BINDINGS

[michaelangelo]

Binding discussion thread >:)

I’ve ridden Union Forces/Atlas for what seems like forever. Used to like them a lot, new Atlas felt a little dead to me. Force is still enjoyable, but I think part of the reason I cling to them is because I’ve always liked the way the team highbacks look.

Rode Malavitas on and off, liked the Cartel X a bit too. Really wish B had an adjustable heel cup.

Got a set of Rome DODs from the shop to try out, hopefully snag a pair of demo Katanas at some point too.

What are y’all riding?

[Spenser]

Broken record, but NOW drives. Total game changer I never saw coming. The way I feel about them is that I wasted way too many years not riding them. I admit they were a product I never tried because the hype was a turn off, hah. Finally borrowed a friend’s pair in 2020 just to get it out of the way, but the feeling blew me away. Immediately sold everything else and switched over completely.

I’m not a fan of the straps, so I use my own. They also don’t offer much adjustability, so if you want to use the disk to microadjust stance, you have to luck out on heel/toe overhang. Luckily, I land perfectly with size 9.

I loved union for years (force, OG atlas & factory), and spent a variety of years on Burton, tried a handful of others (flux, ride, rome) but they all feel like bear traps now. Going back to my previously beloved cartel base/vita highback combo, after having to return my friend’s drives, was what sealed the deal.

[pow_hnd]

I second all things NOW. Absolutely love the Drives. Change the straps to Burton and they’re the best things ever. Pilots are pretty damn good as well.

[C.Fuzzy]

Been beating the NOW drum for a long time, though i'm a Select or IPO guy. I just prefer a lower highback.

[unsatisfiedus]

I second all things NOW. Absolutely love the Drives. Change the straps to Burton and they’re the best things ever. Pilots are pretty damn good as well.

+ 1

since the old messages are lost reminder to go one size down on burton straps (now size large bindings = medium burton straps)

[michaelangelo]

Hmm.. always wanted to try Nows but we didn’t carry them at the shop. What would be the equivalent to the Force/Cartel?

[Spenser]

Either drive or pilot. The drive is a little more responsive, but they don’t do it by just making the binding stiffer, which is generally the standard way it’s done. I came from the same bindings as you and find them perfect.

[J0_Zehp]

When you guys said game changer it’s because of the skate tech feeling? Do you use the soft gum?

[Spenser]

I don’t get a distinct feeling from skate tech like some might imagine it to feel (ie no sensation of rocking edge to edge/etc) but it does what it says. Traditional disc bindings have a bit of a “wasted“ energy because they flex up off the board by nature, and all NOW has done is tweak the baseplate design to integrate & harness that small motion. It’s a pretty simple approach, IMO. I get why they named it that way, but I think the skate truck analogy can mislead some people.

I like responsive bindings, so I use the hard bushings. I just feel much more connected to my board at all times, in general and on edge. Felt it as soon as I started sliding and it’s never changed - there hasn’t been a single day I’ve felt like I was fighting them, which I can’t say about anything else. Like I said, going back to the bindings I previously loved really showed me the difference - I actively disliked them... felt disconnected from my board in comparison. Skate tech aside, they also have a nice damp footbed, and I like the taller & more snug heelcup.

Like everything, they won’t be for everyone, but from what I’ve seen, I think that’s more due to the binding itself - fit, straps, etc.

[michaelangelo]

Thanks for the info Spenser. I’m not sure if they’re right for my riding style and local terrain but might have to keep the gear whoring alive and grab a pair.