What bindings pros ride who don’t have binding sponsors
I was curious if anybody knows what bindings pros choose when they aren’t riding for any one company specifically.
For example according to an interview on snowboarder, JP Walker rides a “a compilation of five different bindings, full Frankensteins—some of the parts are seven years old.”
Travis Rice used to ride Cartels for at least the last 5 years even though he was sponsored by bent metal bindings. (He currently rides for Union and may have switched to Now bindings for a time.)
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen Jeremy Jones (mtn) on Unions before jumping on NOW. Not positive about this.
I’m almost certain I saw Halldor riding cartels in one of the big air competition even though he’s with switchback bindings.
Devun’s using Burton straps on his NOW bindings - but that’s only because he’s still riding pre-production models.
Before Devun rides NOW he was using Burton bindings as he said in one of his Buoloco interviews.
I was actually hoping to find more pros riding other brands besides Burton but I guess thats just the way it is.
In this interview just posted on bouloco they discuss a bit about how pros who don’t have binding sponsors seem to always choose burton.
http://www.buoloco.com/web6/content/doyle-talks-about-terje-and-burton-bindings
Maybe Burton have the cash flow to buff these guys out with product (and maybe a little undisclosed sweetner here and there), in order to keep these guys usin their product?????
Or maybe Burton just has the best bindings??
If they did make a binding that made the difference in competitive edge that great, then every single pro would be riding them!!!!!
Or maybe Burton just has the best bindings??
It’s really hard to tell what is going on in this situation, are they the best or is there another reason they use them?
I’ve tried quite a few Burton bindings on, and I personally can’t stand the feel of any.
$$$ would be the reason i reckon…
@SamNZ: Different feel for each person I guess. I’ve had Union Contact Pro, Ride EX , Rome Targa, and Burton Cartels. Burton seems to work the best for me at least, smooth ratchets, best toe cap, screws never come loose after riding, great response.
@Mizu: I think the debate will always go on about whether pros were sent bindings or choose their own bindings. But in my opinion many pros choose burton bindings cuz they like it even if free bindings may have an effect. I think pros have enough money to buy their own bindings, it’s not like a board where they can use 4-6 boards a season.
I think pros have enough money to buy their own bindings, it’s not like a board where they can use 4-6 boards a season.
i think its exactly like a board in regards to going through a few in a season. For your run of the mill every day rider yeh they might use the same bindings all season, but for pros who are pushing hard all the time i dare say they would go through a few sets so yes, it is exactly like boards. Apart from a few exceptions, pros dont get a whole lot of cash from sponsors. So free gear will come into effect when they choose what they ride etc.