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Good bindings for Carving?

42K views 32 replies 19 participants last post by  Khalil Tran 
#1 ·
I've been out of snowboarding for a while and just now finally getting back into it. I'm looking to set up a sweet carving board.
I'm wondering just how much bindings will help with carving. I'm presuming some bindings are better then others. I currently have a pair of 2011 Cartels. Would these be good to switch to a new board I'm looking at getting, or is there something out there better that would justify a guy that doesn't have a whole lot of spare funds buying a new pair?

Thanks,
 
#3 · (Edited)
If you want to buy new gear, the Diodes are very nice bindings to match a stiffer freeride board, but also NOW Drive are a sweet option.

However, depending on the board you intend to get, the Cartels can also match. Two guys in my pack use a Custom X w Cartel set up and they carve hard.

Edit: one of those CX x Cartel set-ups is even older than your '11. Still rips.
If you wanna boost your bindings, you may just get the new hammock straps. IMO one of the major improvements in bindings in the recent years. Strap is very comfy but holds the boots very tight n nicely w/o overtightening. Nice response.
 
#6 ·
Having recently started riding a 2015 Custom X (apparently 2015 was a bump up in stiffnesss from previous years) and I've done a few days each with EST Cartels and Now Drives, for carving the drives are definitely a much better fit. The Cartels worked just fine and I loved the ride, but could tell there was a delay edge to edge. The drives were noticeably more reactive, and with the slight wing on the high backs I could drive much more force out to each contact point, which I really appreciated. Opened up more performance from the board. The cartels however definitely helped generate more pop, which could be down to the hinge tech and might not feel the same on a reflex chasis. I'd really love to try a stiffer high back on the cartels, even malavita HB would be a good step up. (I think the older cartels had a stiffer high back as well, pre '13?)

Seconding the hammock straps, I've put those on my drives as well.
 
#7 ·
Depends on your desired style of carving.

For a super locked down feeling look at Now Recons, Ride Capo or Hefe, Flux XF, or Rome Targa. For a slightly surfier feel the Arbor Cypress, Now Brigade, Salomon Alibi, or Burton Genesis. For your average feeliing solid binding the Now Drives, Ride Rodeo, Burton Cartel, Rome Katana or Fix EPK.
 
#19 ·
I'm pretty old, so I like to stay low so I don't have too far to fall. I'm using Union Ultras on my Koruas, and really like them a lot. Contact Pros feel really good too, but the new ankle straps on the Ultras make a huge difference when laying into a toeside carve. I've used NOW Drives and NOW Selects and they work really well for carving too.
 
#27 ·
the stealth, tranny finder and asytoni are all the same board with different tails.

That said, I've spent one day on my asytoni it is basically a 163 stealth with one side of the tail longer to make it a 168. I broke off part of my edge on my korua pencil day one also a friend had his nose on his how trenchdigger show up damaged so I'm not sure how durable they really are. They are fun boards for sure can't wait to get more time on them.
 
#26 ·
I'm curious what kind of boots a person would get for a high speed carving setup. I assume a super stiff boot. I know the Burton Ion's and SLX's are pretty stiff I think. DC Travis Rice boots are a 9/10 for stiffness on their website. Are there any 10/10 stiffness soft boots? Not sure if I have seen that anywhere.[/QUOTE]

I don't know if anything I do would be considered "high speed", but I've found that having some flex helps with getting lower and getting my back knee tucked in. I'm wearing K2 Enders which I think are pretty soft.
 
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