Splitboard Bindings Review / First Look for 2021 & 2022
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- Опубликовано: 25 апр 2021
- Check out this years splitboard bindings review / preview. Here are our favorite splitboard bindings for the 2022 winter season. We tested the Spark Arc Splitboard Binding, Burton Tourist Splitboard Binding, Nitro Vertical Splitboard Binding, and Union Explorer Splitboard Bindings.
My Gear List:
Union Explorer Binding - bit.ly/3CTi1YM
Nitro Vertical Binding - amzn.to/3u6wIUu
Burton Hitchhiker Binding - bit.ly/3qjlRpj
Spark R&D Arc Binding - bit.ly/3V95fgx
Union Rover Binding - bit.ly/3KWEozA
Arbor Coda Camber Splitboard - bit.ly/3JrYVM2
Nitro Slash Splitboard - bit.ly/3NivAbI
Rossignol Sashimi Splitboard - bit.ly/3L7owMl
Burton Family Tree Splitboard - bit.ly/3CXFJDb
Weston Backwoods Splitboard - bit.ly/3oNH6lb
This video shows how to mountain each pair of splitboard bindings, some of the issues you may run into. Gear. tools, splitboard binding hardware and Ryan and Mike talking shit on splitboarding. In a good way. 
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Thank you for this! Was shopping for my first split setup and you helped me make some decisions. Went with the Nitro bindings and voile pucks on an Arbor board. I’ll be watching this again to put them on. Amazing and super helpful insight in this video.
Sarah, wow your stoked! Reach out if you have any questions.
@@MountainWeeklyNews got it all together on my own with your help. Thank you!
I just ordered my first splitboard (Signal Tailgunner) and I am deciding on bindings. I've watched a few of your videos now and I really appreciate all the knowledge you're sharing! I love the idea of the more responsive/surfy feel of the Unions, but I am leaning towards the Hitchhikers for the simpler/faster system and the fact that I absolutely love my Burton Malavitas I've been riding for the last 5 years. Cheers from BC! 🤙🏼
Casey, pardon the delay. What did you end up with? For fun and powder I like the Unions, for technical terrain the Sparks,
Union Explorers, my two cents after using them for a season: I bought this system with Explorer bindings on a Nitro Nomad. The transition is really not that hard although I wish I could do it a bit faster. However, the main issue is when going into riding mode, when you put down your bindings and rotate, the two parts of the board shift in the opposite directions. Due to friction, they shift apart in the direction of the longer side, while you rotate. You can easily see the missaligntment on the graphics on the top layer of the board after the bindings are in ride mode. You have to hold the board by the tail or nose to block any lateral slipping and even then it helps only a bit. Ugh. Not to mention you can't get rid of the play in the bindings no matter how well you adjust the pucks.These are OK for backdoor splitting/piste splitting, but I wouldn't take them to anything harder.
"the two parts of the board shift in the opposite directions. Due to friction, they shift apart in the direction of the longer side, while you rotate" spot on. Some boards do this way more than others. Also has to do with how tight the board is to begin with. If there is ANY play up and down before the bindings are installed its a nightmare. But with a tight board there is no play.
@@MountainWeeklyNews Correct. I think the problem is just a bad combo of a beginners board with entry level gear on it and specific binding system. I'm not saying that either the board or the binds are bad, it's just this combination. Although upgrading the binding system is expensive, the Karakoram/Spark/Hercules clips or hooks aren't cheap either. For a beginner like me, maybe a video tutorial on how to properly set up "chinese" clips like on the Nomad would be a great addition to the community. Cheers
You should do a review on the phantom set up. Hard boots are the
way to go in the mountains.
but I surf
Although I never had a chance to try splitboarding before , but the amount of info in this video is so amazing! ! Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really curious to learn more about those split board clip issues you encountered with the different brands (so we know which ones to avoid),
Let me put together an article on that. Thanks man
Awesome video .. thanks!! Wanted to get your two cents about Jones Solution and Mountain Twin. Would you see them having similar front/back issues or are they more solid in ride mode with the Traction Tech edges coming together like puzzle piece? any general observations on Jones equipment?
The Jones stuff is great, I think the Mountain Twin is one of the top 3 splitboardssout there, very underated. I like to splitboard the way I snowboard. Solution is great too,. Solution was #1 in last years test - mtnweekly.com/reviews/best-splitboards/2/
Hey there. Super informative video. I have a Kemper split and wanted to go with the union bindings but after this video, idk what to do. That loose up and down sliding has me wondering as what I should get. Would the burton hitchhikers work?
Hey Rick, both the Union Splitboard Binding and Spark Bindings would work, with the kemper you can always tighten the hardwear to help the board hold together more, they did a have a little bit of play. Be sure to let us know what you think when you take it for a lap, have fun!
Hey Mike, thank you for the bingings video! Just got myself a k2 split and wanted to get the explorer bindings to pair with it. Does those work well on their channel system and pucks?
Hey Soren, did you get this figured out. I mentioned earlier that K2 and Ride made their own pucks. The current ones are having issues with Spark channels. I can mount the Unions as well, someone else here asked.
Hey, Soren! Was thinking about going for the same combo and also had this question. Did it work for you? Would love to hear the conclusion and your experience!
@@guspedrotty2460 I reached out to union and initially they told me there were compatible. So I bought the explorers and there was no way to mount them to the channel. Reached out again sure enough NOT compatible.
Really informative video. I watched it as I’m looking at getting the explorers. I actually have the same board you were mounting to. As the binding needs to be put on sideways then twisted I believe it would have hit the accent bracket meaning you have to shift stance forward. Was this the case for you? Cheers
Tommy, good catch. Yeah some brands are still not making the distance from the hole patterns long enough to the touring brackets. So in that case you need to move the bindings forward one set of holes. I have been begging the industry to come up with a standard length that will clear all bindings Spark and Union but nobody wants to work with the competition.
Thanks so much. Really appreciate the quick response and keep up the great content. Cheers
Hey, is this the burton hometown hero split (not x)? It looks to be really solid compared to the others. Do you think it might be to heavy when focus lies on uphill? thx
its a tad heavier, but the ride down makes up for it. We tested the 162.
Just picked up the nitro split! After all the testing you got this winter would you go with the union, nitro or burton!? Thank you!!!
The Union Binding Nitro Board Combo was a blast!! I would go that route for freestyle riding and the sparks for more mountaneering.
What do you think of the lib tech orca split for a 1st splitboard? Basing my decison on the shape/look. Seems like a fun ride down but maybe a little harder skinninh up until you get good technique.
I would go with a board with a more traditional shape for the uphill. Then you can get a quiver split like the Orca or Stratos.
-Mike
Was about to pull the trigger on some Unions until the last minute of this video... did you get gasket resolved?
Mark, thanks for reminding me, I need to get them to send another one out and see if it will pop in.
Hi! Do you think it is possible to change the hook clips on the Nitro Split for something like Karakoram UltraClip which are sturdier? The problem I see is that the hooks are bolted on a small triangular raised platform and UltraClips are usually bolted down on flat splitboards. I have a newer Nitro Split and would like it to be more sturdy. Thanks!
I dont use karakoram stuff for the most part. I believe there new hardware is built into the boards top sheet.
Would the Union Bindings work well with the CARDIFF Goat board? Is it a tight enough build?
P.s Thanks for the great video!
Yeah The Cardiff Goat Enduro + Union Bindings will be one heck of a setup
Can Nitros or Burton be mounted on a normal snowboard? Are there any pucks for it? Great video, exactly what I needed! Thank you!
The Nitros and Burtons are built off the Spark R&D frame, so they work with all the splitboards
yup spark makes solid board pucks
Hey, I see a Splitpig on the background… I am really interested in it! What are your views about it?
Can you mount the Union bindings on it (channel)?
Fred, Split pig.... Ahh there pucks wont work with the Spark's so I stopped there. Contacted brand they told me to sand the pucks, for some reason K2 and Ride decided they needed new pucks. I will try the Unions. I know they do not fit on the standard Burton channel system at moment.
Great info! What's the best binding for a large boot, size 14?
Thanks
I would go with the Large Nitro Vertical, they are size 11-14. Spark Larges start at 11. Unions at 10.5
@@MountainWeeklyNews Thanks, Just picked up the Weston Backwoods 167w... They gave me a great deal. I'm a long time Sierra@Tahoe rider and it got burnt up in the Caldor fire!
Nice job with the ‘fruit boot’ comment. Very inclusive and supportive for all those splitboarding. Your ‘binding failure’ sounds like a puck failure that resulted in binding being stressed in an unintended way. I have done the same thing to sparks but would never blame the binding for a plastic voile puck failure. Your review is also just three arc bindings with different straps and an union. Why not include the surge to actually show real differences. Anyone can change a high back or strap and get any variation they want. The surge is a much sturdier construction and most likely wouldn’t have bent the way your arc did during a puck failure. I will agree with your Karakoram comments. I’ve also had had and seen failures and icing issues. Much respect for producing content for the world but leave the elitist attitude out of it.
Ian, glad you caught the fruit boot comment. The nitro's seem more stout then the rest of the Spark's I tested, I stay away from the Surge binding as it's too stiff for me. I guess the title could have been Mikes Favorite Bindings :) The new Union's without pin's I'm testing are a game changer.. Keep the comments comming and well get a Surge video up. Reviews are here - Surge: mtnweekly.com/reviews/spark-rd-surge-splitboard-binding-review/ Surge Pro: mtnweekly.com/reviews/spark-rd-surge-pro-binding/
@@MountainWeeklyNews Did Union release a new version of their binding? Didn't hear about it yet ..
What would you say about a Arbor Coda Rocker with Union Setup for a playful ride for all condition riding? Thanks for ur reply
The combo of the Union's on the Coda Rocker, basically the most fun playboard that you can and will ride in the backcountry, at the resort, anywhere!! Let us know how you like it.
with the explorers and non karakorum hardware they actually work fine, they are made to twist in the same direction as the board is put together so as you twist them on its pushing the split together not apart if that makes any sense
Thnaks Adoon
Looking to get a Jones Solution, what is your experience with the tightness of the connection? Combining them with Karakoram bindings.
Solution is a great board, I dont use karakorams had bad experiences in the past so cant help there.
Damn this was some great info, thanks. I bought a neo slasher and some explorer bindings and I'm kinda bummed those boards without Karakorum clips don't hold together.
Have to consider that you need to spend $65 on Karakorum clips for any board that doesn't have them. Why don't all manufactures use a ratchet clip system? It seems like an obvious need to me.
Hows the board riding?
@@MountainWeeklyNews Actually, I decided to exchange them for a Jones Solution and Burton Hitchhikers. Quite a bit lighter and feels more like a solid board. Going on my first splitboarding adventure this weekend! Thanks for the content and inspiration!
I’m late to the show here but have you tried the Union Chargers and where would they fit in this list?
I put Union #1 hands down. But the internet may tell you otherwise. If you want a snowboard binding for splitboarding go Union. If you want a mountaineering binding for snowboarding the others mentioned work great too.
very nice review...super informative!!
I'm thinking of getting the Sashimi Split - which Binding would you suggest?
Do you have experience with Plum Bindings?
🏂
Plum are great bindings, guessing your in Europe?
The baseplate pad on the Nitro seems to be thicker than the Spark one. Am I right?
Plus it cover the snap ramp too.
I think Spark should get inspired...
Daniel, from Vail? Indeed the Nitros are sooo freaking comfortable its a beefer pad then the 3m Spark ones. And yeah Spark makes the Burton and Nitro bindings tits but keeps there own stuff simple? WEIRD
Sorry I thought I answered this comment at the time. I'm not from Vail, not even from America... On my side I like the original Spark bindings more than the Nitro or Burton variations, but the Spark pad is quite useless, or totally useless with soles like the Fitwell Backcountry has. I ended up making my own pad made out of Crab grap and other pads. It's great with different thikness but super expensive in the end.
Plum bindings has a pad that's quite good. You should try those bindings. I guess you don't because it's not in the US market.
In the end opinion about splitboard stuff really depends on personal preferences and terrain. For example just looking at the Union crampon and hearing stories about it makes me not wanting it even if I'd like to try them. And I have Fitwell Backcountry, K2 Aspect and Nitro Incline boots and I would rank them in that order as I'm really not impressed by the Incline even if it's very comfortable.
Burton and Rome use Karakorm hardware for clips and tips.
Yeah lots of brands are going that way. Not sure how much money changes hands for licensing.... Plum stuff is my favorite though
Then testing Plum bindings could be interesting.
Hi, don't you think that the Union's mechanism to mount rampant could be a problem? When the toe heel Is up I guess you loose a lot of grip and the situation could become a little tricky. I also read review of people loosing the rampant while walking since there Is not a proper lock. That's the only reason why I'm avoiding Unions (even if they seems amazing to ride Downhill).
The new system is better, but I prefer the Union's over the Sparks.
Ive got burton hitch-hikers and spark sliders, there is no chatter whatsoever, they ride like normal bindings. I'm not sure why you think that the nitros are better than the hitch-hiker though when they are basically the same binding; just a different set of straps and high-back. Man there is no way I would trust union bindings after seeing that massive fail forcing the pin through; although you did seem pretty rough with them. Perhaps that was the issue. Either way the tesla system seems way better imo.
"different set of straps and high-back" pretty huge difference in bindings. The Nitros are more comfortable and more responsive than the Burtons. The Burtons are more comfortable and responsive than the stand sparks. And I prefer to rock Unions on days off. My 0.02
Union, 3 Spark variations and zero Karakoram or Voile... WTF
I HATE Karakoram. We have reviewed Voile in the past, same with K2. mtnweekly.com/reviews/k2-farout-splitboard-bindings/
@@MountainWeeklyNews Just interesting, why do you hate karakoram?
what about karakoram bindings?
We don't test their bindings, too many problems with ice and broken parts. We got for reliable and fun vs mountaineering.
I have Salomon Taka that comes with the Plum clips. These clips are simply garbage in my opinion. Almost no capacity for adjustment. I switched those out for Karakoram clips and my board feels completely different now.
By the way, take a look at Furberg splits if you want to see something cool in terms of tech. Their floorboard technology seems quite interesting...
Furberg man Daniel makes some rad stuff. This is the latest board of his I tested. mtnweekly.com/reviews/furberg-the-freeride-splitboard/ Thanks for the Plum feedback as well, I will pass onto the brand.
Why No Karakorams?! Their interface And release system is much much More advanced than sparks and other You showed.
Too advanced in the backcountry, if something fails and it does often with their system its much harder to fix in the field. Even ice will reak havoc on the Karakorams. We tried them before and had very very bad luck.
Why would you say you'd put Union bindings on a Burton splitboard? They are NOT compatible!
um yes they are you have to swap out the hardwear to the Burton "Standard" Channel screws. The older ones. The new ones stick up too high.
Um....Karakorams?
Joey, there bindings flat out suck. No need for me to review them
@@MountainWeeklyNews Interesting
I just took them out. I have to admit, they are the only bindings Ive ridden so far and I didnt notice anything super bad about them. Seemed to do the job on the uphill. Their risers were VERY hard to use at first.
Downhill seemed ok, I mean they're split bindings, so I wasnt expecting to have the same level of dh perf
What do you not like about them?
@@qtip919 He mentions in other comments about them that their failure rate in the field is higher and harder to fix.