shred4life

So my boyfriends birthday is coming up, and I want to get him a new pair of bindings. We went to the shop today to browse a little, but both sales reps were total idiots and had no idea what they were talking about so we didn't get very far.

My boyfriend rides mostly free ride, but wants to start hitting the park. He wants something responsive, but the major issue with his last bindings was that the bindings got too loose during and at the end of runs. So the new bindings need to be responsive but secure, great for free riding but something that will let him progress into the park. I'd say he's a mid level intermediate rider. He wears a size 12 boot.

My price ceiling is around $230.

A few years ago I got him a starter set up so he could come riding with me (serious beginner stuff, morrow siphon board, lamar bindings and head boots) every holiday i've been trying to upgrade his setup one piece at a time, and last christmas I got him some really nice DC boots which he loves. So at this point he needs new bindings and new board. Would it be better just to throw the $230 towards a new board or upgrade the bindings for this season and worry about the board this summer when deals are cheap?

Any recommendations or insight is greatly appreciated.

DC5R

IMO, get him new bindings first. Given he wants to start riding in the park this season, let him destroy the morrow board as he learns this season rather than buying him a new one for him to wreck.

In terms of bindings, this is my choice and the binding I ride everywhere:

Rome Targa Black Splatter Snowboard Bindings

eWrecK

I would have to agree, getting the bindings first and foremost would be a good decision considering the budget and his needs. Having good, responsive and comfortable bindings is essential to having a great ride/day on the mountain. Even if the board isn't a high end board, a board is a board even if you are just freeriding groomers but then he can continue to trash his old board in the park.

But I would recommend some Union Forces, Rome Targa or 390s, and Ride Delta or RX.

Rome and Ride have really nice toe straps that hold well and are really responsive.

And you can check sierrasnowboard.com towards the end of the season for great deals on boards when you decide to look

$Lindz$

Ride Delta is perfect for what your boyfriend wants. Make sure its the 09/10 Delta, because the earlier models were different.

Ride Delta MVMNT Snowboard Binding from Dogfunk.com


I have this binding, and I HIGHLY recommend it.

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snoeboarder

make sure his boots fit the binding well

Milo303

I second this. Just gotta make sure the binding size works with his boot size basically...

And I would recommend either the Union Force, or Ride NRC. The NRC is a little stiffer then the Force but is way more comfortable, but the Force will last him forever and is pretty comfy.

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c_mack9

check evogear for last years ride bindings. my friends both got some rx and ex bindings for cheap from them, they were both less than 100 i think. i got some 09 beta MVMNT for 125 or so, then keep that extra 100 left over in your budget to add to your sierrascope or evo-r budget this summer when they go on sale (if there is any left). i really like ride bindings. my buddy just got the new rome targas for 250, im sure they are awesome but i havent used them but by checking them out i dont see how they are worth double the price i paid for my betas.

oxi

+1! i got my spis for just under 100 too. would love to have this years with the wedgie but what can you do... money's tight these days

Leo

http://www.snowboards.net/snowboard-...?price=100:199

http://www.snowboards.net/snowboard-...&price=200:299

You should consider Flows as well. The M9 would be very well suited for your boyfriend. The setup will be a little long, but once he dials in the fit, he won't ever have to touch it again. Well, at least until he gets new boots. The only other time he will have to a re-adjust is if he ever needs to take the tops off to fold the highbacks down for transport. Easy fix to this is to take a permanent marker and mark the ladder so he can easily put the top back to where they were. Plus with Flows, you don't have to strap in. Just kick your feet in and lock the highbacks and you're ready to shred. If you decide to dump more cash, get the Flow NXT-ATSE. Awesome bindings and the SE models eliminate the need to mark the ladders. You set them up by strapping in your boots like any other traditional bindings then leave them so you can kick your feet in and out with ease.

The above mentioned suggestions are also great choices.

Rome 390

Ride Delta

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c_mack9

yeah and i really cant see the sense in paying full retail price for this stuff especially since it will be half price in a matter of months. just shop the outlets and save teh cash so you can afford to experiment a little more and get the gear you really like.