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Girl bindings

2407 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  MRSA, 
M
Hi there!

I'm new to the forums and I thought I could benefit from the tremendous knowledge of a number of people here.

I started snowboarding a year ago and got addicted pretty quick. After a couple months I got to the point where I could cleanly cruise the harder blue runs at a reasonable speed. I can probably start looking at the diamond runs not too long after the season starts.

When I first started I kept it cheap by buying the board and boots at goodwill, dealing with cheaper winter gear, etc. It made a lot of sense at the time but as I got into it I upgraded most of my gear. The last upgrade I need are bindings.

Like some girls, my feet are horribly sensitive in just about every way possible. I have the worst circulation ever. I'm not sure how I even survived on my old boots/bindings. My feet get so cold so easily and there are spots that are extra sensitive to pressure on the bone. They are not in the same place on my right foot as on my left. My current bindings are old they put pressure all on the top of the feet in the worst possible way. The pressure I had to apply to keep my feet from moving made my feet so sore and bruised I wondered if I was getting a stress fracture. The chairlift was hell on my right foot, even when loosening the binding and propping up the board with my left foot. My new boots helped significantly but it's not enough.

So obviously I need to upgrade the bindings. It looks like they make them far, far nicer these days so I think anything will make a huge difference.

There are so many choices though! I definitely need something comfortable and that's easy to readjust even with gloves/mittens on (my feet are so fussy I will probably ALWAYS have to readjust). I'd love for them to be durable as well. And though I am willing to spend the money necessary for good bindings I'd like to not spend more than I absolutely have to.

Spec on current board/gear (in case it matters):
-Board is brand new, rocker, relatively flexible so pretty nice and responsive for my purpose (Aperture). It may be a little "short" for my size (5'5, 160) but I'm used to it and I like that it's light-weight.
-My boots are Ride Sash Boa Coiler (medium (6/10) stiffness). Though I do wish they had more in the way of zonal lacing, they are nice, roomy, comfy, and supportive. It's not that difficult to get them secured evenly and I added inserts to keep my heels from moving around too much (helped significantly, btw). I'm not fan of thick socks. I just wear a pair of cotton knee socks.
-I don't do anything fancy. You will not find me 10 feet in the air or in the backcountry (well, not on purpose anyways). I'm a fan of responsiveness so I don't like too much wiggling around but pretty much anything that is comfy and keeps me from hitting trees is fine in my book.

So recommendations? Advice on what to look for? Other advice on keeping my feet warm and content?.

I'm getting excited, it's already snowing on the mountains here in the UPNW! Snow dance ---> early opening?
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Donutz
yeah, I don't want to hear about the PNW! 50 miles north and we're getting diddly! :mad:

Anyway, if pressure points are a major problem, consider Flows. They're one of those love-em/hate-em bindings, but most people agree they treat your feet a lot better than strap-ons, er strap-ins.

And everyone is going to rein in with the comment that if your feet still hurt, your boots aren't right. That's maybe a bit simplistic, but at least keep trying on different boots when you get the chance, all through the season. If you find some that feel just perfect, grab'em.
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poutanen
^^^ Exactly! My first instinct when you said your boots were "roomy" was that they aren't right.

Believe it or not, a pair of boots that is snug fitting in all the right places will allow you to tie them loosely, and also not force you to crank down on the bindings.

My second instinct were flows for the big large arch pad. If not them, then there are some Burton models with good chunky straps. The Lexa's and the Scribe's come to mind. Just make sure you get the Re:flex version if you go the Burton route. ESTs won't work on a non-Burton board. My fiancee has Scribes on her board and loves them.

Moto: Buy the right boots! THEN get the bindings...
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M
Ooooo I'm drooling over the Minx and Gem SE's. The pressure there is applied to the front of the toes (instead of on top) so that should help secure the heel and it looks like the upper strap widely distributes the pressure.

Yeah, you all might be right about the boots. I know they definitely can't be too roomy so my feet don't move around too much but my toes can't be squeezed either (hence inserts in the heel). I play roller derby so I actually have the same issue with skates. They also need to fit snugly so feet can't move around in em. Dealing with the issue in skates is way easier because I can just skip holes in the laces and the leather molds nicely to my feet once it's broken in. It's almost impossible to find that happy medium in boots! The boots I have now were a major improvement but I have a feeling I'll want new ones before too long. :/
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L
I may be a bit biased.... but I love the feel of Flux Bindings. Its different than other brands---they really focus on fit and feel and taking away pressure points. If you are looking for response the women's GL and GM are awesome, and lightweight. You will feel like nothing is there.
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mixie
if your feet get cold easily you should get some thick wool socks, I like smart wool.

If you have wide feet don't get burton bindings. I have 32s and they hardly fit in my burtons (old bindings)

I got some rome madisons and they're pretty good. I like em lots but I paid half price for them. Don't think Id pay msrp....
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aiidoneus
+1 to Burton Scribe or Lexa

Cold feet from the start? Possibly get warmer socks or make sure boots are not too big.

Cold feet after riding for a while? Socks moist? Might have too warm of sock and feet are sweating too much.
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M
Love the suggestions!

My feet can get cold when I'm not moving around much, like on the lift or waiting in line, but once I start cruising and my blood is flowing, coldness isn't as much of a problem. Having room in the toes helps significantly. If there's a way to do that while keeping my heel fixed in my boot via a better fitting boot/insert it probably won't be as much of a gripe for me. But it really adds to the pain of the pressure points. It gets really bad while ON the lift and the board is hanging off my foot. That foot gets numb in a hurry so I have to loosen that binding in addition (is that common?).

It's also worth mentioning that it's not so much that my feet that move around in the boot (though they might a little). It's that my current bindings are probably 15+ years old and the strap is worn and comes loose a lot (so I have to adjust it too tight at first anyways). Which is why I have no clue how I survived for so long in them given my feet are ridiculously sensitive. I just wanted an idea of what to try with my feet being that bad. So glad to hear other girls commenting too!
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Cr0_Reps_Smit
I 2nd the flux, I'm a guy so I dont have actual first hand experience of their girls line but if there anything like the guys line they are pretty comfy and bomb proof. I had a pair of flux's from about 2008 that I kept around as a back up pair when my other bindings would break all the way up until last year when I sold them to a friend who now uses them as his main binding.
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aiidoneus
MRSA said:
Love the suggestions!

My feet can get cold when I'm not moving around much, like on the lift or waiting in line, but once I start cruising and my blood is flowing, coldness isn't as much of a problem. Having room in the toes helps significantly. If there's a way to do that while keeping my heel fixed in my boot via a better fitting boot/insert it probably won't be as much of a gripe for me. But it really adds to the pain of the pressure points. It gets really bad while ON the lift and the board is hanging off my foot. That foot gets numb in a hurry so I have to loosen that binding in addition (is that common?).

It's also worth mentioning that it's not so much that my feet that move around in the boot (though they might a little). It's that my current bindings are probably 15+ years old and the strap is worn and comes loose a lot (so I have to adjust it too tight at first anyways). Which is why I have no clue how I survived for so long in them given my feet are ridiculously sensitive. I just wanted an idea of what to try with my feet being that bad. So glad to hear other girls commenting too!
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It sounds more like the cold feet is from the bindings cutting off circulation to your feet. My girlfriend used to ride with Flow bindings, which tend look a little loose, so your natural reaction is to over tighten. Her feet were always freezing and sore. After backing the strap off one or two notches the problem went away.
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neni
Have you tried Thermo Soles or anything alike? I have bad circulation as well. Part of it cos I bind boots too tight and crank bindings too hard, BUT I have frozen feet also with my snug lambwool insulated horseriding boots. Bought the Thermosoles 3D with remote conrol last season, mainly for horseriding, but they do a great job for snowboarding as well. Feet are getting cold? Switch on the heating. Feet are warm, switch it off and save battery time. Haven't had cold feet last season :) Could be a good add on, besides of fitting boots n bindings.
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Donutz
MRSA said:
My feet can get cold when I'm not moving around much, like on the lift or waiting in line, but once I start cruising and my blood is flowing, coldness isn't as much of a problem. Having room in the toes helps significantly. If there's a way to do that while keeping my heel fixed in my boot via a better fitting boot/insert it probably won't be as much of a gripe for me. But it really adds to the pain of the pressure points. It gets really bad while ON the lift and the board is hanging off my foot. That foot gets numb in a hurry so I have to loosen that binding in addition (is that common?).
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Well, Flows are great for the lift -- if you have the space on the chair you can slip your foot into the binding without snapping up the highback, so you're supporting your board with both legs.

If you don't end up with Flows, here's a trick -- put the highback down flat onto the binding and connect the ankle strap above it on the first or second click. Then you can hook the front of your boot under the ankle strap.

If you're on a full chair of course, you have to hook your toe under the heel edge. That's kind of hard on boots, but be careful not to cut your boa cable or shoelace.
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M
neni said:
Have you tried Thermo Soles or anything alike? I have bad circulation as well. Part of it cos I bind boots too tight and crank bindings too hard, BUT I have frozen feet also with my snug lambwool insulated horseriding boots. Bought the Thermosoles 3D with remote conrol last season, mainly for horseriding, but they do a great job for snowboarding as well. Feet are getting cold? Switch on the heating. Feet are warm, switch it off and save battery time. Haven't had cold feet last season :) Could be a good add on, besides of fitting boots n bindings.
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I didn't even know those things existed. You have no idea how happy this makes me.

Also, it never occurred to me to fold the back of the binding down and hook my foot in the strap. Hooking my foot under the heel-side of the board had been my go-to method all last season but I almost think just using the strap like that would be easier. Thanks!!!
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aiidoneus
Donutz said:
Well, Flows are great for the lift -- if you have the space on the chair you can slip your foot into the binding without snapping up the highback, so you're supporting your board with both legs.

If you don't end up with Flows, here's a trick -- put the highback down flat onto the binding and connect the ankle strap above it on the first or second click. Then you can hook the front of your boot under the ankle strap.

If you're on a full chair of course, you have to hook your toe under the heel edge. That's kind of hard on boots, but be careful not to cut your boa cable or shoelace.
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Good trick, I am too lazy to do up the strap. I rest my toe under the back loop that the high back sits on. No wear from the edge on the boot, and comfy lift ride :thumbsup:
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Triple8Sol
My gf loves the Raiden Lynx I got her. It's a softer binding but still great hold and response. You might want to look into their Eris binding instead, and also add the Rome Madison. Both have tons of adjustments to fit your boot perfectly since they both have a multi-piece chassis.
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M
Hey all, I just wanted to update you on my bindings stuff. I was all set to take your advice and I was hoping my local shop would carry some of the bindings suggested in this thread. Unfortunately they didn't carry any of them but there was a huge garage event thingy to get rid of last year's gear. A few companies were also there to promote their gear and offer huge discounts. I had my board boots with me and I figure it wouldn't hurt to look.

I took the bait and decided to try some GNU Weird bindings, since the men's medium fit my boots and the guys said that their women's line are essentially identical. I wouldn't have gone that route if they weren't only $75 (used only a few times for demo). The ones I have are this year's model (They aren't the ones that were recalled last year, so....that shouldn't be an issue).

I took them out to Steven's Pass last Saturday to try them and now my feet feel like they are floating on nice, warm pillows!!!! I have the toe cap set tight-ish so it requires a little force to pull the back up---a bit awkward at first. But it means that the ankle strap can stay relatively loose and my feet are put!

I can tell that it's won't be easy to strap into them on a steep hill though I wonder if I can circumvent that by swinging around toe-side to stick my feet in.

I do like that I don't have to continuously readjust them once they are set. They should last a bit longer if I don't always have to mess with them. I like that I can pop the ankle strap for the chair lift. The position of the back also makes it easy for me to slide my free foot in the other strap. I hope the cable lasts. I hope the straps, adjustments, etc don't loosen up over time.

So compared to my old bindings (where my boots were basically on plastic and metal) these are like floating on clouds. We'll see how I feel about them at the end of the season. I still should get another or extra insert for my right boot at some point. And my dad's gonna send me some heated insoles! I didn't realize this until a couple weeks ago but it turns out his company actually makes these guys.

So I'm keeping this thread bookmarked in case these bindings do crap out on me. Thanks again for your help!
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