How to Mount Bindings on Your Snowboard?
Are you wondering how to mount the snowboard bindings on your snowboard? Or what your best stance on the snowboard is? Are you still experimenting? The explanation below might help you get started. Attaching your bindings to your snowboard is not that difficult, but finding the best stance that suits your riding style and/or your snowboard is another story. Finding your natural posture may require some experimenting, but once you understand the basics, you should be able to determine it fairly quickly.
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Are you regular or goofy on your snowboard?
If you're new to snowboarding, it starts with choosing whether you are regular or goofy. In other words, are you left- or right-footed? In most cases, the foot of your dominant leg is the rear foot. You can also ask yourself: Which foot do you use to kick a ball? Or which foot do you use to climb stairs? The answer to these questions is probably your rear foot. (This rule doesn't apply to me personally).
How far apart should you place the bindings on your snowboard?
How far apart you set the bindings plays a crucial role in your balance and turning ability on a snowboard. There are different theories about the ideal width of a stance. The right width depends on your personal preference. Freeriders and park boarders usually prefer a wider stance for added balance and the ability to bend their knees deeper. As a general guideline, you can measure the distance from the center of your knee to the ground. This distance is the minimum width you should use. If you are a beginner, you can go 2cm wider. If you are a technical rider who bends their knees deeply, go 4cm wider.
Most snowboards have a reference stance indicated at the inserts (screw holes). If you want to go wider, it is recommended to move both bindings outward. This way, the snowboard maintains its intended performance. Check out the best snowboards from our latest collections here.
At what angle should you mount the snowboard bindings?
The angles at which you mount the snowboard bindings on your snowboard play a significant role in how you can move your body over the board. The binding of the front foot should be angled toward the nose of the board. The disc, which you use to screw the binding onto your board, indicates degrees. Usually, it ranges between 0-30 degrees in two directions. A positive angle means that the binding is pointing toward the nose of the board. Most boarders set the front binding at +15-21 degrees, which is ideal. If you are a serious racer or carver, you can set the front binding slightly more angled. This way, you can turn your hips even more.
The angle of your rear binding depends on your riding style and anatomy. Most freestylers use a negative angle, which means pointing the rear binding toward the tail. This is also known as a Duck Stance.
Carvers usually ride in a "double positive" stance, with both bindings pointing toward the nose of the board.
Changing your stance for riding in powder snow.
When there's a lot of snow, and you want to ride in powder, it's important to keep the nose of your snowboard "floating." You can move the bindings backward so that your board creates more float because the nose becomes longer, and the tail becomes shorter. Move both bindings 2-5 cm backward. This is also called a set-back.
Still have questions after reading this article? Feel free to contact us or visit the #1 Snowboard shop.
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