Most modern snowshoes use rivets instead of lacing. While both rivets and lacing give you ample durability and help protect the frame from wear and tear, lacing can give you additional traction in a range of snow conditions. The binding is what holds your foot and snowshoe together. The keys to a good recreational binding are versatility, simplicity, support and comfort. A versatile binding lets you use a wide variety of footwear, from heavy snow boots to tennis shoes.
Simplicity means that it's easy to get into and out of, and requires little if any adjustment.
A binding that properly supports your foot and ankle lessens the possibility of soreness or even injury. Finally, a comfortable binding allows you to focus more on the experience, and less on the snowshoes themselves. Another aspect of the binding is the type of rotation pivot system. A fixed rotation pivot system allows your foot to pivot off the snowshoe at about a 450 angle, then stop, fixed rotation gives you more maneuverability when backing up or going around obstacles, and lifts the snowshoe tail up on packed trails to eliminate drag. A free rotation pivot system does not limit how far your foot pivots off the snowshoe, keeping the snowshoe parallel to the ground for easier ascents.