Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a removable strap for a snowboard boot to preventing the rider's foot from lifting in the boot. The ankle strap enables a soft boot to be used with both a strap-less step-in binding system, and a strap binding system. Another aspect is a snowboard binding including a strap adapted to releasably secure the snowboard boot and constructed and arranged to avoid creation of a pressure point at an instep bone of the rider. A further aspect is an apparatus comprising a snowboard boot and a strap attached thereto. The strap is arranged to prevent the rider's heel from lifting in the snowboard boot, and is constructed and arranged to avoid creation of a pressure point at an instep bone of the rider.

Abstract: A gliding board, such as a snowboard, is constructed and arranged so that the board is suited for different riding conditions that benefit from different board arrangements and/or for different riding styles that also may benefit from varying board configurations. Nose, tail, overall dimensions, and binding mounting locations may be varied to achieve a balance of desired board performance characteristics.