Union Forces... - Snowboarding Forum

StarCommand · 01-14-2011, 09:05 PM

So, I bought Forces for myself this year. I had Burton Escapades. I was never loving the Burton bindings. My boots never fit in properly and I'd crank the straps down and start riding only to have my foot settle into the heel cup and then all my straps would be loose. I constantly find myself cranking down my straps while I'm cruising into my first run. It's pretty stupid and dangerous.

So, I bought Forces because I was tired of effing around with women's bindings and never seeming to find a good fit. The only sizes available are listed M/L for the Forces. I bought M/L, and I rocked them for a couple days out east and they were perfect. I brought them out west and they are kind of failing me. The powder the past two days is pretty sticky. I've had to crank the shit out of the straps to keep my foot from moving because there's a few millimeters of space between my boot and the side of the binding. The sizing chart was confusing when I was buying them, and the fact that smalls weren't available made me think that M/L would be just fine. Now I'm thinking that I was wrong.

Anyone have experience with these bindings? Or with ladies rocking these bindings? I have size 8.5 Nike boots. They fit fine front to back, it's just the little bit of space on the side that forces me to tighten the ankle strap until I start losing blood flow to my toes. It might also be that I'm not yet comfortable in these conditions and terrain, but I need to get my bindings straight, because I can't seem to find anything that works for me without making my feet numb.

lilfoot1598 · 01-14-2011, 11:59 PM

I don't have any experience with unions, unfortunately. Have you tried
Rome bindings? I wear the madisons and have a similar space issue on the sides. The straps on them are excellent, however, so I've never had any slippage or felt the need to readjust.

Nefarious · 01-15-2011, 12:42 AM

Today was the first day in mine. I know what you mean about cranking them down. I can feel where the upper strap was. My lead foot feels like it got run over by a truck. Similar gapping issue but not very noticeable.

Extremo · 01-15-2011, 05:12 AM

You def cant fit a womens 8.5 into a mens Union M/L. My gf has a 9 and she wanted to try my Force before she bought the Trilogy and they were too big...she said it felt like she couldn't get the straps tight enough even though she had them fully cranked.

extra0 · 01-15-2011, 04:02 PM

I can sympathize - I had a pair of salomon bindings that left big gaps on the sides (even with my 10.5 boots). They never felt right or snug.

I'm riding rome now and they are perfectly snug everywhere. I suggest trying your boot in some other brands to get the best fit....you'll ride better

StarCommand · 01-15-2011, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Extremo

You def cant fit a womens 8.5 into a mens Union M/L. My gf has a 9 and she wanted to try my Force before she bought the Trilogy and they were too big...she said it felt like she couldn't get the straps tight enough even though she had them fully cranked.

I adjusted the straps and they all fit, it's just the space on the side that forces me to crank them until my feet hurt. And it's my first time riding pow, and it's been pretty sticky, so my feet are exhausted to begin with, never mind that there's no blood flowing to them.

Bleh. Anyone want a gently used pair of Union Forces? lol

Nefarious · 01-15-2011, 09:36 PM

Just strapped into mine again to see if I have the same thing going on. I'd say there's a little room on the sides, but not enough to make me even notice. Then again, I like to be as tightly bound as I can without causing too much pain.

I'd say the pow is just getting the best of you. At least hold onto them until you get a chance to try them out back on the ice coast.

StarCommand · 01-15-2011, 09:48 PM

They were fine out east because I barely had to work the board.
I'm a chick, though. So my boots are narrower. It's really tripping me up, though. I'm nervous all the way down the hill that my bindings aren't tight enough. And doing a 3 mile run with cranked down bindings is excruciating. I'm going to hold on to them because... I have no choice right now. But if anyone wants to buy them, I can ship them in early Feb. provided I find something else to rock by then.

Nefarious · 01-15-2011, 09:55 PM

Didn't factor in the female boots. Well best of luck with them. I'm thoroughly envious of your boarding adventure. Next year I"m thinking about doing Co -> Mt -> Oregon. I'd basically have to start saving yesterday, so I'll probably have to cut it shorter than I'd like to. Hope your taking lots of pics.

StarCommand · 01-16-2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nefarious

Didn't factor in the female boots. Well best of luck with them. I'm thoroughly envious of your boarding adventure. Next year I"m thinking about doing Co -> Mt -> Oregon. I'd basically have to start saving yesterday, so I'll probably have to cut it shorter than I'd like to. Hope your taking lots of pics.

As many as I can. I've got an effing rig of a camera. But I did snap a bad flick of a bald eagle. I saw a couple today. Most exciting thing of my life. I've never seen one in the wild before, and I was posting flicks in Facebook on my phone and looked up and out the window for a second, and one was flying right next to the car. I yelled, "BALD EAGLE!!!!!!!!! BALD FUCKING EAGLE!" while smashing my finger on the glass. It was epic.

I also picked up this year's Burton Lexas. I hate Burton, but the kid in the shop was pretty convincing, and he's friends with the guy we were chillin' with... so I'll try them tomorrow and see how they go. Meh.

01-14-2011, 09:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
StarCommand Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lower East Bumblefuck Posts: 231	Union Forces... So, I bought Forces for myself this year. I had Burton Escapades. I was never loving the Burton bindings. My boots never fit in properly and I'd crank the straps down and start riding only to have my foot settle into the heel cup and then all my straps would be loose. I constantly find myself cranking down my straps while I'm cruising into my first run. It's pretty stupid and dangerous. So, I bought Forces because I was tired of effing around with women's bindings and never seeming to find a good fit. The only sizes available are listed M/L for the Forces. I bought M/L, and I rocked them for a couple days out east and they were perfect. I brought them out west and they are kind of failing me. The powder the past two days is pretty sticky. I've had to crank the shit out of the straps to keep my foot from moving because there's a few millimeters of space between my boot and the side of the binding. The sizing chart was confusing when I was buying them, and the fact that smalls weren't available made me think that M/L would be just fine. Now I'm thinking that I was wrong. Anyone have experience with these bindings? Or with ladies rocking these bindings? I have size 8.5 Nike boots. They fit fine front to back, it's just the little bit of space on the side that forces me to tighten the ankle strap until I start losing blood flow to my toes. It might also be that I'm not yet comfortable in these conditions and terrain, but I need to get my bindings straight, because I can't seem to find anything that works for me without making my feet numb. __________________

01-15-2011, 09:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
StarCommand Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lower East Bumblefuck Posts: 231	They were fine out east because I barely had to work the board. I'm a chick, though. So my boots are narrower. It's really tripping me up, though. I'm nervous all the way down the hill that my bindings aren't tight enough. And doing a 3 mile run with cranked down bindings is excruciating. I'm going to hold on to them because... I have no choice right now. But if anyone wants to buy them, I can ship them in early Feb. provided I find something else to rock by then. __________________

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-14-2011, 11:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
lilfoot1598 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 799	I don't have any experience with unions, unfortunately. Have you tried Rome bindings? I wear the madisons and have a similar space issue on the sides. The straps on them are excellent, however, so I've never had any slippage or felt the need to readjust.

01-15-2011, 12:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
Nefarious -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SD Posts: 598	Today was the first day in mine. I know what you mean about cranking them down. I can feel where the upper strap was. My lead foot feels like it got run over by a truck. Similar gapping issue but not very noticeable.

01-15-2011, 05:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
Extremo -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NH Posts: 3,116	You def cant fit a womens 8.5 into a mens Union M/L. My gf has a 9 and she wanted to try my Force before she bought the Trilogy and they were too big...she said it felt like she couldn't get the straps tight enough even though she had them fully cranked.

01-15-2011, 04:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
extra0 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: CA Posts: 582	I can sympathize - I had a pair of salomon bindings that left big gaps on the sides (even with my 10.5 boots). They never felt right or snug. I'm riding rome now and they are perfectly snug everywhere. I suggest trying your boot in some other brands to get the best fit....you'll ride better

01-15-2011, 09:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
Nefarious -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SD Posts: 598	Just strapped into mine again to see if I have the same thing going on. I'd say there's a little room on the sides, but not enough to make me even notice. Then again, I like to be as tightly bound as I can without causing too much pain. I'd say the pow is just getting the best of you. At least hold onto them until you get a chance to try them out back on the ice coast.

01-15-2011, 09:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Nefarious -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SD Posts: 598	Didn't factor in the female boots. Well best of luck with them. I'm thoroughly envious of your boarding adventure. Next year I"m thinking about doing Co -> Mt -> Oregon. I'd basically have to start saving yesterday, so I'll probably have to cut it shorter than I'd like to. Hope your taking lots of pics.