First set of new bindings!

Hey all,

I got in to a little bit of snowboarding last winter after skiing a few seasons, and ended up getting an ex demo set up for super cheap (nameless ex rental bindings, and StepChild JP Walker board), with some new ThirtyTwo lace up boots (man’s gotta stay comfy). It was awesome to learn on, but I’ve run everything in to the ground, bindings most of all, and now the buckles have crapped themselves. So this winter I want to throw on some new bindings, but I’m new to snowboarding gear and am still not familiar with the tech and sifting through all the marketing nonsense.

I’ve settled into the snowboarding demographic of mainly bumpy off-piste stuff, and soft snow when I can get it. I like tackling the rocky outcrops, tree runs, and drop-offs around Mt Perisher, North Perisher, and Guthega. I’m not really going speed-of-light, and just like to have a laugh on rough, featured, natural terrain. Even as a skier, I have never been interested in park, pipe, or the big jumps, although I am hesitant to say I don’t enjoy freestyle - just not on man-made stuff. More of an off-piste freestyle / all mountain leaning.

Looking up information about my StepChild board, it’s reviewed as a medium flex all-terrain freestyle board, so hopefully it fits the bill progressing past the beginner/intermediate stage?
 
Any recommendations for a few bindings I can throw on to my old JP Walker to help my gear fit my sick n twisted riding fantasies?

Hey Zarb,

Good to see you back on the forums. How did you go last season with your switch riding?

Bindings…

OK, I’m going to start with my strong recommendation being the Now IPO. You can read my review of the 2014 model here. It’s honestly one of the best bindings I’ve ever used, and it offers exceptional value and unmatched technology. Personally, I wouldn’t look any further. Myself and a lot of other members on here are riding Now bindings.

We have a full range of 2015 Now bindings coming in very soon (and you can pre-order now if you wanted). Image below (also comes in white/blue and black/turquoise).

However, here are some other suggestions on great all-round bindings from various brands that would serve you well:

Flux DS
Now Select
Union Force
Rome 390 Boss
Burton Cartel
... and there’s others, but this list plus the IPOs is super solid and I can give my personal guarantee on all of them offering great performance, comfort, and value.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Hi Rider,

Last season ended really well. I worked on my switch quite a bit while playing around on green runs with my less enthusiastic wife. I’m at the point now where I can comfortably land switch, and link quite a few turns before having to switch back. My new activity for slow green runs with the wife is now learning how to butter

Thanks for the recommendations, I’ll check those all out.

+1 ipo’s… I’ve had 3 different bindings from Burton to Union to Fluxes before I tried the ipos, and I’ve never looked back since, I sold my other bindings and now have a pair of ipo’s and drives.

The only binding I’d like to try now are switchbacks.
I also recommend putting in black bushings, as it makes it feel as close to “normal” bindings, as I know some ppl feel there’s a lag in response at times.

There’s other guys on here who are a hell of a lot more knowledgeable than me but below is my bindings experiences:

I’ve owned/ridden Burton Cartels (good), Drake 50’s (good), Rome Mob Boss (too soft for my liking) and Now IPO’s - the IPO’s being my favourite. I like riding off-piste and generally ride all-mountain boards too but that’s pretty much all I can say. It comes down to what feels good for you. I must say I really liked the light-weight build of the Drakes but it sacrificed too much stiffness for me.

Aaaand the black and blue IPO’s look killer I must say!