The size of your bindings is determined by the size of your foot and boot. For example, if you choose size medium bindings, you will only be able to fit boot sizes 7 to 9. So, if you have big feet and your bindings are too big for your board, your heel or toe will likely be overhanging the edge of the snowboard. This results in either heel or toe drag. You will experience the drag even more during a turn because your board is put on its edge and the toe or heel will likely be touching the snow. This can be a very bad experience and you want to avoid it at any cost. To prevent this problem, you may opt for a wider board. But, it’s more than just choosing a wider board. Keep reading to learn more.
Measure your foot
Before purchasing your board, bindings, and boots, it is a good idea to measure your foot first for an ideal fit and combination. The measurement should be done barefoot for accurate results. The foot measurement for snowboarding boots includes two parameters; your foot length and width.
- Length: To measure the length of your foot, kick your heel against a wall and mark the floor exactly at the tip of your toe. Now, measure the length between the mark and the wall. Keep your measurements in centimeters. This length is called the Mondo-point and it is the only measurement that you will use when choosing your boots.
- Width: The width is used when you have wide feet and you need special wide boots. To measure the width, place the inside (medial side) of your foot against a wall and mark the floor where the widest point on the lateral (outside) of your foot ends. Now, measure the length between the mark and the wall.
Now use this table to find out the right size.
Choose your boots & bindings
Now you know your foot size, it’s time to get the right boots and bindings. Choosing snowboard boots is now very straightforward because you know your size exactly. Keep in mind that if you have wide feet, it’s better to try the boot before purchasing. If you have the luxury of being able to go into a store, try on different sizes from different brands, and make sure the pair you choose fits you well. Learn more about how snowboard boots should fit here.
Snowboard bindings also come in different sizes from small to x-large and it depends on the company. Between companies, there will be a little difference in sizing but most bindings are adjustable and they have very similar size ranges.
There can also be some overlapping in sizing. For example, small goes from 4 to 8, and medium goes from 7 to 9. If you are size 8, what bindings should you get? Small or Medium? And the answer is, yes. Basically, you will fit in both of them. With the small, you are just going to adjust the straps all the way out and when you mount the bindings, you are going to slide it all the way back. If you go with the medium, you are going to do the exact opposite. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter which of those sizes you get.
Now, whatever size boot you have, you can correspond that to the binding by using the table below.
| BOARD TYPE | BOARD WIDTH (MM) | SUPPORTED BINDINGS | BOOTS SIZE (MEN’S US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narrow | 240-245 | Small | 4-8 |
| Regular | 245-255 | Medium | 8-10.5 |
| Mid-Wide | 255-265 | Large | 10.5-12 |
| Wide | 265+ | X-Large | 12+ |
Mount your bindings to the board
Unless you are a size US 11 or larger, no special or wide board is required. If you’ve got a regular width board, you’ll do just fine. Regular boards range from 245 to 255 mm waist width. This width will fit boots/bindings up to US 10 size. Just make sure your bindings are compatible with your board. The compatibility mainly includes discs or bolts found on the base plates on your bindings. These discs or bolts must be compatible with your board so that you can attach them. Most bindings come with multiple base plates, which makes them compatible with most snowboards. Learn more about how to mount bindings to a board here.
Go for a wider board
So if you’ve got big feet, you may need a wide or mid-wide board depending on how big your feet are. Mid-wide boards range from 255 to 265 mm for men and they will fit size large bindings easily. According to the above table, you can fit boots sizes from 10 to 12. If you’ve got even more big feet, then you need a wide board. Boards with waist width higher than 265 mm are categorized as wide boards. These boards are designed for extra-large bindings that can fit boots size 12+. Refer to the table above for bindings and boots size. All these sizes are for US men’s sizes.
But don’t go too wide
Keep in mind that it’s harder to snowboard with a wider board. Wider boards are slower edge to edge. You’ve got a farther distance to travel from one side of the board to the other side of the board. Also, if you don’t have feet big enough to really push the board, it can be really hard. It sometimes feels like you are trying to turn a coffee table. Finally, wider boards have more materials in them and more materials mean more weight. Heavier boards are difficult to maneuver and make jumps and tricks harder. So, try to keep your board as narrow as possible.
Do all boards come in wide sizes?
If you are a big guy with bid feet, you may have a limited number of board choices. That’s because companies offer only longer boards (longer than 185 cm) in wide versions. However, there is still a wide variety of snowboards available in the wide version. So, it will not be very challenging to find a board that suits your need. You may not find your favorite color or design but you will get a model that will get the job done. Check the EVO website to see what snowboards are available in wide versions.
How to reduce heel/toe drag?
If you are still getting heel or toe drag even after doing all the things right, try these techniques and they may help. First, adjust your heel cup and make sure your boot is centered over the footbed so there’s an even amount of toe and heel hanging. Ideally, you want as little overhang as possible. Learn more about how boots should fit in bindings here. Second, you can increase your binding angle to reduce overhang. Make sure you are not increasing the angle too much as it is also changing your riding stance. Finally, if your boots have room to size down, you can get a smaller boot or you can go for a low-profile boot. The Burton Ions are a good example of low profile boot that doesn’t take too much space in your binding.
Conclusion
If your bindings are a little too big for your board, that simply means your board is not wide enough to accommodate your bindings. This results in heel or toe drag when riding especially when making a turn. This can be a very bad experience and it also makes riding harder. The only solution to this problem is to get a board wide enough to accommodate your bindings. You can also adjust your heel cup to center your boots to reduce heel and toe overhang. Finally, changing the binding angle can also make a difference but works only if you are getting a very little heel/toe overhang.
FAQs
What happens if my bindings are too big? ›
If your binding is too small you will struggle to transfer energy to the edges. If your binding is too big you may end up dragging your toes and heels in the snow. Aim to match your boot and binding so that the toe and heel sit around 1/2 over each edge.
Does snowboard binding size matter? ›Snowboard bindings must accommodate your boot size. A compatible binding will grip a boot snugly and securely, but without forcing the boot into position or pinching it into place. Bindings should allow your boots to flex, without letting them wobble or shift.
What happens if snowboard is too wide? ›Know your snowboard waist width
The waist width of a snowboard is a critical performance dimension. If your board is too wide, it will feel slow moving edge to edge. If your board is too narrow, you will drag the toe cap or heel cup of your binding in the snow when you turn sharply.
Positive / Positive (+ / +) means that both bindings are angled towards the nose of the snowboard. This is a common binding stance angle for all mountain snowboarders because it aligns both knees on the same plane and allows the rider to apply maximum force on the toe edge for more aggressive carves.
How do I know if my bindings are too big for my snowboard? ›Snowboard Binding Size Chart
The best way to check if the bindings are the correct size is to bring them into one of our stores and test them out. Look out for gaps between the boot and binding, if they spill over the sides, or excessive overhang at the toe or heel.
However, if you're finding it difficult to slide the boot into place, you'll going to need to adjust your bindings either wider or smaller to fit your boots. For this, use a screwdriver to adjust the toe piece by simply turning the screwdriver anticlockwise to loosen it, or clockwise to tighten it.
Should bindings be closer to nose or tail? ›Centered is when the bindings should be set in the exact middle of the snowboard. Setback is when the snowboard is designed with a bigger nose (to help float in powder) and the binding are “set back” towards the tail a bit. You should never have the bindings mounted closer to the nose.
How many inches apart should your bindings be? ›Stance Width
For guys of average height, it's likely to be around 21 inches (53 cm); for women, it will be more like 19 inches (48 cm). Screw the bindings down at this position and stand in them to see how it feels. Your feet should be slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
Until you develop a defined favorite riding style, most riders will find a slightly wider than shoulder width stance to be a good starting point. A just wider than shoulder width stance offers good stability and a powerful jumping position.
Should my toes hang off my snowboard? ›The width of your snowboard should allow your toes and heels to overhang the edge of your board by around 1/2 an inch. By having this slight overhang, your toes and heels will be directly placed above the edges of your snowboard.
Is it bad to lean snowboard against wall? ›
Storing Position
Having the snowboard stored lying down with pressure on the camber or rocker sections of the board can flatten those sections out – it won't flatten them out completely obviously but it can affect them. Make sure that nothing is leaning against it.
Stance Width
If your stance is too wide it will be more difficult to manoeuvre the board. Imagine yourself on a snowboard with your feet really wide – it's going to be really difficult to make any kind of sharp turn. If your stance is too narrow it is going to give the board a really loose, unstable feel.
SETBACK OR CENTRED STANCE
A centred stance can help you feel balanced on the board whilst performing ground tricks and butters as well. If you like to ride directionally whether on or off-piste then having a set-back stance may suit your riding style.
Stay out of the back seat: It might seem like putting your weight on your back foot will give you more control and keep you from falling, but it will actually do the exact opposite. You need to practice leaning on your front foot, which will give you the most control. Use your knees: Stance is crucial to good riding.
Should I snowboard in duck stance? ›All-Mountaineers usually ride with a slight duck or slight forward stance – as always it will depend on your personal preference and you should experiment until you find what's most comfortable for you. If you like to ride a lot of switch on the mountain then a slight duck stance is probably the best way to go.
Should my bindings hang over my snowboard? ›You should also make sure that a new pair of bindings is sized correctly for your snowboard - they should be mounted without any significant overhang on either the toe or heel edge.
Can you adjust bindings yourself? ›While you can adjust them yourself, ski shops have the equipment to make sure they're working correctly. Also, trained ski-industry professionals or employees in the ski shop will ensure that your bindings will release in the appropriate amount of time to prevent injury.
How hard to tighten snowboard bindings? ›Just like the oil filter in your car, tighten till snug and go 1/4 to 1/2 turn more. Not following this guideline is another large component of why screws strip out. It's also what causes that damage in the core of your snowboard; mainly the dimples that you notice when waxing your board.
What are the ski binding settings for beginners? ›The average beginner male will release from his bindings at a DIN setting of 6 or between 194 to 271 Nm of torque, while the average advanced male will release from his bindings at a setting of 8.5 between 271 and 380 Nm.
How far should boots hang over bindings? ›Are we saying that you should have overhang, even with bare feet? Yes. You will need overhang to be able to apply leverage to your edges and to get the most out of your board. 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch of boot overhang for both toe and heel is ideal, and will not create problematic toe or heel drag.
What stance should snowboard bindings be in for beginners? ›
If you're new to snowboarding, mount your snowboard bindings in what is called the “duck stance” position, where both feet are angled away from each other. Many snowboarders position the front binding at a 15° angle and the rear binding at somewhere between 0° and a -6° angle.
Should the nose or tail be longer on a snowboard? ›With a directional shape, the nose is slightly longer than the tail and will often feature a steeper kick. The sidecut and inserts are set back, and the flex pattern tends to be directional too – getting stiffer towards the tail.
What is the correct snowboard binding setup? ›The right binding is placed at the nose (tip) of your snowboard, the left binding at the tail (rear end). Regular: You ride with your left foot forward. The left (front) binding is placed at the nose, the right one (rear) at the tail of your board.
How often do you need to wax your snowboard? ›Generally, you want to hot wax your board every 3 to 4 days of riding. This ensures better glide in varying snow conditions and an overall better performance. Just make sure you're using the right type of wax for the specific conditions.
What is Shaun White's stance? ›Stance: Regular, 22 inches wide-I rock the biggest stance option on my board-with nine degrees angle on the front foot and negative-three on the back.
Are snowboard bindings based on shoe size? ›Snowboard boots come with different flexibility depending on the style of snowboarding you want to specialize in. Generally, bindings come off with three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large – each corresponding to a range of shoe sizes. However, be aware that these sizes aren't universal across brands.
Is it OK to leave your snowboard standing up? ›The Best Place to Store Your Skis and Snowboards
Wherever you decide you are going to be storing your board, make sure the area is cool and dry. It is best to store your gear standing up, as opposed to laying it on a flat surface. Storing your gear upright helps to preserve the camber, or shape, of the snowboard.
Snowboard Length
If the nose of the board reached somewhere between their chin and nose, then it was deemed the right size. You can still use that method today, but it's more precise to use your body weight, which is what many snowboard manufacturers recommend.
Snowboard boots should be laced tightly yet still feel comfortable. You shouldn't feel any pressure points on your feet. Ankles and heels should remain securely in place. When standing up, your toes should slightly touch the front liner - you shouldn't be able to wiggle or curl your toes much at all.
Why do snowboarders sit down? ›But why do snowboarders sit down? Snowboarders often sit down on the slopes to strap into their bindings. They may also sit down to get some rest without sliding away. Standing on a snowboard is physically draining, and it's also difficult to remain in one place while upright on a board.
What should you not do on a snowboard? ›
- Ignoring Skating. Skating, or riding with your backfoot unstrapped form your binding and using it to push yourself forward, is a vital snowboarding skill that is often forgotten about in learning guides and videos. ...
- Rushing Your Turns. ...
- Leaning Back While Turning. ...
- Leaning too Far While Riding an Edge.
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How do I know if my snowboard is wide enough? ›Depends On Your Boots. The size of a snowboarder's boot and how it fits a board's waist width determines if a person needs a wide board - the larger the boot, the wider the board. Each snowboard falls into one of four general width categories; narrow, regular, mid-wide, and wide.
Why do people get wide snowboards? ›If your feet are bigger than average then you'll probably need a wide or at least a mid-wide snowboard. This is to combat toe and heel drag when you're cranking the board onto its edge. The tipping point comes at a shoe size of around US 11 / UK 10 / EU 44.
Can anyone ride a wide snowboard? ›Get a "WIDE" snowboard. Typically, snowboard boot sizes 11.5 and up will need a "wide" specific model which will have a waist width of 260 mm or more. Check the chart to determine appropriate sizing for your boots. For many riders out there, finding a wide model can often be a frustrating operation.
Are thin or thick socks better for snowboarding? ›A thicker ski or snowboard sock (or even worse, using two pairs of socks) can restrict the blood flow in your foot, making them colder rather than warmer, and also cause blisters from rubbing This means that you should prioritize a snug bootfit, and in turn thinner socks.
Should you stay on an edge when going straight on a snowboard? ›Going straight on a snowboard can be intimidating but knowing the correct way to do it will improve your ability on the slopes. Most of the time, staying on edge is important to maintain control of your board.
Can you snowboard goofy? ›A goofy stance is when a snowboarder rides with their right foot forward. This is the opposite of a regular stance, where a snowboarder rides with their left foot forward. Three-time men's snowboard slopestyle bronze medalist Mark McMorris is a regular-footed rider, while 2022 gold medalist Max Parrot is goofy footed.
Do more people snowboard goofy? ›Regular stance is the most common. It's estimated 70% of riders are regular, this is with the left foot in front facing the direction you are going. Goofy stance is less common. It's estimated 30% of riders are goofy, the right foot is in front facing the direction you are going.
Can you snowboard both goofy and regular? ›You can snowboard goofy on a regular board if you are comfortable enough to ride switch. Riding switch means you are riding goofy when your normal stance is regular, or the other way around.
Should my bindings hang over my board? ›
You should also make sure that a new pair of bindings is sized correctly for your snowboard - they should be mounted without any significant overhang on either the toe or heel edge.
Does ski binding size matter? ›Ski Binding Brake Width
Your skis' waist width will determine the ski brake width (the distance between the two brake arms). For example, if your skis are 80mm wide at the waist, you will need bindings with a brake width of at least 80 mm and preferably no wider than 95 mm.
Snowboard bindings should be tight enough to fit snugly, without causing pain or compromising circulation. Simply tighten your ankle and toe straps until they start to feel uncomfortable, and then loosen them off slightly. Overly tight bindings reduce blood circulation to the feet, causing cold toes and pain.
Is it bad to leave your bindings on your snowboard? ›While the bindings are unmounted, you can thoroughly inspect them and check for any damage or signs of wear that might impact performance next season. Leaving the bindings off during storage relieves tension on the mounting screws that can lead to mellow (yet still annoying) side effects.
Can you adjust ski binding yourself? ›First things first: you don't have to see a professional every time you want to adjust your ski binding. A little knowledge about the function of a ski binding provided, you can easily adjust it yourself. What you need to understand is how the binding works, which DIN setting you need, and how to calculate it.
How much does it cost to adjust ski bindings? ›It can cost between $10 and $50 (depending on your installation type) to have your bindings mounted and adjusted in a ski shop, at your local ski resort for example. Ski binding installation is not to be taken lightly.
Do I want stiff or medium bindings? ›A rider that enjoys quick and aggressive turns may choose a stiff binding for optimal control. Other riders will ride all over the hill. For these riders, a medium flex binding provides flex and forgiveness and response and control. Lastly, consider the flex and behavior of your snowboard of choice.
How wide should my bindings be? ›It should be comfortable and generally a bit wider than your shoulders. You can also use the distance from your kneecap to your heel for a standard stance width.
How wide is too wide for ski bindings? ›You want your brake width to be at least as wide as the waist (the middle section) of your ski, but no more than 20 millimeters wider than that.
What is the most popular binding size? ›The size of the binding is determined by the size of the seam allowance used when the binding is sewn on and how loosely or tightly the binding is folded to the back. A 1/4” seam allowance is by far the most common size; sometimes 3/8”, 1/2” or 5/8” is used.
What is the best position for snowboard bindings? ›
Angling your binding toward the nose is referred to as a positive angle relative to setting your binding at zero. Setting your binding at zero aligns it completely perpendicular to the edge. Most riders will find a front binding angle of +15-21 degrees is ideal.
How important is binding size? ›Getting the right size snowboard bindings is really important. Bindings are the connection between you and the snowboard. They transfer the energy from your muscles into the snowboard to tell it what to do. Whether you get the right or wrong size will affect the effectiveness and efficiency of that energy transfer.