All-mountain snowboarding is one of the most popular styles in the sport. And if you want the ability to explore anywhere and everywhere, you’ll want a good set of all-mountain bindings.
I’ve been a snowboarding instructor for the last ten years. I like to teach my students the skills they need to handle all types of terrains and conditions. I’ve seen and used many of the best all-mountain bindings over the years.
The Union Force is one of the best all-mountain snowboard bindings you can get your hands on. It’s my current favorite option in the category.
All-mountain snowboarding is very popular, and there are many different options out there to choose from. I’ll show you a few other of my top choices here to help you narrow things down.
Bring on the snow!
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Who Should Get This
Every snowboard needs bindings. Using a board without them would be like trying to drive a car without a steering wheel.
The all-mountain options listed here are perfect for riders who like to explore many different types of terrain, as well as those who want to do a little bit of everything while out in the snow.
All-mountain is a broad term, but these bindings all come highly recommended for this snowboarding style.
If you want a park-focused binding or something with soft flex, you should look into park-specific bindings over these all-mountain options.
Top All-Mountain Snowboard Bindings
All of the bindings listed below will give you the versatility and performance you need for all-mountain pursuits.
1. Best Overall: Union Force
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: Duraflex baseplate and highback, aluminum heelcups, versatile performance
- Ability Level: intermediate/Advanced
- Flex: Medium/Stiff
- Cost: $$$
The Union Force (review) is one of the top snowboarding bindings around, and it has the versatility and durability you want for all-mountain riding.
These bindings feature rugged construction to handle big mountain and freeride lines but are soft enough to allow you to explore the park and get a good freestyle flow going.
They are also extremely strong and reliable thanks to a Duraflex material used in the baseplate and highback. This construction holds up really well in extreme cold, and you can expect many seasons of high-performance.
The Force also has a built-in lever strap that allows you to adjust the highback angle quickly. This provides customizable performance when you need it for various terrains. Combined with effective ankle and toe straps, you can dial these in just right.
They are somewhat stiff, so I wouldn’t recommend them as a beginner option because they can be too aggressive.
==> You can also get it on Evo or Christy Sports or Tactics.
2. Best for Beginners: Salomon District
- Best for: Beginners
- Key features: Forgiving flex, responsive, softer heelcups, versatile performance, secure foothold
- Ability Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Flex: Soft
- Cost: $$
If you are just starting to explore all-mountain riding and want a binding that will help you learn the basics and then progress to the next level, take a look at the Salomon District.
These bindings have a soft flex that will keep your comfort levels high as you bounce around the mountain all day long. But even though they are forgiving, they are built with a Kevlar material that is extremely strong and durable.
The highback is quite comfortable and will give you plenty of support. Asymmetrical ankle straps allow for precise and solid tightening to keep your feet in place as well. The easy ratcheting buckles are also pretty awesome.
If you’re an experienced rider, the softness of these bindings will be a definite downside. They aren’t designed for any sort of aggressive riding at all.
==> You can also get it on Salomon or Evo or Buckman’s.
3. Best for Intermediate: Burton Cartel X EST
- Best for: Intermediate
- Key features: Excellent design and construction, unique Hinge baseplate, comfortable, very durable
- Ability Level: Intermediate to Advanced
- Flex: Medium Stiff
- Cost: $$$
The Burton Cartel X EST is another excellent all-mountain snowboard binding, and it has a range of high-performance features that cater to intermediate to advanced riders.
These are packed with unique features and are designed by a brand that has been an innovator in the snowboarding industry for decades. The Hinge baseplate is worth noting because it is unique to these bindings and adds comfort and control.
The bindings also come with a SensoryBed cushioning system that incorporates dual-density foam to improve cushioning and impact resistance. This is great for riders who are learning how to catch air or go off of big features.
They can seem a little bulky and relatively expensive, but other than that are decent all-around.
==> You can also get it on Burton or Evo or Hansen.
4. Best Budget Option: Nitro Staxx
- Best for: Budget Pick
- Key features: Affordable, A-frame dampening base, board saver tech, hammer highback
- Ability Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Flex: Medium
- Cost: $
The Nitro Staxx is a recommend budget binding for any all-mountain rider. These will give you effective and reliable performance in a range of on-snow situations while also making your bank account very happy.
They are lightweight and offer lasting comfort thanks to an A-frame base that helps dampen chatter and absorb impacts. They also have aluminum speedwheel buckles that allow you to get strapped in and ready to go in no time.
You will get some performance compromises with a budget option, and high-level riders might be left wanting more. They also aren’t the most durable option around. But for any boarding on a budget, the Staxx is a good choice.
==> You can also get it on Evo or Nencini or Moosejaw.
How to Choose The Best All-Mountain Bindings
Take some time to learn and think about the considerations below before you buy an all-mountain snowboard.
Flex
Just as with snowboard boots, flex is an important consideration when it comes to bindings.
Most manufacturers will list the flex of their bindings on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the stiffest.
There is no universal measurement to this scale, so keep in mind these ratings can differ from brand to brand.
For all-mountain bindings, a medium flex is better than a soft or stiff one. Bindings that are too soft are better suited for the park where you want a lot of play and movement.
Stiff bindings are better for advanced riders who love to go fast. All-mountain riders want the ability to go everywhere and anywhere. A medium flex allows you to do that.
Type of Binding
There are several different types of snowboard bindings. The most common is strap-in style bindings, which is what you’ll see in this list. This style is easy to get into and out of, which makes for excellent control and response.
There are also rear entry bindings with a single toe strap where you step into them and then secure your boot on the highback, as well as step-in bindings that will lock your boot onto your board.
You might have a preference in the type of binding you want to purchase, but if you’re unaware of the differences, the standard strap works well for all-mountain applications.
Durability
Snowboard bindings take a beating while you’re out riding. As such, they must be tough enough to withstand a lot of abuse.
All of the options listed here are constructed out of high-quality plastics and metals to ensure the bindings hold up for at least several seasons.
There’s no bulletproof binding, but high-quality materials will go a long way towards increasing general durability.
FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions about all-mountain snowboards and the style in general.
What is all-mountain snowboarding?
All-mountain snowboarding very literally involves riding all over the mountain. It’s a versatile style that allows you to explore everything from groomers to big mountain lines to the park. All-mountain is my favorite style of snowboarding.
How do you set up snowboard bindings for all mountains?
I would suggest a slightly set back binding set up for all-mountain snowboarding. This gives you enough versatility to ride switch if you want to do freestyle maneuvers while providing a little extra float over deep snow.
Useful Tips & Resources
There are many moving parts on a snowboard binding, which can be confusing for a beginner.
While you don’t need to know each part’s proper name and function to have a great time snowboarding, it’s good to educate yourself on some critical elements if you ever need to fix or replace your bindings.
Check out this guide to learn more about your bindings.
You can also adjust your bindings in quite a few different ways. This is another thing that’s good to know about if you ever want to make minor adjustments on the mountain or when you’re first installing your bindings.
My Verdict
All of the bindings listed here will help you perform well with your all-mountain riding. The top option that I would highly recommend is the Union Force. These bindings will provide versatile performance in a wide variety of terrain and conditions.
All-mountain bindings are great to help you progress and will give you the ability to develop new skills and take advantage of the entire mountain. All of the options listed above are worth checking out.
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