Straps and Highbacks

While we’re talking customisation, the ankle straps can be switched round to fine-tune your ride. Just switch the left strap to the right foot and vice versa; the asymmetrical shape of the straps mean that you’ve now dialled back the support, freeing you up for surfier turns. Thanks to a new tool-free system, making the change is now easier than ever.

As for the ankle strap itself, it’s a single chunk of EVA polymer with close to zero stitching or glue to speak of. The resultant design has more longevity than that debunked rumour about Richard Gere and the gerbil, not to mention light and uber-comfy. Meanwhile the toe strap is grippy from day one, but will also mould to your boot over time.

The highback rises slightly higher on the inside of each foot, so as to better sit naturally against your legs while you’re strapped in. That’ll give you a bit of extra support where you need it, but it’s pretty soft overall.

“The highback rises slightly higher on the inside of each foot, so as to better sit naturally against your legs while you’re strapped in”

Roundup

We’ve mentioned the NOW Brigada’s freestyle credentials a lot, and for good reason – but the easy-going specs will suit a wide catchment of riders, and that’s even before you factor in the customisation options.

Even if you currently steer clear of the park, give this one a closer look. We reckon the NOW Brigada could be the ideal platform on which to build a more creative, spontaneous riding style, wherever you choose to make your tracks. Get a pair of these, and that rut you’re stuck in may soon be a distant memory.

“The Brigada was designed after the Brigade’s men’s freestyle binding and it is the women’s version, if you pay close attention you will see a heart in the design of the HB, this was intentionally done for spreading Love while rinding.”