Snowboard Binding Mounting Instructions

Got your snowboard, got your snowboard bindings nicely wrapped in the box…now what? You can ask the shop you bought them from to mount your bindings (and maybe end up with a stance that you will only later on discover is not the best for you) or you can do it yourself. If you have never done it, it can seem complicated, if you do it all the time you can still learn something new – so how to mount your snowboard bindings?

Do you have the right bindings? 3×3 vs 4×4 vs Channel system

Burton 3x3 and normal 4x4 snowboard insertsFirst just check you have the right snowboard binding with system compatible to your snowboard inserts (inserts are holes in the top of your snowboard). If you have a Burton snowboard, the inserts on the board should have three hole pattern (3×3 system) or a channel. In 2014 I think only two Burton models don’t have Channel system so 3×3 is slowly dying out. Other boards companies use four holes (4×4 system).

 

Can you put non-Burton bindings on channel system board (EST)?

Originally the channel system only allowed Burton bindings (and of course bindings from other manufacturers that adopted the channel system but recently it has been improved and now non-Burton bindings do indeed fit on a Burton board featuring The Channel. I advise you to still check before buying if your board and bindings are really compatible. Also check the bindings are the right size for your snowboard boots.

And the other way around? Can you put EST bindings on normal snowboard?

The other way around is unfortunately not possible. You can NOT put EST bindings on a normal board. This might seem obvious, but if you are a beginner things can get confusing.

Can you put 3×3 on 4×4 and vice versa?

No, but all you need is a different center disc. Most of the snowboard bindings manufacturers include discs for both systems together with the bindings. If not, you can still ask in the shop if you can get one or as a last resort, you can return your bindings.

Mounting your bindings is pretty simple. Basically you just use the screws that came with your snowboard bindings and screw them into the holes on the top of your snowboard.

The “brain” part of the process are three basic measurements you need to decide on when you mount your bindings:

  • setback
  • stance width
  • angles

I suggest you read the stance adjustment article that will tell you everything you need to know about adjusting stance angles, width and setback. Useful stuff, really!

Step by step guide

OK, I hope you have read the stance article or that you know what kind of stance do you want to have. Before mounting bindings on your snowboard you should know:

  • Are you regular or goofy?
  • Do you need more setback than it is already in the snowboard?
  • Do you want to change your stance width?
  • What stance angles are you going to use?

Check, check, check & check? OK! From now on it is easy:

1. Get you bindings and put them on the snowboard

There is always a left and a right binding, it is obvious from the shape (if it is not written on the binding). If you are regular, put your left snowboard binding on the snowboard over the holes that are closer to the nose, put your right one over holes near the tail. If you are goofy do it vice versa (right binding – nose, left – tail).

2. Center each binding over the middle holes

Put them over the middle of each insert if you do not want to change your setback or your stance width. If you want to play with setback and stance width put them over different holes.

3. Put center discs with stance angle scale into each binding.

Zero angle must point towards the snowboard edge. The row of screw holes for each screw must be perpendicular to the snowboard edge.

4. Set your stance angles by turning your binding

Do not turn the discs you have just put in – turn the binding. Just watch the marker on the binding and the angle scale. Make sure you also try it with your boots in the bindings, so you can check for the boot overhang and adjust the angles accordingly.

5. Center your snowboard boot across the snowboard.

Put the boot into the binding and slide the binding back and forth from edge to edge. There is a row of screw holes to choose from in each disc (I warned you before). This is done after the stance angle is set – the angle affects how your boot is positioned. If you ever noticed that you drift one way when your back foot isn’t strapped in, you might not be centered over your snowboard.

6. Now screw in your bindings as tight as you can.

Screws are known for coming loose at the worst time possible. Lots of screws that come with the bindings have a little rubbery plastic on them that prevents them from coming loose. If you have problems, get new set of screws. Anyway, check and tighten your bindings every few trips up the mountain (hint: that is much easier in your room than on the mountain when the bindings are stuffed with snow and frozen solid).

That’s basically it. Your snowboard is ready to go.

There are a few more snowboard binding adjustments that you can do.

 

Snowboard BindingsAdjusting the straps

If the bindings are new or you are using them for the first time you might also want to adjust the straps:

  • Strap your snowboard boots into the bindings.
  • Check the straps. The straps should come together easily, and you should be able to tighten them down so your boot is snug. Is the cushion positioned over the middle of your boot? Is the strap to long or to short?
  • Adjust the straps. Most snowboard bindings have some sort of system that allows you to adjust your straps length and position (unscrew the strap and tighten in through another hole etc….).

When strapping in, tighten the straps so your boot is fixed and doesn’t move, but make sure it is still comfortable. To tight and you will limit blood flow – your feet will hurt, get tired and cold quicker. Bigger and anatomically designed cushions on the straps will distribute the pressure better.

Set you forward lean

What is forward lean? Forward lean is the amount of forward angle on the highback of the snowboard binding. More forward lean will give you better heel edge control and more power over it and it will push you in better riding position, too much forward lean will put lots of strain on your quads and you will get tired quickly and the board will be harder to turn. Try it and readjust, generally the forward lean is between 10 and 15 degrees.

Rotating highbacks

If your snowboard bindings are really adjustable you can rotate your bindings highbacks. You can make your heelside turning more responsive if you align your highback with the heel edge of the snowboard. If this is possible – do it!

That’s it, you bindings are set. If you have any questions, ask in the comments.

PS: If you like this guide please share it on FB/Twitter. Many thanks!

Join the Conversation

43 Comments

  1. says: admin

    Hi snowbunny, don’t worry. Girls snowboards are designed and manufactured with woman body in mind so the length and width of snowboard, snowboard flex and also inserts (stance width) are already adjusted. Otherwise the principles are the same. You could have some problems if you just took a smaller guys snowboard.

  2. says: Martyplay

    Hello I’v been snowboarding for 23 years and have worked in the indistry for 11, i probably set up over a 1000 board and one thing that no one mentions is that your boots a wet on the hill. Taking a wet rag and passing it over the boots will help the boots sit better in the heel-cuo and will allow for a better binding mount, this is a must with flow bindings.
    Thanks

  3. says: kofgregege

    do NOT tighten the screws as tight as you can. you will damage the lugs, and put outward pressure on base, which could cause de-lamination. Tighten them with some power, but don force it.

  4. says: zac reams

    i got a pair of Avalanche bindings from ebay for my Vision Snowboard but they didn’t not come with mounting screws. where could i get them online. i live in Iowa so there are no snowboarding shops near by so i would have to get them shipped

  5. says: jj

    this directions are okay but if you like terrain parkes these are set all wrong but perfect for just trails0;)

  6. says: matt

    somebody help!!!!i have a forum youngblood 155w and burton mission bindings…i wear a size 13 so i set the binding to the largest it can go.but when i try to mount them on the board with a 15 -15 stance there is room in the back of the binding but the front is slightly over the edge…what do i do? and is it alright if the 15 degree mark is lined up inbetween two hole instead of right on the hole?

  7. says: Chris

    My last 2 Burton boards have died due to failure between the screws & lugs. Over time the lugs (female attachment part of the board) has deteriorated to the point where the screws cannot be tightened The boards have been sent to snowboard heaven. Is there any way to prevent this? Is there a silicone or similar coating that can be applied to extend the life of the binding to board attachment?

  8. says: Ben

    I have ride bindings and im trying out all different stance setups. but the problem is that im not sure what is which. my mindings measure from 0 to 15 degrees and there are just dash marks for the other measurements. can someone tell me how much each dash marks degree is?

  9. says: george

    im using my brothers snowboard next week. hes same height, same weight and same foot size so none of thats a problem, but hes goofy and im regular so is it possible to rotate the bindings so they are good for me?

  10. says: pimp with a limp like a real old G

    ha ha ha ha i put my own bindings on. i havent snow boarded in like 3 or 4 years so i forgot how to put them on and now i remmember.
    :D:D.

  11. says: Adam

    This may sound kinda dumb, but I’ve had the same bindings for a good 3-4 year. They are burton triads that have had to deal with a lot of punnishment. How do I know when it’s time to get new bindings.:'(

  12. says: Cutiepie17

    My new snowboard bindings I just got came with washers along with the screws, is it okay if I don’t use the washers? It seems as though the screws are to short to screw in if I try to use the washers.

  13. says: mickey

    The slash marks are set at 3 degrees. If you wear a size 13 boot you should be on a wide board. A good shop can set you up with the mesurements and a proper fitting board from end to end. There are many differant widths.

  14. says: mickey

    Washers extend the seating area of the bolt and reduce the force applied to the area. May not sem like much but it adds up exponetional.

  15. says: mickey

    Use blue loctite and let them be. The inserts and bolts ae differant metals and do not expand and contract at the same rate. Do not overtighten, snug.

  16. says: Binding stance and angle

    So I went riding for 1 week and after my second day I started to experience knee pain on my back knee on the inside.
    I have my binding set at 15 front and 0 in back. The distance between bindings is 14in, but looks like my knee to heel distance is more like 17. Question is should I adjust the angle or make the stance wider?

  17. says: chris

    when bindings are attached to board they twist on board will tighten up. they are burton-preston bindings. is there any way to fix this problem.

  18. says: SurfMan

    Skiers and snowboarders clash on a ski resort with Rudy James (Jim Varney of Ernest fame) caught right in the middle. What results is the 1996 film Snowboard Academy.

  19. says: dotz

    …hey bought the new est burton mission bindings, dey dont have a little plastic viewing window with the degrees on it though like smoe est bindings do, they only have a hole to see the measurments on the board, how do you set the binding to the exact angle i want or will i have to purchase different base plates with a viewing window

  20. says: billy

    Ok these days everybody rides park if you live in the midwest. If you don’t that usually means you suck at snowboarding. One thing I wanna say . Tight pants wide stance is the gayest thing on earth. You ride park then put them bindings wide and shred like a ganster. thanks faggets .

  21. says: Lisa

    does anyone know how you set and fix the forward lean on burton stilettos? the little switch thing just spins around, it doesn’t actually ‘set’ anything.

  22. says: alaska

    No, it’s not different for girls! Why would it be? Attaching a binding to a board is universal. The board doesn’t know the difference.[b][/b]

  23. says: Wynne

    I’ve got a pair of this seasons missions. When I screw them onto my board (omatic boron) as tight as I can, the washers underneath still seem loose. I can move them about under the screw and don’t seem to be clamped down. The bindings seem to be really solidly stuck to the board though. Is this little bit of play in the washers normal?

    Thanks

  24. says: Marko

    i bought a new boots forum antenna 2011 and i have old burton mission bindings ….so i went skiing and the driving is not the same as before,plus my right leg is hurting me all the time (top of my foot)! help!!! what to do about the pain,and is it possible the bindings not to match with my boots and thats why my driving is difrent?
    thank you for your time
    p.s sorry for my english ;)

  25. says: Spicy

    ok i JUST got the GNU Park Pickle 2010, and it has better heel turns, because they shortened something, i forget, anyways i ride regular, but it looks like it only allows goofy, i would make the change, but i would like to ride regularm anything i can do?

  26. says: Shred

    Great guide. I used to get bad cramp in my rear thigh so I could never make it down whole runs without stops.

    After that I followed a similar guide to this – put some forward lean on, narrowed stance by 1 notch and made the highbacks parallel with the heel edge of the board. Since then I can go for hours without leg pain. Just a degree here or there can make a huge difference. If your angles are out you tend to overcompensate by leaning. In my case I was leaning on my back leg because my board didn’t feel stable riding flat.

    Everyone with their first setup should follow this gude and have fun finding the perfect angles rather than thinking they know it all (like I did) and suffering with the pain.

  27. says: Austin

    Ok I’ve been having problems with my front binding. I’m goofy footed and I’m sick of it. The mounting disc stays put but the binding itself will rotate. I don’t know what to do. I have no problem with the back binding. Just the front. HELP!!!!

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