Snowboard bindings have a simple job: Attack the snowboarder’s feet to the board.
There are several types of bindings.
Straps
The most commonly binding technology today is the strap binding. (Click here to bring up some examples from Google images.)
A strap binding typically has a large piece of plastic (a highback) that goes behind your heel, reaching up past the ankle. It is accompanied by one strap that goes over your foot, passing close the ankle, and another strap that goes over the foot near the toes. The rider must thread each strap into a receiving part of the binding before heading off down the hill.
Riders who prefer strap bindings say they allow for more precise control over the board than the alternatives.
Step-ons
Step-on bindings don’t rely on straps. Instead, they use hardware that allows the rider to step onto the board and let automatically locking parts kick in. (Click here for some examples from Google image search.)
Riders who prefer step-on bindings say they appreciate not having to bend over to deal with threading straps into the attaching hardware.
Hybrid bindings
Hybrid bindings have straps, but generally the rider can set them in place while off the hill and then forget about it. To get into and out of the binding, the rider moves the highback. (Click here for some images served up by Google.)