Snowshoe binding without heel strap

In a binding for a snowshoe or other outdoor terrain-engaging footgear, the binding including at least one strap to engage over a user's boot, the improvement comprising:

• the strap comprising a textured strap having a series of parallel lateral ridges, and a tightening buckle for the strap and through which the strap passes, the buckle comprising a cam lock buckle having a release lever with a series of teeth extending outwardly from a cam surface, each tooth comprising a lateral ridge parallel to the ridges of the strap, the lever being spring-biased-toward a closed position, the teeth being positioned to engage with the ridges of the strap, and the buckle further including a roller over which the strap passes and essentially reverses direction, the roller being at a position in opposition to the lever teeth such that the strap is engaged between the teeth and the roller, the teeth being configured such that pullback of the strap through the buckle is substantially prevented by tighter camming engagement of the teeth with the strap when pullback tension is exerted on the strap.