Buying bindings for first time. Which ones to get? - Snowboarding Forum

03-28-2008, 01:54 PM

So I'm a beginner/intermediate, ride about 4-8 times a year at resorts (freeride, no freestyle tricks yet).

I've just bought my first boots and board (Salomon Maori's and Gnu CHB MTX).

I'm looking for some good value bindings to complete my set. I'm probably too inexperienced to notice the intricate differences so I'm just looking for a decent quality binding at a good price.

2 of my friends say NOT to get the customs because it is a pure toecap and they feel it has less control than over-the-toe types. Anyone else feel this way? Are convertible ones the way to go?

Which of these should I get? (Rank top 3)
Salomon SP2 - $42
Burton Freestyle - $66
Salomon Force - $70
Ride EX - $75
Burton Custom - $84
Union Cadet DLX - $90
Rome 390 - $95
Union Force - $100
Burton Mission - $108

Thanks!

schmitty34 · 03-28-2008, 02:48 PM

Because the prices are so low now, I'd remove the lower end bindings from your list and bump up the quality a bit. That's just me.

I bought a pair of 390s a while ago and was also considering the Missions pretty heavily. I really like the toe caps, or convertable toe straps because of comfort and how they push your boot back into the heel cup. One of the big reasons I chose the 390s is their conformist toe strap which is really impressive. It can be used as a normal toe strap, or a cap that molds to the toe of your boot which makes it really comfortable and responsive. I thought they were better than the Burton caps. The 390's also "felt" like they were higher quality, but that was just based on messing with them at the shop and how the plasic components felt. The Missions did feel a little stiffer than the 390s which could be better for all mountain riding depending on preference. I find the 390s to be stiff enough for the whole mountain though.

I've also heard good things about the Union Force and some mixed reviews on Ride bindings. I'd say you can't go wrong with the 390s, Missions, or Force.

P.S. The green 390s would look real nice on your CHB

.

03-28-2008, 02:49 PM

Salomon SPX45 bindings since you are more into freeriding and you should be able to find them for the higher end of the price range you listed. I would suggest the Rome 390s, but they are more geared for freestyle, but you should be happy with them since everyone raves about them. I just bought the Ride RX bindings as an all mountain binding but I haven't hit the mountain in them yet.

03-28-2008, 03:11 PM

The Union Forces are great bindings. They're built to last for 100+ day riders a season. Apparently they take a beating. I have the 390's in my current set up and I love them, but a lot of the people I ride with are trying to convert me to Union.... so I'll most likely be getting a pair for next season.

If you only ride about 8 days a year, the Union's are quality bindings that'll last you most likely forever.

03-28-2008, 01:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
jhyphi Guest Posts: n/a	Buying bindings for first time. Which ones to get? So I'm a beginner/intermediate, ride about 4-8 times a year at resorts (freeride, no freestyle tricks yet). I've just bought my first boots and board (Salomon Maori's and Gnu CHB MTX). I'm looking for some good value bindings to complete my set. I'm probably too inexperienced to notice the intricate differences so I'm just looking for a decent quality binding at a good price. 2 of my friends say NOT to get the customs because it is a pure toecap and they feel it has less control than over-the-toe types. Anyone else feel this way? Are convertible ones the way to go? Which of these should I get? (Rank top 3) Salomon SP2 - $42 Burton Freestyle - $66 Salomon Force - $70 Ride EX - $75 Burton Custom - $84 Union Cadet DLX - $90 Rome 390 - $95 Union Force - $100 Burton Mission - $108 Thanks!

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03-28-2008, 02:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
schmitty34 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Probably at work wasting time Posts: 869	Because the prices are so low now, I'd remove the lower end bindings from your list and bump up the quality a bit. That's just me. I bought a pair of 390s a while ago and was also considering the Missions pretty heavily. I really like the toe caps, or convertable toe straps because of comfort and how they push your boot back into the heel cup. One of the big reasons I chose the 390s is their conformist toe strap which is really impressive. It can be used as a normal toe strap, or a cap that molds to the toe of your boot which makes it really comfortable and responsive. I thought they were better than the Burton caps. The 390's also "felt" like they were higher quality, but that was just based on messing with them at the shop and how the plasic components felt. The Missions did feel a little stiffer than the 390s which could be better for all mountain riding depending on preference. I find the 390s to be stiff enough for the whole mountain though. I've also heard good things about the Union Force and some mixed reviews on Ride bindings. I'd say you can't go wrong with the 390s, Missions, or Force. P.S. The green 390s would look real nice on your CHB .

03-28-2008, 02:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
livelyjay Guest Posts: n/a	Salomon SPX45 bindings since you are more into freeriding and you should be able to find them for the higher end of the price range you listed. I would suggest the Rome 390s, but they are more geared for freestyle, but you should be happy with them since everyone raves about them. I just bought the Ride RX bindings as an all mountain binding but I haven't hit the mountain in them yet.

03-28-2008, 03:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Username Guest Posts: n/a	The Union Forces are great bindings. They're built to last for 100+ day riders a season. Apparently they take a beating. I have the 390's in my current set up and I love them, but a lot of the people I ride with are trying to convert me to Union.... so I'll most likely be getting a pair for next season. If you only ride about 8 days a year, the Union's are quality bindings that'll last you most likely forever.