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Returning Unions... what next?

7K views 37 replies 12 participants last post by  Jules Winnfield 
#1 · (Edited)
I recently bought Union SL's for my Cobra. I rode them for the second time today and can't get the toe cap to stay on my boot. I've tried adjusting the ladder length, placement on boot, they just won't stay put. Oh well. I'm looking for suggestions on bindings to pair with a NS Cobra. I'm currently considering:

Raiden Phantoms
Now IPO - (some reservations about durability).


I already have Cartels on another board... so lets eliminate them from consideration.

Let me know your recommendations and why. Thanks in advance.

BA, Snowwolf, and Nivek - I'm especially interested in your thoughts!!

I don't want this to be a Union bashing thread!! I actually really like the SL's. Very comfortable and responsive... just don't work with my boot.
 
#4 ·
Snowolf will probably say Rome 390s or arsenals, Nivek will say NOW ipos, raiden phantoms, something by flux and maybe something by flow, i dunno what BAs on now - he was stoked on ipos i think as well as raidens. any one of them will have better toestraps than Union.

i know you don't want burton suggestions but just curious what you didn't like about your diodes?
 
#6 ·
hmm interesting... i don't find them so much stiff as i find them responsive.... and really ignorable, just not durable enough for the price.

to me i think that's the best characteristic of a binding - one i can just strap up and forget about. if i have to think about my bindings at all during a run :thumbsdown:
 
#7 ·
My only real complaint about the Diodes was how snow built up in the foot bed between my boot. After a long powder day I would literally have a layer of ice under my boots.

I really like the performance of the Unions... but I find myself checking my feet a lot during a run to make sure the toe cap is in place.
 
#8 ·
I am also looking for some new bindings right now, to throw on a proto.

I do some pretty technical riding (steep tree runs) so they need to be responsive, but I am getting more into freestyle so some play is also required.

I have 2011 cartels and they are the easy to get (in Japan) solid choice, but I would like to mix it up a bit. The NOWs look sweet but are not really available in my size here.

I will look at raiden, flow and K2. The cartels are still in the mix if I don't see anything I like better.

Any other suggestions welcome as well as specific suggestions within those brands.
 
#10 ·
Sorry fella,

Just seems like we would be looking at similar bindings so I threw myself in there.

Problem is in Japan there are real limits on whats available. The NOWs are the hot item and I just can't find them in large.

Cartels and other burton bindings are everywhere.

Just did a search and the raidens are off the list, again not available.

K2 company IPOs are available in my size any thoughts on these people?
 
#12 ·
There is another recent thread on the NOWs, several forum members who have them love the way they ride, but it seems the ladders are soft and they got chewed.

On contacting NOW they said they will send new ladders and they are aware of the issue and everyone will get new ladders if required.

Sounds like good quality customer service, if I could I would jump on the NOWs as my first choice.
 
#27 ·
I am actually currently riding the Cobra with a pair of Union Contact Pro`s and am finding them a great match. I do prefer a slightly softer binding though. I ride the Cobra on everything from groomers, to steeps, tight trees and large moguls on black terrain and find the Pro`s work extremely well.

Now, as for the Rome bindings which are still my favorite bindings overall , The 390/390 Boss actually is a good match. I personally feel that the Arsenals were overkill in the stiffness and made the board a bit too responsive and therefore touchy. For Leo who is more park oriented, definitely the 390/390 boss. For Dreampow in the deep Japan pow, I would lean toward the stiffer Targa with canting. The Arsenals have turned out to be a great match for the Summit and I am going to use them on the Raptor as well.
After much waffling, I ended up ordering Flux DMCC lights. I am a little nervous that they'll be a little too soft but from what I've been reading they are stiffer than the Contact Pro's/390's and you and Leo have liked both on the Cobra. So will see:dunno:
 
#31 ·
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