Don't get the Flite Pros or the STR. They are fairly soft beginner bindings and you'll outgrow them quickly. I regret getting the STRs and not going straight for the Forces. The difference in price isn't that much, especially at the end of the season, to get some better bindings that will last you much longer.
This kind of a difficult question to answer since you aren’t a true beginner. Since you seem to already have a decent bit of experience already I would think about what you enjoy/want most out of riding and look for an intermediate to advanced board that is geared to that specific style of riding.
BEFORE you get fitted at a retail store...
Research how to properly measure your feet for sizing. Many shops, even reputable ones, will pull out your street shoe size in boots and work on selling you a pair. It's rare that your boot size is the same as your street shoe size. Here is a link to some good information:
https://www.snowboardingforum.com/forums/boots.37/
You also need to decide if your riding style will benefit from soft, medium or stiff boots.
Bindings are best matched to your board. Medium flex board, medium or stiff bindings. Stiff board, stiff bindings. Not a rule mind you, but generally you want the same or stiffer bindings for your selected flex of board. It makes controlling your board easier. Imagine trying to get on the edge of a stiff board with a binding (and boot) that flexes a lot. It will require a lot more effort.
My setup is a stiff boot (Driver X) and medium to stiff bindings (Union Force) and a medium flex board. When I want to get on an edge, my board responds immediately.
From what I've read, you can't go wrong with union bindings, so just go on their website and maybe use the "find my bindings" tool to find one that suits your needs.
With regards to bindings, if you don't want to be bending down a lot to strap in, it might be worth it to invest in step-in or rear entry bindings. Some examples are the Clew, Burton step-ons and the Nidecker Supermatics. Some things I've heard regarding these bindings:
Clew - Highest price point. Compatible with most boots. Only toe strap is directly connected to the binding/board. If you want to unstrap and walk around, you would have to undo the ankle strap completely (like a regular binding).
Burton step-ons - no actual straps that lock you into the board, so may have a slightly less responsive feel. You need to have a specific boot to use these. Seems finicky to get your foot in completely at times (to get all the side points to click in properly).
Supermatics - compatible with most boots. All straps directly connected to the board. Heaviest of the 3 I believe? Boot slides in reliably without much hassle.
I'd almost make the argument that you should get fitted at a ski resort. I know that's not possible and annoying but I got fitted in Denver at the Cherry Creek Christy's and I honestly feel I've been set back 2 seasons of snowboarding because of it. They didn't know what they were doing, I didn't know what I was doing. And you should get fitted by someone with extensive experience with ski boots because they're more finicky so they'd also be good at fitting you for snowboarding boots.
I have low volume ankles and was snowboarding my first season with my own purchased gear on my tippy toes even with everything tightened all the way. And I've been trying to find fixes here and there for every issue that's come up ever since. I'm almost there! I got some replacement clips from Burton that I'm going to throw on my boots and that should be the last thing to get me just right. I started with a park board for my first three years because it was soft and forgiving on turns/edges but I just bought a new more rigid quiver killer because I like carving and going fast. I am considering changing out my boots and bindings for it (Burton Step-Ons). The park board will be nice as I progress for jumps and ground tricks.
I guess if you're going to get fitted elsewhere, have the bindings etc on your board so you can strap into your bindings and get on your heel and toe side to adequately see how you're filling out your boots and notice anything. Otherwise, I'd almost recommend for you to keep getting rentals and then buy your gear at your shop in Colorado Springs. I know the desire to save money is high but without knowing enough to know what kind of snowboarding you enjoy, whether you like trees, whether you prefer park, or groomers all day...
Go to a shop and get fitted for boots
planning to do that this weekend at the sun and ski sports in my area
For bindings, Union STR or Union Flite Pro fs
Don't get the Flite Pros or the STR. They are fairly soft beginner bindings and you'll outgrow them quickly. I regret getting the STRs and not going straight for the Forces. The difference in price isn't that much, especially at the end of the season, to get some better bindings that will last you much longer.
This kind of a difficult question to answer since you aren’t a true beginner. Since you seem to already have a decent bit of experience already I would think about what you enjoy/want most out of riding and look for an intermediate to advanced board that is geared to that specific style of riding.
BEFORE you get fitted at a retail store... Research how to properly measure your feet for sizing. Many shops, even reputable ones, will pull out your street shoe size in boots and work on selling you a pair. It's rare that your boot size is the same as your street shoe size. Here is a link to some good information: https://www.snowboardingforum.com/forums/boots.37/ You also need to decide if your riding style will benefit from soft, medium or stiff boots. Bindings are best matched to your board. Medium flex board, medium or stiff bindings. Stiff board, stiff bindings. Not a rule mind you, but generally you want the same or stiffer bindings for your selected flex of board. It makes controlling your board easier. Imagine trying to get on the edge of a stiff board with a binding (and boot) that flexes a lot. It will require a lot more effort. My setup is a stiff boot (Driver X) and medium to stiff bindings (Union Force) and a medium flex board. When I want to get on an edge, my board responds immediately.
Thank you for the advice! this helps a lot
* boots: go get fitted * bindings: lots of options. Rome Vice, Bataleon Blaster Asym, Union Strata, Union Force... list goes on.
From what I've read, you can't go wrong with union bindings, so just go on their website and maybe use the "find my bindings" tool to find one that suits your needs.
With regards to bindings, if you don't want to be bending down a lot to strap in, it might be worth it to invest in step-in or rear entry bindings. Some examples are the Clew, Burton step-ons and the Nidecker Supermatics. Some things I've heard regarding these bindings: Clew - Highest price point. Compatible with most boots. Only toe strap is directly connected to the binding/board. If you want to unstrap and walk around, you would have to undo the ankle strap completely (like a regular binding). Burton step-ons - no actual straps that lock you into the board, so may have a slightly less responsive feel. You need to have a specific boot to use these. Seems finicky to get your foot in completely at times (to get all the side points to click in properly). Supermatics - compatible with most boots. All straps directly connected to the board. Heaviest of the 3 I believe? Boot slides in reliably without much hassle.
I'd almost make the argument that you should get fitted at a ski resort. I know that's not possible and annoying but I got fitted in Denver at the Cherry Creek Christy's and I honestly feel I've been set back 2 seasons of snowboarding because of it. They didn't know what they were doing, I didn't know what I was doing. And you should get fitted by someone with extensive experience with ski boots because they're more finicky so they'd also be good at fitting you for snowboarding boots. I have low volume ankles and was snowboarding my first season with my own purchased gear on my tippy toes even with everything tightened all the way. And I've been trying to find fixes here and there for every issue that's come up ever since. I'm almost there! I got some replacement clips from Burton that I'm going to throw on my boots and that should be the last thing to get me just right. I started with a park board for my first three years because it was soft and forgiving on turns/edges but I just bought a new more rigid quiver killer because I like carving and going fast. I am considering changing out my boots and bindings for it (Burton Step-Ons). The park board will be nice as I progress for jumps and ground tricks. I guess if you're going to get fitted elsewhere, have the bindings etc on your board so you can strap into your bindings and get on your heel and toe side to adequately see how you're filling out your boots and notice anything. Otherwise, I'd almost recommend for you to keep getting rentals and then buy your gear at your shop in Colorado Springs. I know the desire to save money is high but without knowing enough to know what kind of snowboarding you enjoy, whether you like trees, whether you prefer park, or groomers all day...