Snowboard bindings are a crucial component of your snowboarding setup, connecting you to your board and influencing your overall riding experience. They impact how connected you feel to the snow, the smoothness of your turns, and the ease of transitioning from edge to edge. Bindings come in a wide array of flexes, shapes, and constructions, ranging from rigid freeride designs to more forgiving, park-oriented options, and various entry and exit styles.
When evaluating snowboard bindings, several factors come into play, including:
- Flex: The rigidity of the highback and heel cup.
- Highback: The wing that supports the back of the leg.
- Baseplate: The part that attaches the binding to the board.
- Straps: Ankle and toe straps that secure the boot.
- Buckles: Ratcheting mechanisms for tightening straps.
Other considerations include materials, durability, ease of use and adjustability, and compatibility with your snowboard and boots.
Here, we delve into a detailed review of Burton's women's snowboard bindings, exploring their features, performance, and suitability for various riding styles.
Understanding Snowboard Binding Basics
Before diving into specific models, let's cover some fundamental aspects of snowboard bindings.
Read also: Stretch Slim Jacket Performance
Anatomy of a snowboard binding.
Riding Styles
Snowboard bindings are designed to cater to different riding styles:
- Freeriding: Surfing through powder or carving down groomed runs. Freeride bindings are typically stiffer and more aggressive.
- Freestyle/Park Riding: Hitting kickers, tabletops, and rails. Freestyle bindings are more flexible, allowing for greater mobility.
- All-Mountain Riding: A mix of groomers, off-trail powder, and park runs. All-mountain bindings offer a balance of stiffness and flex.
Flex
The flex of a snowboard binding determines its rigidity. A rigid flex provides stability and responsiveness, while a more flexible binding allows for greater mobility, ideal for park riding.
Components
Key components of a snowboard binding include:
- Baseplate: Attaches the binding to the board and can be adjusted to modify foot angle.
- Highback: Supports the back of the leg.
- Straps: Secure the boot to the binding, providing control and power.
- Ratcheting Buckles: Allow for quick entry and exit.
Entry Systems
Snowboard bindings come in different entry systems:
Read also: From Garage to Global: Burton's Story
- Traditional Strap-In: Two straps (ankle and toe) secure the boot. Offers the most adjustability but is slower to get into.
- Rear-Entry: The highback reclines backward for easy boot entry. Faster than traditional designs with some strap adjustability.
- Step-On: Requires specific snowboard boots that lock directly into the binding plate. It's a really quick system and hands-free, convenient on flat ground or at the ski area base before loading the lift.
Burton Step-On Bindings.
Most all-mountain snowboards are compatible with most snowboard bindings, but there are a few key factors to consider when rounding out your setup. When purchasing bindings, be sure that the size range is compatible with your board’s width.
Sizing and Compatibility
Bindings typically come in small, medium, and large sizes, accommodating a range of snowboard boot sizes. It's essential to ensure that the binding size is compatible with your boot size. Also, consider the attachment pattern of your snowboard bindings and ensure it matches your snowboard.
Tip: If you're between sizes, it's recommended to bring your snowboard boots to a local retailer to test the fit with the bindings.
Burton Lexa Re:Flex: A Detailed Look
The Burton Lexa Re:Flex is a popular choice among women snowboarders, known for its versatility and performance across various terrains. This binding is designed to provide a balance of control, comfort, and durability.
Read also: Choosing the Right Snowboard
Burton Lexa Re:Flex Snowboard Bindings.
Key Features
- Flex: Medium but responsive.
- Comfort: Very comfortable ankle strap.
- Adjustability: Easy to adjust.
- Boot Support: Provides a lot of support without feeling constricting.
- Shock Absorption: Great for dealing with hard, uneven snow.
The Burton Lexa Re:Flex binding is a sturdy binding with a medium-stiff flex that can take you anywhere on the mountain. These bindings provide a nice mix of control and comfort. The binding as a whole seems to be built to last.
Performance
- Turn Initiation: The edge-to-edge response is very good.
- Heel Lock: Keeps your boot in place, but you can feel the pressure on your boot the whole time.
- Shock Absorption: Great for dealing with hard uneven snow or for that horrible flat landing. It creates a nice barrier between your body and the gear under your feet.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
The Burton Lexa Re:Flex binding can ride all over the mountain, but can also be forgiving enough to play in the park. It has a medium but responsive feel to it. It has a heel lock that keeps your boot in place. But you can feel the pressure on your boot the whole time. Sometimes it is difficult to step out of the binding. They are tough bindings that can last for many seasons.
Historical Overview
- 2017 Burton Lexa: Well-liked among a broad range of snowboarders.
- 2015 Burton Lexa: Upgraded ratchets that are smoother and easier to use.
- 2014 Burton Lexa: Improved boot support with a larger ankle strap.
- 2012 Burton Lexa: Re:Flex Tech came to the Lexa binding.
Burton Escapade: Enhanced Comfort and Response
The Burton Escapade is another top-tier women's binding, known for its enhanced comfort, response, and overall performance. It's designed for riders who demand a high level of control and support.
Burton Escapade Re:Flex Snowboard Bindings.
Key features
- Comfort: High-end ankle strap, light, supportive and really comfortable.
- Auto Cant: Slight cant in the form of softer foam on the inner side of the bindings foot pad.
Performance
The Re:Flex Escapade 2012 also has a new base plate with a canted foot bed so you can line up your legs/hips/knees a little more naturally with your board. Both the EST and Re:Flex now have a larger asymmetrical strap that provides more support, a little easier turn initiation and the same or better comfort than the old strap.
Historical Overview
- 2014 and 2015 Burton Escapade Re:Flex: The all-around ride hasn’t changed much but the new ankle strap feels even better than the previous years.
- 2013 Burton Escapade: Burton also has what they call auto cant. The only issue is the Escapade has the new two part high back similar to the men’s Burton Genesis.
- 2012 Burton Escapade: In 2012 there is a lot of new stuff going on. The coolest thing to us is the Escapade went from a traditional disc binding to a Re:Flex bindings.
Snowboard Binding Buying Guide - What to know
Additional Binding Options
While the Burton Lexa and Escapade are excellent choices, here are a few other notable snowboard bindings:
- Rome Women’s Katana: A comfortable, malleable, all-around pair.
- Union Legacy: A stiffer build for enhanced support.
- Jones Aurora: An award-winning design.
- Season Meld: A versatile option.