Hello and welcome to my list of the Top 5 Freeride Snowboard Bindings. This list has been updated for the 2018/19 season.
Each binding is rated on its ability specifically as a freeride binding – not just rated generally as a binding. For example the likes of responsiveness is given higher importance than other factors.
As is custom at SnowboardingProfiles.com each binding is given a rating out of 100 based on several factors.
Comparison Stats
Of the 11 freeride bindings I rated:
NOTE: This is a past seasons top 5. For the latest season's Top 5 Freeride Bindings list, check out the link below:
>>Top 5 Freeride Bindings (Latest Season)
Alright let’s get into the top 5!
FREERIDE BINDING #5
Bindings: Salomon Quantum
Price: $349
Smart rating score: 86.0/100
Flex: Stiff (8/10)
The first bindings we’ll look at, in at #5, are the Salomon Quantums.
A nice stiff flexed binding to bomb the mountain hard and fast with.
These bindings will hold your boots nice and strong and are highly adjustable (so long as you’re not concerned with being able to adjust the forward lean), have pretty good shock absorption and enough comfort to keep you riding all day.
But mostly this binding is super responsive which is exactly what you want when you’re riding hard and fast and riding big mountain.
They come in at a reasonable price too (as far as freeride bindings go anyway!)
Check out the video below for more
Score Breakdown for the Quantum
FACTOR | rating (OUT OF 5) | contribution to final score |
|---|---|---|
Response | 5.0 | 35/35 |
Adjustability | 4.0 | 12/15 |
Ankle Support | 4.0 | 12/15 |
Shock Absorption | 3.5 | 7/10 |
Comfort | 3.5 | 7/10 |
Board Feel | 3.0 | 6/10 |
Entry/Exit | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 86.0/100 |
FREERIDE BINDING #4
Bindings: Union Ultra FC
Price: $549
Smart rating score: 87.6/100
Flex: Stiff (8/10)
In the #4 spot we have Union’s Ultra FC bindings.
These bindings might cost as much as a lot of snowboards – but you get something super high-tech for that money.
Lightness wasn’t a factor for the scores here, but if it was the Ultra FC would score the highest in that area - they are super light.
So if you’re looking for bindings that are not only super-responsive, comfortable, and providing of awesome board feel but are also super light (making your overall ride more snappy and nice when on the lifts, or hiking), then the Ultra FCs should be high on your list.
Check out the video for more
Score Breakdown for the Ultra FC
FACTOR | rating (OUT OF 5) | contribution to final score |
|---|---|---|
Response | 5.0 | 35/35 |
Adjustability | 4.0 | 12/15 |
Ankle Support | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
Shock Absorption | 3.5 | 7/10 |
Comfort | 4.0 | 8/10 |
Board Feel | 4.5 | 9/10 |
Entry/Exit | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 87.6/100 |
FREERIDE BINDING #3
Bindings: Flux TM
Price: $285
Smart rating score: 89.2/100
Flex: Stiff (8/10)
Flux are just good at making responsive bindings, IMO. And the TMs are no different. They might be a bit heavier and ever so slightly softer flexing than their older brother, the XV (see #1), but the TMs are almost as responsive – and have that same board feel.
The TMs are the cheapest on this list by a good margin too. So, if you're looking for this type of binding at a reasonable price (almost $100 cheaper than the average price), then look no further.
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 if you're looking for a stiff, responsive bindings with great ankle support.
Check Out the Video Below for More Info
This video is for the 2017 model, but most of it is still relevant. The 2018 & 2019 models do have a new waffle strap in place of the honeycomb strap though.
Score Breakdown for the TM
FACTOR | rating (OUT OF 5) | contribution to final score |
|---|---|---|
Response | 5.0 | 35/35 |
Adjustability | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
Ankle Support | 5.0 | 15/15 |
Shock Absorption | 2.5 | 5/10 |
Comfort | 3.5 | 7/10 |
Board Feel | 3.5 | 7/10 |
Entry/Exit | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 89.2/100 |
FREERIDE BINDING #2
Bindings: Burton X-Base
Price: $549
Smart rating score: 90.3/100
Flex: Stiff (9/10)
Coming in, in the #2 position is the Burton X-Base!
If you really have no issues with how much you spend on your bindings, then the X-Base are going to be one of the ultimate freeride bindings.
But a warning – these things don’t come cheap!
Super light weight, hyper responsive and not a weakness in sight.
If you’re looking for something to really bomb down the mountain and need something that responds super-fast and can handle the stiffest, most aggressive boards, the X Base is that binding.
On top of that, the X Base have really awesome board feel too, so that you can have your bindings flexing naturally with your board.
The X-Bases comes in both Re:Flex (for standard 4 hole binding mounting systems) and EST (to fit Burton’s Channel system). The EST will have a sightly different feel due to the way it mounts to the board.
Check out this video for a few more details
This is for the EST model. Most is still relevant but there are some differences.
Score Breakdown for the X-Base Re:Flex
FACTOR | rating (OUT OF 5) | contribution to final score |
|---|---|---|
Response | 5.0 | 35/35 |
Adjustability | 4.0 | 12/15 |
Ankle Support | 4.0 | 12/15 |
Shock Absorption | 4.0 | 8/10 |
Comfort | 4.0 | 8/10 |
Board Feel | 4.5 | 9/10 |
Entry/Exit | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 90.3/100 |
Score Breakdown for the X-Base EST
FACTOR | rating (OUT OF 5) | contribution to final score |
|---|---|---|
Response | 5.0 | 35/35 |
Adjustability | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
Ankle Support | 4.0 | 12/15 |
Shock Absorption | 3.0 | 6/10 |
Comfort | 3.5 | 7/10 |
Board Feel | 5.0 | 10/10 |
Entry/Exit | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 89.2/100 |
FREERIDE BINDING #1
Bindings: Flux XV
Price: $395
Smart rating score: 91.9/100
Flex: Stiff (9/10)
And, finally, the #1 spot goes to Flux’s XV bindings.
These are like TMs – but another step up in quality – lighter yet stiffer, we’re getting into some serious space age stuff here. You do pay more for them than you do for the TMs but they’re still only just above the average price for freeride bindings, so still completely reasonable for what they are.
If you you like to ride hard and aggressive and need something that can power a stiff and aggressive board, and don’t want to compromise on stiffness and response then the XV might be your ultimate bindings.
Typical of Flux bindings, the SVs have an extremely firm locked-in feel with great ankle support. Add to that great comfort and a lot of tool-less adjustability and you have the near perfect freeride binding.
Whilst they may lack somewhat in shock absorption, these babies more than make up for it for that rider looking for the ultimate in response and support.
Check out the video below to learn more of the technical stuff!
This video is for the 2016/17 model. Most of which is still relevant but there have been some upgrades (like the Waffle ankle strap for 2018 & 2019 models and an improved toe strap for the 2019 model). Once I find a newer video, I’ll put it up here.
Score Breakdown for the XV
FACTOR | rating (OUT OF 5) | contribution to final score |
|---|---|---|
Response | 5.0 | 35/35 |
Adjustability | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
Ankle Support | 5.0 | 15/15 |
Shock Absorption | 2.5 | 5/10 |
Comfort | 4.5 | 9/10 |
Board Feel | 4.0 | 8/10 |
Entry/Exit | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 91.9/100 |
Thanks for reading
So that’s my Top 5 Freeride bindings. I hope this has been helpful in your search for bindings.
NOTE: This is a past seasons top 5. For the latest season's Top 5 Freeride Bindings list, check out the link below:
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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