Snowboard Binding System

Abstract

There is disclosed a snowboard binding system for soft snowboard boots. The binding system is unique in that it connects the snowboard boot (and the snowboard rider) to the snowboard base by means of a circumferential leg strap joined to the snowboard base by means of vertical straps. All soft boot snowboard binding systems in the prior art utilize one or more straps that cover the instep area of the boot. This system provides manufacturing efficiencies, increased user comfort and performance advantages over prior art.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A snowboard binding for affixing a soft snowboard boot to a snowboard, the binding comprising:
 a) a circumferential leg strap positioned around the soft snowboard boot at the point above the ankle and below the calf where the user's leg is narrowest; and   b) a suitable system for interfacing the circumferential leg strap to a snowboard.   
     
     
         2 . The snowboard binding of  claim 1  wherein the circumferential leg strap is connected to a snowboard binding base by means of vertical lateral and/or medial straps, the circumferential leg strap providing the frictional force to secure the binding to the soft snowboard boot and the vertical straps providing the force securing the circumferential leg strap to the binding base. 
     
     
         3 . The snowboard binding of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a) a base acting as the chassis in this system extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end and widthwise from a first side to a second side, wherein, the base features suitable attachments for mounting to a snowboard;   b) a footbed, mounted to said base, wherein the footbed is adjustable lengthwise from a rear end to a front end to accommodate for size;   c) a toe strap mounted to said base near the toe of the snowboard boot, wherein the strap can be adjusted for size, tightened for comfort and released at the discretion of the rider;   d) a circumferential leg strap positioned around the soft snowboard boot at the point above the ankle and below the calf where the user's leg is narrowest, wherein the strap can be adjusted for size, tightened for comfort and released at the discretion of the rider; and   e) a vertical support system joining the circumferential leg strap to said base, wherein the support system can be adjusted for size, tightened to increase securing force to comfort and released at the discretion of the rider.