Soft boot binding for snow boards

A snowboard binding adapted to receive a user's boot, the binding including a shoe base plate and an upstanding heed and calf support, the base plate adapted to be fixedly secured to a snowboard, that improvement comprising a single strap member extending from a first point forwardly of the heel on one side of the base to a second point just forwardly of the heel on an opposite side of said base plate;

• an instep pad having a substantially rigid curved portion extending from the toe area to the lower shinbone of the user's boot and having a cushioned surface extending along a lower surface of said rigid curved portion, said strap member including first and second strap portions, said first strap portion extending across the upper portion of the user's boot and having a first end secured to said base plate at said first point and a second end which terminates short of said second point, said second strap portion having a first end pivotally secured to said base plate at said second point, said second ends of said first and second strap portions being releasably interconnected by means of a quick release buckle, and means for adjustably securing said rigid curved portion of said instep pad to said first strap portion at a central location along said rigid curved portion whereby the toe and leg portion are free to permit tweaking and other movements of the ankle and foot with varying degrees of restraint.