This list is made up of the 10 All-Mountain-Freeride snowboard bindings that we think are the best of what we've tested and rated the highest in our scoring system.
This category is made up of bindings with a minimum 6.5/10 flex and a maximum 7.5/10 flex. Aka mid-stiff bindings that are a little stiffer than middle of the road, but a little more forgiving than the stiffest bindings on the market.
All-Mountain Freeride Bindings Category Stats
Of the 21 current model all-mountain-freeride snowboard bindings that we tested:
OK, let's check out what made the Top 10 this year.
#10: Salomon Highlander
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 85.1/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Starting off the list at #10, we have the Salomon Highlander.
The Highlander is 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
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 20/25 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Ankle Support | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shock Absorption | 4 | 8/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 85.1/100 |
#9: Rome 390 Boss
Flex: Mid-Stiff (6.5/10)
Rating Score: 85.1/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
New to this year's list, the Rome 390 Boss grabs the #9 spot.
The 390 Boss is built on Rome's Full Wrap baseplate, which helps to give them a nice supportive feeling. These bindings really lack any weaknesses and performed at least above average in everything we test for.
>>See Full Review (review coming soon)
Score Breakdown for the 390 Boss
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 20/25 |
| Slow Speed Response | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Adjustability | 4 | 12/15 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 12/15 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shock Absorption | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 85.1/100 |
#8: Nidecker Supermatic
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 85.6/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Next up we have Nidecker's Supermatic bindings.
If you're looking for a speed entry binding, but haven't taken to any of the other speed entry systems on the market, the Supermatic are worth looking into.
The way their speed entry system works is my new favorite among speed entry bindings. And more importantly, IMO, they have great performance.
You can lay down some deep carves in these bindings but they've still got decent board feel. And they have really good absorption too to dampen those flat landings and chatter.
Score Breakdown for the Supermatic
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 20/25 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 12/15 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shock Absorption | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 5 | 5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 85.6/100 |
#7: Union Atlas
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 85.6/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
In at #7 we have the Union Atlas.
The Atlas are just an all-round quality set of bindings - with no 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. They don't have the same shock absorption as others on this list, but even that is still not bad.
Score Breakdown for the Atlas
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 20/25 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 12/15 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shock Absorption | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 85.6/100 |
#6: Jones Mercury
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 87.2/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
We revisited the Jones Mercury this year - and are very glad that we did. They surprised it with how nice they felt to ride with, especially compared to our pervious testing, which, while they were still nice bindings, they were high end for both carving and shock absorption, but were let down in other areas.
Now, though, they've feel a more well rounded pair of bindings. Their shock absorption, as Jones bindings (as well as YES (formerly NOW) tend to be, was still their strongest attribute, and their carving performance still high-end.
But their board feel, slow speed response and overall comfort have all stepped it up, making this now one of the best bindings in this flex range, in our opinion.
Score Breakdown for the Mercury
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 3 | 9/15 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 12/15 |
| Board Feel | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Shock Absorption | 5 | 10/10 |
| Comfort | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 87.2/100 |
#5: Burton Cartel X
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 87.8/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility (Re:Flex model): 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Compatibility (EST model): CHANNEL ONLY
Coming in at #5, we have the Cartel X, the bigger brother of the longstanding Cartel.
It's got some good upgrades from the regular Cartel, the most important, for this list, being that it's stiffer and harder charging.
All round just a really good binding.
Like all higher end Burton bindings, the Cartel X comes in both a Re:Flex and an EST version. We have outlined both scores below.
Note: The EST version can only be mounted to a snowboard that has the "Channel System". The Re:Flex version can be mounted to pretty much all snowboards (2x4, 4x4 and the Channel).
Score Breakdown for the Cartel X Re:Flex
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 20/25 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 4 | 12/15 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 12/15 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shock Absorption | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Comfort | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 87.8/100 |
Score Breakdown for the Cartel X EST
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 4 | 12/15 |
| Ankle Support | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Board Feel | 5 | 10/10 |
| Shock Absorption | 4 | 8/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 88.8/100 |
#4: Rome Katana
Flex: Mid-Stiff (6.5/10)
Rating Score: 88.8/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
At #4, we have Rome's Katana bindings.
They are the most adjustable binding I've come across - you can adjust literally everything on these bad boys - but aside from that, they have great board feel, shock absorption and response, making these one of the better buys, if you're looking for something with a flex just stiffer than medium.
Score Breakdown for the Katana
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 20/25 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 5 | 15/15 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 12/15 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shock Absorption | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 88.8/100 |
#3: Flux CV
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 89.4/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Next up we have Flux's CV bindings.
With the best ankle support in the industry, as Flux is known for, the CV offer a ton of carving response and despite their lower than normal shock absorption, they are still really comfortable. And that thinner footbed also creates some really decent board feel.
Score Breakdown for the CV
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Slow Speed Response | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Adjustability | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Ankle Support | 5 | 15/15 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shock Absorption | 3 | 6/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 89.4/100 |
#2: Union Falcor
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 90.4/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | CHANNEL
And in the #2 position, we have the Union Falcor.
The Falcor got a significant update for the 2025 model. In fact you could say that it got completely redesigned.
But it's still, at its core, got the same personality. A nice springy, explosive response and great board feel being two of the components that make these bindings some of the best you can buy.
The 2025 model, IMO, improved their board feel even more and their slow speed response also feels better, without loosing any of their carving performance or shock absorption.
So, if you’re looking for bindings that have a reasonable amount of stiffness, are nice and light, have great carving performance, are highly shock absorbing but at the same time still have awesome board feel then these are a great option.
Score Breakdown for the Falcor
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Ankle Support | 4 | 12/15 |
| Board Feel | 5 | 10/10 |
| Shock Absorption | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Comfort | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 90.4/100 |
#1: Flux XF
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 93.1/100
Price: View More Info and Current Prices at the links in the tabs below.
Compatibility: 2x4 | 4x4 | CHANNEL
Finally, in at # 1, a spot it has held for a good few seasons now, we have the Flux XF.
The XF are one of the best carving/turning 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, top tier 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
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 5 | 25/25 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Ankle Support | 5 | 15/15 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shock Absorption | 3 | 6/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 93.1/100 |
Thanks for Checking Out Our Top 10 All-Mtn-Freeride Snowboard Bindings
Thanks for checking out the list. Hopefully this has helped you to narrow down your binding choice.
Check out the links in the where to buy boxes (the ones with the flags) for prices, availability and more info on the bindings. And the full review links for more details on how we experienced each board.
Recent Comments