Snowboarding Forum - Snowboard Enthusiast Forums banner

Review: Rome 390 Bosses

20K views 38 replies 8 participants last post by  f1 tech 
#1 ·
I picked up some 390 bosses this season for my Bataleon Evil Twin to get into more park riding.

Stiffness: Medium stiff high back (stiffer than my forces) and soft straps. The straps can be adjusted into 3 different positions to make them stiffer or softer. I've been riding them as soft as possible all season and really like the feel. Overall a park-oriented all mountain binding.

Adjustability: This is probably the strength of these bindings. Virtual everything can be adjusted from the strap stiffness, to high back rotation, to canted foot beds. The canted foot beds are really nice and have allowed me to widen my stance without any discomfort. I found that it is impossible to rotate the high backs more than 12 degrees if you have the straps set to the softest setting.

Complaints: They don't really fit my boots. The toe ratchets don't release very smoothly most of the time. They will not budge oftentimes unless I use two hands to release them. Last time out, it was wet and rainy and the toe ratchets were having trouble grabbing the ladders.

Overall: Not too impressed with these bindings after all the hype I was hearing from them. I think most of the problems arise from them not fitting my boots very well, so beware if you wear boots equivalent to size 10 DCs. I really like the flex and comfort of them overall, especially the heel strap. I found the ratchets to be inferior to those on my Union Forces. For my next bindings, I think that I will either return to Union or try out some Fluxs.
 
See less See more
#2 ·
I don't think it is fair to review a product that doesn't fit you properly. Understandable if it is a design flaw like the toe straps just not grabbing your boot. If the binding as a whole does not fit, then I don't think it warrants a bad review.

I have very low profile Burton Hails 9.5 and very high profile Burton TWC 10. Both fit fine with proper adjustments.

What size did you get by the way? L/XL?

Anyway, Union has way more hype and I finally tried a couple of pairs. Their toe straps are horrible and the ratchets require a good slap to release.

I won't argue that the Bosses have bad ratchets too. I'm not a fan of those ratchets either, but my problem with them is the opposite of yours. They release too easily.
 
#4 ·
I got the S/Ms. I said in my review that most of the problems were from the bindings not fitting well, I have done everything to adjust them to make them as large as possible but they still don't fit very well. The only possible option I see is to trade toe straps with somebody who has L/XLs.

Have you ridden older forces (around 08) to compare to the new forces? I have 07/08 forces and i happen to like everything about them, even the toe strap and ratchet that everybody seems to hate.
 
#3 ·
Do you wanna get rid of your boss 390? I have some targas and live them , the only issue is that i have a low profile salamon boot and I have them max'd out in the tight side but too big for medium. I wish they had a M/L. I also have 2011 forces and contact pro and yea the only issue would be crappy toe straps the ankle strap is my favorite tho. I hear they're coming out with improved toe straps for 2012
 
#5 ·
I know you mentioned the poor fit, but you still reviewed the bindings nonetheless. I've demoed bad board sizes before and I don't write up reviews for them because of that unless even in the bad size, the board performed exceptionally well.

It's just my opinion though. I don't want to persuade a rider to avoid a particular piece of gear when the ones I own/demo don't even fit correctly.

With your size 10 boots, you should be on the L/XL. That was unfortunately your mistake. If you can, I'd trade up for the larger size and then see how you like the bindings.

I'm not trying to defend the Bosses like a fanboy as I have found a few flaws in my properly fitting bindings. I just don't agree with posting reviews about something that isn't even the right size for you.

I have not ridden the older forces. From what I was told, the only changes from last year are the toe straps. Some bindings I'd much rather own:

Ride Delta

Flux RK30

Rome 390 Boss

K2 Auto Uprise

Flow NXT-ATSE

Burton Restricted Malavitas (if I have ICS board)

2012 Burton Cartels

List goes on and on...
 
#6 ·
With your size 10 boots, you should be on the L/XL. That was unfortunately your mistake. If you can, I'd trade up for the larger size and then see how you like the bindings.
It's not my fault at all. I went into my local store and tried on the L/XLs. THEY DID NOT FIT!!! The toe strap would max out before becoming remotely tight. DC makes pretty small boots as these are comparable to size 9 Burtons. I ordered the S/M online as they did not have any in stock near me. My boots do fit in these, they just aren't very comfortable. The bindings fit, just not well for someone with boots near mine's size.


Here is a crappy pic that I just took with my phone.
 
#7 · (Edited)
I have the 2011 Burton Restricted Hails 9.5 on my L/XL Bosses. I had to adjust heelcups to the smallest setting so the boot can fit properly. Ankle and toe strap adjustment tweaks and I'm good to go.

If you tried them on in the shop, then the heelcups were set at default which is for sizes 11/12.5. That is why your boots didn't fit. So yes, unfortunately, it was your fault for choosing the wrong size :)

Actually, I'd put some blame on the shop as well. If I were the employee and I saw that your size 10 fit small on the L/XL Boss, I would have pointed out that the heelcups were set for a bigger boot size and that you can adjust them for size 10's.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Wow, no need for the rude sarcasm. I'm just saying the default setting for the L/XL is not set to fit size 10. If the shop guy adjusted the heelcup then cool.

Just sounds like you only maxed out the straps and not the heelcups. I don't see how my size 9.5 which has burton's shrinkage tech can fit but your size 10 doesn't.

Whatever bro. Wasn't bin hostile. Opinionated yes, hostile no. I still stand by my remark about this being an unfair review. The point actually isn't to bother you. It's so that people who would have avoided it give it second thought after reading our little trade off. :)
 
#11 ·
If a binding does not fit such a common boot in either sizes, assuming all possible adjustments have been done, what's wrong writing a review about it? DC boots are really common where I'm from, and if it's impossible to get a good fit in them, someone will benefit from this review.
 
#12 ·
That's the problem... we can only assume all possible adjustments were made. I'm sorry, I just doubt the shop guy did any adjustments other than just on the straps. The bindings were more than likely left on the default setting on the heelcup which does not fit size 10 boots.

Also, I have these bindings and two very different boots. A very low-profile 9.5 that has a profile of a 8.5 boot and a bulky size 10. I am able to share bindings with my friend who has size 11 boots with those size 10's of mine.

I'm sure someone else here rocks DC boots with these bindings. This is the first I ever heard about something like this.

Also judging by the picture, he can tighten the toe strap on the inner ladder and also wear it a little higher on the toe.

I still firmly say he chose the wrong size. With adjustments, I don't see L/XL not fitting. I have two very different boots around the OP's size and both fit with proper adjustments. I've seen plenty of DC boots and nothing weird stands out about them. He said his boots fit like a size 9 Burton. I have a size 9.5 Burton that fits like an 8.5. I'm on L/XL Bosses.

Really, not trying to be a dick. I truly believe that crazyface would really enjoy these bindings in the proper adjusted size.
 
#13 ·
When I picked up my bosses, I was instructed to go with the L/XL and I rock a size 9 thirtytwo. I must say that when I first rode the bindings, I was a little disappointed as there were weird pressure points and I was questioning response. Now, I've dialed the bindings in better and now the worst problem is that my toe strap on my back foot does pop off sometimes. I do have to tighten the strap a little higher on the boot, but nothing terribly uncomfy. I also cranked the high back up one position and now for the most part I'm pretty stoked on these bindings, but again I wear a size 9 boot in a L/XL.
 
#14 ·
http://www.snowboardingforum.com/bindings/34370-what-size-rome-390-boss.html
There ya go, Leo. Another poster said that he thought his L/XL bosses were too big for size 10.5 DC's.

DC makes a very small boot. I went from size 8.5 burton which might have had shrinktech to size 10 DC's.

Everything was minimized. I am not a retard, the shop guy may have been, but I am not and I know how to try on and adjust bindings.
 
#20 ·
Leo and everbody else,
I like the bindings. They are definitely high quality, but as I said before, there really doesn't seem to be an optimal size for my boots. Most other companies have 3 sizes for their bindings and make the decision easy. Rome doesn't do that for some reason and my boots fit right in between both sizes. They work in size S/M, and I could probably manage a L/XL, but I prefer to have some say in the adjustability and wouldn't want to ride them completely minimized if I get smaller boots next time. There doesn't seem to be any size binding that is optimal for my size, they both seem to just work decently.

Maybe I would be better suited in L/XLs, but from my experience that would not be true. The best possible fit, I think would be to trade somebody my toe straps for L/XL, assuming that the L/XL toe straps are larger.
 
#22 ·
From the pic you posted on the previous page it doesn't look to me that the heel cup is in the forward most position. Can you take a picture of the inside of the binding where the heel cup attaches? With my heel cup all the way forward the metal part at the toe (what you took a pic of) is more flush with the "plastic".

For reference I have the 390 boss with a 10.5 F24 boot (9.5 footprint) which is likely similar in size to your DC. The only reason I ask about the heel cup is I have no issues with mine when adjusted to the smallest setting.
 
#24 ·
I totally agree with you guys that Rome has awkward sizing. Especially for those of us in between sizes. 9-10 are awkward sizes for these bindings.

The reason I chose L/XL is the opposite of yours crazy. I wanted options of using boots that might not be as low-profile. The Hails are reduced enough for me and while I love the light weight, this binding issue is annoying.

The reason why you are experiencing weird fit on the S/M is because the length of the boot is still the same. It's the overall profile that is reduced so basically you still have a size 10 length but a size 9's girth.

It is what it is. I would call Rome and ask for larger straps. I'm sure they'll hook you up.
 
#28 ·
I am telling you... you can fit a size 10 DC fine in a L/XL. If I can fit a Burton Hail 9.5 in it, then you can too. I swear, as soon as I finish moving and getting situated, I'm doing a picture tutorial. My boots are so damn low profile, that I can't fathom why people with sizes in upwards of 11 can't fit them into the L/XL.
 
#34 ·
I do have a lot of ladder sticking out as well. I saw a few people that cut their excess ladder off.

Also, you should minimize the toe strap more. It will seem like the web won't be centered on your boot, but when you crank it down, it will be. Hard to explain, this is why I need pictures lol. I had the same issue with the toe strap when I was trying to center it on my toe.

But definitely make sure everything like the heel cup is minimized.
 
#36 · (Edited)
Well, I went ahead and called the store. I asked them to try to fit a size 10 DC boot into the S/M 390 and they said it fits fine but with a little adjustment to the bottom piece. I have DC Sabre BOA boots and they seem pretty low profile. You have to remember that DC boots run small. I normally wear a size 8.5 to 9 and these 10 boots fit perfect on me. Anyway, I ordered the 390s. If it doesn't feel right, I'm just going to sell it.

 
#37 ·
Well, I went ahead and called the store. I asked them to try to fit a size 10 DC boot into the S/M 390 and they said it fits fine but with a little adjustment to the bottom piece. I have DC Sabre BOA boots and they seem pretty low profile. You have to remember that DC boots run small. I normally wear a size 8.5 to 9 and these 10 boots fit perfect on me. Anyway, I ordered the 390s. If it doesn't feel right, I'm just going to sell it.
did you order L/XL or S/M?
Maybe we an get another opinion on whether or not this size will fit in L/XL.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top