Bindings with no shortcomings!?
 

Ok I'm getting a new board which this forum helped me narrow down some good choices. Gotta slap some bindings on it! I'm looking at the Ride Machete and the Never Summer Heritage.
Right now I have Salomon Dialogue boots size 9 from 2006 that I think I'm fine with unless there is some reason to change. I'm 5'9 160 lbs so looking in the 154-157 range of boards.

So all that being said, it seems the questions in bindings are comfort, weight, and function. So what are some beast bindings that make sense for me (freeride/all mountains not heavy in that park but i dabble) that have great comfort and strong ratchets that don't get criticized for slipping. Don't want to spend more than necessary just to spend, but want to know what the best are regardless of that.

Thanks!

Well I've been thinking of getting this year's cartel restricted. I'm pretty much the exact same profile as you. If the shop in my area has last year's vitas I'll probably get those because I do a bit more park then you

clickers... both of you.. get em

Union Atlas is my favorite.
If you can't find Unions
Burton Cartels are a good choice.

Vitas are better for the park? I thought they (and the Genesis) were more in the same range for the non-park rider.

Vitas are apparently softer and hence more suited to park/freestyle than the Cartels

They're like a "super park" binding, and have tech that allows you to run your binding a little looser than usual. This year's straps are also more cushiony in comparison to the Cartel's react strap.

You'll be fine on either, really. It's preference.

Nico Muller runs Vitas, and if they're good enough for him, they're probably good enough for you. Same thing with the Union Contact Pro, if they're good enough for Gigi, they're good enough for you.

How many days have you had on those Salomon Dialogues? 6 years is a long time. I used to permanently crease my Dialogues at the ankle joint in like 20 days (REI would replace them for free)... admitted I was over-tightening them because my heel was too narrow for them (switch to Nitro boots which have a slimmer heel profile and now I only tighten to just-snug).

Bindings... ah well... I did like my Burton C60, in my opinion there were not actually that stiff (I'm 5'9" 150 lbs). Here is me freeriding in them on a NS SL 155 (just so you get an idea of what they can do)



Then here is me dabbling in the park on them.



Actually though... there are not the most comfotable binding (the ankle strap is a little stiff). I switch to CO2 (guy was selling them NIB for 60% off) at the end of last season and they are better (no videos of me riding in them). Unfortunately Burton bindings are pricey.

I had two pairs of Rome bindings (390 and 390 BOSS), they I found them to be too soft for free-riding in my opinion. I've ridden Cartels and they are pretty good (prefer my CO2 though) although some people may not like the highback (I don't mind tall highbacks). Ride CAD and Ride Spi were a bit bulky and heavy to me (only rode them 1-2 runs though).

Just the opposite. Cleared it with one of the reps over the weekend. Despite what the site says, the Cartel is now softer than the Malavita.

And the Genesis is not meant to fill the hole of the Prophecy by the way. Its not meant as a stiffer all mountain binding. Its a softer high tech binding for those that have shit tons of money and want the cool shit. Usually that guy isn't a great rider and getting all the cool shit usually means a stiff binding, which is beyond their ability. Hence the Genesis, cool shit and soft so it's not beyond the rich new guy.

K2 Company's. No crazy tech to break, just a simple, responsive, damp, and functional binding.

Flux TT30, $200

They have comfy straps, durable ratchets and are very adjustable. Lifetime baseplate warranty also. If you prefer it stiffer get the SF45.