
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 5 Beginner Snowboard Bindings below.
This list is now updated for the 2019-20 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 28 different men’s bindings that I rated for suitability as beginner bindings:
NOTE: This is a past seasons top 5. For the latest season's Top 5 Beginner Bindings list, check out the link below:
>>TOP 5 BEGINNER BINDINGS (Latest Season)
OK let's get into the the top 5.
BEGINNER BINDING #5

Bindings: Arbor Hemlock
Price: $199
Smart rating score: 86.6/100
Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)
To start the list off in #5, we have the Hemlock from Arbor. One of just 2 bindings in Arbor's men's bindings line, the Hemlock are the softer counterpart to their other binding, the Cypress.
The Hemlock is nice and forgiving for beginners, but still has a quality feel to it - but still with a decent price-tag. The ratchets, which used to feel sticky have improved for the 2020 model.
Score Breakdown for the Hemlock
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
---|---|---|
FLEX | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
PRICE | 4.5 | 18/20 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 3.0 | 6/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 3.0 | 6/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 4/5 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 86.6/100 |
BEGINNER BINDING #4

Bindings: Flux DSL
Price: $265
Smart rating score: 86.6/100
Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10) - 1 being the softest and 10 being the stiffest
Next on the list, coming in at #4 we have Flux's DSL bindings.
The DSL were new for 2019 and continue in 2020 and are like a softer version of Flux's DL. They're still just a touch stiffer than the top 3 in this list, but still a very good flex for beginners - and the kind of binding that you can hold on to and use as a great freestyle to all-mountain-freestyle binding as you progress.
These are the most expensive in this list, so you'll need a reasonable budget for them, but the upside is that you get a step up in quality, whilst still getting a binding that's forgiving and maneuverable at slow speeds - and they are an investment, particularly if you want to get into freestyle riding as you progress.
Score Breakdown for the DSL
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 #3

Bindings: Burton Freestyle
Price: $149
Smart rating score: 88.7/100
Flex: Soft (2/10)
Coming in at #3 we have Burton's Freestyle bindings.
The price is right! - just $149 (USD)
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.
Not only that 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.
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 | 2.5 | 5/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 4/5 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.7/100 |
BEGINNER BINDING #2

Bindings: Burton Custom
Price: $199
Smart rating score: 90.3/100
Flex: Medium-Soft (3/10)
In at #2, we have the Burton Custom bindings.
Even though the Customs are more expensive than the Freestyle (and the next bindings on this list), they are still a good price for bindings – and for the price, these bindings are awesome value-for-money. I’m sure this is due, in part, to the technology from higher end bindings being passed down the line.
But more importantly than the price, these are comfortable, easy to use and adjust and have a nice forgiving flex with a consistent response.
Score Breakdown for the Custom
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
---|---|---|
FLEX | 5.0 | 25/25 |
PRICE | 4.5 | 18/20 |
COMFORT | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 3.0 | 6/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 4/5 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 90.3/100 |
BEGINNER BINDING #1

Bindings: Union Flite Pro
Price: $149
Smart rating score: 92.5/100
Flex: Medium-Soft (3/10)
And taking out the #1 spot again this year, we have the Union Flite Pros.
Like the #3 bindings on this list, the Union Flite Pros, are super low cost. 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 (just 760 grams per binding - by my weighing, with disc and screws) – if you can find a lighter binding at this price-point, I’d like to know about it!
Score Breakdown for the Flite Pro
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 | 4.0 | 8/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 4/5 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 92.5/100 |
Thanks for Reading
There you have it – that’s my top 5 men’s beginner snowboard bindings for 2019-20.
I hope this has helped you find the right bindings for you.
NOTE: This is a past seasons top 5. For the latest season's Top 5 Beginner Bindings list, check out the link below:
>>TOP 5 BEGINNER BINDINGS (Latest Season)
Buying Past Season Models
Even though all of these bindings are reasonably priced, if you’re looking to get an even better deal check out the past season model of each binding as you’ll be able to get them at a discounted price, if they’re not all sold out.
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