Whether you ride with strap bindings or step-in bindings you should properly adjust your bindings. Proper binding adjustment goes beyond stance angles, and stance width.
Adjusting Strap Bindings
Adjustment of the ankle strap will depend on the type of riding you do. If you freeride you should move the ankle strap higher up on the frame of the binding for more support. If freestyle is your style of riding then move the ankle strap lower on the binding frame for more flexibility.
The toe and ankle strap should fit snuggly around your foot. You can lengthen or shorten the straps until they are snug, but not overly tight, over your foot.
Lastly, adjust your forward-lean by adjusting your highback. Most bindings have a forward-lean adjustment on the highback. The amount of forward lean you choose to ride with is your personal preference. The more forward lean you ride with the more pressure you will be able to apply to your board’s heelside edge, and it will be easier to tip your board on its’ heelside edge. After you adjust your forward-lean, position the highback so that there is no gap between the highback and the heelcup of the binding.
Adjusting Step-ins
Step-ins need adjustment also. Most step-in adjustment is done on the boot. With step-in boots you have to rely on tight lacing to help keep your fore foot down. Most step-in boots also have an ankle strap. The ankle strap should be snug over your foot. Some boots (like many of the Shimano boots) allow you to move the ankle strap higher or lower on the boot.
Step-ins that do not have built-in (external) highbacks have a system of straps on the boot to adjust forward lean. Just like with strap bindings the amount of forward lean you choose to ride with is your personal preference.
Step-ins that have external highbacks should be adjusted like strap bindings. The forward-lean adjustment is usually similar to strap bindings. Remember, that after you adjust your forward-lean, position the highback so that there is no gap between the highback and the heelcup of the binding.
These are some of the basic adjustments that you can make to your bindings. Experiment with all of these adjustments to find the best combination for the type of riding you do, and for your skill level.
With strap bindings there are basically three different adjustments that should be made, those are: Adjustment of the toe strap, adjustment of the ankle strap, and adjustment of the highback. The toe strap should be adjusted so that it is over the ball of your foot. The toe strap should not be too far forward and over your toes.
