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Do you set the high-back rotation, parallel to the board's edge for splitboard softboot bindings? My stance is a forward stance: +21 degrees front and +15 degrees rear

I tried to go parallel, felt too weird in tour mode though, I do have mine angled slightly

I rotate my front binding highback because that is where most of my heel edge power comes from. I ride 25 deg front and 15 deg rear. My front highback is moved to be somewhat parallel to the board's edge. I feel no negative effect when touring.

This...front and rear are always rotated. 21f,-6r, so rear less so. Also feel no negative effect when touring. I do release the fwd lean for the tour, so that might explain why I don't have any affects when touring.

This has much to do with one's riding style and personal preference. Some people rely heavily on high-backs for leverage across the board onto the heel edge; I've seen others who ride steeper angles who also rely on high-backs for some degree of leverage of their fore-aft weighting atop the board; still others, like me, rely on high-backs more minimally in their riding style. Each style might lend itself to a different angle and forward lean. So, it depends.

With a ~35, ~3 degree stance, my high-backs remain as parallel to the board edge as possible, and with the minimum amount of forward lean. This is because I twist/torque my feet in my boots and prefer a lot of lateral (side to side, along the length of the board) ankle flexibility; high backs, especially in front at 35 degrees, impede that movement and flexibility. I like to keep them out of the way for that leg movement, but I do brace on the front high-back some in heel turns with the outside of my front ankle and lower leg.

On my last tour I was contemplating cutting my high back down significantly in height and width; I think I could get all the leverage I need from a much smaller piece of plastic. Also, I find that when touring with heel-lift up, the high-backs impede my ability to take longer strides, which slows me down. This is a function of the height of the high-back and its forward lean (even set at minimum lean) which together inhibit kicking the ski as far forward as I prefer; another argument for the dremel (again, for my preferences).

If unsure about your set-up, I suggest experimenting to see what best matches your riding style. Ultimately, that's the best way to determine what's best for you.