Snowboard binding

In a snowboard binding having a base plate adapted to be securely attached onto a snowboard, and two retaining brackets which are connected to the base plate, the two retaining brackets each being pivotal about a pin extending transversely with respect to said base plate and which, when the binding is performing a retaining function, respectively engage over front and rear sole borders of a boot located on the base plate, and a releasable locking mechanism which retains the retaining brackets in a pivoted position engaged over the sole border to secure the boot, when the binding is performing the retaining function, to the base plate, one of the retaining brackets being articulated on an actuating element pivotally mounted on the base plate about a first pivot pin extending transversely with respect to said base plate, the improvement wherein a step-on element is provided and is articulatable relative to the base plate, wherein the actuating element is acted upon by an operative engagement with the step-on element, the step-on element being pivotally supported for movement about a second pin extending transversely with respect to said base plate, the step-on element being substantially positioned beneath the boot and operatively engaging the actuating element during a boot-insertion phase, and wherein at least one locking slide is provided and arranged on the base plate and supported for longitudinal movement, the at least one locking slide being substantially positioned beneath the boot and operatively engaging the actuating element and, after overcoming a dead center position thereof, urging the actuating element and hence the one retaining bracket to secure the boot to the base plate.