TOE BUCKLE

A failed toe buckle ends the day no matter how well the rest of the binding works. The Burton Toe Buckle is the replacement buckle for the toe strap and pairs with Burton's Smooth Glide tongues.

The buckle is the ratcheting mechanism that travels along the tongue and pulls slack out of the strap as you tighten. A Burton strap binding normally runs one toe buckle and one ankle buckle, and a complete strap consists of tongue, slider, buckle and the strap itself. The tongue is the toothed plastic piece anchored on the pinkie toe side, and the teeth in the buckle have to match its spacing or the strap slips. Compatibility is the deciding factor here: this buckle is built for Smooth Glide tongues. A toe buckle takes rougher treatment than most components, because it is operated with gloves on, sits closest to the snow and is often what catches the lift bar or a groomer track. Once the spring or the teeth wear out, the strap cannot hold tension for a full run.

• Ratchet buckle: tightens the toe strap incrementally
• Smooth Glide: matches Burton Smooth Glide tongues
• Toe strap: replaces the lower buckle
• Single component: swaps without a new strap
• Glove friendly: large lever on the mechanism
• Wear part: a sensible spare for the pack

The buckle suits snowboarders on Burton strap bindings with Smooth Glide tongues who want a working spare on the shelf. It restores full tension so the toe strap locks the boot back down onto the baseplate.