jdang307

Looks like I may start a quiver this year, so I'm hoping to have a binding that is versatile enough for both boards.

The first board is a 150 westmark (I'm 145). I came across a ridiculously cheap deal so I Jumped (sorry cheezeforsteeze I had my eye on your board for later in the year!). The second board I'm not so sure. Something more big mountain but still playful. The westie will be for my local mountain (Bear/Summit) where no board is too small. You can get bored of these mountains fast if all you do is ride down.

The second board will be for my trips each year. Colorado, Utah, mammoth/tahoe. Maybe even the PNW this year. We usually go on two trips a year. I'm leaning towards an NS Cobra 153 here. I had an SL before, love the NS dampening and smoothness. Good for my knees too.

So, I want one binding that can split double duties. Not ideal I know. But when I travel I'll just be bringing one binding and both boards. I've had both Malavitas and Blackhawks and liked both. The malavitas had great adjustability and I was able to center my boots nicely, locked my boots in well. Blackhawks were great too, ratchets were like butter. Screws were a little short though so they came loose so I'll have to check that out. The Phantoms have the airbags though, and the blackhawks dampening wasn't where I wanted it to be.

So I've narrowed down to:

Malavitas, Cartels (restricted), or the 2013 Phantoms. First two I can get now, second one obviously not until next year. I think they have a new strap on them which is also asym.

Which of the 3,or will all 3 work nicely? I'm leaning: Phantoms/Malviita/Cartel Restricted, in order.

Irahi

I have both the 2012 phantoms and the 2012 malavitas, so maybe I can help. I've been happy riding my phantoms on a signal park flat, bataleon evil twin, and a lib t.rice, so they're definitely versatile enough. The strap isn't especially buttery, but the minidisc really helps for presses and ground tricks, and the dual airbags rocks for stomping hard, flat landings. Comparatively, the malavita is a little more comfortable to ride (the asym superstrap is awesome, and the burton capstrap is far superior to the raiden toe strap,) and feel like they have a bit more boot grip, but it just doesn't have anywhere near the same shock absorption. Day to day I definitely prefer the phantoms, but the real choice (I think) is between comfort and grip on the malavitas, and shock absorption on the phantoms.

Nivek

Phantoms for sure. That's what I want, unless things work out with Flow then I'll just be in various things of theirs for the forseable seasons...

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isle1965

Cartels 100%.....! .........Truthfully I prefer my non-restricted over restricted.........they just feel more dialed in/ responsive..... The restricted feel a lot (alot) like my old missions........of which I'm not a fan.

jdang307

It did? Just the strap made that much of a difference?

I'm leaning phantoms just because I really want to try those airbags. My knees finally got old this year. I did like the fit on the Malavitas though. Good enough ratchets, locked in toe cap.

But those airbags. Are they that good?

isle1965

I'm comparing EST to non ....... But yeah , for me night and
day difference....... In a big way.

Nivek

Completely different feel from EST to ReFlex. Not really comparable and you saying that you prefer your EST Cartels really doesn't help much. Just sayin

Also if you can't do Phantoms, then Malavita's, then Cartel Restricted.

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Snowboarding Sucks.

Irahi

Yes, they are. Mind bending difference between the phantom airbags and anything else.