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Should I get new bindings?

2K views 15 replies 7 participants last post by  jae 
#1 ·
I am currently using Burton Stiletto bindings (M) with Burton Starstruck boots (7.5) on an Arbor Poparazzi (144). The boots don't fit me right so I am going to be buying size 6 Ruler Wides once they are available. I was hoping to get away with using my current bindings to save some money, but if I need new bindings I want to try to buy in the off-season to save some money. I contact Burton on whether this set up would be compatible and I got this as a response:

I called our boot and bindings developers on this one. They said that you can get away with a Ruler wide sz 6 in a women's medium binding but it is going to be pretty snug in the heal. You may have some trouble stepping in and out of the bindings and have a bit of pressure on your heal. It is do-able though, if you are ok with these things, go for it!
To me that sounds like technically it will work, but maybe not particularly well. Any opinions on this? I was thinking of buying a pair of bindings from Evo or REI since I would be able to return them once I got the boots if they don't work. The other option is there is a big used and new gear sale in early November but I don't know if the deals and selection will be any better than right now.

As far as looking through different mens binding options online the different options are kind of overwhelming, saying that I only picked my current bindings because they were cheap beginner bindings. Currently I would say I'm an intermediate, and ideally I would want bindings that aren't too responsive to cause issues when I'm learning, but would still be good once I progress more. Mostly riding groomers, having fun trying to do some ground tricks, but I want to give the park a try once I'm good enough. Also, since I'm am a smaller (5' 150lbs), woman should I go for a softer binding? Any suggestions?
 
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#4 ·
Fair enough, if that's what you measure on a Brannock, then that's that.

To answer your question then, yes, you will need small mens bindings. A wide mens boot will almost certainly not fit in a womens binding.

I would look at NOW (anything with Hangar 2.0) and Flux. Both have generally lower highbacks and wider fits.
 
#5 ·
It looks like from those 2 brands the Now IPO and Flux TT are available in small and within my budget (trying to stay under $200 as much as possible). The Now select are available in small but are a bit more expensive than I was looking for. Any opinion on those 2 or any other bindings/brands anybody would suggest? Any brands that I might want to stay away from?
There is a big sale here in late August that is all new gear, and another in early November that is a mix of used and new gear. I'm tempted to wait until those to see if I can get a better deal, but I tend change my mind at the last minute when I go to an actual shop or sale so I want to educate myself as much as possible so I don't make a bad mistake.
 
#7 ·
If you're going to go with Now's (great bindings btw), I would go with the pilots as they have a wider heel cup. I've tried a friends selects and they killed my feet as they were too narrow, which Now's have a tendency of running.

if your current bindings don't fit, why don't you just get L women's bindings instead?
 
#6 · (Edited)
To me that sounds like technically it will work, but maybe not particularly well. Any opinions on this?
Hmmm... I'm using two different size M Burton bindings (Escapades and Lexa) with pretty bulky men's BC boots which are not particularly wide, but have a sturdy sole and overall build. They just fit into the heelcup of those M girl's bindings - with a little squeeze, as the burton guy mentioned for your combination. In my case, I don't feel any pressure (maybe cos it's a sturdy boot), but actually really like the locked in feel of this snug fit between boot n binding. Maybe it turns out to be equally positive for your combination.

Also, since I'm am a smaller (5' 150lbs), woman should I go for a softer binding? Any suggestions?
When looking for men's bindings, the most important thing to have a good look at is the high-back hight. High-backs of men's bindings are generally higher than on women's bindings (as well as men's boots have higher boot legs - really hope that the Rulers won't bite your calve.... Women's calve muscles are attached lower than men's; so a high-back - or boot leg - which will work fine for a guy may lead to calve bite for a girl the same size).

Can't help with actual model suggestions; I only ever tried men's bindings on the stiffer side. From these, Rome, Nidecker, and Rossi had too high high-backs for me (I'm 5'8"). Burton (Diode) and Salomon (Quantum) however worked very well - these models will be too stiff for your liking, but maybe they have softer models with equally low high-back. Looking at the Salomon line-up, it seems as if the high-backs of their softer bindings have similar shape as the Quantum and that high-back felt comfy to me. And with Burton, you may even would be able to swap e.g. an M women's high-back on a S men's model if the men's model still is too high (e.g. the men's Genesis feature the same high-back shape as the women's Escapade; could well be that their high-backs are compatible :dunno:).

Never tried NOW or Flux Nivek recommended, as they're not available where I live.
 
#8 ·
Hmmm... I'm using two different size M Burton bindings (Escapades and Lexa) with pretty bulky men's BC boots which are not particularly wide, but have a sturdy sole and overall build. They just fit into the heelcup of those M girl's bindings - with a little squeeze, as the burton guy mentioned for your combination. In my case, I don't feel any pressure (maybe cos it's a sturdy boot), but actually really like the locked in feel of this snug fit between boot n binding. Maybe it turns out to be equally positive for your combination.
I'll keep that in mind. I guess I just figured being very tight in the heel would be a bad thing.


When looking for men's bindings, the most important thing to have a good look at is the high-back hight. High-backs of men's bindings are generally higher than on women's bindings (as well as men's boots have higher boot legs - really hope that the Rulers won't bite your calve.... Women's calve muscles are attached lower than men's; so a high-back - or boot leg - which will work fine for a guy may lead to calve bite for a girl the same size).
I'm really worried about how to boots are going to fit my calves. Since I'm so short and have short legs (just got new snowboard pants on sale with 30" inseam and they are about 6" too long), that has a high chance of causing problems too. I'm hoping since I don't have particularly ladylike calves it might actually help in this case :laugh: I don't really have any other options since my feet are so wide, so I guess I will just have to see.

I'm probably going to wait until closer to the start of the season to see if I can find some used online or at that sale.

Anything to look out for in used bindings other than obvious wear and tear (like any areas that wear out easily but aren't super obvious)?
 
#9 ·
another option is to call burton rider services and just order baseplates and footbeds (i.e. men's mission in a small) and transfer your straps, highbacks, discs and hardware over. that'll give you a wider footprint and heel without sacrificing calf pressure. now, the stiletto highback might have a more narrow heel radius, but should flex out once bolted together. I've never had to fraken a men's/women's hybrid before though so don't quote me. fwiw my friend's wife rides a men's small binding, in burton even, and she's maybe 5'5" but a very thin build. not sure her boot size though.

good luck
 
#11 · (Edited)
I got my new boots today. I'm not sure they are going all the way to the back of the binding. I think they might be catching along the heel. Visually they looked fine, definitely snug, but when I was doing the ankle strap up it slid the boot back significantly (this was all without my foot in the boot). The toe cap went from snug to completely loose. Later I mounted my bindings and strapped in and didn't notice any real issues not related to boot fit.

On a side note the boots fit way better length and width wise but have a very painful pressure point on the side of my right ankle and top of my right foot. I hope I can figure that out, I don't think I really have another option as far as boots go.
 
#12 ·
Post pictures of the boots in the bindings, with your feet in them with the bindings mounted to the board if poss. You might need a friend to take the picture for you. Then we can tell you if they look right or not.

If you are going to get a men's binding, definitely get a low highback and a soft binding. Sounds like Now might be the brand for you.

As far as pressure points, wear them around the house for a few days to break them in. If they hurt, just wear them for 10 minutes at a time for a few times a day. Sometimes new boots hurt a little at first. It should improve over a few days. If they hurt really bad, then you need a different pair.
 
#13 ·
I didn't have anybody to take pictures for me so here is the best I was able to get. The pictures on the blanket are with me wearing the boots, the other one is with the boots empty since I was having a hard time getting a good picture.
I haven't adjusted the bindings for these boots yet other than the ankle strap that needed to extended a few holes to reach.

Also after putting my insoles into the boots I wasn't really having any pressure point issues.
 

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#14 ·
Ya a few more adjustments need to be made. Move the toe-cap forward, highback backwards. You might want to take it into a shop, it is hard to tell from pics, but the bindings do look very small for your boots and the straps are about as long as they will go which is not ideal. However, if you like the bindings and they fit your boots, you can probably make them work for a season or 2. depends how much and how hard you ride.
 
#15 ·
I don't think I can move the highbacks backwards?

These boots are significantly smaller than the boots I was using last year length wise. They are only a half size smaller but they look smaller than that in comparison. I thought it was odd I had to let the ankle strap out so much and that the bindings looked so small.

I'm not actually much of a fan of these bindings but the boots weren't cheap so I would like to save my money if I can. But I don't want to give myself more issues as a result.
 
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