Cabrinha 2022/23 Footstraps Overview

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Jake from MACkite here. Today we're going to do a general overview on the 2022 Cabrinha bindings. I'll also include my thoughts since I do have experience on all of these.

2022 Cabrinha Bindings

The Cabrina H1 is their most simplified binding. It's just a single strap system, but it works really well. It's functional; it's basic. The H2O binding has two adjustment straps. It also has a density pad underneath so you can harden or soften it underneath your heel. It's their most premium, sophisticated binding. The new Cabrinha Source is probably one of my favorite bindings on the market currently. Let's go over all of them, what makes each one great, what are the drawbacks for each one, and then we can home in on which one's right for you.

All of these bindings utilize a six-inch hole spacing pattern. So if you measure from the center of one hole to the center of the opposite hole, that's going to be six inches. All of these bindings accommodate that, and most major brands on the market also utilize a six-inch hole spacing pattern.

Cabrinha H1 Bindings

When you pull the H1 bindings out of the box, you get two different pieces, the footpads and the straps. The footpad has nice texturing with a little bit of contour and plastic tabs where you can line up your holes. Underneath, it's fairly basic, but they are marked so you know which is the right and which is the left. When you install the strap, simply line up the holes on each side with those on the pad.

It's a single strap system secured by two overlapping strips of Velcro, so pull them each open, and that's going to give you your adjustment range. You can slide the black plastic tabs inside to expand or make the binding smaller. The H1s are available in two sizes. The small is for a foot size US male 9 or smaller. In the 8 and above range you'll want to go with the standard. If you're wearing a bootie, I would recommend going with a standard as well, even if your feet are a little bit smaller, because you'll need more strap to accommodate that.

It's a very basic system, but what's nice about it is how simplistic it is. These are really fast to adjust, and I like them a lot in the wintertime when I am wearing booties because it can be really hard to get a precise fit. The more straps there are to tighten, the more difficult that's going to be, so a simple, one-strap system is a classic.

The drawback with these is, since they are a little bit simpler, they may not be as comfortable as some more adjustable bindings, but they do work really well.

Cabrinha H2O Bindings

As I said earlier, the H2O bindings are quite sophisticated. This is a two-strap system. The adjustment on this functions similarly to something like the Slingshot Dually or the Nash Apex, where it has four different adjustment points, two on each side, and then you manipulate the main binding pad accordingly. You can adjust the amount of pitch that this strap has by playing with the part underneath. That'll also allow you to have more have more strap. Also underneath you can actually change where the straps connect on the binding. That allows you to account for a little bit of a foot difference and find the best fit possible. With this zonal adjustment, you're really able to tighten it down and get a nice fit on your foot.

The track on the sides of the footpad allow you to change the angle of your foot on the board. A wider angle can give you added maneuverability for carving and toeside riding, while a more narrow angle gives added stability in landings, less resistance in rotations, and less risk of an inner side knee injury.

Underneath the heel, it comes with the soft density pad installed, but you can put in the hard density pad if you want a little bit more firmness. The track where it attaches to the board allows you to position it with a little bit more nuance and customization. So generally what you get with these bindings is probably the most precise fit.

As for drawbacks to them, there is a lot going on, so you've got to spend a little bit of time fiddling and making sure you're getting the correct fit. Also, the top binding piece is a bit rigid, so you don't get as much zonal adjustment as you otherwise might. When you tighten it down, despite all of the adjustment points, this top pad just moves as a big, cohesive unit, so I found I don't have quite as much actual customization when it comes to locking on my foot.

With booties, while I can play with the straps underneath to make them bigger, I found I just prefer the simplicity of the H1. It feels like I can get a better locked-in fit with my booties versus having to fiddle with all the adjustments on the H2O. But it's a really solid strap, really comfortable with lots of customization options, and a solid upgrade from the H1 if you are looking for a little bit more comfort.

Cabrinha Source Bindings

The Source is the newest offering from Cabrinha, and I really like this system. They simplify the H2O, but I think they made a couple of little improvements, which makes it my personal favorite strap in the lineup. My bias is that I really liked the Duotone Ergo straps, and I also like the Liquid Force Pro pads because I like this pad adjustment system. It's one piece toward the outside of your foot, and then it forks off and splits toward the arch of your foot. When it comes to really latching it down and anchoring your foot, I think this is probably one of the better systems out there. You get a true zonal fit with your personal foot shape. I find I can lock it down around the toe and get that comfortable, secure fit where it doesn't feel like the board's going to fly off as I kick it overhead and do a big spin. I feel completely comfortable and confident when I'm wearing these straps.

You can adjust it from both sides, and then if we flip it upside-down, much like the H2Os you've got the straps underneath where you can simply move the Velcro, and that's going to allow the straps to expand and get a little bit larger.

On the bottom of the footpads it tells you the size and which foot it's for, and they also put the screws in the pad. You simply pull them out, and it's a nice storage place if you're traveling.

It does have a novel clip system on each side of the footstrap. It's grooved, and this allows you to adjust how close you want the straps to the side of the footpad. If you have a narrower foot, you can move it closer to where your foot is. If your foot is a little wider, you can push it out. If your foot is a little bit flatter on the top, pushing it out will be less archy when you strap it down, and it'll be a little bit more encompassing.

This is a really cool system. It did take me a little bit of playing around to get it right, and the first time I put them on my board I didn't get them matched up and it was a bit frustrating because I was in a hurry, so make sure when you're installing these that you do have some time to get the fit right and experiment with where you put them in the grooved track. Then you're really going to like these straps.

They also worked very well with boots. As I mentioned earlier, I think single strap systems tend to work the best with booties, with the exception of this particular configuration. It does a really good job of accommodating that extra size.

The Source bindings don't have the bottom firmness plate that the H2O bindings have, and the footbed is a little simplified, but that's not surprising since this is less expensive than the H2O. The H1 is in the $130 range, the Source is around $170, and then the H2O generally retails closer to the $220 range.

Which Binding Is Right for You?

They're all really good options. If you just want a basic strap that's going to perform well, you don't need a lot of bells and whistles, or you're wearing booties, the H1 is a great way to go.

If you want a step up from the H1 straps with a nice customized fit, I think the Cabrinha Source straps are awesome. I think at $170 you get a lot of bang for your buck. This is probably one of my favorite straps on the market currently, and it comes in three different sizes, a small, medium, and large.

If you want the most luxurious, plush fit, something that looks good, the ability to tweak the firmness underneath the heel bed, and a really nice toe grip, I would say the H2Os are a good strap to choose. They're very premium.

If it was my choice, I would probably go with the Source bindings. They have a lot of the same systems that originated with the H2O. But they're all great straps and there's not a wrong option.

As always, thanks for checking us out. This has been Jake with MACkite.

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