A system, method and apparatus for a digitally Controlled Variable Stiffness item of athletic equipment, such as a Ski, Snowboard, and Boots. A core of thermally responsive metal alloy, such as Nitinol is disposed within the athletic equipment. A thermal control module and controller permit the athlete to program the athletic equipment to a desired stiffness parameter. The controller may include an app operable via a mobile computing device in communication with the thermal control module.

A bindingless snowboard including: a deck having a platform, the platform includes a first deck side edge, a second deck side edge, an upper deck surface and a lower deck surface; a first extension secured to and extending from the first deck side edge; a second extension secured to and extending from the second deck side edge; a base having a first base side edge and a second base side edge, the base secured to the lower deck surface; a first carving edge secured to the first deck edge; a second carving edge secure to the second deck edge; a first sidewall spacer secured between the first extension and the first edge and positioned adjacent to the first deck side edge; and, a second sidewall spacer secured between the second extension and the second edge and positioned adjacent to the second deck side edge, wherein at least a portion of a first force applied to the first extension is transmitted to the first carving edge through the first sidewall spacer and at least a portion of a second force applied to the second extension is transmitted to the second carving edge through the second sidewall spacer.

A binding system includes a base plate and a strap. The strap has a first end and a second end, the first end being affixed relative to the base plate. A strap adjustment assembly is mounted to the base plate. The second end of the strap is connectable to the strap adjustment assembly such that the strap adjustment assembly is operable to at least one of automatically tighten the strap relative to the base plate and automatically loosen the strap relative to the base plate in response to an input signal.

An active footwear suspension system is disclosed. The footwear system provides dynamic suspension using at least one or more variable resistance beams. At least one or more VRB from an anchor plate positioned forward of and/or aft of an arch section of the footwear, thus providing selectable suspension to the wearer. The selected rotation of the VRBs from a first position to a second position provides customized suspension between a minimum resistance to a maximum resistance per zone.

An active footwear suspension system is disclosed. The footwear system provides dynamic suspension using at least one or more variable resistance beams. At least one or more VRB from an anchor plate positioned forward of and/or aft of an arch section of the footwear, thus providing selectable suspension to the wearer. The selected rotation of the VRBs from a first position to a second position provides customized suspension between a minimum resistance to a maximum resistance per zone.

A system, configuration, and method for converting a pair of skis to perform as an emulation snowboard is provided. The system includes a pair of skis, and a coupling device including a platform having an upper planar surface with a plurality of mounting locations with mounting system therein. The mounting system couples the skis together and provides a surface on which a pair of bindings may be affixed. The steps for conversion include providing a pair of skis, removing a ski binding from each ski in the pair of skis, if a binding is installed on either ski in the pair of skis, providing a platform with a mounting system, utilizing the mounting system to affix the platform to each ski in the pair of skis, and attaching a pair of snowboard bindings to the platform.

An improved highback adjustment system for a splitboard boot binding. A captive strut is mounted on the spine of the highback, the strut having a forward lean adjustor block such that rotation or sliding of the block lengthens or shortens the strut. The combination provides a broadly adjustable range of forward lean bias in small increments and the block is readily disengaged and stowed on the highback when not needed. Advantageously, the mechanism that can be operated and adjusted without tools, even with gloved hands, a significant benefit in winter conditions, and does not jam with snow. Methods of use of the improved forward lean adjustor and highback are also disclosed.

In described embodiments, a snowboard conversion kit includes a first strap assembly having a first hollow strap sleeve having a first end, a second end, distal from the first end, and a cutout between the first end and the second end. A first strap has a first strap end that extends into the first hollow strap sleeve from the first end and a second strap end that extends into the first hollow strap sleeve from the second end. The first strap and the first strap sleeve form a loop. A first strap securing assembly is adapted to extend through the first hollow strap sleeve and secure the first hollow strap sleeve to a snowboard. A second strap assembly, similar to the first strap assembly is also provided.

A steering system for a snowboard includes two binding interface pods, one of which may be active and one of which may be passive. Rotation or tilting of a top plate of the active binding interface pod in response to rotation or tilting of the rider's steering foot causes counter-rotation of a steering fin under the rider's steering foot. The passive binding interface pod is responsive via a linkage between the active and passive binding interface pods to cause rotation of a steering fin under the rider's non-steering foot. Coordinated counter-rotation of the steering fins causes the board to turn in the direction of rotation of the rider's steering foot when the steering fins are unaligned. Optionally, both binding pods may be active in steering, i.e. enabling two footed steering.

A steering system for a snowboard includes two binding interface pods, one of which may be active and one of which may be passive. Rotation or tilting of a top plate of the active binding interface pod in response to rotation or tilting of the rider's steering foot causes counter-rotation of a steering fin under the rider's steering foot. The passive binding interface pod is responsive via a linkage between the active and passive binding interface pods to cause rotation of a steering fin under the rider's non-steering foot. Coordinated counter-rotation of the steering fins causes the board to turn in the direction of rotation of the rider's steering foot when the steering fins are unaligned. Optionally, both binding pods may be active in steering, i.e. enabling two footed steering.