hktrdr

It matters to me, but I can do the exact same thing with my regular strap bindings...

davidj

TLDR: Short answer, equivalent performance, more convenience... like others said. So it comes down to how much this convenience means to you. To me it's HUGE.

Secret to success? Invest the time to set them up properly at home first or you will hate them. More later...

I started out with Ride EXs and bought a pair of Flow the Fives (the traditional power strap). Really liked the ease of strapping in. I'm a first chair to last call kind of guy and I don't stop for lunch (pack and eat on the lift). So I think I get 2-3 extra runs a day using Flows , and no wet butt (in CO and UT. The more you lap, the bigger difference the Flows will make).

Went back and forth between the EXs and Flows just to see if I could detect a difference in performance. Couldn't identify any difference in responsiveness, so I sold my EXs. Then I got some NX2 ATs - the 2013 models that lift the strap when you unbuckle. Amazing binding, even more responsive and adjustable than my older T5s (obviously). You can even set the strap tight to where it even "feels" more like a traditional binding, yet just as easy to step in and strap up (kinda leery of the SEs, have heard mixed messages on the toecap).

With the T5s and the NX2 ATs, it took me a couple of hours each (maybe I'm slow ), to get them properly adjusted to my boot and cant... a good bit more than your average traditional bindings. But this is a one-time deal. Don't invest in this somewhat careful/cumbersome setup and adjustment process, and it may be hate at first sight .

Flow fan boy now, so take this with a pinch of salt... actually, I hate vendor lock in and am a value shopper with little to no brand loyalty. So I'm "stuck" with Flows until something better comes along . End rant.

Hope this helps.

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CK93

I found the Flows to not have the heel hold that I like ( I think my feet are just weird). But I do LOVE the fact of Flows that I can slap my foot in and go. For me I have a normal binding (Ride Capo) on the front and Flow on the rear. The Capo provides the heel support I need for my front foot. I am a little old school where most of my weight is on the front foot.

So mainly I take the time to get my front foot strapped in, then on the slopes I can just put the back foot in and go.

I have had some people say this set up is absurd, but it works for me. I get the heel hold I need for my front foot and the quickness for the rear foot.

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davidj

+100 for creativity

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crash77

I thought the SE's are equivalent to the malavitas (park 1st, all mtn 2nd focused binding).
Am i wrong?

ksup3erb

The SEs have a hybrid strap with a toecap for those who want one, as opposed to the regular flows that have a one piece I shaped strap that sits over the top of the foot.

davidj

The Flow catalog says that the NX2 SEs and the NX2 ATs are "All-mountain/Freestyle". Other than the straps, the descriptions for both bindings are identical. My read is that they are the same binding with different strap configurations .

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crash77

All of this techy shit gets fk'n confusing sometimes! I mean I love the fact that brands/manufacturers are pushing the envelop and helping the sport to progress, but damn...it gets to be a bit much sometimes.

First the cartel and malavita (similar but different) and now the NX2 SEs and ATs. Is this done to help overlap or bridge the gap between from riding preferences?

Gdog42

If you get them from dogfunk.com, you can just return the pair you don't want to keep for a full refund. They have a great unlimited return policy- just make sure they're in new condition when you send them back. If you're nice, they'll send you the UPS return label for free (Done that every time I've returned a product).

There are some other online stores that have similar return policies. It's like checking the expiration date before you buy milk- ALWAYS check the return policy before you buy online!

crash77

^+1,000,000,000