How to choose your splitboard bindings?

Mixing the physical exercise of ski touring with the freedom of snowboarding instead of skiing: splitboarding is gaining in popularity. Take your first steps by discovering this sport and learning how to choose your splitboard bindings!

What is a splitboard?

As the name suggests, a splitboard is a snowboard that can be cut into two or more parts (split). This type of snowboard can in fact be transformed into a pair of skis allowing you to climb the peaks without having to carry your board on your back. Once at the top of the slope, you simply put the two skis back together to form a snowboard and let yourself shred some pow-pow on the descent. This relatively new sport thus allows you to go and discover as yet unexplored slopes and fully appreciate the pleasures of freeriding with a snowboard.

How does a splitboard binding look like?

Splitboard bindings consist of the same elements as snowboard bindings:

• A baseplate where all the brackets and hooks attach
• A strap to hold the ankle at the back and another to hold the toes
• A spoiler to support the back of the boot
• A hoop to securely hold your heel at the back
• A gas pedal to control your forward lean
• Binding discs and hooks.

The difference is that the splitboard bindings additionally have a system that allows you to switch from downhill to uphill mode. So they can be fitted with climbing wedges and knives, just like touring ski bindings. On some models, the angle of the spoiler is additionally adjustable to facilitate climbing.

The different splitboard bindings

Depending on whether you're a handyman or not, you have the choice of keeping your usual snowboard bindings and simply buying a set of interfaces to adapt them to your splitboard or buying splitboard bindings directly.

Snowboard bindings

Whether it's for budgetary reasons or simply to try out splitboarding before you actually go for it, it's entirely possible to use your snowboard bindings on a splitboard. To do so, however, you will need to purchase a plate kit from Voile. Consisting of a system of slides to be installed on any type of snowboard (except Burton and K2...) or splitboard. This solution makes it possible to make beautiful savings. However, it has the disadvantage of making the bindings heavier and above all of raising the foot a few centimetres in relation to the board, which affects the gliding sensation a little.

Splitboard bindings

More expensive but much more practical, bindings specifically designed for splitboards fall into two categories:

• The rail splitboard bindings: These bindings are installed on slides in the downhill mode. So to remove them, you have to slide them off. The advantage is that this kind of splitboard binding usually allows you to adjust the angles and foot spacing in the downhill mode. The disadvantage is that it can be difficult to remove the bindings when the slides are covered in ice or snow. Major brands offering this system are Burton and Spark.
• The lever splitboard bindings: Easier to use, this type of splitboard binding has a lever that makes it easy to switch from touring to downhill mode. You can find them at the brand Plum or at Karakoram, the top of the moment. These are indeed extremely light.

Whatever type of splitboard binding you choose, don't forget to also get skins, poles and knives for the climbs!