We asked a bunch of brands to show us the bindings from their 2014 range that they were most hyped on, and gave them an open mic to say what’s so awesome about them. Check out what they picked.

Check the lowdown from brands like Rome, K2, Ride, Burton, Union and Salomon.

Check the 101 on Ride Snowboards killer Capo bindings. And if they’re good enough for Jake Blauvelt…

The Ride Capo binding is packed with Ride’s latest features – a new ankle strap, improved ratchets and a refined, responsive Eclipse highback – but perhaps the most noteworthy is the new Infinity chassis. This allows you to centre your boot super easily on your board, on you board – loosening the four screws means you can move the chassis on the baseplate while the baseplate is mounted on the board. There’s also a new microdisc to save further weight and as for who it’s aimed at, Jake Blauvelt shreds it so you know it’ll be your top-of-the-line all mountain riders who’ll be after this bad boy.

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.

What can you say about Markku Koski? He’s a rider that’s difficult pidgeonhole as hits hard wherever he rides. See his Samurai Pipe skills and you’d think he’s a U-Jump rock, but then he’ll throw a cab 9 pow stomper or hold it down on the streets and have you scratching your head trying to decide what he rides best. The answer? All of it. Here’s his rig…

Stats:

Date of Birth: 15.10.81
Hometown: Helsinki, Finland
Home Mountain: Sievi, Finland
Stance: Regular, +15 front, -9 back
SPONSORS: Quiksilver, 32, Etnies, Vivo Headwear, Stepchild

Photo: Cole Barash

BOARD

Stepchild Salary Man

When you’re able to swipe anything from the Stepchild stockroom, how come you choose the Salary Man?

I usually ride the Expat but this year the graphic on that one was something I wasn’t too stoked on so I’m riding the Salary Man. It’s a cheaper board for the entire mountain.

Do you ride one model and length for everything, or do you switch it up?

Yeah, I keep switching boards just to keep it interesting. I ride the 152 Salary Man on rails (soft reverse camber), 155 Expat in the park and pipe (stiffer normal camber) and a 158 Chi Borg in pow (medium reverse camber).

Regular or reverse camber?

Just depends, I don’t really care. I usually ride reverse camber on rails and pow and otherwise normal camber. I think normal camber is better for hardpack.

BOOTS

ThirtyTwo Team2

What model were you rocking last season? And why did you pick that model?

I usually ride the Team2 boot. Just the way they fi t my feet is perfect. I love the way the boot looks too.

Do you like your boots super stiff, soft as hell or somewhere in between?

I like them pretty soft just because I feel more loose on the board and it’s better for tweaking tricks.

Are you backing speedlace or are you more traditional in your boot lacing tastes?

I don’t care really. The Team2 comes with laces so I just use that.

BINDINGS

Ride Delta MVMT

What’s the most important criteria in terms of bindings for you, and how do those ones fit your needs?

It’s important naturally not to feel pressure points on the bindings. I like them as simple binding as possible. Most important is to have a good ankle strap I think. I don’t ride for Ride or anything but I just think that binding is the best one I ever tried so I use ’em.

Do you adjust your bindings at all before you ride them for the first time?

No, nothing special. I just try to keep it so my heels or toes don’t come too much out over the board.

OUTERWEAR

Quiksilver Utility Line

What features are you most stoked with on the Quik outerwear you’re wearing?

I’m riding the Quiksilver Utility line. I like my clothes light and the fit has to be on point.

Do you prefer your outerwear to fit gangsta big, hipster tight or just middle of the road?

I like slim fit and long jackets and semi-tight fit on pants.

GLOVES

ThirtyTwo

Is it pipe gloves for the park and thicker ones for backcountry for you, or just one pair for everywhere?

32 just made some park gloves so I’m rocking them. Again the fi t is the most important, and that the gloves don’t get too wet.

Anything special you like about your 32 gloves?

Probably the fact that I took a bunch of them so will never have to ride stinky gloves again.

GOGGLES

Quiksilver Facet Orbicular

What goggles are you wearing?

I’m wearing the Facet Orbicular goggle.

What do you specifi cally like about them?

Quiksilver has a couple of different models and they’re all pretty good but I like these ones the most. To me the look is most important. I like the bubble lens too.

EXTRAS

What other stuff do you always make sure is in your backpack when you head up to ride?

I always bring a facemask and a neckwarmer with me. Be sure to check out the new Vivo Headwear line for that.