Ok, help me out FrostyRiders....

My wife picked up a used snowboard with switch bindings (it's what she really wanted), however after wearing the boots more she has decided they are too small. So, I have found several pairs of boots, some with bails, some without that will fit her more comfortably. Are there compatibility issues (different sizes) with the switch bindings, bails and boots? The bindings on my wife's board say 'Autolock 65' and look like the bindings I see called 'N type'. I have also come across bails that say the modern ones are more narrow. So, I'm not sure what to make of all this.

So my question is, if I get a new pair of boots that say they fit  N type step-in binding and they don't come with the bails, can I take the bails off the boots my wife has, and put them on these other boots and be set?

...I'm so confused 

lol, I am with you Frosty but have had no luck talking my wife out of it.

have had no luck talking my wife out of it.

Haha that sucks.

I really dont like step ins myself. 
Really unsupportive

... van's used to have one for the n style, and they were
so comfortable!...

Yes, I remember Vans being the best thing that ever happened to switch.
Good luck man.

josh -

switch bindings were a controversy back in the mid 90's. they were one of the 1st, if not
THE first company to do step ins, and i believe thats all they had was step ins.

The major flaw for switch was that most of the boots that they had to use were "switch only" style.
meaning the ankle strap was built onto the boot, much like burtons flat plate
step in, but with alot less support. The high back on the "high end" model left much to be desired,
thus alot of people began hating them. They were also notorious for snow clogs (like burtons not
but no one seems to complain about that one) and they broke easy.

Switch did manage to make a jem called the N-Style which was pure simplicity. The downfall on that
binding was you had to now find a boot that came with a highback built into the boot, along with the
ankle straps. Van's made them for a while, but I'm not entirely sure if anyone does now. The
advantage of the N-style vs any other style of step in was the 2 piece click connect, and lock down lever.
And the stainless steel points on both the bindings and the boots made it all but impossible to pop the
binding, a problem thats plagued step ins forever. But alas, it also made walking in the boots a major
disaster. You can loosen the binding strap thats built onto the boot, but then it feels like your feet are
going to come out.

Without a proper binding you're also carrying your board with your hands on the edges, which ironically
are duller than the toe and heel clip on the N-style, those clips that hold the boot down resemble razor
blades. So carrying your board by the bindings, which is something that most of us do, is completely out.

There are still die hard Switch fans out there. I met one last time i rode Its a pure love or hate relationship
with that company, but its also just barely kept them afloat. Their binding designs haven't changed much
in the 15 years I've known about them, so it could be said that they're just barely hanging in there to see
what happens. I'm not a die hard fan, but if I could get my hands on a set of new Van's with the N-style
set up, I'd trade my Ride Lx's in a heartbeat. And I think I've stressed enough on how much I like my Ride
bindings.

here is a board with the switch n-style bindings mounted to it


and here is a pic of the bindings alone, and i think these are the 07 models:


and here is a van's boot made for the switch bindings. notice the ankle strap:

pengee i have a set of k2 charm bindings thats been mounted but never ridden in
a womans medium if your wife decides to swap to straps. They're white and very
girlie ahha. If i was a woman and a size 6 id swap for the boots

Thanks for the history travz.  That sounds pretty cool. 
Ive actually ridden a rental that had a step in system that looks JUST like that with the things on the sides of the boots and everything. 
I dont like step ins from that experience lol. 

This isnt the best place to put it but travz have you ever ridden like a burton binding?  If so how would they compare to you LXs?

Ya i was thinkin they were burton or something.
Seems like companys dont really make step inns and more right?

I just looked.  They LX is a realllyyy goood price