NOW Bindings - Re-Review
Im very much considering ordering a pair of NOW Selects to add to my YES 420. I think it would be a good combo with the Hi-Cup, or even no back on it at all.
THIS would be such a killer combo. Please do it.
Update: Tried the hard (black) bushings for the first time last week. I like more than the medium bushings. It makes it more like a normal binding in terms of response but you still get the benefits of the skate-tech (less foot fatigue).
Was thinking about trying the black bushings out next time out, with all this snow finally hitting utah. Did you notice a significant difference between the medium and hard bushings?
^ I’ve been using the black bushings for 2 days now on my Jones aviator, and I have to say it feels more responsive. But the drawback is that you can really feel the chatter on your feet. I think I’m going to just keep using black bindings from now on, an switch only to white (softest) for that surfy feel.
Not significant, but I can tell an increase in response (edge to edge) with the black bushings.
Hmm im going to play around with the different bushings in the next week. Will post my findings/results.
^ And then…...?
I’m back from my trip to Japan and thought I would give my IPO’s a review.
I purchased from this site shop not long before I went over. Upon receiving them I was happy with how they looked and how the system is designed, but not being a expert boarder and not used many other sets of binders, I was unsure if I would be able to be accurate in their performance so here goes.
Build quality seems great, I had no major breakages or malfunctions during the 34 days of use.
The fit to my Boot was good, no real slop and just minor spaces around the edge of boot.
I used the mid bushings for the first 16 days and then swapped to the soft bushing for the last 15 days. To be honest I didn’t feels much difference but probably not noticeable in Powder Snow, Although the soft felt easier late in the day coming back down the groomers when fatigue was present so maybe the claim of smoother in chopped stuff is true.
I am a cruiser, not a charger.
During the first couple of days i had some foot pain on the lead foot so adjusted the angle and never had the issue again.
The main thing I noticed was that I didn’t have to crank them down super tight and they stayed good and i didn’t feel like my feet were loose/moving around.
One of the springs in the toe strap either broke or came out of it’s little housing, so it didn’t flick back on top of the ladder but it never let go and still worked for the entire trip.
Comfort was great (5 weeks) no issues but I swapped boards with my son who was using my other bindings(flux) and the flux are a little more comfy. This wasn’t enough to stop me using the IPO’s and they are the bindings I will be using form now on.
I did on a couple of occasions get a little pressure point on the side of my foot right where the knuckle bit is, but it was no issue.
A couple of times a felt the ladder needed to be a little deeper, cam wouldn’t lock down and stay in it’s spot, but this may be the spring issue, again it didn’t stop me from using and never was a drama after locked in.
I swapped them over many times between powder and regular boards and no issues from this either.
I felt the progression I made as a boarder during the trip was amazing and my edge carving got better and better. Some part of this I believe has to do with the bindings in the way they transfer the load to the edge of the board, but how much ????...
So as a gumby rider, I am very happy with the purchase and to be able to board for so long with no issue was great.
I would recommend them to anybody who is thinking about a purchase
cheers hatto