Forums › Purchasing Boards and Bindings › Switch Bindings.
- This topic has 16 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 9 months ago by Josh.
-
AuthorPosts
-
January 26, 2009 at 4:36 pm #265Ok, help me out FrostyRiders….My wife picked up a used snowboard with switch bindings (it's what she really wanted), however after wearing the boots more she has decided they are too small. So, I have found several pairs of boots, some with bails, some without that will fit her more comfortably. Are there compatibility issues (different sizes) with the switch bindings, bails and boots? The bindings on my wife's board say 'Autolock 65' and look like the bindings I see called 'N type'. I have also come across bails that say the modern ones are more narrow. So, I'm not sure what to make of all this.So my question is, if I get a new pair of boots that say they fit N type step-in binding and they don't come with the bails, can I take the bails off the boots my wife has, and put them on these other boots and be set?…I'm soOk, help me out FrostyRiders….My wife picked up a used snowboard with switch bindings (it's what she really wanted), however after wearing the boots more she has decided they are too small. So, I have found several pairs of boots, some with bails, some without that will fit her more comfortably. Are there compatibility issues (different sizes) with the switch bindings, bails and boots? The bindings on my wife's board say 'Autolock 65' and look like the bindings I see called 'N type'. I have also come across bails that say the modern ones are more narrow. So, I'm not sure what to make of all this.So my question is, if I get a new pair of boots that say they fit N type step-in binding and they don't come with the bails, can I take the bails off the boots my wife has, and put them on these other boots and be set?…I'm so confused 😛January 26, 2009 at 6:27 pm #3223
Thanks for the question pengee. I have never fancied Switch Bindings. They rank up there with Device Bindings as just being odd to me. My recommendation is to ditch the switch and just go with standard strap bindings. If you want the step-in convenience then go with Flow Bindings. The conveniences of having a standard setup are numerous — compatibility, availability, performance, comfort, and reliability are all increased with standard boots and strap bindings (including Flow which I personally use — see Flow reviews here).
January 26, 2009 at 6:33 pm #3224lol, I am with you Frosty but have had no luck talking my wife out of it.
January 26, 2009 at 7:28 pm #3225Looks like you have a problem then, lol. Gotta give a lady what she wants, I know. Well, The House carries Switch, so I suggest contacting them to see what they recommend as a dealer.
January 26, 2009 at 9:52 pm #3226have had no luck talking my wife out of it.
Haha that sucks.I really dont like step ins myself. Really unsupportive
January 27, 2009 at 2:39 am #3230ok, switch n style bindings were and still are my dream bindings. i rode a board with themonce, and i loved it. despite everyone else hating it, with the ankle support and high backbeing on the boot itself. it does make walking a bastard.heres the problem…n styles are hard to find. every once and again you can find a pairbut they're usually not comfortable. van's used to have one for the n style, and they wereso comfortable!if your wife has ridden this board with the n-type and nailed the lock in 1st try, thats probablythe reason she loved them. thats the reason i loved them. it was just like…click click go.
January 27, 2009 at 7:38 pm #3241… van's used to have one for the n style, and they wereso comfortable!…
Yes, I remember Vans being the best thing that ever happened to switch.Good luck man.
January 29, 2009 at 12:26 am #3255haha- ii have no ideas what you guys are talkin about lol
January 29, 2009 at 2:33 am #3256josh -switch bindings were a controversy back in the mid 90's. they were one of the 1st, if notTHE first company to do step ins, and i believe thats all they had was step ins.The major flaw for switch was that most of the boots that they had to use were “switch only” style.meaning the ankle strap was built onto the boot, much like burtons flat platestep in, but with alot less support. The high back on the “high end” model left much to be desired,thus alot of people began hating them. They were also notorious for snow clogs (like burtons notbut no one seems to complain about that one) and they broke easy.Switch did manage to make a jem called the N-Style which was pure simplicity. The downfall on thatbinding was you had to now find a boot that came with a highback built into the boot, along with theankle straps. Van's made them for a while, bujosh -switch bindings were a controversy back in the mid 90's. they were one of the 1st, if notTHE first company to do step ins, and i believe thats all they had was step ins.The major flaw for switch was that most of the boots that they had to use were “switch only” style.meaning the ankle strap was built onto the boot, much like burtons flat platestep in, but with alot less support. The high back on the “high end” model left much to be desired,thus alot of people began hating them. They were also notorious for snow clogs (like burtons notbut no one seems to complain about that one) and they broke easy.Switch did manage to make a jem called the N-Style which was pure simplicity. The downfall on thatbinding was you had to now find a boot that came with a highback built into the boot, along with theankle straps. Van's made them for a while, but I'm not entirely sure if anyone does now. Theadvantage of the N-style vs any other style of step in was the 2 piece click connect, and lock down lever.And the stainless steel points on both the bindings and the boots made it all but impossible to pop thebinding, a problem thats plagued step ins forever. But alas, it also made walking in the boots a majordisaster. You can loosen the binding strap thats built onto the boot, but then it feels like your feet aregoing to come out.Without a proper binding you're also carrying your board with your hands on the edges, which ironicallyare duller than the toe and heel clip on the N-style, those clips that hold the boot down resemble razorblades. So carrying your board by the bindings, which is something that most of us do, is completely out.There are still die hard Switch fans out there. I met one last time i rode 🙂 Its a pure love or hate relationshipwith that company, but its also just barely kept them afloat. Their binding designs haven't changed muchin the 15 years I've known about them, so it could be said that they're just barely hanging in there to seewhat happens. I'm not a die hard fan, but if I could get my hands on a set of new Van's with the N-styleset up, I'd trade my Ride Lx's in a heartbeat. And I think I've stressed enough on how much I like my Ridebindings. ;)here is a board with the switch n-style bindings mounted to itand here is a pic of the bindings alone, and i think these are the 07 models:and here is a van's boot made for the switch bindings. notice the ankle strap:January 29, 2009 at 3:36 am #3257lol, Travz brings the history lesson.I have a set of womens size 6 vans for cheap in case anyone wants to feel nostalgic 😛
January 29, 2009 at 4:25 am #3259pengee i have a set of k2 charm bindings thats been mounted but never ridden ina womans medium if your wife decides to swap to straps. They're white and verygirlie ahha. If i was a woman and a size 6 id swap for the boots 😉
January 29, 2009 at 4:46 am #3261Well she already got a new set of switch boots, so no need for anything else…… for now, lol. While I'm in love with the idea of switch bindings myself, and I even tried to get a cheap set to play with, I'm still taking bets on how long before she gets tired of them. 🙁
January 29, 2009 at 5:11 pm #3269Thanks for the history travz. That sounds pretty cool. Ive actually ridden a rental that had a step in system that looks JUST like that with the things on the sides of the boots and everything. I dont like step ins from that experience lol. This isnt the best place to put it but travz have you ever ridden like a burton binding? If so how would they compare to you LXs?
January 29, 2009 at 6:35 pm #3275josh-no worries on the history. if you see someone riding those, ask em about them. odds are,they'll say best bindings they've ever had. The people that didnt like them got rid of thempretty quick, thats why they're pretty rare. I was honestly shocked when I was pulling uppictures and info that they're still for sale. haha.The pad step in you rode for a rental was probably Burton's knock off. Its black, and a circle,but it's beefier, and the boots are more stable. Thats what alot of the resorts here use forbeginners. But the difference is that the Switch Type-N is all metal, minus the base plate..which USED to be metal too. I cant tell if the ones in that pic are metal or high polishedblack polycarb, but the ones I saw on the mountain were plastic. Who knows now adays.Its hard to find info on Switch.I've ridden different types of Burton bindjosh-no worries on the history. if you see someone riding those, ask em about them. odds are,they'll say best bindings they've ever had. The people that didnt like them got rid of thempretty quick, thats why they're pretty rare. I was honestly shocked when I was pulling uppictures and info that they're still for sale. haha.The pad step in you rode for a rental was probably Burton's knock off. Its black, and a circle,but it's beefier, and the boots are more stable. Thats what alot of the resorts here use forbeginners. But the difference is that the Switch Type-N is all metal, minus the base plate..which USED to be metal too. I cant tell if the ones in that pic are metal or high polishedblack polycarb, but the ones I saw on the mountain were plastic. Who knows now adays.Its hard to find info on Switch.I've ridden different types of Burton bindings throughout the years, and I have to say, thesuper high end Burton binding beats the Ride Lx, both in stability and quality. But, notby enough to warrant the $150+ depending on where you shop more than the Ride Lx.I think Ride also has a level over the Lx, but I haven't been to their site in ages. So I'llleave it at this, price comparison between the Burton binding at the level and the Ride Lx,the Ride is a better binding, in my opinion. But if I had to choose freebie, I'd go with thetop of the line Burton binding over any of Rides.January 29, 2009 at 7:59 pm #3277Ya i was thinkin they were burton or something.Seems like companys dont really make step inns and more right?I just looked. They LX is a realllyyy goood price 😀
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.