BINDINGS

[kimchi]

Looks like I have to give NOW:s another chance. Maybe third time's a charm. The original IPOs had too narrow heel cups and I didn't like the straps and ratchets on Pilots (2018). Probably with Burton straps the Pilots would have been great with softer boards. With my Nitro Suprateam I wanted a more responsive binding.

Cartel X doesn't get in the way and lets me do what I want on a board, so I'm pretty happy with them.

Worth trying, but you may not be down with them. I don't like Burtons too much these days other than their straps and ratchets. Their baseplate generally sits a lot lower, with less overall support and more lateral mobility. Even with the wider H3, NOWs don't come close to that. Not bad, just very different feel.

I have a set of Cartels in my basement, but I only bought them because I got them super cheap and I wanted a set of bindings I could leave at my parents' place so I don't need to travel with a full kit when I go visit.

[C.Fuzzy]

Looks like I have to give NOW:s another chance. Maybe third time's a charm. The original IPOs had too narrow heel cups and I didn't like the straps and ratchets on Pilots (2018). Probably with Burton straps the Pilots would have been great with softer boards. With my Nitro Suprateam I wanted a more responsive binding.

I still run my original IPOs bc I like that low and flexible highback for jibbin and park ish, but I swapped out to B straps and ratchets almost immediately . Those first few years weren't great. I think my first or second time out the ladders broke, which was a common issue. But the more recent releases that stuff is all much better. Seemingly even moreso on the Jones versions. Though, I haven't personally ridden those.

[Vanni]

This year I would like to try a pair of Now. I do need some suggestion from you, longtime users.

I'm basically on the Force since forever, with some time on the first generation Atlas, and with a brief time on a pair of Cartel.
The Force/Cartel equivalent, in Now line seems to be the Pilot.
And in Jones line? Is it the Mercury?
Because the Mercury to me seems a binding in between the Now Pilot and the Now Drive, correct?

I would prefer to jump on the Mercury if they aren't too aggressive, mainly because the general consensus with Now is to swap the straps with Burton,
and I don't want to mess too much with the bindings and spend extra money. The Jones straps seems better, and I wouldn't need to change them.

The only issue I have, is my boot size.
I have a couple of size 7 Salomon boots (HiFi, LoFi). Salomon are not as reduced as Burton, so Salomon size 7 are just a smidge less long than Burton size 8.
I think I'm in beetween binding size.
The Mercury, Hanger 3 (as the Now Drive), don't exist in Small size, only M and L.
Now Pilot are Hanger 2, they are available in size S, M, L.
Pilot Size S seem to go up to 7.5 boot.

Both bindings, size M seem to accept boot size 7 as a minimum. I don't need to use the disk to microadjust stance, only to center the boot
(I do the same with Force size M, but with Union I'm able to adjust the heel loop).

Have you first hand experience with small boots and Now bindings? Or a friend in a similar situation that use Now bindings?

thanks guys

[kimchi]

I'm basically on the Force since forever, with some time on the first generation Atlas, and with a brief time on a pair of Cartel.
The Force/Cartel equivalent, in Now line seems to be the Pilot.
And in Jones line? Is it the Mercury?
Because the Mercury to me seems a binding in between the Now Pilot and the Now Drive, correct?

I would prefer to jump on the Mercury if they aren't too aggressive, mainly because the general consensus with Now is to swap the straps with Burton,
and I don't want to mess too much with the bindings and spend extra money. The Jones straps seems better, and I wouldn't need to change them.

I don't think Mercury is too aggressive. Stiffer baseplate feel, with a not-that-aggressive highback... my favorite binding combo. Non-strap components very comparable with the Drive, which has a touch more forward lean and higher highback. Drive isn't THAT gnarly either.

I've owned Drive and Pilots (Hanger 2.0 with Burton straps and ratchets) and Mercury (Hanger 3.0 with stock straps and ratchets) and Mercury is closer to Drive than Pilots IMO. Pilots were a hair soft for me, even with hard bushings. In Hanger 2.0 days they all had basically the same baseplate with Drive and Mercury on a carbon post, and I can feel the difference while driving up on edge, especially on wider boards.

Jones straps are MUCH better (although Pilots have a new unibody strap this year). Burton straps and ratchets are still better, but the Jones Mercury strap from the past couple years is decent enough that I don't bother swapping out components. Strap is biggest difference between Mercury and Drive. The Drive strap is IMO dogshit, rock hard with basically no flex (although a shop guy acquaintance told me he prefers that, so YMMV). If I put Mercury straps on an H3 Drive and took a lap, I'm not sure I could tell the difference.

I've only put a day on a Cartel in the past ~10 year (just picked up a set of like 2019s cheap end of last season). Mercury is probably a bit more aggressive than that, but not as aggressive as Cartels of old-- even the first gen hinge circa 2008-2012, much less the pre-hinge, mega aggressive forward lean Team Skyback days. I don't have a great feel for that binding these days except that it's far less aggressive than it was.

Can't help with the sizing question, except to say an Adidas Tactical size 10 US is basically smack dab in the middle of the size range for an H3 medium. Salomons are pretty bulky so if I had to guess you'd be fine with an H3 medium, but don't have anything to offer other than intuition.

[Yeti]

I own the Drives 2021, 2023 and Apollo 2022 and my friend borrowed me his Jones Mercury 2022. Played with and frankensteined both while testing.
- Mercury has more forward lean and a softer highback. Imo Drive has the best highback (you can add forward lean but you don’t have to, it’s winged and stiffer than the Mercury).
- The footbed on the Drives is stiffer (same as the Apollo). Imo better for do it all than the Mercury.
- The straps are better on Jones overall.
- The frame and baseplate are exactly the same flex.

The Mercury is a mellower binding.

[Spenser]

Can’t give you direct feedback comparing them all, but as a long time force/OG atlas/factory & cartel guy, the drive is the one for me. They don’t feel “stiffer” to me, but they have a more connected feeling to their response because of the NOW design concept. Depends what you want. If you’re the type to run your highbacks at zero and generally are “using” the low end of response for a cartel/force/etc, then maybe the pilot or mercury works. If you’re the type who likes response and maybe uses some forward lean, essentially utilizing more of the available response, drives may be the way to go.

Remember, NOW doesn’t make bindings more responsive by simply making them stiffer like every other brand. The o-drive and I guess Apollo are the only in their line that are intended to really kick up the stiffness, perhaps like the old Burton c60.

Response wise, drives were directly in line with what I had been riding. But, they feel significantly better while doing it. I’m the type who likes the upper end of response from bindings like these, so they were a no brainer for me.

[miikka]

This year I would like to try a pair of Now. I do need some suggestion from you, longtime users.

I'm basically on the Force since forever, with some time on the first generation Atlas, and with a brief time on a pair of Cartel.
The Force/Cartel equivalent, in Now line seems to be the Pilot.
And in Jones line? Is it the Mercury?
Because the Mercury to me seems a binding in between the Now Pilot and the Now Drive, correct?

I would prefer to jump on the Mercury if they aren't too aggressive, mainly because the general consensus with Now is to swap the straps with Burton,
and I don't want to mess too much with the bindings and spend extra money. The Jones straps seems better, and I wouldn't need to change them.

The only issue I have, is my boot size.
I have a couple of size 7 Salomon boots (HiFi, LoFi). Salomon are not as reduced as Burton, so Salomon size 7 are just a smidge less long than Burton size 8.
I think I'm in beetween binding size.
The Mercury, Hanger 3 (as the Now Drive), don't exist in Small size, only M and L.
Now Pilot are Hanger 2, they are available in size S, M, L.
Pilot Size S seem to go up to 7.5 boot.

Both bindings, size M seem to accept boot size 7 as a minimum. I don't need to use the disk to microadjust stance, only to center the boot
(I do the same with Force size M, but with Union I'm able to adjust the heel loop).

Have you first hand experience with small boots and Now bindings? Or a friend in a similar situation that use Now bindings?

thanks guys

I had older Now Brigades in M, and those worked great with size 7.5 Adidas Superstar ADV. When switched boots to Salomon Hi-fi wide in 7.5, had lot of trouble with toestrap slipping down. Tried flipping the toestrap upside down, but still it didn't fit properly. Switched then to Now Apllo in size S and it was much better fit. Also Adidas tactical ADV in 7.5 fit the Apollo nicely.

Last spring I ordered Jones Mercury in size M, but couldn't get the toestrap to fit correctly and had to return those. Ordered Jones Meteorite in size S then, pretty happy with those. Would like to get on H3 hanger, I see the benefits with wider boards. But unless I change boots to some bulkier ones, need to wait that it comes available in size S.

[Vanni]

I don't think Mercury is too aggressive. Stiffer baseplate feel, with a not-that-aggressive highback... my favorite binding combo. Non-strap components very comparable with the Drive, which has a touch more forward lean and higher highback. Drive isn't THAT gnarly either.

I've owned Drive and Pilots (Hanger 2.0 with Burton straps and ratchets) and Mercury (Hanger 3.0 with stock straps and ratchets) and Mercury is closer to Drive than Pilots IMO. Pilots were a hair soft for me, even with hard bushings. In Hanger 2.0 days they all had basically the same baseplate with Drive and Mercury on a carbon post, and I can feel the difference while driving up on edge, especially on wider boards.

Jones straps are MUCH better (although Pilots have a new unibody strap this year). Burton straps and ratchets are still better, but the Jones Mercury strap from the past couple years is decent enough that I don't bother swapping out components. Strap is biggest difference between Mercury and Drive. The Drive strap is IMO dogshit, rock hard with basically no flex (although a shop guy acquaintance told me he prefers that, so YMMV). If I put Mercury straps on an H3 Drive and took a lap, I'm not sure I could tell the difference.

Can't help with the sizing question, except to say an Adidas Tactical size 10 US is basically smack dab in the middle of the size range for an H3 medium. Salomons are pretty bulky so if I had to guess you'd be fine with an H3 medium, but don't have anything to offer other than intuition.

thanks Kimchi, it seems the Mercury is the correct binding for me, apart for the sizing.
Also you thought the same as me, that the Mercury is in between Pilot and Drive, but closer to the Drive.

I own the Drives 2021, 2023 and Apollo 2022 and my friend borrowed me his Jones Mercury 2022. Played with and frankensteined both while testing.
- Mercury has more forward lean and a softer highback. Imo Drive has the best highback (you can add forward lean but you don’t have to, it’s winged and stiffer than the Mercury).
- The footbed on the Drives is stiffer (same as the Apollo). Imo better for do it all than the Mercury.
- The straps are better on Jones overall.
- The frame and baseplate are exactly the same flex.

The Mercury is a mellower binding.

thanks Yeti, I use a bit of forward lean in my bindings so, that shouldn't be an issue.
I didn't know about the different footbed, nice to know
I'm fine with the Mercury being a mellower binding

Can’t give you direct feedback comparing them all, but as a long time force/OG atlas/factory & cartel guy, the drive is the one for me. They don’t feel “stiffer” to me, but they have a more connected feeling to their response because of the NOW design concept. Depends what you want. If you’re the type to run your highbacks at zero and generally are “using” the low end of response for a cartel/force/etc, then maybe the pilot or mercury works. If you’re the type who likes response and maybe uses some forward lean, essentially utilizing more of the available response, drives may be the way to go.

Thanks Spenser, yes, I use a bit of forward lean, nothing too aggressive. I think with Forces I'm half way through on the back foot, the boot slightly grazes the highback when I'm in riding position, and a little bit less on the front foot (I'm riding all positive angles, no duck stance)
I think if i'll be able to fit nicely in size M, I would still go with the Mercury, I don't mind if it is smoother than the Force and a bit mellower than the Drive, if I don't have to swap the straps.
Great they don't feel stiffer, because of the concept!

I had older Now Brigades in M, and those worked great with size 7.5 Adidas Superstar ADV. When switched boots to Salomon Hi-fi wide in 7.5, had lot of trouble with toestrap slipping down. Tried flipping the toestrap upside down, but still it didn't fit properly. Switched then to Now Apllo in size S and it was much better fit. Also Adidas tactical ADV in 7.5 fit the Apollo nicely.

Last spring I ordered Jones Mercury in size M, but couldn't get the toestrap to fit correctly and had to return those. Ordered Jones Meteorite in size S then, pretty happy with those. Would like to get on H3 hanger, I see the benefits with wider boards. But unless I change boots to some bulkier ones, need to wait that it comes available in size S.

Miikka, I was pretty stoked to jump on the Mercury, but you are in the same situation as me, as boot size
So, the next binding in the line is the Pilot, Hanger 2, that come in size S...
mmm...
on the other way, Jones has a 30 day return policy. I can test the fit, and eventually send it back.

[pow_hnd]

This year I would like to try a pair of Now. I do need some suggestion from you, longtime users.

I'm basically on the Force since forever, with some time on the first generation Atlas, and with a brief time on a pair of Cartel.
The Force/Cartel equivalent, in Now line seems to be the Pilot.
And in Jones line? Is it the Mercury?
Because the Mercury to me seems a binding in between the Now Pilot and the Now Drive, correct?

I would prefer to jump on the Mercury if they aren't too aggressive, mainly because the general consensus with Now is to swap the straps with Burton,
and I don't want to mess too much with the bindings and spend extra money. The Jones straps seems better, and I wouldn't need to change them.

The only issue I have, is my boot size.
I have a couple of size 7 Salomon boots (HiFi, LoFi). Salomon are not as reduced as Burton, so Salomon size 7 are just a smidge less long than Burton size 8.
I think I'm in beetween binding size.
The Mercury, Hanger 3 (as the Now Drive), don't exist in Small size, only M and L.
Now Pilot are Hanger 2, they are available in size S, M, L.
Pilot Size S seem to go up to 7.5 boot.

Both bindings, size M seem to accept boot size 7 as a minimum. I don't need to use the disk to microadjust stance, only to center the boot
(I do the same with Force size M, but with Union I'm able to adjust the heel loop).

Have you first hand experience with small boots and Now bindings? Or a friend in a similar situation that use Now bindings?

thanks guys

Based on all of this and the other responses in here... I'd go Drives and just buy Burton straps. If you hate them the resell value will be high. When I dumped a few pairs last year with all Burton straps I got really good money for them, people were glad to buy them with good straps... I know that Jones straps are better, but still nothing is as good as the Burton Strap game.

[eleveneightnate]

Honest question: is the heel/toe initiation in Nows really worth sacrificing adjustability, lateral tweakability, good straps, board flex, etc? I've never felt like I needed a more hair-trigger feeling edge-to-edge response from my bindings (Rome, Union), but I've definitely returned bindings for not being able to adjust them to fit my boot properly.