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 2020-21 season.
As per usual at SnowboardingProfiles.com, each binding will be given a score out of 100.
NOTE: This is a past seasons top 5. For the latest season's Top 5 All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings list, check out the link below:
>>TOP 5 ALL-MOUNTAIN FREERIDE BINDINGS (Latest Season)
Comparison Stats
Of 16 different all-mountain-freeride bindings that I rated:
O.k. let’s get straight into the top 5!
ALL-MOUNTAIN-FREERIDE BINDING #5
Bindings: Arbor Cypress
Price: $264
Smart rating score: 84.6/100
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Starting off the list at #5, we have the Arbor Cypress.
The Cypress are a solid choice, with great adjustability and good all-round quality, wrapped in a really reasonable price-tag.
Score Breakdown for the Cypress
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.0 | 24/30 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 7/10 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 84.6/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN-FREERIDE BINDING #4
Bindings: Salomon Highlander
Price: $349
Smart rating score: 85.1/100
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
In at #4, we have the Salomon Highlander.
The Highlander was new for 2020 and returns for 2021. It's an impressive binding that has that knack for hard, deep carves at speed, but is also really manageable at slower speeds.
Whilst there isn't any mini-disc or anything like that, the Highlanders also have really good board feel - part of that might be down to the flexible heel loop.
Whatever it is that makes this binding tick, it's got a great combination of all the factors that I tested for, for an all-round, comfortable, fun, yet responsive binding.
Score Breakdown for the Highlander
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.0 | 24/30 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 8/10 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 85.1/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN-FREERIDE BINDING #3
Bindings: Union Atlas
Price: $329
Smart rating score: 85.6/100
Flex: Medium-Stiff (6.5/10)
At #3, we have the Union Atlas.
The Atlas are just an all-round quality set of bindings - with no real weaknesses - and importantly for this category, have great responsiveness.
But they're also highly adjustable, compatible with pretty much every board out there, out of the box, and are really comfortable and damp. They don't have the same board feel as others on this list, but even that is still not bad.
The Atlas has been completely rebuilt for 2021, but still retains it's overall feel, functionality and personality.
Score Breakdown for the Atlas
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.0 | 24/30 |
BOARD FEEL | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 8/10 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 85.6/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN-FREERIDE BINDING #2
Bindings: Flux XF
Price: $300
Smart rating score: 93.1/100
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
At #2, we have the Flux XF.
The XF are one of the best bindings out there, IMO.
The XFs achieve that elusive balance of being super responsive, but without being unforgivingly stiff and still easy to manage at slower speeds. They also provide great board feel, great ankle support and are highly adjustable.
They give up a bit of shock absorption but apart from that they are about the perfect all-mountain-freeride binding.
Score Breakdown for the XF
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 5.0 | 30/30 |
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 | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93.1/100 |
ALL-MOUNTAIN-FREERIDE BINDING #1
Bindings: Union Falcor
Price: $349
Smart rating score: 94.1/100
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
And finally in the #1 spot, we have the Union Falcor.
I’m big on board feel and the Falcor has awesome board feel – but even more importantly for this category, the Falcor’s have the best response (equal with the XF) on this list. And that response is explosive and lively.
So, if you’re looking for bindings that have a reasonable amount of stiffness, are super light, have great response and still have awesome board feel (and score well in all the other important factors too), then these are a great option.
Score Breakdown for the Falcor
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 5.0 | 30/30 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 8/10 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 9/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 94.1/100 |
Over To You
Thanks for reading and I hope this has narrowed down some great all-mountain-freeride binding options for you.
NOTE: This is a past seasons top 5. For the latest season's Top 5 All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings list, check out the link below:
>>TOP 5 ALL-MOUNTAIN FREERIDE BINDINGS (Latest Season)
Buying Past Season Models
Often models don't change that much from year to year so if you can find a past season model, it will likely be close enough to the latest model but you can get it cheaper, if available and in a suitable size for you. For past year's models check out the links below to see if they still have any left.
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