If you’re looking for your first pair of snowboard bindings and aren’t sure where to start, then check out my list of the Top 10 Beginner Snowboard Bindings below.
This list is now updated for the 2022-23 season.
Each set of bindings will each receive a score out of 100 which reflects how well the bindings did when being specifically considered as beginner bindings.
Some Brief Stats for this List
Of the 29 different men’s bindings that I rated for suitability as beginner bindings:
A lot of the bindings are suitable not just for beginners but also for more advanced riders and for specific styles like freestyle – but for the purposes of this post, the bindings are only being assessed for their suitability for beginners.
Note: 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.
OK let's get into the the top 5.
BEGINNER BINDING #10
Bindings: K2 Line Up
- CA
Smart rating score: 83.9/100
Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)
First up, at #10, we have the K2 Lineup. The Lineup also make our top 5 freestyle list, which underlines the quality of these bindings. But they are also nice and forgiving and easy to ride, so make a great beginner binding as well.
Not the cheapest beginner binding (2nd most pricey on this list) but still reasonably priced versus the average binding.
And Kudos to K2 for not raising prices, virtually across their whole 2023 lineup. When the price of pretty much everything seems to be going up, it's nice to see some prices stay the same.
Check out the Video for more on the Lineup
Score Breakdown for the Lineup
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
FLEX | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
PRICE | 3.5 | 14/20 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 3.0 | 6/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 5.0 | 5/5 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 83.9/100 |
BEGINNER BINDING #9
Bindings: Burton Mission
- CA
- UK/EU
Smart rating score: 83.9/100
Flex: Medium (5/10)
Next up, we have the Burton Mission.
The Mission is a little too stiff for most beginners to be ideal. However, they make a great beginners option for bigger riders or for particularly strong/athletic riders.
It also works well for those who are more high-end beginner/bordering on intermediate, who want a binding that will take them to the next level and something they won't have to upgrade from too soon.
Check out the Video for more on the Mission
Mission comes in at around 1:34
Score Breakdown for the Mission
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
FLEX | 3.5 | 17.5/25 |
PRICE | 4.0 | 16/20 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 4/5 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 83.9/100 |
BEGINNER BINDING #8
Bindings: Ride C-4
- CA
Smart rating score: 86.0/100
Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)
In at #8, we have Ride's C-4 bindings. Their C-2 also comes into this list (see #2). 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.
Check out the Video for more on the C-4
Score Breakdown for the C-4
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
FLEX | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
PRICE | 4.0 | 16/20 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 86.0/100 |
BEGINNER BINDING #7
Bindings: Nidecker Muon-X
- CA
Smart rating score: 86.0/100
Flex: Medium (5/10)
Like the Mission (see #9 above), the Muon-X is a little stiffer than ideal for most beginners. However, it's a great option for bigger riders or particularly strong/athletic riders.
Also like the Mission, the Muon-X also works well for those who are more high-end beginner, than complete beginner, and want a binding to push them a little more and one that won't need upgrading for longer.
Check out the Video for more on the Muon-X
Score Breakdown for the Muon-X
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
FLEX | 3.5 | 17.5/25 |
PRICE | 5.0 | 20/20 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 86.0/100 |
BEGINNER BINDING #6
Bindings: Flux TW
- CA
Smart rating score: 86.6/100
Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)
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 good 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 long-term cost-wise.
Check out the Video for more on TW
The TW comes in at around 1:27
Score Breakdown for the TW
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
FLEX | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
PRICE | 3.0 | 12/20 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 5.0 | 10/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 4/5 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 86.6/100 |
BEGINNER BINDING #5
Bindings: Flow Nexus Fusion
- CA
- UK/EU
Smart rating score: 87.6/100
Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)
Next up, at #5, we have the Flow 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). Can be a good option for those that ride with skiers a lot.
Check out the Video for more on the Nexus
Score Breakdown for the Nexus
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
FLEX | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
PRICE | 4.5 | 18/20 |
COMFORT | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.5 | 9/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 4/5 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 87.6/100 |
BEGINNER BINDING #4
Bindings: K2 Sonic
- CA
Smart rating score: 88.2/100
Flex: Medium-Soft (2/10)
The K2 Sonic is a good option to start off with if your budget is tight and you're looking for fast progression.
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 #1 below) and the softest equal on the list too, along with #2 & #3, below.
Learn more in the Video below
Score Breakdown for the Sonic
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
FLEX | 5.0 | 25/25 |
PRICE | 5.0 | 20/20 |
COMFORT | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 3.0 | 6/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 3.0 | 6/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 3.0 | 3/5 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.2/100 |
BEGINNER BINDING #3
Bindings: Burton Freestyle
- CA
- UK/EU
Smart rating score: 89.8/100
Flex: Soft (2/10)
Coming in at #3 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.
Learn more in the Video below
The Freestyle comes in at around 0:19
Score Breakdown for the Freestyle
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
FLEX | 5.0 | 25/25 |
PRICE | 5.0 | 20/20 |
COMFORT | 3.0 | 9/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 3.0 | 6/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 4/5 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 89.8/100 |
BEGINNER BINDING #2
Bindings: Ride C-2
- CA
- UK/EU
Smart rating score: 91.9/100
Flex: Soft (2/10)
In at #2, 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.
Learn more in the Video below
Score Breakdown for the C-2
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
FLEX | 5.0 | 25/25 |
PRICE | 5.0 | 20/20 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 3.0 | 6/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 91.9/100 |
BEGINNER BINDING #1
Bindings: Union Flite Pro
- CA
- UK/EU
Smart rating score: 93.5/100
Flex: Medium-Soft (3.5/10)
And taking out the #1 spot again this year, we have the Union Flite Pros.
Like the C-2, Freestyle, Sonic and Nidecker Muon-X bindings on this list, the Union Flite Pros, are super low cost (equal lowest on this list, along with the Sonic). 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 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, maneuverable at slow speeds and have a consistent smooth response.
These bindings are also super light (I weighed the 2022 model at just 680 grams!) – 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!
Check out the Video for more on the Flite Pros
Score Breakdown for the Flite Pro
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
FLEX | 5.0 | 25/25 |
PRICE | 5.0 | 20/20 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 4/5 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93.5/100 |
Thanks for Reading
There you have it – that’s my top 5 men’s beginner snowboard bindings for 2022-23.
I hope this has helped you find the right bindings for you.
Check out the links above for each binding to learn more about that particular binding.
Even though all of these bindings are reasonably priced, if you’re looking to get an even better deal, then see if you can find a 2022 model of each binding, as you’ll be able to get them at a discounted price, if they’re not all sold out. For the latest model check out the links under each binding above. For past year’s models check out the links below to see if they have any 2022 models left.
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