This week our product spotlight falls on this women’s quick-entry freestyle binding from Ride Snowboards – the Bandita Contraband. Find out what we made of it.

RIDE SNOWBOARDS

Women’s Bandita Contraband Bindings

Intended use: All Mountain Freestyle, Park & Pipe
Colours: Black, Purple
Sizes: S, M

Yes, the spider web where you’d think the toestrap would be looks a little unusual at first, but it’s there to enable these Bandita Contrabands to be entered and exited using just the ankle strap ratchet therefore saving time strapping. Built for freestyle ladies wanting to send it, these features the all new SlingBack highback for premium flex, and the ultra secure V-Grip™ strap system. Also kitted with Wedgie 2.5 footbeds and Urethane Rollbar™ to provide an added dose of comfort and boost of ollie pop.

Here’s what our editorial assistant, Anna, made of them as she tore them through pre-season Saas Fee: “Though the unique strapping system is a little fiddly to adjust to fit your boots the first time (you should definitely take the time to do it properly at home rather than on the mountain), once you’ve adjusted them they’re really great to ride with. As for the rest of the binding, everything is real easy to tweak how you want it. Of course, the Contraband system means they’re super fast and easy to use as you have just the one ratchet to contend with – they might not be faster than a rear entry binding but there’s not a great deal of difference in strapping time. The large mesh toe holder really eliminates any weird pressure points over your foot and with the ankle strap it holds you just as secure as a two-strap. Over all it’s middle-ish on the flex/response-ometer meaning it won’t kick your ass but still gives you power. Overall definitely good for girls who like the park and want to get in as many laps as possible.”

€189.95

Should these women’s bindings sound like your cup o’ tea, you can buy them online from Blue Tomato or pick ‘em up at your local Ride Snowboards dealer.