DexterMichigan

Hi guys. I'm looking for a new pair of bindings and could use advice.

There's the life I want and the life I have, so I'm making the most of it. I'm an intermediate rider who rides about 10 days per year (if I'm lucky), almost exclusively groomers (cruising and carving on trails), no park, little powder. Stats: 5',10", 250lbs, 11.5 boots, 09 Gnu Rider's Choice Wide 164 (I still like to ride my 98 Burton Canyon 168 too). I've been riding on some cheap Ride EX bindings for about 5 years. They do alright, but they are falling apart and feel too soft and unstable under my weight at high speed, and I can feel them twisting when I turn hard. Also, I'm pretty front heavy with a big fat belly, so standing up forward after strapping in is nearly impossible off the ground (I can't cantilever the weight over my feet enough to stand, dimensionally challenged). Lastly, while I am complaining about myself, my toes go really numb after a short while from being strapped in from the pressure points over to top of my foot from the front binding. Because of this, I am thinking of either bindings with a toe cup and/or bindings with connected top-bottom straps like the Flows, and also thinking of Flows because of difficulty standing up after strapping in. I just hear so much badmouthing of Flows and how they fall apart. I expect under my weight they might not last long.

So, what bindings should I look at: stiff, well padded, connected straps or toe cup? Any advice is appreciated.

lupine

I'd stick with Ride bindings simply because the metal bases and base plates are less likely to give under weight than plastic. I'm 5'11" 260 lb and I refuse to ride on plastic bindings again. Get a pair of NRC's or SPI's.

Prophecies

Honestly, I'd recommend Burton Co2's. They are very stiff, being burton's second most stiff binding. Very responsive, and extremely comfortable. They have a toe cap, so no more pressure points on your toes which is a huge plus. And the back strap has so much gel padding, that you bareely even feel the strap on. (I'm talking about the 2009 model here). The 2010's are pretty much the same binding, except the back strap is now supposedly a tad more comfortable. I've never had any problems with my Co2's, and you can get the 2009 model for relatively cheap. I wouldn't recommend getting the 2010 model since they're much more expensive.

__________________

boarderchic

At 250lbs, I'd be shocked if the Co2's didn't disassemble. I weigh half that and I'm amazed that my Cartels are still in one piece.

Prophecies

You're surprised that a binding withstands a 125lb rider? That's nothing... I'm 150, and my Co2's have shown no sign of any stress whatsoever. Have a friend with them as well, and he weighs 190, once again, no sign of stress.

Like I said, 125lbs is nothing. If a binding can't resist such little weight, then it's not a quality binding.

__________________

lupine

One thing I didn't mention is that all Ride binding except for ContraBands have a hybrid toe strap that can be worn traditionally or as a toe cap.

DexterMichigan

I did not realize the Ride bindings could be used as toe cap. That is very interesting, I will take a look. So I guess I should forget about those Flow bindings completely.
BTW, I see a lot of love in here for Rome bindings, are they particularly excellent quality?

Milo303

What Lupine said.

I love my NRC's but I only weigh 200lbs...

lilfoot1598

My husband weighed about 220 this past winter. He had no problems with his Cartels holding up.

Aren't Union bindings famous for durability? Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that.

Milo303

Union Forces are pretty much bomb proof....