I<3snowp0rn

Isn't the EVA foam more of a dampening system between your board and binding and also remove dead zone area? I would think your boots outsole would provide the cushioning between the boot and binding?

phony_stark

You would be right pr0n king.

Nivek

I had a long fucking day actually. Shred in the morning and then a 10 hour day.

Sure you get some dampening from your boots, but isn't from boots and bindings better? With the way the Union is set up in the heel it's no better than running baseless. Running plastic all the way to the board just channels all the chatter and shock up to your foot.

__________________
Snowboarding Sucks.

phony_stark

Maybe I keep snowboarding simpler than you or am in better shape or something, but I have found the impact absorption difference between burton's autocant/union's stage 3/ and Union's stage 2 to be negligible.

I<3snowp0rn

Ok, just clearing up some misunderstanding of what the EVA was for. I know some Burton and Flux bindings have a gel bubble on the heel, but I haven't noticed the gel feature provides any significant dampening when riding.

phony_stark

samsies, it's like air bubbles and shock absorbtion on your skate shoes. Landing correctly and with coordination > whatever foam the put in your shoes.

LTshredTN

thanks guys...i would be going from 390 boses to these so id want something about the same flex id say..medium flex, nothing stiff forsure!! if that helps...also 2 yrs ago i had ordered forces but once i got them and messed with them a bit, the ratches were hell to get loose quick! would suck on park days in and out alot..so thats how i ended up with 390, ratchets quick in and out! i love the 390s so it makes me nervous giving union another try

Nivek

The ratchets haven't changed.

Apparently I ride harder or hit bigger stuff. Cause my knees kill me after a day in sub par dampened bindings. And I ride $400 boots.

__________________
Snowboarding Sucks.

24WERD

Depending on what yr the SL are the information is correct.

Carbon injected base for SL Previous yr only not 2013 current line.

SL has Base III which has more dampening then BASE II and no plastic at the heel. For current and last year 2012 only. previous yr was Base II.

As Spencer said the base on the FORCE absorbs alot of the shock through the material having it give more which is better for jumps and stuff.

The Union buckles are hard to take off at first but after a couple of runs they loosen up and work real well. The toe buckle needs work though and jams/malfunctions alot. Simply buy some burton getta grip. For$200 retail they are probably the best response all round bindings at that price point.

I<3snowp0rn

What does riding $400 boots have to do with the topic?

Or are you saying your $400 boots doesn't provide what you expect? Just curious when you ride other manufacturer's bindings, does your knees still hurt?