The Top All Mountain Bindings For Women: My Top 5

Comments

1. Ida says

   March 28, 2017 at 12:57 pm

   Hi Nate,
   Thanks for doing these thorough reviews and especially for giving equal time to women’s gear. That said, I will now solicit your opinion. I am getting back into snowboarding after a 13 year hiatus, I am self taught, and I don’t really have any snowboarding friends, so it is hard for me to gauge what level I am at. I am comfortable on blue /blacks and mellower blacks, so I’m thinking advanced intermediate. I’m still riding the gear I bought in 2003 (for about $400 total – Santa Cruz board and who knows what boots and bindings). I decided it’s time to get new gear. Picked up some K2 contour boots (which seem nice, although with my current setup, it’s hard to tell). I just bought a NS Aura, which I have yet to try out, but I’m really excited about. My question now is bindings.

   I was aiming for the Union Legacy, but I got a great deal on some Burton Escapades (which REI tells me will come with both discs). But then I started worrying that they would be too advanced for me because Evo ranks them as advanced – expert. Do you think that is a fair rating? Just in case, I also grabbed some Now Vettas because I think the Conda probably is beyond me, but as a longboarder, I got sucked into the whole concept. Would that work with the Aura?

   Is there something else I should be considering? Either of the above can be returned. I grabbed them because stuff is selling out like crazy and I don’t want to miss anything.

   Thanks for your thoughts!

   Reply

   • Nate says

     March 29, 2017 at 2:51 pm

     Hi Ida

     Thanks for your message.

     The Escapades are definitely not just for advanced to expert, in my opinion. They are definitely fine for an intermediate rider. I would say that the Burton Lexa would be more in that advanced and up category but the Escapade is definitely Intermediate and up. I think they will suit your setup well – and I think you’re going to really appreciate the difference of your new setup once you’ve got everything together and once your used to the change. Sounds like an awesome all-round set up to me.

     From the NOW line up I think you made the right choice, in terms of the Vettas over the Condas – but I think you’ll prefer the Escapades overall.

     As long as you have bought the “Re:Flex” Escapades, then they will be compatible with your Aura. If REI is talking about discs, then you will have the Re:Flex model as the “EST” model doesn’t have discs (and is only for boards with Burton’s channel system). So it sounds like you’re all good there.

     Hope this helps

     Reply

     • Ida says

       March 29, 2017 at 8:10 pm

       Definitely, thanks!

       Reply

2. Sanda says

   September 21, 2017 at 6:08 am

   Thumbs up man! You did a very good job, definitely. I was looking for bindings and this article helps me to save a lot of time. TNX again!

   Reply

   • Nate says

     September 21, 2017 at 6:03 pm

     You’re very welcome Sanda! Glad you found it helpful.

     Reply

3. Perri says

   October 26, 2017 at 4:49 pm

   Hi Nate
   Newbie here, I’ve never snowboarded before but just got to Whistler and looking to stay 2 full years. I’m looking at getting the Burton Escapades even though I’ve never snowboarded before, the reason being I don’t want to get a ‘beginner’ pair of bindings and need to upgrade them once I’ve been on the mountain for a few months. My friend says it’s a waste of money, and I’m leaning towards agreeing.
   So my question is, would you recommend these for a beginner, and if not, why not?
   Thank you in advance, your articles have been amazingly helpful for both me and my boyfriend (he’s been boarding a few years) and I honestly have no idea how I would have navigated buying my first set up without them!
   Cheers

   Reply

   • Nate says

     October 27, 2017 at 11:52 am

     Hi Perri

     Thanks for your message.

     I think the Escapades are something you can get away with, without being ideal. Buying beginner bindings isn’t just about price. One of the most important things about bindings for beginners is that they are forgiving enough and allow you to control your board at slower speeds more easily. A binding that is too stiff is very difficult to ride for a beginner (something that people who have forgotten what it’s like to be a beginner, or can’t even remember learning to ride because they were so young, don’t understand this and often recommend bindings that are too advanced for beginners).

     So it’s not just about the money. And to be honest, if you were to buy a beginner pair of binding for one season, sell them and then upgrade, you don’t loose out on that much money – and your progression can be quite a bit faster. But I understand it does cost a bit more and it can be a pain trying to sell second hand.

     For the Escapade’s specifically, they are medium flexing bindings. They are a bit stiff to be ideal for a beginner – but they’re not super-stiff. So you can learn on them, they just won’t be as easy as on a softer flexing binding – it might slow your progression down a little bit.

     There are other factors too – weight can play a factor. Heavier rider’s are applying more force to the bindings, so a stiffer flexing binding won’t be as difficult for them to ride. Also, someone who is quite strong and athletic will have less trouble on a stiffer flexing binding. But it will always be easier to learn on a softer binding.

     Anyway, this doesn’t write off the Escapade but just they are doable for a beginner but not ideal.

     Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision

     Reply

4. Vanessa says

   August 18, 2018 at 10:12 pm

   Hi Nate!

   I always appreciate your blog, rankings, and advice. I’m an intermediate rider, currently on a NS Aura which I love, although I’m thinking about demoing a GNU because I hear the edge hold when you stop is a little better, any suggestions on something compatible with the NS Aura? I seems to kind of skid a bit when I stop with the NS Aura which I heard was due to their edge technology, anywho I realize none of that has to due with bindings, but when in Rome, or Nate’s blog! haha. I’m also looking into getting a new pair of bindings and wondering if I should get the Lexa or the Escapades? Budget isn’t an issue, I just want the best bindings for my set up. I’ve tried the Escapades before and they’re fine, but wondering if I’m missing anything with the Lexa’s. I’m currently using Burton Felix boots if that matters at all. Thanks for any advice!

   Reply

   • Nate says

     August 20, 2018 at 2:31 pm

     Hi Vanessa

     Thanks for your message!

     I would say the closest equivalent to the Aura in GNUs line would be the Klassy. Certainly not like for like, but that would be the closest equivalent. And yeah GNU tend to have great edge-hold, especially in hard/icy conditions.

     I’d say that:

     1. The Klassy is possibly just slightly softer flexing than the Aura but I’d say they’re pretty close.
     2. Very similar in terms of the camber profile.
     3. The stance on the Klassy is a little more setback (1.5″ vs 0.75″ on the Aura)
     4. Different dimensions in terms of sidecut, width etc as well

     But I’d say they’re more similar than they are different.

     For bindings, both the Escapade and Lexa would work, but I’d be leaning slightly towards the Lexa for the Klassy. But yeah, both would definitely do the job.

     And the Felix are a good match for both those bindings and the Klassy, IMO.

     Hope that covers everything and let me know if you have any other questions.

     P.S. Very flattered that you consider my blog “Rome”!

     Reply

5. Lu says

   September 8, 2018 at 10:12 am

   Hi Nate!

   I always love to check out your ratings and rankings whenever I try to purchase some gears, keep it up buddy! Here’s the question, I am currently use if a Burton Cartel size M, and it fits my size 8 burton boots well enough, however, with the genesis binding on huge sale now, I want to upgrade to genesis now. I am thinking the existing M cartel would sub my girlfriend’s old bindings, however, she has size 8 women’s boots, which is not smaller than the M cartel’s suggested size chart: women size 9-11. I put her boots into the M cartel bindings, and it seems holding the boots well enough, but the tips of the boots are not reaching out from the baseplate, which seems to me is a no-no, right?

   Reply

   • Nate says

     September 10, 2018 at 11:11 am

     Hi Lu

     Thanks for the message.

     Yeah, ideally, your boots should be overhanging your bindings. If they don’t then you’re loosing leverage, which can make turn initiations slower and physically more effort to initiate, which can become fatiguing. A men’s small or a women’s medium would be a better size for her. Also, women’s bindings are better suited to female riders. They usually incorporate things like shorter high backs, which make them more comfortable to ride (women’s calves typically sit lower than men’s so men’s bindings can often cause calf-bite).

     Hope this helps

     Reply

6. Maggie says

   December 2, 2018 at 8:34 pm

   Looking to get a 2018 deal on Escapades but if I can’t, then probably the Union trilogy based on your reviews – so thank you!!! I was on the Burton Stilettos until they broke at the end of last season. Just looking for advice on size since I’m buying online. I am on the small side (5’2″ and 125 lbs) and wear a size 6 boot. Burton has a small as 4-6 and Medium at 6-8 so I fall right in the middle. Looks like my old never summer infinity was a 149 and I will be buying a new one this season as well. I’m thinking that size is a good choice for all mountain.

   Reply

   • Nate says

     December 3, 2018 at 11:01 am

     Hi Maggie

     Thanks for your message.

     If you have Burton boots, then you could really go with either size. I would be leaning towards the Small but both would work fine. For other boots, it would depend on the brand, but Medium might be a safer bet then.

     In terms of size of board, I would put you more on a 143, 144 for your specs. But since you’re used to a 149, then going longer than 143, 144 isn’t a bad idea. So you could still go 149 if you feel really comfortable with that, but I would be leaning towards going a little shorter, even if not down to 143, 144, which might be a big adjustment. If you’re going for the Infinity again, then I would be weighing up between the 145 and 147, and they would have a better width for your boot size, too, IMO.

     Hope this helps with your decision.

     Reply

7. Daniela says

   December 24, 2018 at 12:52 pm

   Hi Nate!

   I am beginnier/intermediate snowboarder. I just got a 150cm Rossignol Frenemy and am stuck trying to figure out which bindings to get. I mostly stay on groomers, starting to play in the trees a bit. I’m mostly torn between the NOW Vetta and something a bit more traditional like the Union Juliet. Looking for something comfortable, that compliments my board well and will allow me to progress more quickly. Thanks!

   Reply

   • Nate says

     December 25, 2018 at 10:55 am

     Hi Daniela

     Thanks for your message.

     I’m not that familiar with NOW bindings, but, based on specs, the Vetta would be a good flex match for the Frenemy. Otherwise, I can’t say much else about them.

     The Juliet are a solid, low cost choice. And they are what I would also consider a good flex match for the Frenemy. Board feel not amazing, and not up to the quality of something like the Trilogy, but certainly suitable for the Frenemy and what you’re describing. And the price is good.

     Hope this helps with your decision

     Reply

8. Caz says

   December 29, 2018 at 12:00 pm

   Hi Nate
   I am a beginner/intermediate snowboarder and a friend has given me his 157cm riot sqd 57 snowboard (waist 253mm, stance 570mm). I am 5ft 5″ and 58kg is this a sensible board for me to use, i have hired boards previously and dont’ know much about it. Would the Burton Scribe bindings be a good match? (I have Salomon Ivy boots size UK 6.5) . I mainly stay on piste, am starting to play around with some off piste and don’t go into the park at all.

   Thanks for your help!
   Caz

   Reply

   • Nate says

     December 31, 2018 at 2:01 pm

     Hi Caz

     Thanks for your message.

     Awesome that you’ve been given a snowboard, but unfortunately, IMO anyway, 157 is way too long for you. I would be looking more in the range of 143-145 for your specs/ability level. Width-wise it’s a good bit too wide as well, IMO. And you’re not likely to find that stance width comfortable either. You could take it out and try it, if you want, but my guess would be that you’re probably not going to get on well with it.

     Reply

9. Sioned says

   February 8, 2019 at 8:16 am

   Hi,

   Thanks for doing the review. I just bought the Union Trilogy bindings and they weigh 850 grams. About the same weight as my Burton Lexa Bindings. I’ve not ridden them yet, about to do some weeks touring in Niseko so will let you know!

   Reply

   • Nate says

     February 8, 2019 at 12:18 pm

     Hi Sioned

     Thanks for your message.

     Thanks for pointing out the weight there. Now that you mention this, I would expect the Trilogy to be on the heavier end of Union Bindings. Union bindings are usually very light, but the Force (men’s equivalent of the Trilogy) are the heaviest they have. I weighed the Force (medium) in at 900 grams (which was the same my Burton Malavitas). So the Trilogy at around 850 grams makes sense. I weigh with the disc and screws (which I’m guessing you did too?) and I believe Union weighs without disc and screws, but disc and screws are usually around 80 grams, from what I’ve weighed, so that would bring them back to 770 grams – and not the 650 grams they claim in the video. I would expect the Legacy and Milan to be lighter (based on the men’s equivalents). The other thing is that they could have used the weight of the smalls, rather than mediums, for the video – which size do you have?

     I have adjusted my comments to reflect this. Thanks for pointing it out – and I look forward to hearing what you think of them once you’ve had a chance to ride them.

     Reply

10. Shannon says

    February 11, 2019 at 8:22 pm

    Hi! So, I have snowboarded for awhile (6-7yrs) and had an injury and left the sport for a while (shoulder injury 2013). I decided to finally get back into it and killed my very old Salomon Poison bindings (from 2008) over the weekend… I think they were old and the ladder just didnt want to feed well into the track anymore and it cannot be replaced. Luckily, I still have solid S-turns 5-6 years later so I am so happy to be back riding again! However, I have realized that the tech of all things snowboarding has super progressed and I am now so lost lol. I currently ride my Forum Superstar 148cm (I am 5’6″, 122lbs.) and am in need of new bindings… just do not really know which ones to choose since I am sure any of these 5 is substantially better than my old Salomon’s… Since my injury, I do not plan to do any back-country-ing or crazy bowl/park riding, and want to stay mainly on groomed runs, maybe some powder as I ease back into the sport, and maybe some little baby jumps and tricks but nothing crazy. What do you recommend?

    Overall, I like a nice soft-medium flex… and am also going to upgrade boots since I have outgrown mines oddly. I rode on some Mint boas from Burton as a rental and liked them so I may be picking up a pair as well.

    And also, in your opinion, should I also just upgrade my board too if the boots and bindings are changing? I do not know anyone riding their boards after 10 years and usually upgrade… but it seems to be fine (just heavier than the current fancy boards) and I do still love it.. just wondering how much of a difference would be seen if I changed everything… or if the boots & bindings are enough to give me a solid ride. Thanks so much for your time!

    Reply

    • Nate says

      February 12, 2019 at 12:18 pm

      Hi Shannon

      Thanks for your message.

      If you’re still happy riding your board, then you could keep riding it for a while with your new boots and bindings and see how you feel. For a modern board, you could drop a couple of centimeters in length, but for something 10 years old, that’s probably a good size.

      In terms of bindings, yeah, anything from this list should be fine, maybe excepting the K2 Hue, just because it’s a touch stiffer, and it sounds like you like things a little softer. If you wanted to go for something softer than even the 5/10 bindings in this list you could also check out:

      >>Top Women’s Freestyle Bindings

      For boots, if you were to go a little softer bindings-wise, then I think the Mint could work, but if you were to go for a medium flex bindings, I would encourage you to also go for a medium flex boot. But if you want to keep things medium-soft, then the Mint should work fine. If you wanted to go more medium flex, then the Burton Ritual might be a better bet, if you wanted to stay Burton (which if you already know that the Mint fits well, then it might not be a bad idea).

      One more thing – if you go with Burton bindings, just make sure you pick the “Re:Flex” model. Burton have both “EST” and “Re:Flex” models, but the “EST” model only fit on Burton’s channel system boards.

      Hope this helps with your decision

      Reply

      • Shannon says

        February 12, 2019 at 4:53 pm

        Hi Nate,

        Thank you for your reply/time and thank you for such an in-depth response. I went ahead and looked at the freestyle binding list and looked at the ones you recommended, but decided maybe it would be best to stay in the med-flex arena and change up the boots. If I decide to get back into more freestyle riding, I will go for something softer but since I am stepping back into the sport, I will go with something a bit stiffer just in case.

        I looked up a bunch more reviews and found that everyone raves about the Union bindings so I may just order the Trilogy and hope they are not too advanced for me since they seem to be very responsive. I would say I am around a level 3-4 (I can manage my speed, stopping, and turning fairly easily on toe & heel… but I am still a bit nervous about speeding down a mountain right now esp. on uneven terrain).

        I will also look into the Burton Ritual boots as well. if you have any other recommendations there, I would love them as well. Thanks again for your time!

        Reply

        • Nate says

          February 13, 2019 at 3:04 pm

          Hi Shannon

          I think the Trilogy would work well for you, from what you’re describing.

          Boots-wise, for Burton options, if you wanted to stick with them, since you’ve tried their boots recently and they fit well, the following would work well with the Trilogy, IMO:

          – Burton Ritual (5/10 flex)
          – Burton Limelight (5.5/10 flex)
          – Burton Felix (6/10 flex) – though quite pricey

          If you wanted to look into some other brands too, check out:

          >>My Top Women’s Freestyle Snowboard Boots

          >>My Top Women’s All-Mountain Snowboard Boots

          Hope this helps

          Reply

          • Shannon says

            February 22, 2019 at 11:07 pm

            Hi Nate!

            Thank you so much for your time and reply! I finally got around to trying all the various boots on your lists and finally settled on the ThirtyTwo Lashed Double Boa today since they were the only boot that my heel felt actually secure in. I also liked the Burton Felix and Vans Encore Pro as alternatives but those seemed pricier for the same amount of amenities except the 32s came with that harness so I felt like I got an extra bonus for $40-90 less. I did notice the 32s were slightly stiffer but after a bit of adjusting, I was able to soften them to my liking.

            So, now, I am sort of torn between which bindings to get. I am unsure if I should pick up the Union Milans since they offer a little bit more flex or go with the Trilogies which are slightly stiffer… with the clearance sales, they end up only being $10-20 in difference. For the most part, I intend to stay out of wild park riding and on groomed runs but some baby park riding would be fun (like smaller boxes) when I get back to being more of a solid/higher intermediate rider. I feel like I should go with the Trilogy since they are supposedly the better but unsure if a 6 is too stiff? If you could advise me that would be wonderful. Thank you again for your time.

          • Nate says

            February 23, 2019 at 10:41 am

            Hi Shannon

            Thanks for the update – awesome that you’ve found new boots!

            The Lashed Double Boa are a little stiffer – I would say 6/10 flex, but 32 boots tend to break in fairly quickly and will feel a little softer after a bit of time riding on them. The Trilogies would be the best match, IMO, to the Lashed Double Boa – being around the same level of flex (can’t exactly match these things between boots and bindings, but roughly speaking). The Milan on the slightly softer side. They’re certainly not undoable to match with the Lashed Double Boa, but I think the Trilogies are the slightly better option.

11. Nicole says

    June 15, 2019 at 12:20 am

    Hey Nate,

    Love your work!

    I started getting into boarding last season and invested in a Yes Hel Yes with a pair of Nitro Monarch boots but I didn’t love the Nitro Lynx bindings I had last year. (I did cheap out on the bindings to be fair haha)

    I was tossing up between the Lexa’s, Escapades and Trilogy bindings also I’ve seen that the Hel Yes and Now Conda’s are often paired up.

    I’m intermediate and looking for something to advance in but still be comfortable!

    Any suggestions on what would suit the Hel Yes?

    Reply

    • Nate says

      June 17, 2019 at 12:02 pm

      Hi Nicole

      Thanks for your message.

      I think you’re on the right track with that list – and any one of those is going to work, IMO. But I think the Lexa, and the Union Legacy would be the best flex matches for the Hel Yes. And the Conda too.

      I hadn’t tested NOW bindings until the season just gone, so they’re new to me. But I did get on the NOW X Yes (men’s), which seems to be similar to the Conda. I haven’t published my review of them yet, but if you wanted to check out my review of the NOW Drive, it might give you some insights into NOW bindings in general, to help with your decision.

      >>NOW Drive Bindings Review

      But something like the Escapade or Trilogy could still work – they’re just a little softer flexing, but not far off. Still around the mid-flex.

      Hope this helps with your decision.

      Reply