A universal binding apparatus for detachably securing footwear to an
article is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base plate and a foot
plate. The base plate attaches to the article while the foot plate
attaches to the footwear. The base plate includes a toe latch, a heel
latch, and a first release. The toe latch is disposed at a front portion
of the base plate while the heel latch is disposed at a rear portion of
the base plate such that the first release is also disposed between the
toe latch and the heel latch. The first release enables either the toe
latch or the heel latch to be disengaged from the foot plate. The foot
plate includes a toe support and a heel support. The toe support is
disposed at a front portion of the shoe plate similar to the front
portion of the base plate and while the heel support is disposed at a
rear portion of the shoe plate. The shoe plate removably attaches to the
base plate with the toe support engaged with the toe latch and the heel
support engaged with the heel latch. The first release operates to
disengage either the toe latch or the heel latch or both from the foot
plate.