For a truly comfortable binding, it’s essential to customise the fit. Start with the toe ramp, sometimes known as the gas pedal.
This moves forwards or backwards, ensuring the sole of the boot matches the footbed with minimal overhang. Setting this correctly provides better power transmission into your toe edge.
Some bindings, like this pair from Rome, allow you to adjust the heelcup in a similar way. Set it so that your boot sits evenly across the footbed.
Before attaching your bindings to the board, you need to adjust the angles by rotating the disks – see our episode on setting up your stance for more info.
Use the slots in the disk to fine-tune your width before screwing them down.
Your ankle strap should be positioned over the centre of your boot when tightened up. If you’re struggling to engage the ratchet and there’s not enough padding on the outside of the boot, release the tab on the other side and lengthen the strap. Some bindings have screws and holes that do the same job.
Likewise, if you can’t get the ankle strap tight enough, then you can simply shorten it.
The toe strap works in just the same way. Place your boot in the binding and adjust the length until it feats neatly over the end when tightened.
Most toe straps are can also be moved forward and back one notch depending on the exact size of your boot.
Once your bindings are on the board, look down at the highbacks from above. It’s generally more comfortable for the highback to be in line with the board.
This can be done by loosening the screws on either side and then rotating. Each highback will probably require a different level of adjustment depending on your angles.
Finally, all bindings enable you to change the forward lean. This is the amount of built in angle on the highback, adjusted via a block on the back.
More forward lean results in faster response on the heel edge and is usually favoured by pipe riders and aggressive carvers. It can feel uncomfortable if you’re not used to it, so only add a negligible amount to start with to see if you like it.
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