Expensive Divorce - The Split Thread

[pow_hnd]

I see two use cases:
1) You'll be spending 95% of your time touring and 5% of your time riding (and maybe you can afford multiple setups)
2) You'll be spending 95% of your time riding and 5% of your time touring (and maybe you don't want to drop on multiple setups)

Get the binding that is most robust for that 95% of the stuff you do. I haven't used the Union system so I can't comment, but I have been on the Spark setup. Not perfect (no binding is), but it pretty straight forward for the 95% of the time touring. There were some durability issues w/ straps and ladders; and the pucks and screws on the Sparks, but I figure they've fixed that. I'm on neither Sparks or Unions, and I'm currently running Plums.

If you wanted just one binding to rule them all, perhaps the current iteration of the Unions would be the way to go if you're also doing a ton of resort riding. I mean if anyone was going to do something major, it'd be Union imho.

This is a solid analogy. Also a solid point about the Unions being used for resort riding, that is an advantage of them when it comes to cost, they have a duality no other split binding does. You can ride all the other split bindings on resort boards, while they wont ride terrible, they won’t be as close to a regular binding as the Union will.

[pow_hnd]

I want to know how to get on that 95% riding program when splitting

I have a hard time believing the union pros who say they use the split bindings actually do, other than for promo shoots. And although I definitely dig Travis and all, I don’t buy a word of it when it comes to promoting products, hah. But, certainly understand why he does it.

^ this. You run into quite a few pros here in SLC, and as I said I tour with people on occasion whose names are in the Union catalogs every year. All ride Sparks. I know they all have Unions at home in a box/closet as well.

Although, I was told by a friend that Bjorn was on the Unions at the tail end of last season, but we didn’t cross paths for me to actually see it in person to say for sure it’s true.

[coleslawed]

the new chargers look like they’ll be more comparable. i’m interested to get some hands on them this fall.

[kimchi]

Anyone have feedback on the Weston splitboard range? A guy I know through Mtb circles is picking up the distribution locally & I can likely get a tidy deal on one.

Like @coleslawed said, I own a Backwoods 163. I like it. I prefer camber through the tail and wish they made a 165. The jump to 167 means substantially wider and substantially heavier.

But I don’t tour THAT much so I’m not super motivated to optimize the setup.

[scrub]

Last season's staffing issues meant lots of terrain wasn't open until later at my local resort (Stevens Pass, WA) so I used my Drift boards a bunch and they were super fun. Fast forward to spring laps at Mt Baker and I learned the limits of the Drifts when side-hilling on crusty, sun cupped slopes so I bought a Burton HTH split for this season with Hitchhikers and Karakorum Ranger skins. After trimming the skins I have to say that the simplicity offered by strapping your board to your back and the Drifts to your feet is really appealing!

[kimchi]

Also own a set of Drifts. They’re nice for lower key missions paired with a lightweight board. Less overheard with transitioning and fiddling with skins. Lack of edges and no crampon compatibility limit usefulness on bigger missions or sketchy conditions, but I like them a lot of quick yo-yo laps in mellower terrain.

[scrub]

Also own a set of Drifts. They’re nice for lower key missions paired with a lightweight board.

I agree, didn’t get the pow wrench out enough last season!

[scrub]

Has anyone tried these Rossignol XV folding poles? Since I usually have my hands below the grips anyway I think these might be comfy.

[pow_hnd]

I have not tried the Rosi poles, but the poles I’ve been running forever have the same extended foam grip and I’ve loved them.

Going to be ordering a pair of the new Wolverine 3 piece poles as soon as they’re available. They come with three different sized baskets and have a special grip cap that is made to flip up your risers. They are also snowboarder owned, so stoked to support them.

[C.Fuzzy]

I have not tried the Rosi poles, but the poles I’ve been running forever have the same extended foam grip and I’ve loved them.

Going to be ordering a pair of the new Wolverine 3 piece poles as soon as they’re available. They come with three different sized baskets and have a special grip cap that is made to flip up your risers. They are also snowboarder owned, so stoked to support them.

But the skill of the awkward basket riser flip is how I judge the seasoned from the noob. Now what am I going to use?

Having both the collapsible nesting poles and the corded ones, the corded break down smaller and fit in my BC vest (or pack) whereas the nesting ones I always had to devise an external attachment. I was always more worried about bailing on the nesting ones and snapping them too. 2 small things.