Hello and welcome to my list of the Top 5 Freeride Snowboard Bindings. This list has been updated for the 2019/20 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.
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)
Comparison Stats
Of the 11 freeride bindings I rated:
Alright let’s get into the top 5!
FREERIDE BINDING #5
Bindings: NOW O-Drive
Price: $499
Smart rating score: 86.6/100
Flex: Stiff (9/10)
Starting off the list in #5 is the NOW O-Drive.
Really stiff and super responsive, the O-Drive is a great option for those hard chargers that want to bomb and carve aggressively.
They have next level shock absorption which comes from both the padding in the footbed and the "Skate Tech" hinge. Uncompromising yet comfortable and absorbs shock from landings and chatter better than most.
Score Breakdown for the O-Drive
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 5.0 | 35/35 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 3.0 | 9/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 5.0 | 10/10 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 2.5 | 5/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 86.6/100 |
FREERIDE BINDING #4
Bindings: Salomon Quantum
Price: $399
Smart rating score: 87.1/100
Flex: Stiff (8/10)
Next we have, at #4, the Salomon Quantums.
A nice stiff flexing binding to bomb the mountain hard and fast with.
These bindings will hold your boots nice and strong, have 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!)
Score Breakdown for the Quantum
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 5.0 | 35/35 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 8/10 |
COMFORT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 3.0 | 6/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 87.1/100 |
FREERIDE BINDING #3
Bindings: Union Ultra
Price: $449
Smart rating score: 87.1/100
Flex: Stiff (8/10)
In at #3 we have Union’s Ultra bindings.
The Ultra FC (which used to be in this list is no more) and hasn't really been directly replaced. The new Forged Force in the 2020 line is different enough to not be a direct replacement. The Ultra changed enough for 2020, to be moved into this category.
The 2020 Ultra features a stiffer base plate than it had in previous models and overall feels a little stiffer (I used to rate it 7/10 in flex).
The Ultra is one of those bindings that manages to combine great response with great board feel - and does it all with good shock absorption and in an overall very comfortable package.
Add good adjustability and ankle support to the mix and you have an all-round quality binding for charging hard.
Score Breakdown for the Ultra
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.5 | 31.5/35 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 8/10 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 9/10 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.5 | 9/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 87.1/100 |
FREERIDE BINDING #2
Bindings: Burton X-Base
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.
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.
Score Breakdown for the X-Base Re:Flex
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
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
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
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.
The XVs are light, stiff and just respond like a dream - without feeling like tanks at the same time.
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 XVs 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.
And they're cheaper than the average price of bindings of all the bindings I rated for this list, so they're great value for money too. They're not cheap in general, but for bindings in this category, they are one of the less pricey options.
Score Breakdown for the XV
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
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:
>>TOP 5 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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