out our list of what we consider to be the Top 10 Beginner Snowboard Bindings below.
This list is now updated for the 2024-2025 season.
Note 1: A beginners binding should definitely not just be considered a beginner binding just because it’s cheap – if it’s too low quality or if it's too stiff, that’s far from what a beginner should be using. Price is definitely a factor but it shouldn’t be the only factor.
Note 2: The score for each pair of bindings below is an indication of how good we think they are as beginner bindings. Some of the bindings in this list are suitable not just for beginners but also for specific styles (freestyle being the most likely due to softer flex). They may appear elsewhere on the website with a different score.
If that's the case, it's because they've been scored based on their category. If that's the case, it's because they've been scored based on their category (e.g. freestyle). For the purposes of this post, the bindings are only being assessed for their suitability for beginners.
OK, let's have a look at the top 10 for 2025!
#10: Flux EM
Flex: Medium (4.5/10)
Rating score (as Beginner Bindings): 83.2/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
First up, at #10, we have Flux's EM bindings.
The EM's are a little stiffer than most on this list and work well for a bigger rider or a particularly strong/athletic beginner. Not as suitable for lighter, less strong beginners.
Score Breakdown for the EM
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Flex Score | 4 | 20/25 |
| Stability | 4 | 16/20 |
| Turning Ease | 4 | 12/15 |
| Price | 4 | 8/10 |
| Versatility | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shape & Stance | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| Base | 4 | 4/5 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 4/5 |
| Shock Absorption | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 83.2/100 |
#9: Ride C-4
Flex: Mid-Soft (4/10)
Rating score (as Beginner Bindings): 84.7/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
In at #9, we have Ride's C-4 bindings. Their C-2 also comes into this list (see #3). The C-4 is a little stiffer than the C-2, but still a nice easy flex for those just starting out.
The C-4 is a simple yet quality design that can help you to get your snowboarding journey underway or take you from that beginner to intermediate level.
Score Breakdown for the C-4
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Flex Score | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Stability | 4 | 16/20 |
| Turning Ease | 4 | 12/15 |
| Price | 4 | 8/10 |
| Versatility | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Shape & Stance | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Base | 4 | 4/5 |
| Board Feel | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Shock Absorption | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 84.7/100 |
#8: Arbor Hemlock
Flex: Mid-Soft (4/10)
Rating score (as Beginner Bindings): 86.3/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | CHANNEL
Next up we have Arbor's Hemlock bindings.
These are also a great option for freestyle riding, but work really well as beginner bindings, with their mid-soft flex, reasonable price-point and great slow speed response and ease of riding.
Score Breakdown for the Hemlock
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Flex Score | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Stability | 4 | 16/20 |
| Turning Ease | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Price | 4 | 8/10 |
| Versatility | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shape & Stance | 3 | 3/5 |
| Base | 3 | 3/5 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 4/5 |
| Shock Absorption | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 86.3/100 |
#7: Nidecker (Flow Design) Nexus Fusion
Flex: Mid-Soft (4/10)
Rating score (as Beginner Bindings): 86.3/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Next up, at #7, we have the Nidecker (Flow Style) Nexus.
These are a great option for those beginners looking for an easy entry/exit binding. They've still got all the qualities of a great beginner binding, but allow you to get in and out of them quickly and easily (with a bit of practice, you can do it on the go as you get off the lift). A good option for those that ride with skiers a lot.
Score Breakdown for the Nexus Fusion
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Flex Score | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Stability | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Turning Ease | 4 | 12/15 |
| Price | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Versatility | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Shape & Stance | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Base | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 4/5 |
| Shock Absorption | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 86.3/100 |
#6: Flux TW
Flex: Mid-Soft (4/10)
Rating score (as Beginner Bindings): 86.8/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
The TW isn't strictly a beginner binding. It's a higher quality binding that could be used by more advanced rider's looking for a softer flex.
But it's also a great option for beginners, particularly if you're a higher-end beginner looking for something that will take you further through your progression than your typical beginner binding.
They're the highest priced on this list, but you can use them for longer through your progression, so if you've got it in your budget, they can work out well long-term cost-wise.
Score Breakdown for the TW
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Flex Score | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Stability | 3.5 | 14/20 |
| Turning Ease | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Price | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Versatility | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shape & Stance | 5 | 5/5 |
| Base | 4 | 4/5 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 4/5 |
| Shock Absorption | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 86.8/100 |
#5: K2 Sonic
Flex: Soft (2/10)
Rating score (as Beginner Bindings): 88.9/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
The K2 Sonic is a good option to start off with if your budget is tight and you're looking for fast progression. Particularly good for lighter riders.
It won't take you much past the high-end beginner to low intermediate phase - you'll need to upgrade - but it will take you there quickly and without hurting the bank.
It's the equal cheapest on this list (along with #1-4 below) and the softest equal on the list too, along with #3 & #4, below.
Score Breakdown for the Sonic
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Flex Score | 5 | 25/25 |
| Stability | 5 | 20/20 |
| Turning Ease | 4 | 12/15 |
| Price | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Versatility | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shape & Stance | 3 | 3/5 |
| Base | 3 | 3/5 |
| Board Feel | 3 | 3/5 |
| Shock Absorption | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 88.9/100 |
#4: Burton Freestyle
Flex: Soft (2/10)
Rating score (as Beginner Bindings): 90.5/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Coming in at #4 we have Burton's Freestyle bindings.
The price is right with the equal lowest price on this list.
But that's not the only reason these bindings made the list. The Freestyle's have a nice soft flex which helps with maneuverability at slow speeds, and is more forgiving of errors.
They have awesome adjustability for lower end bindings, so you can get the fit and feel just right.
A great choice for those on a tighter budget and particularly for lighter beginner riders.
Score Breakdown for the Freestyle
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Flex Score | 5 | 25/25 |
| Stability | 5 | 20/20 |
| Turning Ease | 4 | 12/15 |
| Price | 3 | 6/10 |
| Versatility | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shape & Stance | 3 | 3/5 |
| Base | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 4/5 |
| Shock Absorption | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 90.5/100 |
#3: Ride C-2
Flex: Soft (2/10)
Rating score (as Beginner Bindings): 91.1/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Next up we have the Ride C-2 bindings.
The C-2 is Ride's softest flexing and lowest priced binding and is an easy-on-the-wallet option to get your snowboarding progression underway.
They offer up easy rideability and decent enough quality.
The C-4 is also worth checking out (see #8 on this list) if you have a bit more budget and want a slightly stiffer flex - particularly if you're a higher end beginner looking for a binding that can help you get further into your progression, without changing bindings as soon.
Score Breakdown for the C-2
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Flex Score | 5 | 25/25 |
| Stability | 5 | 20/20 |
| Turning Ease | 4 | 12/15 |
| Price | 4 | 8/10 |
| Versatility | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Shape & Stance | 3 | 3/5 |
| Base | 4 | 4/5 |
| Board Feel | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Shock Absorption | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 91.1/100 |
#2: Nidecker Muon-X
Flex: Soft (3/10)
Rating score (as Beginner Bindings): 93.7/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
In the penultimate #2 positions comes the Nidecker Muon-X.
The flex is right, the price is right and the slow speed response is awesome! And they have a decent all-round quality to them, for such a low price-point.
Score Breakdown for the Muon-X
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Flex Score | 5 | 25/25 |
| Stability | 5 | 20/20 |
| Turning Ease | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Price | 4 | 8/10 |
| Versatility | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shape & Stance | 4 | 4/5 |
| Base | 4 | 4/5 |
| Board Feel | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Shock Absorption | 3 | 3/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 93.7/100 |
#1: Union Flite Pro
Flex: Mid-Soft (3.5/10)
Rating score (as Beginner Bindings): 94.2/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
And finally, taking out the #1 spot again this year (and the last few years running), we have the Union Flite Pros.
Like the Muon-X, C-2, Freestyle and Sonic above, the Union Flite Pros, are super low cost (equal lowest with the 4 mentioned). So this is another great choice for the beginner who can’t, or doesn’t want to, invest too much.
But you still get bindings that are of a decent quality – even Union’s entry level bindings are decent quality.
But most importantly they are ideally suited to beginners, with a nice easy flex. They are really forgiving, easy to maneuver at slow speeds and have a consistent smooth response.
These bindings are also super light – if you can find a lighter binding at this price-point (or at any price point for that matter!), I’d like to know about it!
Score Breakdown for the Flite Pro
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Flex Score | 5 | 25/25 |
| Stability | 5 | 20/20 |
| Turning Ease | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Price | 4 | 8/10 |
| Versatility | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shape & Stance | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Base | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 4/5 |
| Shock Absorption | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 94.2/100 |
Thanks for Checking Out Our Top Rated Beginner Snowboard Bindings
Thanks for checking out our top 10 men’s beginner snowboard bindings for 2024-2025. I hope this has helped you find the right bindings for you.
Check out the links in the where to buy boxes (the ones with the flags) for prices, availability and more info on the bindings.
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