Soft vs. Stiff Snowboard Bindings: How to Choose

The choice between soft vs. stiff snowboard bindings is much more than an aesthetic decision; the bindings you choose will directly affect the performance of your whole snowboard setup and how it rides. For example, pairing soft bindings with a stiff snowboard could limit your ability to drive the board and initiate turns. Conversely, mounting stiff snowboard bindings on a soft snowboard might mean that you can’t tweak grabs, or get as playful as you want in the park. We’re not trying to make this choice sound difficult, just illustrating the importance of carefully considering this decision, so you get the performance and ride that you want.

If this makes sense, but you would still like some guidance, you’ve come to the right place. In this article the experts at Burton explain the difference between soft and stiff snowboard bindings and help you better understand how to make the right choice.

Soft vs. Stiff Snowboard Bindings: Burton’s Binding Flex Scale

When it comes to choosing between soft vs stiff snowboard bindings and understanding the flexibility of Burton’s snowboard bindings, we recommend visiting the Burton snowboard binding category page. Click on any bindings and look closely at the specs to see where they fall on our flex scale.

• Soft and playful
• Happy medium
• Stiff and aggressive

When considering Burton’s full range of snowboard bindings, each stiffness profile and technology (Re:Flex, EST, Step On) has its own strengths that complement certain riding styles. Ultimately, your binding choice should support your preferences for all mountain, freestyle, or freeride terrain.

A Quick Overview of Snowboard Bindings

The primary function of snowboard bindings is to secure your boots to your snowboard, allowing you to turn, stop, do tricks, get air, and everything in between. And while bindings are available from many different manufacturers in many different stiffness profiles, there are often similarities across platforms and styles. For example, most snowboard bindings are bucketed into categories based on responsiveness, or how they respond to rider input (this is where we get “stiff” or “soft” binding descriptions).

Burton snowboard bindings have three major components: baseplate, hiback, and straps (however, Step On bindings are strapless). All of these parts work together to secure your boots to your snowboard for control (and safety).

Different styles of bindings provide unique advantages for riders. Burton EST bindings deliver enhanced board feel, Re:Flex Bindings are universally compatible with most snowboards, and Step On bindings offer an incredibly quick and easy strap-free connection to your snowboard. Burton also offers splitboard touring bindings for uphill travel and backcountry touring on a splitboard.

The important thing to understand here is that there’s more to snowboard bindings than their color, so you should put some thought into what binding stiffness is best for your riding style. But also, pick a cool color.

Pro tip: Read A Comprehensive Overview of Snowboard Binding Parts to learn about all the other components of snowboard bindings.

Binding Flex

Binding flex, or stiffness, is the result of design and material choices. At Burton, our expert designers build snowboard bindings using a variety of materials including short-glass composites, nylon, carbon fiber, and aluminum. These materials range in stiffness, and that quality, combined with how we assemble them, results in the binding’s riding character.

Quantifying bindings stiffness, that is, rating the flex from soft to stiff, is something that all manufacturers do a little differently. Many have their own unique rating systems, for instance, numerical scales ranging from 1-5 or 1-10. At Burton, our binding stiffness scale has three primary ratings.

• Soft & Playful
• Happy Medium
• Stiff & Aggressive

Binding flex directly correlates to how slow or quick a snowboard responds to rider inputs (snowboard flex also contributes to response). For instance, a softer flexing binding has more give and movement which results in a more playful feeling while a stiffer binding is more rigid and has little flex which allows the snowboard to react very quickly. A medium flexing binding falls somewhere in between soft and stiff, with lively response that doesn’t feel overly aggressive.

Soft & Playful Snowboard Bindings

Soft snowboard bindings are often recommended for beginners who are learning the basics of riding as well as freestyle-focused riders who like jibbing and playing on small to medium-sized park features.

• More Flexibility: Soft snowboard bindings have the most flexibility in the hiback and baseplate.
• Increased Range of Motion: Soft flexing bindings allow for an increased range of motion which is great for tweaking freestyle maneuvers.
• Great for Learning: Soft bindings are great for learning and recommended for new riders with less-than-perfect technique.

Happy Medium Snowboard Bindings

Medium flexing snowboard bindings are synonymous with the all mountain snowboard category. Medium stiffness bindings will serve most riders well the majority of the time. If you own a single all-purpose snowboard, medium stiffness bindings are a great choice.

• Middle ground: A medium flexing binding falls in the middle of the stiffness range and pairs well with all mountain snowboards for general purpose riding.
• Intermediate riding: Medium flex bindings are great for beginners who have grasped the basics of riding and want to continue progressing.

Stiff & Aggressive Snowboard Bindings

Stiff flexing snowboard bindings are generally recommended for experienced riders only because they are extremely responsive and demand refined riding technique. This high level of response results in increased control and power transfer to the snowboard, if you know how to harness it.

• Increased response: Stiff snowboard bindings require more input from the rider to flex, which results in an almost instant response.
• Support: Stiff snowboard bindings provide enhanced support for big airs, cliff drops, and high speeds. The increased support of stiff bindings can also be beneficial for heavier riders.
• Freeride Terrain: Steep, technical freeride terrain generally demands the utmost in control which is why backcountry and big mountain enthusiasts may prefer a stiff snowboard binding.

Pro Tip: Check out Burton’s Snowboard Binding Size Chart & Buyer’s Guide for more details on selecting the perfect pair of bindings.

Final Thoughts on Choosing Soft or Stiff Snowboard Bindings

If you’ve made it this far but you still feel conflicted choosing between stiff vs soft snowboard bindings, read through the following rider descriptions to see where you fit into the picture.

• I don’t know where I fit in: If you aren’t quite sure where you fit in, we recommend visiting your local snowboard shop and talking to a knowledgeable employee about your experience and goals. They can set you up with demo equipment which is one of the best ways to test a variety of snowboards and bindings and figure out what works best for your needs.
• I’m a complete novice: If you’ve never ridden before or only have 1-2 days of snowboarding experience, soft snowboard bindings will help you learn and progress.
• I can comfortably link turns: If you’ve figured out the basics of riding, look for medium stiffness snowboard bindings to continue your progression.
• I’ve been a casual rider for years: For the weekend warriors and those who are just out to have a good time, medium stiffness snowboard bindings are a guaranteed good time.
• I’m experienced, like speed and go big: If you are an aggressive rider with plenty of experience, try a medium-stiff or stiff binding for enhanced control and response.
• I spend most of my time in the park: If freestyle riding is your focus, try a softer binding. If you specifically focus on large jumps, a medium or medium-stiff binding may be a better choice.