Thread: Forward Lean on snowboard bindings

I've researched online but couldn't find much so I decided to make a post on here. I've came up with these possible reasons.

1. forward lean is to make sure the boots fit properly (reduces toe drag)
2. better for carving & half pipe riding (no forward lean for park riding)
3. easier to turn


I was riding on burton cartels and those things already come with huge forward lean and it gave me a cramp. I don't know if that's just me but I do ride with my legs straightened out when going down green circles, traverses. Do some of you guys charge the mountain with 0 forward lean?

1: How the hell would forward lean reduce toe drag, seeing as there is a certain amount of resistance to actually getting the boot closer to the heelcup? Some people do make a point out of matching the forward lean on the highbacks with the natural lean in the boots, which I frankly think is a perfectly good idea. Could make the boots last longer.

2+3: Easier heel edge carving - takes less force to get on edge. How you choose to rock your highbacks in the park is up to you. Some people like a decent amount of forward lean in the park, too.

If you bought Cartels without doing your research, too bad for you. Those things (at least 2-3 year old models) are notorious for having a lot of initial forward lean.

I like forward lean, and usually ride with more on my back foot than the front for freeriding. What is a green circle? You´ll always have better control over the snowboard with your knees bent, and it´s a really bad idea to ride with straight knees pretty much anywhere. Knee injuries much?

To your first claim: You "researched" online and couldn´t find much. You must be blind. There is A LOT of stuff on forward lean out there. You´re lazy.

green circle is beginners run. Mostly flat, etc. I guess I'm just not that good at searching things online.

Your back foot leans more forward than your front one? Does that help you turn better? What's the lean difference between between front and back foot? like 3 degrees?

I just find it comfortable and efficient. Riding powder is a lot less tiring, as I don´t have a dedicated pow board - the extra notch of forward lean lets my back leg rest a bit more when turning in the deep, since the force I´ll have to use for power transmission is less than with less forward lean.
I haven´t measured the difference between the front and back bindings´ lean, but it´s about one notch more forward on the back. I think the standard ("zero" FL) setting on the Cartel is more or less similar to what I ride in the front. About your legs hurting, your calves will get used to it, just give it some time. You asked whether or not people who rip ride with zero forward lean. Yeah, some do, but the highback is there for a reason (power transmission). If you look at the bonus material on the AK documentary "Lines", you´ll see Mike Ranquet ranting and raving about highbacks being an invention of the CIA, and is a conspiracy. Very amusing.

Do a search over on snowboard.com, should turn up lots of results on forward lean.