Nivek

My reasons for thinking what I do is that the glass content in the bases of the Malavita and Cartel are the same. I've ridden the React Strap and Asym and there is not a noticeable difference in performance between the two. Then you play with the highbacks and the one on the 2013 Cartel is softer than I can ever remember seeing on a Cartel. When you push into the top of the Cartel highback it gives more than when you push into the top of the Malavita.

Companies label things wrong. And number systems are very arbitrary. Look at Forum. They still claim the Destroyer Doubledog is stiffer than the Youngblood Doubledog. I've ridden both. The Destroyer was fun to play in the tips, the Youngblood threw me down a few times. It is stiffer, I don't care what Forum's numbers say, the Youngblood was stiffer.

So yes, in the past the Cartel has been just a bit stiffer than the Malavita, the only things new are the react strap and highback. With that new highback I am heavily betting that it will now ride with more play up top, feeling softer.

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Snowboarding Sucks.

henry06x

Bindings and boots don't really get reviewed as much. People are much more interested in boards than bindings and boots its mostly what fits well and is comfortable.

Nivek as usual thanks for the good information. I really want to try union to see if they live up to their hype, but with no canting and the probability self canting will be worse I'm hesitant. last year was my first year with canting and I really like it. I'm sure how thick rides wedgies are helped to, I like that extra padding also. Is the cartel now the closest thing to the contact pro and zero in Burton's line now or what would be Burton's similar binding?

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2011 Academy Propaganda Rev - 2012 Rome 390 Boss
2012 Never Summer SL 2012 - Ride Capo

blunted_nose

No, don't do it. They are such shit. Went to a shop last night to get some boots and held about 4 different union's. From feeling them the ratchets suck ass, the plastic feels like shit and the foam is sooo hard. they are bulky, the adjustment on the ankle strap is huge and the straps feel like my mattress and as you probably know the toe straps are useless. If you actually want them to fit, you would need a boot that the front is about 45 degree sloped, Like some kind of a snow plow. Horrible design and they feel like shit all around. looked at Raidens and they were sick, so were burton's, rome as usual sick as hell and plush with the cool X on the toe strap. Flow's look cool but they cap strap felt bad. Ride was sick but i don't like how fucking skinny their straps run or narrow i guess.

jdang307

Hurry up and get a pair and tell us then! I'm dying to buy a pair. Either Vitas or cartels.

Nivek

I'm not buying a pair. Why would I BUY hardgoods? I'm not a measly insect like the rest of you.

After loveland I'll tell you how they ride. I'mma put them on a SuperHero, which I also have high hopes for.

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Snowboarding Sucks.

jdang307

I never said buy. I said get!

Show off.

I almost bought a superhero a few days ago. I can't help it. It was at such a steep discount. But I need bindings first.

henry06x

I've checked out some Force's and DLX's in the on hill shop where I ride and they didn't seem cheap to me... The DLX is the cheaper binding and to me it still looked and felt sound.
Ride's ankle straps are nice IMO. They may not look super soft but they are comfortable. With the center cut (rodeos, revolts have this) out it distributes the pressure well. The capo has the same type of distribution with the middle not cut out but I find them very comfortable. The toe straps other than cosmetic rubber tearing work well.

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2011 Academy Propaganda Rev - 2012 Rome 390 Boss
2012 Never Summer SL 2012 - Ride Capo

sleev-les

x2... Union rode well, but trying to get out of them was a bitch. The toe ratchet would seize up on me. Seems that they should have engineered their setup better. I used my Forces once then sold the damn things. I just put the Restricted Vitas on my Proto and noticed an earlier comment about the heel of the binding raising a bit because of the way the Re:Flex tech works. I strapped in on carpet and it doesn't look like its going to be an issue. They actually felt pretty badass so I will have to see how they do on the mountain.

sangsters

And when is Loveland?

I'm itching to finish up my kit for the season. Cartels or 'Vitas? 'Vitas or Cartels?

Rookie09

Union bindings don't feel cheap at all to me either. I've owned the DLX (2011) and the Contact Pro (2012). The DLX was super solid for their entry level binding. The Contact Pro is really nice as well. I really like their highbacks, ankle straps, and overall look. I think the ratchets work great as well. I've heard so much crap about the toe straps on them but they fit my boots just fine. The only complaint I have with them is that the footbed is really hard and there is no canting. It didn't bother me much, but if you're coming from a cushy footbed to this it might not feel that great. I also have Ride Delta MVMNT (2011). They were replaced by the Rodeo for 2012 and later. Their footbeds have tons of padding and their canting feels really nice. It's either 2 or 2.5 degrees I think. The ankle strap isn't quite as padded as the Contact Pro but is still comfortable. The toe straps are awesome! They can grip anything! Just my input. I haven't ridden any other bindings than these three, and I know other companies make some great stuff as well, but that's what I think of the stuff I've ridden