Union’s Rosa is another binding in Union’s range that looks like a far more expensive binding than it’s price tag suggests. Asymmetric highbacks and 3D contour ankle straps are part of the reason for this misconception, but part of it comes down to the premium materials and finishing touches that Union do so well. Specification: • Female Specific Duraflex Baseplates • 3d Heelcups • EVA Bushing • 3D Contoured Ankle Straps • Ultra Grip Toe Straps • Aluminium Buckles • Direct-Connect Tool Free Adjustment • Asymmetric Highbacks • All new binding disks • Grade 8.8 hardware Base/Heelcups Female Specific DuraFlex Baseplates are the latest incarnation of Union’s trademark blended nylon baseplate material. Even stronger, yet still incredibly light. Union have designed the shaping based on the anatomy of women’s feet and legs. Not simply made a slightly smaller version. All New Binding Disks are compatible with 4x4, 4x2 and Burton’s Channel system. 3D Heelcups are extruded from a single block of aluminium. It’s not the cheapest method, but it’s the best process available on Aluminium heelcups, outstanding strength and longevity. EVA Bushing is multi-layer foam padding that sits between your board and your baseplates. It absorbs vibration and shocks, resulting in a silky smooth, comfy ride from first tracks to last chair. Straps: 3D Contoured Ankle Straps are asymmetric, 3D shaped ankle straps. These comfortably match the profile of your snowboard boot, and when set up correctly using tool free strap adjustment, eliminate any pinch or pressure points. Ultra Grip Toe Straps are compatible with over, or in front of the boot operation. New for this season is an upgraded anti-slip material, to ensure that where you tighten them down, is where they will stay until you take them off. Injected Aluminium Buckles are strong and light, and don’t jam up in the cold. Direct-Connect Tool Free Adjustment allows quick and easy adjustment of your ankle and toe strap position while on the hill. Highback: Asymmetric Rosa Highbacks are female specific. They are slightly shorter, and a different shaping profile, to better match women riders’ feet and legs. As with all Union bindings, they are ‘multizone’ flex, which means they are more flexible at the top than the bottom. This promotes comfort, while retaining performance. The Rosa highbacks feature asymmetry in the lateral flex. In English, that means they are stiffer toward the outside (tip or tail) of your binding and softer on the side between your legs. This makes them comfortable, but still responsive. Discs/hardware: All New Binding Disks are compatible with 4x4, 4x2 inerts and Burton’s Channel system. Grade 8.8 Hardware is a nice touch. The majority of snowboard binding hardware uses ‘standard’ steel. In engineering terms, this would be described as ‘mild’ or low tensile steel, as it generally measures 4.6 on a Rockwell scale. Union use ‘High Tensile’ steel that measures 8.8 on a Rockwell scale. Bigger the number, the less chance of breaking/stripping/rounding your hardware.
The Cinch technology from K2 gets you from chair lift to riding quicker than your friends. Set your ankle and toe straps to get the perfect fit then never have to crank those ratchets again. The fast and simple operation allows you to get your boot in and out in one movement. The Highback leans backwards and the ankle strap moves forwards to allow for easy access. Pull the leaver up and you have the perfect fit time and time again. Add some quality femal specific components like the nicely padded Women’s Custom Caddi straps and Harshmellow Canted Footbeds and you’ve got a high performing, comfortable and most of all quick binding system. Specification: Cinch C2 Chassis Women’s Cored Ergo Highback Women’s Custom Caddi Ankle Strap Cam-Lock Centering Tool-Less Universal Toe Strap Hella RADchet Multi-Compatible and Offset Discs Seamless EVA, Canted Harshmellow Shockpads, Adjustable Power Ramp footbeds Flex 1-10/ soft-hard: 5 Features: K2’s patented Cinch Technology offers riders the fit and performance of traditional strap bindings and the speed and convenience of a ‘quick entry’ system. Base/Heelcups The Cinch C2 Chassis allows the highback to be lowered whilst also pushing the ankle strap forward for easy and quick access. Pull the leaver on the highback up to lock the heelcup and chassis, along with your boot, into place. The reinforced nylon baseplate and cored side rails are both strong and light. Canted Harshmellow footbeds tilt inwards by 3 degrees towards the centre of the board. This takes pressure off the knees and reduces fatigue by matching your natural leg position, whilst also providing a solid platform for popping ollies. Harshmellow is the dampening material that K2 uses in some their boards, boots and bindings for superior vibration and impact reduction. The Adjustable Power Ramp allows you to extend the toe end of the binding upto the edge of your snowboard in order to transfer maximum power from binding to edge. Straps: The Women’s Custom Caddi ankle strap super padded for extra comfort with a mini ladder cover to help prevent the build up of ice. Universal Toe Straps can be worn round the toe or over the top of your boot and the Tool-less Cam-Lock allows you to change the position of the toe strap without removing the bindings from your board, or the need for tools. To do this the binding needs to be in the open position. Highback: Womens specific shape with a weight saving cored design and centre spine for heel-edge response, the Women’s Cored Ergo highback is finished with thermo-formed EVA calf padding for comfort. Discs and hardware: The Cinch Tryst comes supplied with two sets of discs. The Offset Discs allow for toe-to-heel centring by rotating it 180 degrees, whilst still being able to micro-adjust tip-to-tail. The standard discs keep things centred and both are Multi-Compatible for use with 4-hole and 3-hole patterns. Power Hold Washers have ridges in them to ensure they are well and truly locked into place. If you are mounting to a channel system you will need to purchase an additional converter disc.
Main Text: The Trilogy has been around for a while now, and represents the workhorse of the Union women’s binding range. It also happens to be the lightest women’s binding on the market. Red Colour way Specification: • Female Specific Duraflex Baseplates • 3d Heelcups • EVA Bushing • 3D Contoured Ankle Straps • Ultra Grip Toe Straps • Magnesium Buckles • Direct-Connect Tool Free Adjustment • Trilogy Highbacks • All new binding disks • Grade 8.8 hardware Base/Heelcups Female Specific DuraFlex Baseplates are the latest incarnation of Union’s trademark blended nylon baseplate material. Even stronger, yet still incredibly light. Union have designed the shaping based on the anatomy of women’s feet and legs. Not simply made a slightly smaller version. All New Binding Disks are compatible with 4x4, 4x2 and Burton’s Channel system. 3D Heelcups are extruded from a single block of aluminium. It’s not the cheapest method, but it’s the best process available on Aluminium heelcups, outstanding strength and longevity. EVA Bushing is a multi-layer foam padding that sits between your board and your baseplates. It absorbs vibration and shocks, resulting in a silky smooth, comfy ride from first tracks to last chair. Straps: 3D Contoured Ankle Straps are asymmetric, 3D shaped ankle straps. These comfortably match the profile of your snowboard boot, and when set up correctly using tool free strap adjustment, eliminate any pinch or pressure points. Ultra Grip Toe Straps are compatible with over, or in front of the boot operation. New for this season is an upgraded anti-slip material, to ensure that where you tighten them down, is where they will stay until you take them off. Magnesium Buckles do not freeze up in the cold, they are incredibly strong and light, and they look awesome too. Direct-Connect Tool Free Adjustment allows quick and easy adjustment of your ankle and toe strap position while on the hill. Highback: Trilogy Highbacks are Female Specific. They are slightly shorter, and a different shaping profile, to better match women riders’ feet and legs. As with all Union bindings, they are ‘multizone’ flex, which means they are more flexible at the top than the bottom. This promotes comfort, while retaining performance. Extensive cutout holes drastically reduce the weight of the highbacks, to compliment the overall lightness of the package. Discs/hardware: All New Binding Disks are compatible with 4x4, 4x2 inserts and Burton’s Channel system. Grade 8.8 Hardware is a nice touch. The majority of snowboard binding hardware uses ‘standard’ steel. In engineering terms, this would be described as ‘mild’ or low tensile steel, as it generally measures 4.6 on a Rockwell scale. Union use ‘High Tensile’ steel that measures 8.8 on a Rockwell scale. Bigger the number, the less chance of breaking/stripping/rounding your hardware. Firstly, full disclosure, my wife uses these bindings. They ar
Union’s Milan binding aims to provide enough support and performance for all but the most advanced of female riders, but to be comfortable enough for the most delicate of fussy feet. A soft, women’s specific baseplate, TrueFlex bushings and an asymmetric highback design all point toward keeping your feet happy and ache free, for 1 run, or for 120 days. Specification: • Female Specific Duraflex Baseplates • 3d Heelcups • TrueFlex Bushing • 3D Contoured Ankle Straps • Ultra Grip Toe Straps • Magnesium Buckles • Direct-Connect Tool Free Adjustment • Asymmetric S2 Highbacks • All new binding disks • Grade 8.8 hardware Base/Heelcups Female Specific DuraFlex Baseplates are the latest incarnation of Union’s trademark blended nylon baseplate material. Even stronger, yet still incredibly light. Union have designed the shaping based on the anatomy of women’s feet and legs. Not simply made a slightly smaller version. All New Binding Disks are compatible with 4x4, 4x2 and Burton’s Channel system. 3D Heelcups are extruded from a single block of aluminium. It’s not the cheapest method, but it’s the best process available on Aluminium heelcups, outstanding strength and longevity. Trueflex Bushing is a super soft layer of EVA (foam) under the binding, which allows your binding to flex freely under your feet, and also for the snowboard to flex nicely under the binding. It will drastically reduce foot fatigue, and provide a silky smooth ride in the meantime. Straps: 3D Contoured Ankle Straps are asymmetric, 3D shaped ankle straps. These comfortably match the profile of your snowboard boot, and when set up correctly using tool free strap adjustment, eliminate any pinch or pressure points. Ultra Grip Toe Straps are compatible with over, or in front of the boot operation. New for this season is an upgraded anti-slip material, to ensure that where you tighten them down, is where they will stay until you take them off. Magnesium Buckles do not freeze up in the cold, they are incredibly strong and light, and they look awesome too. Direct-Connect Tool Free Adjustment allows quick and easy adjustment of your ankle and toe strap position while on the hill. Highback: Asymmetric S2 Highbacks are Female Specific. They are slightly shorter, and a different shaping profile, to better match women riders’ feet and legs. As with all Union bindings, they are ‘multizone’ flex, which means they are more flexible at the top than the bottom. This promotes comfort, while retaining performance. New for this year, the S2 highbacks feature asymmetry in the lateral flex. In English, that means they are stiffer toward the outside (tip or tail) of your binding and softer on the side between your legs. This makes them comfortable, but still responsive. Discs/hardware: All New Binding Disks are compatible with 4x4, 4x2 inserts and Burton’s Channel system. Grade 8.8 Hardware is a nice touch. The majority of snowboard binding hardware uses ‘standard’ steel. In engineering terms, this would be described as ‘mild’ or low tensile steel, as it generally measures 4.6 on a Rockwell scale. Union use ‘High Tensile’ steel that measures 8.8
Union’s Rosa is another binding in Union’s range that looks like a far more expensive binding than it’s price tag suggests. Asymmetric highbacks and 3D contour ankle straps are part of the reason for this misconception, but part of it comes down to the premium materials and finishing touches that Union do so well. Specification: • Female Specific Duraflex Baseplates • 3d Heelcups • EVA Bushing • 3D Contoured Ankle Straps • Ultra Grip Toe Straps • Aluminium Buckles • Direct-Connect Tool Free Adjustment • Asymmetric Highbacks • All new binding disks • Grade 8.8 hardware Base/Heelcups Female Specific DuraFlex Baseplates are the latest incarnation of Union’s trademark blended nylon baseplate material. Even stronger, yet still incredibly light. Union have designed the shaping based on the anatomy of women’s feet and legs. Not simply made a slightly smaller version. All New Binding Disks are compatible with 4x4, 4x2 and Burton’s Channel system. 3D Heelcups are extruded from a single block of aluminium. It’s not the cheapest method, but it’s the best process available on Aluminium heelcups, outstanding strength and longevity. EVA Bushing is multi-layer foam padding that sits between your board and your baseplates. It absorbs vibration and shocks, resulting in a silky smooth, comfy ride from first tracks to last chair. Straps: 3D Contoured Ankle Straps are asymmetric, 3D shaped ankle straps. These comfortably match the profile of your snowboard boot, and when set up correctly using tool free strap adjustment, eliminate any pinch or pressure points. Ultra Grip Toe Straps are compatible with over, or in front of the boot operation. New for this season is an upgraded anti-slip material, to ensure that where you tighten them down, is where they will stay until you take them off. Injected Aluminium Buckles are strong and light, and don’t jam up in the cold. Direct-Connect Tool Free Adjustment allows quick and easy adjustment of your ankle and toe strap position while on the hill. Highback: Asymmetric Rosa Highbacks are female specific. They are slightly shorter, and a different shaping profile, to better match women riders’ feet and legs. As with all Union bindings, they are ‘multizone’ flex, which means they are more flexible at the top than the bottom. This promotes comfort, while retaining performance. The Rosa highbacks feature asymmetry in the lateral flex. In English, that means they are stiffer toward the outside (tip or tail) of your binding and softer on the side between your legs. This makes them comfortable, but still responsive. Discs/hardware: All New Binding Disks are compatible with 4x4, 4x2 inerts and Burton’s Channel system. Grade 8.8 Hardware is a nice touch. The majority of snowboard binding hardware uses ‘standard’ steel. In engineering terms, this would be described as ‘mild’ or low tensile steel, as it generally measures 4.6 on a Rockwell scale. Union use ‘High Tensile’ steel that measures 8.8 on a Rockwell scale. Bigger the number, the less chance of breaking/stripping/rounding your hardware.
The Stiletto is a great binding choice for your first setup away from the rental shops. It’s a soft binding, which makes it forgiving. It shares design features with its bigger sisters and, as always with Burton bindings, the fit is great with almost any snowboard boot on the market. Lifetime guarantee on the baseplates, and highly adjustable forward lean options, make this a very attractive binding at this price point. Specification: • Lightweight bombproof polycarbonate Baseplate • Zero Lean Dial FLAD • Single Component Canted Highbacks • Lushstrap • Primo Capstrap • Smoothglide Buckles • FullBED cushioning • Lifetime Baseplate Guarantee • Anatomical Left and Right Baseplates • Progressive flex Highbacks Flex 1-10/ soft-hard: 3 Features: Base/Heelcups Lightweight, Bombproof Polycarbonate baseplates are laid back, buttery and playful. Ideal for park riders, lighter riders, or those looking to cruise. Lifetime Baseplate Guarantee covering manufacturer defects for life. It’s rare to see a Burton baseplate fail, but it’s comforting to know that their quibble free replacement will be on your board before you can say ‘Did you get that on film?’ Anatomical Left and Right Baseplates is a more costly way to design and manufacture a snowboard binding, but your left and right feet are not the same, so why shouldn’t your baseplates match your feet? Straps: LushStrap ankle straps are 3D shaped to perfectly match the shape of your snowboard boots, and feature a hidden core of EVA padding for unparalleled comfort. Primo Capstraps are 3D shaped toe cap straps, featuring grippy rubber for great foot retention. Burton Cap Straps are some of the most universally compatible shapes, and fit perfectly over almost every boot on the market. Smoothglide Buckles are regarded as some of the most consistent, reliable and easy buckles available for snowboard bindings. Highback: Single-Component Construction is a trickier design process to achieve the flex/response required from your binding. One piece means no joins, means great strength, and minimal weight. Canted Highbacks are a more ergonomic shape than traditional ‘straight up’ highbacks. Your legs angle inwards toward your waist when you ride, so canting your highbacks to match this angle seems like an obviously beneficial step. Zero Forward Lean Highbacks have the ability (but not the limitation) to be set up with no forward lean at all. This is great for jibbing and rail riding, as it gets them well out of the way. You can, of course, still crank them forward for icy all mountain conditions. FLAD Forward lean adjusters allow you to adjust the angle of your highbacks or your ‘forward lean’. A greater forward lean angle will improve your heel edge response. Get ‘em dialled to your riding style to ensure quick reactions from your setup, without compromising your body position. ‘Micro’ and ‘Dial’ adjusters are featured on Burton bindings. Both are tool free and super quick and easy to change, allowing you to experiment and get your perfect setup. Discs/hardware: Re:Flex baseplate construction opens up your choice of snowboard to the market, while still retaining Burton bindings. C
Our entry level Women’s Specific binding from Union features tech and design that are not out of place on bindings in a much higher price range. Asymmetric highbacks, on the fly lean adjust and 3D moulded ankle straps are premium features on an entry/mid level binding. Specification: · Flite Base – Dupont™ Zytel® ST · Asymmetric/Symmetric Rosa Highbacks · Shift on the Fly Forward Lean · Injected EVA Bushings · Extruded Anodised Aluminium Heelcups · Symmetric 3D Direct-Connect Strap System · Tapered Strap Core · Injected Aluminium Buckles featuring improved toe buckle for 2014 · Universal Disks · All-New Female specific Toe Cup Design · Grade 8.8 Hardware · Lifetime Warranty Base Features: Base plates By offering Lifetime Warranty on all of their bases, Union stand by their Stronger tag line. The Flite DuPont™ Zytel® ST Base is as light as a feather with the wear resistance of hardened steel. The Extruded Anodized Aluminium Heelcups have been tried and tested for seven years. The anodizing process reinforces the already bombproof material with another 30% strength. They are also covered by the lifetime warranty. The Rosa has Injected EVA Bushings underfoot to dampen vibrations and minimise interference with the natural flex of the board. Straps 3D Direct-Connect Strap System is easy and comfortable to use and enter/exit. The strap itself features a tapered strap core to evenly distribute pressure. All New Women’s Specific Toe Cups have been designed and included in 2014, following a small but significant number of requests from previous years. An Open strap design allows for exact shaping to the toe box of your boots with no pressure points, specifically engineered to work with the narrower toe box found on women specific snowboard boots. Injected Aluminium Buckles are strong and light weight. Improved toe strap buckles help you slip in and out of your bindings with the greatest of ease. Tool-free size adjustment. Highbacks Asymmetrical/Symmetrical Rosa Highbacks offer precision and response in the directions that it is required, while offering compliance and comfort across the axis that requires less support. Shift on the Fly Forward Lean allows for tool free forward lean adjustment for easy on the hill changes. Plates and Hardware Universal Discs can be used to attach any union binding to 3 hole, 4x4 hole and even Burton’s Channel system. Any union will mount on any board, with the stock supplied discs. These bindings are compatible with all snowboards, regardless of their bind
For a significant, shameful period in snowboarding’s past, women who wanted/needed high end performance and response from their bindings, would have to crowbar their feet into a small guys binding. Guys and girls do not share the same shape or anatomic proportions, this was not a good solution. The Legacy from Union completely shatters that previous scenario. Stiff Duraflex Nylon baseplates, Sonicfused straps and Mag buckles are all Union’s top end tech, packed into this beast of a binding. Best suited to freeriding, high speed carving and icy half pipes, the Legacy doesn’t pull its punches. Specification: • Female Specific Duraflex Baseplates • 3d Heelcups • Vaporlite EVA Bushing • SonicFused Ankle Straps • Ultra Grip Toe Straps • Magnesium Buckles • Direct-Connect Tool Free Adjustment • Asymmetric Legacy Highbacks • Minidisk • Grade 8.8 hardware Base/Heelcups Female Specific DuraFlex Baseplates are the latest incarnation of Union’s trademark blended nylon baseplate material. Even stronger, yet still incredibly light. Union have designed the shaping based on the anatomy of women’s feet and legs. Not simply made a slightly smaller version. All New Binding Disks are compatible with 4x4, 4x2 and Burton’s Channel system. 3D Heelcups are extruded from a single block of aluminium. It’s not the cheapest method, but it’s the best process available on Aluminium heelcups, outstanding strength and longevity. Vaporlite EVA Bushing is an all new, multi-layer foam padding that sits between your board and your baseplates. It absorbs vibration and shocks, resulting in a silky smooth, comfy ride from first tracks to last chair. Straps: SonicFused Ankle Straps are asymmetric, 3D shaped ankle straps, constructed using multiple layers of composite materials fused together. This enables intricate profiling, while drastically reducing the required stitching, resulting in a great fit, with exceptional durability. Ultra Grip Toe Straps are compatible with over, or in front of the boot operation. New for this season is an upgraded anti-slip material, to ensure that where you tighten them down, is where they will stay until you take them off. Magnesium Buckles do not freeze up in the cold, they are incredibly strong and light, and they look awesome too. Direct-Connect Tool Free Adjustment allows quick and easy adjustment of your ankle and toe strap position while on the hill. Highback: Legacy Asymmetric Highbacks are Female Specific. They are slightly shorter, and a different shaping profile, to better match women riders’ feet and legs. The asymmetric flex pattern also adds further support and comfort, by offering a stiffer, more responsive feel toward the outside of the highback (toward tip or tail of snowboard), than the inside. The inside pretty much just digs into the side of your leg, so adding a little compliance here makes a good deal of positive difference to your comfort, with no significant detriment to the performance of the binding. Discs/hardware: All New Binding Disks are compatible with 4x4, 4x2 and Burton’s Channel system. Grade 8.8 Hardware is a nice touch. The majority of snowboard binding hardware uses ‘standard’ steel. In engineering terms, this would be described as ‘
The Trilogy is a fairly aggressive women’s specific snowboard binding. It’s soft in all the right places (Bushings, straps and highback top) but is fairly stiff in the highback middle/bottom, heelcups and base, resulting in a very capable binding for strong intermediate to advanced women snowboarders. On the fly lean adjust will allow you to crank up the ‘tone’ of the binding when hitting a gnarlier line, but equally to ease it off when lapping the park/resort with your buddies. Specification: · Trilogy II Base—Dupont™ Zytel® ST · All new Multizone Trilogy Highbacks · Shift on the Fly Forward Lean · Injected EVA Bushings · CNC Machined Heelcups · Symmetric 3D Direct-Connect Strap System · Multi-Layer Tapered Strap Core · Magnesium Buckles featuring improved toe buckle for 2014 · Universal Disks · All-New Female specific Toe Cup Design · Grade 8.8 Hardware · Lifetime Warranty Base Features: Base plates By offering Lifetime Warranty on all of their bases, Union stand by their Stronger tag line. The Trilogy II DuPont™ Zytel® ST Base is as light as a feather with the wear resistance of hardened steel. The CNC machined Heelcups have been tried and tested for seven years. CNC machining from a single lump of high grade Aluminium produces an extremely stiff component, with very little chance of defects or weakness. It’s an expensive process, that yields great results. They are also covered by the lifetime warranty. The Trilogy has Injected EVA Bushings underfoot to dampen vibrations and minimise interference with the natural flex of the board. Straps 3D Direct-Connect Strap System is easy and comfortable to use and enter/exit. The strap itself features a Multi layered tapered strap core to evenly distribute pressure. All New Women specific Toe Cups have been designed and included in 2014, following a small but significant number of requests from previous years. An Open strap design allows for exact shaping to the toe box of your boots with no pressure points, specifically engineered to work with the narrower toe box found on women specific snowboard boots. Injected Magnesium Buckles are roughly 4 times stronger than aluminium, for half the weight. Magnesium buckles resist freezing and catching and look stunning. Improved toe strap buckles help you slip in and out of your bindings with the greatest of ease. Tool-free size adjustment. Highbacks Multizone Trilogy Highbacks taper in thickness toward the top of the binding. This allows more free movement and flex at the top of your highback, while becoming gradually stiffer as you move toward the base of the highback. This saves weight and also makes
The Milan is a soft to mid-stiff, all mountain binding, designed for long days lapping the resort. It has a bag load of premium design features, all aimed at giving your feet, and by extension the rest of your body, the easiest possible ride. Dual Density EVA bushings reduce the vibrations and impacts through your feet, while the new ankle and toe strap designs are engineered to feel like they’re not even there. Probably not the best choice for hard charging, freeriding types (they are better off opting for the Trilogy) but if all day, all mountain riding, and cruising the mountain with your buddies is your thing, you can’t go far wrong with the Milan. Specification: · Milan Base – Dupont™ Zytel® ST · Fusion Lady Highbacks · Shift on the Fly Forward Lean · Injected Dual Zone EVA Bushings · Extruded Anodised Aluminium Heelcups · Symmetric 3D Direct-Connect Strap System · Multi-Layer Tapered Strap Core · Injected Aluminium Buckles featuring improved toe buckle for 2014 · Universal Disks · All-New Female specific Toe Cup Design · Grade 8.8 Hardware · Lifetime Warranty Base Features: Base plates By offering Lifetime Warranty on all of their bases, Union stand by their Stronger tag line. The Milan DuPont™ Zytel® ST Base is as light as a feather with the wear resistance of hardened steel. The Extruded Anodised Aluminium Heelcups have been tried and tested for seven years. The anodizing process reinforces the already bombproof material with another 30% strength. They are also covered by the lifetime warranty. The Milan has Dual Zone Injected EVA Bushings underfoot to dampen vibrations and minimise interference with the natural flex of the board. The Dual Zone refers to having different density of foam across the base so the binding will flex more inwards (towards the other binding) and less towards the tip and tail. Ideal for tweaking those grab tricks but keeping performance high. Straps 3D Direct-Connect Strap System is easy and comfortable to use and enter/exit. The strap itself features a tapered strap core to evenly distribute pressure. All New Women specific Toe Cups have been designed and included in 2014, following a small but significant number of requests from previous years. An Open strap design allows for exact shaping to the toe box of your boots with no pressure points, specifically engineered to work with the narrower toe box found on women specific snowboard boots. Injected Aluminium Buckles are strong and light weight. Improved toe strap buckles help you slip in and out of your bindings with the greatest of ease. Tool-free size adjustment. Highbacks Asymmetric Fusion Highbacks offer precis
Comfort is key for any snowboarder which is why Ride developed Wedgie footbeds. The slight angle takes the strain off your knees when you are in your snowboarding stance. This design feature is subtle so you probably won’t feel it, until (if you ever do!) switch back to flat bindings. A female specific highback is important for both comfort and control, luckily the new Slimeback SB Highback has it all covered. Specification: Aluminium Foundation Chassis System with Adjustable Heelcup NEW! Slimeback SB Highback Wedgie Footbed EVA Baseplate NEW! Freestyle Ankle Strap ThinGrip Toe Strap NEW! AstroGlyde LT Ratchets Forged Aluminium Response Disc Flex 1-10/ soft-hard: 4 Features: Base/Heelcups The Foundation Chassis is a versatile mid-flex chassis with fully customisable fit and adjustable heel cup. Aluminium - Ride use aluminium for a reason; the 100% aircraft grade 6061 aluminium is the perfect balance of minimal weight, quick response and unmatched durability. Wedgie Is a sloped foot bed that slopes down towards the middle of the board and up towards the nose and tail. It helps keep your legs aligned when standing in a snowboarding stance taking the strain off your knees. It also provides a platform to help boost ollie power, using skateboard design as an influence. EVA Basepad are vibration dampening and shock absorbing for the best control and improved comfort. Straps: NEW! Freestyle Ankle Strap is made from multi-density 3D padding and formed neoprene for freestyle charging. ThinGrip™ Is a convertible toe strap, wear it on top of your boot or around the top of your toes and the stretchy web will mould to the shape of your boot for super snug boot grip. AstroGlyde LT Ratchets features a minimalist design that is cored out for an ultra lightweight feel. Highback: NEW! Slimeback SB Highback features a new design with the urethane (used to manufacture skateboard wheels) Slimeback material that has dampening qualities for a smooth ride, consistent flex and fluid support. Discs/hardware: Forged Aluminium Response Disc provides maximum durability. This 2-slot design is compatible with 4-hole and 3-hole patterns. Grip-Tooth washers provide bomber locking power The DVA is great binding for all areas of the mountain. The Slimeback SB is pretty soft side-to-side which makes it comfortable to ride in as it will flex rather than push into your boot. This lateral movement allows the rider to tweak trick and freely change their body position across the board making them especially good for freestyle. With a stiffer flex front to back there is still loads of support when you need to load your heel edge. Is it for me? Well suited to all levels of snowboarders and all disciplines, especially if you are into freestyle or would like to be.
Main Text: The Trilogy has been around for a while now, and represents the workhorse of the Union women’s binding range. It also happens to be the lightest women’s binding on the market. Specification: • Female Specific Duraflex Baseplates • 3d Heelcups • EVA Bushing • 3D Contoured Ankle Straps • Ultra Grip Toe Straps • Magnesium Buckles • Direct-Connect Tool Free Adjustment • Trilogy Highbacks • All new binding disks • Grade 8.8 hardware Base/Heelcups Female Specific DuraFlex Baseplates are the latest incarnation of Union’s trademark blended nylon baseplate material. Even stronger, yet still incredibly light. Union have designed the shaping based on the anatomy of women’s feet and legs. Not simply made a slightly smaller version. All New Binding Disks are compatible with 4x4, 4x2 and Burton’s Channel system. 3D Heelcups are extruded from a single block of aluminium. It’s not the cheapest method, but it’s the best process available on Aluminium heelcups, outstanding strength and longevity. EVA Bushing is a multi-layer foam padding that sits between your board and your baseplates. It absorbs vibration and shocks, resulting in a silky smooth, comfy ride from first tracks to last chair. Straps: 3D Contoured Ankle Straps are asymmetric, 3D shaped ankle straps. These comfortably match the profile of your snowboard boot, and when set up correctly using tool free strap adjustment, eliminate any pinch or pressure points. Ultra Grip Toe Straps are compatible with over, or in front of the boot operation. New for this season is an upgraded anti-slip material, to ensure that where you tighten them down, is where they will stay until you take them off. Magnesium Buckles do not freeze up in the cold, they are incredibly strong and light, and they look awesome too. Direct-Connect Tool Free Adjustment allows quick and easy adjustment of your ankle and toe strap position while on the hill. Highback: Trilogy Highbacks are Female Specific. They are slightly shorter, and a different shaping profile, to better match women riders’ feet and legs. As with all Union bindings, they are ‘multizone’ flex, which means they are more flexible at the top than the bottom. This promotes comfort, while retaining performance. Extensive cutout holes drastically reduce the weight of the highbacks, to compliment the overall lightness of the package. Discs/hardware: All New Binding Disks are compatible with 4x4, 4x2 inserts and Burton’s Channel system. Grade 8.8 Hardware is a nice touch. The majority of snowboard binding hardware uses ‘standard’ steel. In engineering terms, this would be described as ‘mild’ or low tensile steel, as it generally measures 4.6 on a Rockwell scale. Union use ‘High Tensile’ steel that measures 8.8 on a Rockwell scale. Bigger the number, the less chance of breaking/stripping/rounding your hardware. Firstly, full disclosure, my wife uses these bindings. They are incredibly light a
The features found on the unisex Rhythm binding is impressive. 3D shaped straps, tool free adjustment and canted footbeds are very much a mainstay of mid-level bindings and above. To find these on a binding barely over £100 is a fantastic achievement. Granted, you are unlikely to nail your first back 9’ on these, but getting those turns linked and practicing your switch riding is where these bindings will shine. Light, great value, great to look at, what’s not to like. Specification: • Zone Baseplate • Composite 30% • Adjustable Toe Ramps • Universal Discs • IMS • Freeframe Highbacks • Full EVA Padding • Canted Footbeds!!! • 3D Supreme Ankle Straps • Lock-In Toe Strap • Tool Free Strap Adjustment • Composite Buckles • Flex 3 Features: Base/Heelcups Zone Baseplates are the ‘bread n butter’ baseplates from Salomon. Strong and highly adjustable. Composite 30% Is a great balance of lightweight and strength. Stiffer than entry level plastic, but with enough compliance to ride all day. Adjustable Toe Ramps (or ‘gas pedal’) allows you to dial out the gap often found under the between your toes, and your bindings. Full EVA Footbeds will provide good all day comfort. Straps: 3D Supreme Ankle Straps are 3D contoured, with soft padding to create an ankle strap that will remain comfortable without pressure points. Lock-In Toe Strap keeps your toe box locked in, matching the contour of your boots exactly. Highback: FreeFrame Highbacks are super lightweight, with tool free adjustment and ergonomic shaping. HB Filter is Salomon’s proprietary highback cushioning material, designed to reduce chatter and subsequent leg fatigue. Discs/hardware: Composite Buckles feature the same 3D geometry as the premium Aluminium versions, which, combined with the triple hinge design, makes buckling down a breeze. Universal Discs will fit any snowboard currently on the market. 2x4, 4x4 3D, The Channel. Whatever you ride, these will fit. IMS or ‘Integrated Mounting System’ is awesome. It keeps your bolts secured to your discs, for super easy installation, and to eliminate the moment of dread each year when you pull out your gear and are missing a binding bolt/washer. Good work guys, good work. The Rhythm may be the best value for money binding we’ve stocked here at Bliss Snowboards. There are cheaper bindings available, but the features and build quality on the Rhythm is astonishing at this price point. A genuinely fantastic first set-up binding. Soft and forgiving enough to progress with confidence, but at a very reasonable cost. Is it for me? If you are after your first set of bindings, perhaps you’ve been renting for the first trip or two, and you’re ready for your own gear. There is still plenty of scope to grow (as a rider) in these bindings, particularly for the lighter snowboarder, or those focusing more on the freestyle side. &
The Lexa is a stiff women’s binding. It is aimed at girls that ride hard, and ride fast. It’s not an out and out freeride binding though, it would suit strong intermediate to advanced riders looking to rip up the resort, maybe taking in a couple of laps of the park before heading for the trees. Similar in essence to the guy’s Mission bindings, in that if you are considering these bindings, they are probably spot on. Specification: • 30% Short Glass/Nylon Composite Heelcups • 45% Short Glass/Nylon Composite Baseplate • Zero Lean Dial FLAD • Single Component Living Hinge Canted Highbacks • Reactstraps • GettaGrip Capstraps • Double take buckles featuring Insta-click • removable AutoCANT FullBED with B3 Gel • Lifetime Baseplate Guarantee • Anatomical Left and Right Baseplates • Progressive flex Highbacks Flex 1-10/ soft-hard: 6 Features: Base/Heelcups 45% Short Glass/Nylon Composite is the second stiffest baseplate material that Burton use. It is pretty stiff, but ideal for all conditions, and hard riding. 30% Short Glass/Nylon Composite has a slightly more forgiving flex than some of Burton’s stiffer baseplate materials, making it ideal for all day riding, particularly for lighter/laid back riders. Stiff enough for dropping into couloirs, soft enough for sliding rails. Lifetime Baseplate Guarantee covering manufacturer defects for life. It’s rare to see a Burton baseplate fail, but it’s comforting to know that their quibble free replacement will be on your board before you can say ‘Did you get that on film?’ Anatomical Left and Right Baseplates is a more costly way to design and manufacture a snowboard binding, but your left and right feet are not the same, so why shouldn’t your baseplates match your feet? Straps: ReactStraps are 3D shaped ankle straps, designed to match the contour of any snowboard boot. GettaGrip Capstraps feature 3D shaping for the ultimate fit. They are constructed from ‘Grip Fit’ rubber for excellent retention and can be used as Cap straps or Toe Straps (does anyone still ride like that?). Burton Cap Straps are some of the most universally compatible shapes, and fit perfectly over almost every boot on the market. Double Take buckles featuring Insta-click are a new take on binding ladders/buckles. By adjusting the angle of the teeth on the ladders/buckles, Burton have significantly increased the surface area of grip. This in turn means far less force is required to do your buckles up, and also makes it much easier when trying to get your straps to engage. Highback: Single-Component Construction is a trickier design process to achieve the flex/response required from your binding. One piece means no joins, means great strength, and minimal weight. Canted Highbacks are a more ergonomic shape than traditional ‘straight up’ highbacks. Your legs angle inwards toward your waist when you ride, so canting your highbacks to match this angle seems like an obviously beneficial step. Living Hinge Highbacks separate the forward lean adjustment from the highback rotation, allowing an almost infinite combination of highback setup positions. This design also saves weight over standard highback mounting designs.
The Lexa is a stiff women’s binding. It is aimed at girls that ride hard, and ride fast. It’s not an out and out freeride binding though, it would suit strong intermediate to advanced riders looking to rip up the resort, maybe taking in a couple of laps of the park before heading for the trees. Similar in essence to the guy’s Mission bindings, in that if you are considering these bindings, they are probably spot on. Specification: • 30% Short Glass/Nylon Composite Heelcups • 45% Short Glass/Nylon Composite EST Baseplate • Zero Lean Dial FLAD • Single Component Living Hinge Canted Highbacks • Reactstraps • GettaGrip Capstraps • Double take buckles featuring Insta-click • removable AutoCANT SensoryBED with B3 Gel • Lifetime Baseplate Guarantee • Anatomical Left and Right Baseplates • Progressive flex Highbacks Flex 1-10/ soft-hard: 7 Features: Base/Heelcups 45% Short Glass/Nylon Composite is the second stiffest baseplate material that Burton use. It is pretty stiff, but ideal for all conditions, and hard riding. 30% Short Glass/Nylon Composite has a slightly more forgiving flex than some of Burton’s stiffer baseplate materials, making it ideal for all day riding, particularly for lighter/laid back riders. Stiff enough for dropping into couloirs, soft enough for sliding rails. Lifetime Baseplate Guarantee covering manufacturer defects for life. It’s rare to see a Burton baseplate fail, but it’s comforting to know that their quibble free replacement will be on your board before you can say ‘Did you get that on film?’ Anatomical Left and Right Baseplates is a more costly way to design and manufacture a snowboard binding, but your left and right feet are not the same, so why shouldn’t your baseplates match your feet? Straps: ReactStraps are 3D shaped ankle straps, designed to match the contour of any snowboard boot. GettaGrip Capstraps feature 3D shaping for the ultimate fit. They are constructed from ‘Grip Fit’ rubber for excellent retention and can be used as Cap straps or Toe Straps (does anyone still ride like that?). Burton Cap Straps are some of the most universally compatible shapes, and fit perfectly over almost every boot on the market. Double Take buckles featuring Insta-click are a new take on binding ladders/buckles. By adjusting the angle of the teeth on the ladders/buckles, Burton have significantly increased the surface area of grip. This in turn means far less force is required to do your buckles up, and also makes it much easier when trying to get your straps to engage. Highback: Single-Component Construction is a trickier design process to achieve the flex/response required from your binding. One piece means no joins, means great strength, and minimal weight. Canted Highbacks are a more ergonomic shape than traditional ‘straight up’ highbacks. Your legs angle inwards toward your waist when you ride, so canting your highbacks to match this angle seems like an obviously beneficial step. Living Hinge Highbacks separate the forward lean adjustment from the highback rotation, allowing an almost infinite combination of highback setup positions. This design also saves weight over standard hi
The fast and simple operation allows you to get your boot in and out in one movement. The Highback leans backwards and the ankle strap moves forwards to allow for easy access. Pull the leaver up and you have the perfect fit time and time again. The Cinch technology from K2 gets you from chair lift to riding quicker than your friends. Set your ankle and toe straps to get the perfect fit then never have to crank those ratchets again. Add some quality components like the Harshmellow Canted Footbeds and the nicely padded Women’s Custom Caddi straps and you’ve got a high performing, comfortable and most of all quick binding system. Specification: Cinch C2 Chassis Women’s Cored Ergo Highback Women’s Custom Caddi Ankle Strap Cam-Lock Centering Tool-Less Universal Toe Strap Hella RADchet Multi-Compatible and Offset Discs Seamless EVA, Canted Harshmellow Shockpads, Adjustable Power Ramp footbeds Flex 1-10/ soft-hard: 5 Features: K2’s patented Cinch Technology offers riders the fit and performance of traditional strap bindings and the speed and convenience of a ‘quick entry’ system. Base/Heelcups The Cinch C2 Chassis allows the highback to be lowered whilst also pushing the ankle strap forward for easy and quick access. Pull the leaver on the highback up to lock the heelcup and chassis, along with your boot, into place. The reinforced nylon baseplate and cored side rails are both strong and light. Canted Harshmellow footbeds tilt inwards by 3 degrees towards the centre of the board. This takes pressure off the knees and reduces fatigue by matching your natural leg position, whilst also providing a solid platform for popping ollies. Harshmellow is the dampening material that K2 uses in some their boards, boots and bindings for superior vibration and impact reduction. The Adjustable Power Ramp allows you to extend the toe end of the binding upto the edge of your snowboard in order to transfer maximum power from binding to edge. Straps: The Women’s Custom Caddi ankle strap super padded for extra comfort with a mini ladder cover to help prevent the build up of ice. Universal Toe Straps can be worn round the toe or over the top of your boot and the Tool-less Cam-Lock allows you to change the position of the toe strap without removing the bindings from your board, or the need for tools. To do this the binding needs to be in the open position. Highback: Womens specific shape with a weight saving cored design and centre spine for heel-edge response, the Women’s Cored Ergo highback is finished with thermo-formed EVA calf padding for comfort. Discs and hardware: The Cinch Tryst comes supplied with two sets of discs. The Offset Discs allow for toe-to-heel centring by rotating it 180 degrees, whilst still being able to micro-adjust tip-to-tail. The standard discs keep things centred and both are Multi-Compatible for use with 4-hole and 3-hole patterns. Power Hold Washers have ridges in them to ensure they are well and truly locked into place. If you are mounting to a channel system you will need to purchase an additional converter disc.
The Mirage is the only women’s binding to be constructed around the Shadow Fit baseplate. This makes it one of the most versatile bindings available for Women riders. The Shadow Fit system results in outstanding response from an otherwise fairly soft, very comfortable binding, that one would expect to have more of a mid to entry level performance. Specification: • Womens Specific Shadow Fit Baseplate • Composite 30% • Adjustable Toe Ramps • Universal Discs • IMS • Mirage Highbacks • SCS + Full EVA Padding • 3D Asymmetric Supreme Ankle Straps • Lock-In Deluxe Toe Strap • MicroMax Strap Adjustment • Womens Specific Aluminium Buckles • Flex 5 Features: Base/Heelcups Shadow Fit Baseplates feature a heel cup design not found on any other bindings. A flexible loop, creates the heel cup of the baseplate, supported (and adjusted) by a Kevlar Quickwire to add strength and stiffness. The combination creates a stiff, but flexible lightweight binding with great adjustability. Composite 30% Is a great balance of lightweight and strength. Stiffer than entry level plastic, but with enough compliance to ride all day. Adjustable Toe Ramps (or ‘gas pedal’) allows you to dial out the gap often found under the between your toes, and your bindings. SCS + Full EVA is Salomon’s highest level of cushioning and shock absorption. Straps: 3D Asymmetric Supreme Ankle Straps are (as the name suggests) asymmetric, for the most accurate match to your snowboard boot. 3D contouring, and soft padding finish off the ideal all day comfort ankle strap. Deluxe Lock-In Toe Strap keeps your toe box locked in, matching the contour of your boots exactly. The Deluxe version features added padding for extra decadence. MicroMax Strap Adjustment enables fast and precise adjustments to your strap positions. Highback: Mirage Highbacks are Salomon’s most ergonomically profiled highbacks. They envelope your calves to provide an exceptional connection to your board. Integrated forward lean, and an almost infinite range of adjustment thanks to the Shadow fit concept. HB Filter is Salomon’s proprietary highback cushioning material, designed to reduce chatter and subsequent leg fatigue. Discs/hardware: PowerGlide Aluminium Buckles 3D geometry moulded for a lightweight, quick and powerful ratchet with buttery smooth action. Universal Discs will fit any snowboard currently on the market. 2x4, 4x4 3D, The Channel. Whatever you ride, these will fit. IMS or ‘Integrated Mounting System’ is awesome. It keeps your bolts secured to your discs, for super easy installation, and to eliminate the moment of dread each year when you pull out your gear and are missing a binding bolt/washer. Good work guys, good work. The Mirage is a great binding. Shadow Fit is a solid design concept, and applying it to the top end women’s binding is a good sign of things to come as we will inevitably