jdang307

Ok, tested the 390 Boss (2012) a couple days. Am I crazy, or is this binding quite responsive? From everything I've read, I was expecting a softer but still all mountain binding.

For comparison I rode K2 Uprises, Malavitas and Raiden Blackhawks last year, all 2012 except the Uprise (2011).

I was expecting the 390 to slot in between the Vita and Blackhawks, since the Blackhawks were supposed to be a stiffer binding.

But I feel they are stiffer than the Blackhawks. Difference is this year I'm riding a westmark, last year I was on the Coda, so a slightly softer board.

I have tried not to ratchet down the strap but as soon as it's snug I can feel the response. I notice it the most when setting up for a jump (I only do small jumps do to my age ). I had no problems last year getting into an athletic stance, bending my knees. I do this to balance myself and force the board flat. Vita, Uprise and Blackhawk no problem. When I do this on my 390 boss and westmark it goes onto the toe edge. It's weird. I literally cannot bend my knees without the edge engaging.

Is it just something I need to work on? Break the binding in?

Casual

I find them a stiffer (medium flex) myself which I like but it sound like your high backs might be leaned forward a bit? Mine are as far back as they can go because I ride a lot of park. Otherwise I would say your probably leaning forward and not just bending your knees.

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grafta

I went from a contraband to the boss 390s and def noticed the difference!

New boots also, which probably changes things as well.

That's weird, I have noticed that I've been jumping off my toes more (to my annoyance). Interesting you are having problems taking off flat too.

Maybe try 'sitting' into it more?

jdang307

No forward lean, I can see the gap between my boot and the highback.

If I don't plan on any park features I'll usually up the forward lean a tad. But if I plan to hit any jumps I usually drop it all the way back.

grafta, same boots here (32 lashed). I'll give it a few more days (Tahoe and Mammoth hopefully).

But if this holds up, looks like I like a softer binding in general.

jdang307

Oh by the way, did not have toe strap issues. It slipped once my first day, but that's because I was still figuring out the right position. But now it's rock solid on the 32 lashed.

One issue is that the lashed are so wide they barely fit into the binding, same thing with my Uprises. No problems on the medium malavita though or blackhawks.

goalieman24

If there's no forward lean, it sounds more like a flexibility or strength issue to me. You should be able to bend your knees without your board rotating... even if your feet were attached by cement blocks.

grafta

You could potentially get a nice custom fit with concrete blocks instead of bindings/boots combo

jdang307

No problemos with the Vitas and Blackhawks, which is where I thought the 390 would fit in between, response wise.

I can bend my knees ever so slightly, but not to the level I could with the other bindings

goalieman24

Is this a comparison of those other 2 bindings last year to the 390's this year? Have you used the Malavitas/Blackhawks this year to have a legitimate comparison?
Just basing this off of your "dUE to my age" comment, but flexibility/strength may have changed from the end of last year to now.

jdang307

No, and that's why I was asking to see if I was crazy. Due to my age I'm 35, so I'm not a senior citizen Just don't want to break my back on a hand rail or big jump, but am still relatively athletic etc.