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Best Snowboard Bindings For 2020-2021 | Our Pick of the Top Snowboard Bindings

Whether you're cruising round the mountain or tweaking out in the park, here's our roundup of this season's best snowboard bindings

Which is the best snowboard binding on the market? It’s a bit of a tough question to answer considering all the factors that come into play. Bindings are an extremely important part of your set up, they’re the critical interface between you and your snowboard, but often find themselves somewhat overlooked. Our Test Team has been out and about over the winter, testing and researching to find our favourites.

“They’re the critical interface between you and your snowboard”

You want to be choosing a snowboard binding that matches the rest of your set up, and no- we don’t mean the colour. If you’re riding a mega aggressive carbon infused charger, it doesn’t make sense to put a super soft binding on it, you just won’t get the response and control you’re looking for. Conversely if you’re a mellow jib kid looking to tweak and poke, you’ll be better suited to a softer flexing model to garner a larger field of motion and a more playful feel.

After you’ve sorted the flex, the fit is your next port of call, you want to make sure that your boot sits snug inside. This is where the bindings adjustability comes into play, most on offer these days can be customised for fit. Whether that’s the toe ramp, straps, heel cup or highback rotation, you can personalise your binding to make sure it’s good for you.

You can personalise your binding to make sure it’s good for you

Comfort is king, and once you’ve sorted out a pair of boots that fit you, you can start to look at the merits of bindings. Do you want cushy foam and plush padding or minimalist design with stripped back lightweight straps? It’s worth considering your end goal when building your set up, which aspect of riding are you prioritising?

Whether you’re looking for a budget binding to dial in your first turns, or a high-tech feat of engineering that’ll make a Tesla blush, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve spent months out in the mountains putting a buttload of binders through their paces to narrow down this list, and present to you our pick of the best snowboard bindings for 2020/21.

Best Freestyle Snowboards 2020-2021


Union Atlas Snowboard Binding 2020-2021

Whitelines Choice Winner: Best Men’s Snowboard Binding
PRICE: £270 / $330
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Union’s buzzword has always been ‘stronger’, but this season the Atlas is on a whole other level. This is the Atlas you know and love, but it’s come back from summer break with a serious steroid addiction and new Herculean physique. The binder of choice for both Arthur Longo and Kazu Kokubo, the Atlas’ are your big mountain ballbusters.

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 Union Atlas here

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Burton Lexa X Women’s Snowboard Binding 2020-2021

Whitelines Choice Winner: Best Women’s Snowboard Binding
PRICE: £260 / $300

The Burton Lexa has long been heralded as one of the best women’s snowboard bindings ever made. It’s a long-time team and fan favourite, and this year Burton have gone back to the drawing board to release the Lexa X- its supercharged big sister. The Lexa you know and love, with a few choice upgrades to bolster on snow performance and deliver a more aggressive ride.

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  • Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 Burton Lexa X here

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    Bent Metal Axtion Snowboard Binding 2020-2021

    Best for: Riders who are fanatical about sliding sideways
    PRICE: $270

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    Aristotle once said “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” and we think his concept of Holism applies quite well here. On paper you’ve got a whole mess of ratchets, buckles and moving parts (albeit premium ones) that are seemingly innocuous when they’re alone but put them together and you’ve got a world class binding capable of taking you through the gnarliest terrain on the planet. New for 2020/21 the Bent Metal Axtion are a high-performance all-mountain option built to tackle anything and everything you throw their way.

    Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 Bent Metal Axtion here

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    Bent Metal Forte Women’s Snowboard Binding 2020-2021

    Best for: An all-mountain maverick
    PRICE: $290

    The Bent Metal Forte is your one binding to do it all. A versatile midflex pairs with durable construction to create a binding that’s comfortable from first lifts until last, day after day, all season long. The Forte is a new addition to the team, but already has the air of a well versed classic.

    The dictionary defines the term ‘Forte’ as: “A thing at which someone excels”. The crew at Mervin MFG have been in the biz for over three decades, manufacturing top notch snowboard gear and pushing for more sustainable production methods. You could argue that this is, quite literally, their forte.

    Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 Bent Metal Forte here

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    Burton Cartel X Snowboard 2020-2021

    Best for: Those looking for all-terrain versatility in a sleek new package
    PRICE: €390
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    XZibit, X rated movies, Xylophones. All the best things in life have the ‘X’ treatment. New for 2020/21 Burton have taken their OG Cartel and suped it up to give you an exhilarating ride with an exquisite look at exceptional value for your money. All the ingredients you know and love from your classic Cartels with a brand new upgraded highback for a more powerful, responsive and precise feel.

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  • Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 Burton Cartel X here

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    Flow Fenix Snowboard Binding 2020-2021

    Best for: Those who love convenience
    PRICE: £200 / $220

    Like John Bender in the 1985 cult classic ‘The Breakfast Club’, Flow Bindings seem to have a bit of a misunderstood reputation. And that’s fine, horses for courses and all that jazz, but for those who prioritise speedy entry with a hassle-free interface then the Flow Fenix does the business at a super wallet friendly price.

    Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 Flow Fenix here

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    Jones Mercury Snowboard Binding 2020-2021

    Best for: They suit all-mountain chargers as much as sidecountry surfers
    PRICE: £315 / €350 / $350

    You only need to cast your mind back a couple of seasons to a time when Jeremy had his own signature snowboard bindings from NOW. While the patented SkateTech remains present on both the Mercury and Apollo models, the finer details of his own brand binders are unmistakably that of the Jones school of thought. The Mercury is the most versatile, mid-flexing and all-mountain friendly of two, offering riders the choice of dialling up the freeride functionality or letting the surf-inspired tech do its thing.

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  • Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 Jones Mercury here

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    Nidecker Kaon-X Snowboard Binding 2020-2021

    Best for: An entry level price tag, but seasoned vet performance
    PRICE: $200

    As usual, Nidecker have brought their A Game with the Kaon-X, it’s a specc’d down little sibling to their premium Kaon-CX. Sharing much of the same DNA, this is the option for those who don’t want to blow their whole budget on a pair of bindings but refuse to compromise on quality.

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  • Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 Nidecker Kaon-X here

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    NOW Pilot Snowboard Binding 2020-2021

    Best for: All-mountain versatility with SkateTech construction
    PRICE: £269 / €300 / $300

    If you’re new to Now bindings and looking for their most versatile potion, here’s your answer. The Pilots can step up to the plate for confident and aggressive all-mountain riders, but they don’t need to be all about gunning it down the mountain to get the most out of them. Sitting right in the middle of NOW’s binding range the Pilot’s are primed for takeoffs, landings, and cruising at altitude.

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  • Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 NOW Pilot here

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    NOW Pro-Line Snowboard 2020-2021

    Best for: They’re soft flexing, but it’s hard to beat this price
    PRICE: £180 / $200

    New for 2020/21 the NOW Pro-Line is the latest in JF Pelchat’s revolutionary binding line up. The softest binding in the NOW men’s range, the Pro-Line is ideal for novice riders or those who prioritise a mellow and playful feel and don’t fancy shelling out tons of cash.

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  • Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 NOW Pro-Line here

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    Ride C10 Snowboard Binding 2020-2021

    Best for: Big chargers and aggressive riders
    PRICE: £300 / €350

    After a complete overhaul of their bindings for 2020/21, the Ride catalogue now reads like a weird game of battleships; C6, A4, BOOM! All jokes aside, it’s actually a much more streamlined system. You choose which chassis you want, C-Series or A-Series, and then pick how stiff you want them to be. Nice and easy. The Ride C10 is the mac daddy of the bunch, the stiffest and most performance oriented of its C-Series brethren, and it’s one of our favourite new additions to the market this season.

    Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 Ride C10 here

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    Rome Guild Women’s Snowboard Binding 2020-2021

    Best for: Recreating surfy turns on the white waves
    PRICE: $290

    Rome went back to the drawing board this season for a complete overhaul of their entire line, no mean feat considering the sheer number of products with a Romo logo on them. We’ve always had a soft spot for the Guild, but after a few tweaks and pokes from the Rome R&D team, it’s cemented as one of our absolute favourite women’s bindings on the market.

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  • Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 Rome Guild here

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    Rome Cleaver Snowboard Binding 2020-2021

    Best for: Ståle fanboys
    PRICE: £350 / $430

    Narrowing down which of Stale’s Sandbech’s pro model snowboards to buy this season will be made all the easier when you know you don’t have to then worry about what bindings to pair with them. His all-new Cleaver bindings are the perfect accoutrement to any his three decks, highlighting their versatility for park, powder and all-mountain riding alike. These things are – much like the man himself – completely insane in terms of just what they’re capable of doing when attached to a snowboard.

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  • Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 Rome Cleaver here

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    Rome 390 Boss Snowboard Binding 2020-2021

    Best for: Jib kids and park rats
    PRICE: £220

    When it comes to freestyle, the number 390 tends to conjure up images of a textbook scorpion or heel edge catch straight into the blood wagon. In the case of Rome’s 2021 bindings range, however, the 390 Boss muscles its way in with the big boys and, frankly, shows most of them up. This is a powerhouse of a freestyle binding at a price that pales in comparison to much of the competition. As one of the mainstays and best sellers in Rome’s line, these bindings remain true to their park origins, though there are a few tweaks and redesigns to keep things fresh.

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  • Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021Rome 390 Boss here

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    Salomon Hologram Women’s Snowboard Binding 2020-2021

    Best for: All-mountain mavericks
    PRICE: £270 / €300 / $300

    BUY DIRECT FROM SURFDOME
    The Salomon Hologram is a mid-flex freestyle focused binding built to provide comfort and performance for riders who want to shred the whole mountain from dawn till dusk.

    The Shadow Fit Baseplate creates a natural lightweight feel and connection between your boot, binding and snowboard. The heel cup is completely malleable allowing you to style out your riding without any restrictions. So whether that’s getting stuck into a eurocarve, dropping into a pow line through the trees or tweaking out a method, you can get on with your riding without thinking about your binding holding you back.

    Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 Salomon Hologram here

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    Salomon Highlander Snowboard Binding 2020-2021

    Best for: Riders looking for a pro level interface
    PRICE: £310 / $350/span>

    BUY DIRECT FROM SURFDOME

    The Highlander is Salomon’s high-end all-mountain binder, taking their tried and tested features and blending them with their futuristic construction methods. The Highlander will appeal to anyone from intermediate level all the way up to signed pro. If you prioritise incredible board feel and powerful response with a playful twist, then feast your eyes on these badboys.

    Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 Rome Cleaver here

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    Spark R&D Surge Splitboard Binding 2020-2021

    Best for: Bombproof construction, lightning response and lightweight design
    PRICE: $415

    If ever there was an arena for the words “bombproof”, “lightweight”, “durable”, “responsive” and “powerful” to parade around without so much as an ounce of concern for their actual meaning, then the snowboard industry must be it. Y’know what though, if ever there was a binding truly deserving of such adjectives, it would have to be the Spark R&D Surge splitboard bindings. They’ve won before, we’ve tested more bindings since, and they’ve come back around into the Whitelines 100 shortlist. While we’re yet to set the explosives on them, we can certainly attest for all other attributes.

    Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2020-2021 Spark R&D Surge here

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