I’ve been riding the same set of K2 Clicker snowboard bindings for 10 years, so was definitely time for a replacement. For one thing, Clickers and most other step-in bindings aren’t even being made anymore; people found they didn’t provide good transfer on control to the board. I didn’t have a problem with that so much as having them jam with snow & ice and the stiffer boots, which finally outweighed the click-in convenience.
Hitting up the shops in Whistler gave me the chance to demo a few pairs; just renting bindings may be the best deal in town at just $17 a day. The Flows interested me as another quick way to get in and out, with a single foot strap and fold-down back. But in practice I found I couldn’t get them to feel snug enough.
The Burton Customs felt better, and showed how far strap bindings have come. The toe cap strap and fast-release buckles made it much less of a burden. A bit of research back at the ranch revealed they were more of a freestyle binding, so I went with the stiffer Burton Cartels instead.
Boot-wise, I’ve gotten to be a big fan of the Boa cable system on my current boots. One twist of the knob - with your gloves still on - and you’re ready to rock the next run. I ordered a set of Vans Premise and Contra boots, plus the DC Torch. The Premise was stiff to the point of being uncomfortable; the Contra was much comfier and stylish. The Torch in ultimately won, though, with it’s dual Boa system, allowing you to adjust the upper and lower sections independently.
Buying at the end of season turned up some good deals, now I just have to wait a while to ride them. Unless I decide to jet down to Chile for some summer boarding…
