Anybody have an opinion on which one is better? I heard the Atlas was more of a park binding even though it's fairly stiff and labeled as all mountain. I heard that the Atlas was more responsive than the Cartel even though they are both rated 7 in stiffness. Also does the heel strap of the Cartel get in the way when you are getting of a lift? I noticed that it falls down onto the board when your foot isn't strapped in.
I plan on using these bindings on a lib tech trs firepower with k2 thraxis boots. I mostly ride all mountain with occasional park laps.
The Atlas base plate is more rigid than the reflex base plate. Not sure what a heel strap is but the ankle strap folds out of the way so you can easily strap in standing up without it springing back over the binding. Honestly both are great choices. Go with the one you personally like better. I vote Union.
Both good but I vote Cartel. The strap thing you describe with Burton bindings is the flex slider and its not an issue. You can flick it out of the way with your boot easily.
I don't like Union's narrow, heavily padded ankle straps, so I vote Cartel. While the rest of the binding world moves toward wider ankle straps with less padding to distribute pressure evenly across the top of the boot, Union still sticks with a really narrow strap and tries to pad the hell out of it to make up for it.
That's OK. I've ridden both. I think the best thing for you with the Atlas is the fixed angle canting vs the Autocant on the Cartels. I tend to enjoy fixed angle more on decks with center rocke. However, the Burton's certainly have the advantage on durability. For that reason they'd be my choice from those options.
On the other hand you can find Ride Rodeos for pretty solid prices, get the durability and the fixed angle canting. Rodeos are one of my go to bindings.
Autocant, fixed cant, no cant, whatever. Honestly, I'm the poster child for someone who should benefit from canting. I like a pretty wide stance and I've had multiple knee and ankle injuries. It doesn't make a meaningful difference IMO. As for fixed canting vs. autocanting, I literally can't tell a difference at all.
It's not a factor in my binding purchase decisions.
^^^ Pretty much that. Heck for many people the boot/foot position shifts 1/2 to 1'' within the binding between runs which far more than offsets tiny adjustments like 1-2 degrees of canting.
Plus there really isn't such a thing as 'fixed' canting: As long as there is some sort of foam it will compress unevenly depending which part of the foot you put your weight on. How much depends on weight of rider, stance width, etc Probably even boot type, kind of sole, etc
Some of my non-canted but cushy bindings give a more canted foot position than my bindings with traditional or auto cant.
Both good....Cartel toe caps are SUPER cumfy but the atlas is my favorite binding ive ever owned...plus union has lifetime warranties on the baseplate and high backs :grin:
I enjoy actual canting vs autocant as it really helps my knee. I have pain on my front knee because of a wide stance. After 1 season on actual canted binding, the pain went away. From that day forth, I look for bindings with 2-3 degree canted footbeds.
Both bindings are durable, however, the heelcup on the union just looks like crap after a few days because the paint chips off. It's minor and cosmetic but it happens.
I love both unions and burtons but there are parts from each that i like more. I had issues with the union ankle straps with fitment and couldn't get the ankle straps from c3 so I bought Cartel ankle straps and it was the best thing ever for the Trice bindings.
I like the union toe straps more.
I like cartel ankle straps more, I like burton ankle straps more in general, be it from the genesis, vita, cartel or the diode.
My bro has the camo Cartels from last yr and I got to try the Atlas also from the shop owner at the local shop I always go to. Both are great imo esp for what you're looking to do.
Tho I did feel that the Atlas felt a little more responsive than the Cartels. But I love how comfy Burton straps are. Also, for some reason, the toe strap always seems to slide down whenever I use Union (happened often with my Forces too, no matter how tight I made it). Never happened with my Vitas nor when I used the Now Drives (love these, will be getting these for upcoming season).
But ya, both would work well imo, for what you're looking for.
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