2008 FSM Binding Test

Some say that the most important piece of snowboarding equipment is your boots. If your feet hurt, snowboarding is miserable, right? Ok… we agree. Next to your boots, though, it’s those ever finicky binders that matter. Your board can be a perfect match, but if you don’t have the perfect connection to it via your bindings, then all those bells and whistles underfoot will fall silent.

To that end, we bring you another round of the FSM binding test. Not the red-headed stepchild of the board test, rather a completely separate and all important endeavor.

Comprised of four male testers and three women testers, the 2008 FSM binding test will put the latest and greatest from all your favorite binding brands through their collective paces. We look at flex, fit, convenience, performance and even a bit of fashion, too. Are the straps tight, is the heelcup snug, does the highback pinch…how do I adjust these!?!

All your common binding frustrations will be taken head on to boil down the binding broth leaving only the cream of the 2008 crop for your enjoyment.

This year the binding test is going down under the sunny skies of Mammoth Mountain, California and protected by the UV blocking power of Vertra sunscreen.

Stay tuned for more binding test insights this week…

Tester Pat Fenelon pens his thoughts on the critical test card.

Test Director Adam Renfree keeps track of all the bindings to be sure each gets a fair shake.

Pat F. puts a pair to the tail grab tweak test at Mammoth.