How to Set Up Snowboard Bindings: Stance Width, Angles, Centring and Highbacks (Step by Step)

By Chris O'Shea and Anna Nikstad, Welcome Board Store, Mornington Peninsula

Plenty of people come into the shop, get us to set up their bindings, and never touch them again. That's fine to start with, but your stance is personal, and learning to adjust it yourself is one of the best things you can do for your riding. In our Snowboard Binding Setup Guide video, Chris (who has been snowboarding for over two decades) puts it simply: riding with the wrong stance wears out your hips, and taking time to dial it in can add years to your snowboarding.

This written guide follows the same steps as the video: binding size, stance width, angles, centring your boots, straps, highbacks, powder setups and matching flex.

Quick answer: Choose a binding size that fits your boot without hanging over the board's edges. Set your stance width around shoulder width (Chris rides about 53 cm, or 21", at 5'11"). Start with angles of +12 / -12 for a freestyle feel or +15 / -9 for more of a directional, all mountain feel. Centre your boots so the toe and heel overhang are equal, centre the straps, rotate the highbacks so they line up with the edge, and match your binding flex to your board.

What you need

• Your board, bindings and the boots you'll actually ride in
• A screwdriver or binding tool, like the Union Binding Multi Tool
• A tape measure (Union bindings include one in the pack)
• 15 minutes and a bit of patience

Step 1: Choose the right binding size

Bindings come in sizes that match a boot size range, and many boot sizes fall in two binding sizes. Chris's example: a size 10 boot can go medium or large. He recommends going the medium, because it's less binding to deal with and less weight, and it works well.

Also check the binding suits the board width. If the binding is too big for the board, it can hang over the edges, and you want it sitting nicely on the board. Check each binding's size chart on the product page, or browse snowboard bindings.

Step 2: Set your stance width

Stance width is the distance between the centre of your two bindings. The rule of thumb we use in the shop is to measure the width of your shoulders. From there you can go slightly wider, or stay at that exact width, depending on what's comfortable for your body.

For reference, Chris is 5'11" with fairly wide shoulders and rides about 53 cm (21") as his everyday stance. He goes a little narrower with different angles for powder, and a little wider for general freestyle riding. There are no right or wrong answers; the goal is a stance you feel confident and comfortable in.

Most boards have a reference stance marked by the inserts. Mount your discs, measure centre to centre, and adjust.

Step 3: Set your binding angles

Your binding discs let you rotate each binding. On most bindings, each line on the disc is a 3° increment, so you can set 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and so on.

If you have no idea where to start and you're doing everyday resort riding in typical Australian conditions, these are the starting points we recommend:

The "minus" on the back foot is what's called a duck stance, with both feet pointing outward. Chris's way to think about it: if you're a surfer and want to surf the mountain, go more directional. If you're a skateboarder who wants to jib around and ride switch a lot, go even both ways.

Step 4: Centre your boots (toe and heel overhang)

This is the step most people skip. With your boot in the binding, look down the board from the side. You want the same amount of toe hanging over the edge as heel. If your toes are hanging way out and your heel is barely at the other edge, you'll get toe drag and an unbalanced feel.

How to fix it:

1. Rotate the disc. Discs can go in horizontally or vertically. Horizontal centres the binding directly on the board; vertical lets you slide the binding toward the heel or toe edge.
2. Adjust the heel cup. Most bindings have a heel cup adjustment (the Unions in the video have three positions). Loosen the bolts, but don't undo them all the way, then tap the heel cup in or out to line up the boot.

The goal is simple: get the boot on the board without too much heel or toe hang.

Step 5: Centre your straps

You don't want straps sitting off to the side or cranked all the way down with no room left. Put your boot in and check:

• The ankle strap sits centred over the boot with room to tighten.
• The toe strap sits centred and doesn't pull your foot sideways.
• If a strap is too short to get started, move it along the ladder or switch mounting holes. On Unions this is a quick adjustment.

Step 6: Line up your highbacks

If you ride with a fair bit of angle, your highbacks end up on an angle to the edge of the board. Most bindings let you rotate the highback using small holes inside the heel cup. Move it one hole so the highback runs parallel to the heel edge. It's a small tweak, but it makes the binding more comfortable and responsive, and how much you need depends a little on your boot.

Step 7: Change your setup for powder

For deep days, Chris sets his bindings right back on the board in the rear inserts, brings his stance width in a little, and goes almost zero or 3° on the back foot with a lot of angle on the front, maybe 18 or even 20. You're not going to ride switch in powder, and he finds it makes powder riding effortless and is better on the body.

For hardpack and everyday riding he goes back to centred on the board with something like 12 and 12, or 9 and 15, so he can ride, land and take off switch easily. Heading to Japan this season? See our Japan snowboard trip guide for more powder setup tips.

Step 8: Match your binding flex to your board

Bindings have stiffness grades, and generally the higher end the binding, the stiffer and more responsive it is. Chris's rule: balance your setup. If your board is a 5 out of 10, a 5 or 6 binding makes sense. What you don't want is a 3 out of 10 binding on a 7 or 8 board. You won't be able to manipulate the board and you won't get the most out of it.

• Stiff, aggressive board: responsive bindings, like the Union Falcor (7/10) or Union Atlas Pro (8/10).
• All mountain, medium board: the Union STR (6/10), Union Force Classic (7/10) or the YES IPO (5/10).
• Loose, buttery style or a soft board: a softer binding like the Union Ultra (5/10) or, for women, the Union Rosa (4/10).
• Women's: the Union Juliet (6/10) and Union Trilogy Classic (7/10).
• Kids: the Union Cadet Pro (5/10) and Union Cadet Mini (3/10).

Want to go deeper on flex? Read our snowboard flex guide. Many of our bindings are currently on sale; see the snow sale.

If you ride YES, our walk through of the YES IPO and Select bindings covers YES's SkateTech and adjustments:

Before you ride: final checks

• Every disc screw tight (check again after your first few runs, and keep a binding tool in your jacket).
• Stance width and angles the same as you planned on both bindings.
• No toe or heel drag when you lean the board on edge.
• Straps centred with room to tighten.
• Store bindings and hardware safely in the off season, for example in a Crab Grab Binding Bag.

Snowboard binding setup FAQ

What is the best stance width for snowboarding?

Start around shoulder width. Many riders go slightly wider for freestyle and slightly narrower for powder. Chris rides about 53 cm (21") at 5'11".

What binding angles should a beginner use?

A gentle duck stance is a good start, like +12 / -12, or +15 / -9 if you want a more directional feel. Adjust in 3° steps until it feels natural.

Should my front binding have more angle than my back?

For directional, all mountain and powder riding, yes, more angle on the front feels natural. For park and lots of switch, even angles both ways are easier.

How do I stop toe or heel drag?

Centre your boot so toe and heel overhang equally, using your disc position and heel cup adjustment. If you still have drag with a big boot, you may need a wider board.

Should I get a medium or large binding?

If your boot size fits both, Chris recommends the medium: less binding, less weight, and it works well. Check the brand's size chart first.

How do I set up my bindings for powder?

Move your bindings back on the board, narrow your stance slightly, and go nearly square on the back foot (0 to 3°) with more angle on the front (around 18 to 20).

Can the shop set up my bindings for me?

Yes. We're happy to set up your bindings, and we can talk you through it so you can tweak them yourself.

Ask us

Not sure your setup is right? Ask us. Bring your board, bindings and boots into the shop on the Mornington Peninsula and we'll set you up and show you how, hit us up on live chat at welcomeboardstore.com.au, or email support@welcomeboardstore.com.au.