Below are what I rate as the Top 5 All-Mountain Freeride snowboard bindings currently on the market. This list has been updated for the 2017-18 season.
See end of post to learn more about what I class as ‘all-mountain-freeride’.
As per usual at SnowboardingProfiles.com, each binding will be given a score out of 100.
Comparison Stats
Of 16 different all-mountain-freeride bindings that I rated:
- The average score was 79.8/100
- The highest score was 94.7/100 (see below)
- The lowest score was 56.4/100
- The average price was $283
NOTE: This list was for the 2017-18 season. For the latest Top 5 All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings List, check out the link below:
>>Latest Season’s Top 5 Men’s All-Mtn-Freeride Bindings
O.k. let’s get into the top 5!
All-Mountain-Freeride Binding #5
Bindings: Salomon Defender
Price: $279
Smart rating score: 81.9/100
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
The Salomon Defenders are the 2nd most affordable bindings in this list (after #4) and come in at well under the average price for this category of bindings.
But it’s not just price that the Defender bindings have going for them. They also have ample response for quick edge-to-edge transition, and they offer good boot support and are one of the easiest bindings around to adjust to get that perfect fit.
Check Out the Video Below for More Info
Score Breakdown for the Defenders
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Responsiveness: | 4.0 | 20/25 |
| Board Feel: | 3.0 | 9/15 |
| Adjustability: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Ankle Support: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Shock Absorption: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Comfort: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit: | 4.0 | 4/5 |
| Flex: | 5.0 | 5/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 81.9/100 |
All-Mountain-Freeride Binding #4
Bindings: Flux TT
Price: $200
Smart rating score: 84.0/100
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
The TTs are the cheapest binding on this list and come in well under the average price for this type of binding.
You get great response and an overall decent quality binding for a small price.
If you can handle a bit of a lack of shock absorption but want something with decent response, a low price-tag and something that will provide great ankle support, then the TTs are a great fit.
Check Out the Video Below for More Info
This video is for the 2017 model. The 2018 model features some upgrades, including a new honeycomb strap, which I personally think was a great improvement.
Score Breakdown for the Flux TT
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Responsiveness: | 4.0 | 20/25 |
| Board Feel: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Adjustability: | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Ankle Support: | 5.0 | 15/15 |
| Shock Absorption: | 2.5 | 5/10 |
| Comfort: | 3.0 | 6/10 |
| Entry/Exit: | 4.0 | 4/5 |
| Flex: | 5.0 | 5/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 84.0/100 |
All-Mountain-Freeride Binding #3
Bindings: Flux TM
Price: $285
Smart rating score: 92.0/100
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Flux are just good at making responsive bindings, IMO. And the TMs are no different. They might be a bit heavier and slightly softer flexing than their older brothers, the XF and XV, but the TMs are almost as responsive – and have that same board feel.
They are the top responding bindings on this list (along with #2 below).
If shock absorption is a big deal to you, and you don’t have high shock absorbing boots to compensate, then they may not be perfect for you, but otherwise these are a great choice for all-mountain freeride style riding.
Check Out the Video Below for More Info
This video is for the 2017 model, but most of it is still relevant. The 2018 model does have a new waffle strap in place of the honeycomb strap though.
Score Breakdown for the Flux TM
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Responsiveness: | 5.0 | 25/25 |
| Board Feel: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Adjustability: | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Ankle Support: | 5.0 | 15/15 |
| Shock Absorption: | 2.5 | 5/10 |
| Comfort: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Entry/Exit: | 4.0 | 4/5 |
| Flex: | 5.0 | 5/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 92.0/100 |
All-Mountain-Freeride Binding #2
Bindings: Union Falcor
Price: $329
Smart rating score: 93.6/100
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
The Falcor are the replacement in the Union line for the old T Rice. But they’re not just a name change – they’ve completely redesigned this binding.
One of the major upgrades, which makes this binding a step above the old T Rice, IMO – is that it has Union’s mini-disc. This improves the board feel of the Falcor over the T Rice and over other Union offerings for this category like the Atlas.
I’m big on board feel so that’s a big tick in my books – but even more importantly for this category, the Falcor’s have the best response (equal with the TM) on this list.
So, if you’re looking for bindings that have a good bit of stiffness, are super light, have great response and still have good board feel, then these are a great option.
Check Out the Video Below for More Info
Score Breakdown for the Falcor
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Responsiveness: | 5.0 | 25/25 |
| Board Feel: | 5.0 | 15/15 |
| Adjustability: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Ankle Support: | 3.0 | 9/15 |
| Shock Absorption: | 5.0 | 10/10 |
| Comfort: | 4.0 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit: | 4.0 | 4/5 |
| Flex: | 5.0 | 5/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 93.6/100 |
All-Mountain-Freeride Binding #1
Bindings: Burton Genesis X
Price: $449
Smart rating score: 94.7/100
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
The Genesis (the version without the X) also made my list of the top all mountain bindings. So it’s no surprise that it’s bigger, better older brother tops this list.
With more response than the Genesis but all else being just as high quality, the Genesis X scores well in every area that I rated.
They’re not the most responsive bindings on this list – but they’re still really responsive and they don’t have a single weakness that I could detect.
As with most Burton bindings, you can get the Genesis X in both a Re:Flex model and an EST model.
Check Out the Video Below for More Info
Score Breakdown for the Genesis X
Genesis X Re:Flex
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Responsiveness: | 4.0 | 20/25 |
| Board Feel: | 5.0 | 15/15 |
| Adjustability: | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Ankle Support: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Shock Absorption: | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Comfort: | 5.0 | 10/10 |
| Entry/Exit: | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| Flex: | 5.0 | 5/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 94.7/100 |
Genesis X EST
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Responsiveness: | 4.0 | 20/25 |
| Board Feel: | 5.0 | 15/15 |
| Adjustability: | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Ankle Support: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Shock Absorption: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Comfort: | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Entry/Exit: | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| Flex: | 5.0 | 5/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 91.5/100 |
Over To You
Thanks for reading and I hope this has narrowed down some great all-mountain-freeride binding options for you.
NOTE: This list was for the 2017-18 season. For the latest Top 5 All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings List, check out the link below:
>>Latest Season’s Top 5 Men’s All-Mtn-Freeride Bindings
Where to Buy, Current Prices and More Info
If you can find these bindings in the 2017-18 model, you should be able to get them at a considerably cheaper price than their MSRP and than the current model.
Check out the links below to see if you can find the bindings you’re after in a past model.
US STORES
CANADA STORES
NEW ZEALAND STORES
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