Expensive Divorce - The Split Thread

[Spenser]

Came with union hooks & clips, instead of Karakoram as shown on the website. I'm swapping in my phantom hooks regardless, but interesting. Forgot to consider thread differences, and will need different hardware for the phantoms.
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interesting, where'd you order it from, directly from US?

Yep. I'm starting to wonder if they sort of disregard model years on their end (keeping in mind it's full stack physically handling these things), since they're the same boards either way, within a "graphic generation." My replacement deep reach said W24, and the plastic on this split said W23, while the packing slip said 24.

[benjinyc]

that's interesting because (afaik) there was no covert split for the 2023 season

[Spenser]

that's interesting because (afaik) there was no covert split for the 2023 season

That's what I thought… that was the year they only had a limited cadet release?

Looked at the UPC sticker again. It clearly says "snowboard united shapes 2023 covert 161," while part of the code says W24. The former must be a production thing, as I'm positive the W designations are model year. The deep reach I bought from a shop was their last one in stock from last season, and said W24. They must've just had a 24 at the warehouse when they sent a warranty replacement. I'm going to consider the mystery solved

Chatting with the US/karakoram guy I've kind of become friends with through IG, and he thought it was a little weird it came with union clips. He's trying to get me to try the new ultra 2.0, but I really like my phantoms. The set screw design on the new ultras looks like a way better design, though.

[scrub]

I really want to change to some passive clips instead of the Karakoram ones on my split, less moving parts seems like a good idea.

[Spenser]

I really want to change to some passive clips instead of the Karakoram ones on my split, less moving parts seems like a good idea.

I'm a big fan of the phantoms. They are burly, and super easy to set up. You just want to find the point where they're as snug as possible without the board being difficult to put together, and they provide a really solid connection. It's more of an "align hooks & press halves together" compared to some others (like these unions) where you just hang the halves together and put bindings on. Honestly, I'm not sold on any of the clips with moving parts over these.

In other news, I may get to try the Karakoram recons. I like my sparks, but anything that could improve toward a "normal" feel is intriguing.

[g3greg]

for a secc i thought you were talking about hardboots

I really want to change to some passive clips instead of the Karakoram ones on my split, less moving parts seems like a good idea.

I'm a big fan of the phantoms. They are burly, and super easy to set up. You just want to find the point where they're as snug as possible without the board being difficult to put together, and they provide a really solid connection. It's more of an "align hooks & press halves together" compared to some others (like these unions) where you just hang the halves together and put bindings on. Honestly, I'm not sold on any of the clips with moving parts over these.

In other news, I may get to try the Karakoram recons. I like my sparks, but anything that could improve toward a "normal" feel is intriguing.

[Spenser]

Haha. Well, I would like to try those. Would never switch from soft boots regardless, though.

[g3greg]

Haha. Well, I would like to try those. Would never switch from soft boots regardless, though.

all the guides I know are really pushing them, basically for efficiency, if you have 2000m days you're way less dead.

[scrub]

My last tour in May was a big one in the North Cascades National Park and it made me really consider hardboots for the sidehilling support. I should have done the Voile strap around the highback trick.

[pow_hnd]

I'm a big fan of the phantoms.

My new Cardiffs have them and I quite like them as well.