Weight, flex, and price are things to consider… but if the binding isn’t comfortable, you’re eff’d. I like the new Park-Specific ASYM Superstrap. The shape’s been changed and the padding looks plush. It’s also customizable – choose between power or mobility. And whoa. This binding’s got wings, literally. But it looks like I’ll have to snag an EST board to use these puppies.

Another binding I really like is the Escapade. (Big surprise.) This beast is available with or without the EST mounting system.

I remember this binding being super light and comfy. The straps were very padded and the frame was flexible, but responsive. Burton rates it a 6. (10 being most responsive) The mesh hi-back is sweet, too.

More bindings at: www.burton.com

Feelgood V-Rocker

It’s got a soft flex pattern, increased pop in the tail and a resilient nose – seems like a decent choice for an all-mountain deck. And if you’ve ever looked at your board and thought, “Hm. The base’s graphics just aren’t bright enough. Gah!”

Burton actually created a Sintered base to give you Picassos what you want – poppy, attention-grabbing graphics.

Lip-Stick

This board looks wicked fun. Love the V-Rocker, soft flex, sintered base (Sorry art buffs. Standard-Def base graphics only), twin shape, and reduced swing weight thanks to the Pro-Tip technology. The graphics are pretty sweet, too.

Oh, and check this — Burton overbuilds their boards to “maximize pop & strength.” Then, they break it in for us using this impressive, slightly scaring looking machine. They call it Infinite Ride. I call it Board Yoga.

Check out Burton’s 2010 gear at: www.burton.com and stay tuned for the next haul featuring Big B’s bindings.

CAPP3L’s gear looks sick. I really like the different cuts, pocket placement, fabric textures and tech ratings. Take a gander at these two jackets. With a straight face, tell me you don’t love these jackets. I bet you can’t.

The Edenberry and Canterbury jackets come with 15,000mm waterproofing, fully-sealed seams and 60g Thinsulate Insulation with Foil Print Faux Fur Lining. The other colorways available are also wicked nice. (The Canterbury’s White Smoke/Purple Velvet/Gray Denim is my fave.)

Oh, and try saying the names out loud with a British accent. It’s fun.

Moving on, Ride’s outerwear is significantly brighter than CAPP3L’s with good tech ratings and average cuts. Basically, the down puffy actually looks a puffy.

And if you want to be seen from space in that down puffy, I suggest you check out the Ravenna Down Jacket in Lime. (I recommend wearing polarized sunglasses before viewing. J/K… bright gear rules.)

I’m currently on a 145 GNU B-Street BTX (a great all-mountain freestyle deck), so I’d like a board just for the park – something with a flex so soft, it’s offensive. I’d get it small, too – probably no larger than a 141. Here are three boards I’d love to try:

2010 Forum Spinster Chillydog

Forum’s Spinster Chillydog looks super fun. Apparently, this board is rockered in the shape of “one big ass circle” and on Forum’s flex scale, it’s a 2 (1 being the softest). Yes, please.

More Forum at: www.forumsnowboards.com.

2010 Ride Compact

A new addition to Ride’s lineup, the Compact, utilizes Ride’s LowRize rocker. Check the video Ride had on their website explaining the LowRize technology. As a YouTube/Vimeo junkie, I love them for this.

Check out the rest of Ride at: www.ridesnowboards.com.

2010 K2 VaVaVoom Rocker

I’ve been dying to demo this board since it first came out. This is the VaVaVoom’s 3rd season, 2nd with rocker technology. I’m glad I waited to pull the trigger, because this year’s graphics are wicked nice. K2’s Jib Rocker is flat between the bindings to “lock into jibs as if you’re on a skateboard” and rocks up from the binding out. I really want to snag this board in a 139cm and butter everything in sight… boxes, rails, groomers, trees, small children… you name it, I’ll butter it.

Check out www.k2snowboarding.com for more luscious shred gear.