Hello and welcome to my Flux DSW bindings review.
In this review I will take a look at the DSW as all-mountain snowboard bindings.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the DSW a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other all-mountain bindings.
NOTE: Technically the 2022 model was the last model of the DSW, so this review hasn’t been updated to the 2023 model. However, the new Flux GT is essentially the same binding as the DSW, just with a name change. So this review applies for the GT.
Overall Rating
Bindings: Flux DSW
Price: $295 (USD recommended retail)
Style: All-Mountain
Flex Rating: Stiff (8/10)
Flex Feel: Medium (6.5/10)
Rating Score: 84.9/100
Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain Bindings
Out of the 22 men’s all-mountain bindings that I rated:
Overview of the DSW’s Specs
Check out the tables for the DSW’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | All-Mountain |
Price: | $295 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Edge-to-Edge: | Medium-Fast |
Weight: | Normal |
Mounts To: | 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 |
Sizing
SIZE | US BOOT SIZE | EURO BOOT SIZE | UK BOOT SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
S | 4.5-7.5 | 36-40 | 3.5-6.5 |
M | 7-9.5 | 39-42.5 | 6-8.5 |
L | 9+ | 42+ | 8+ |
Who are the DSW Most Suited To?
Originally I had the DSW in my freestyle bindings category, just because Flux describe them as "terrain park machines" and because of the wing back. But flex-wise and how they scored in each system, they worked about better for me in the all-mountain category.
For freestyle they scored only 77.4/100 but that was largely due to their low level of shock absorption. These bindings would make very good freestyle bindings - provided you're relatively advanced in freestyle and particularly if you're looking to go big.
As all-mountain bindings though they are great for anyone looking for good response in a slightly more than medium flex and are happy to forgo a little in terms of shock absorption to get great adjustability and ankle support.
Intermediate and up - and I would almost say solid intermediate and up.
The DSW in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the DSW are capable of.
Demo Info
Bindings: Flux DSW 2020, Medium
Date: April 14, 2019
Conditions: Great vis first thing but started closing in and then snowing 10:30. Then on and off throughout the day. But vis was never terrible – in patches good and in patches OK.
Groomers were quite smooth and fast, especially compared to the day before, which was nice.
Nothing crazy in terms of fresh snow, but 1cm (0.5″) overnight and few more than that in the days leading up – some fresh patches still to be found.
Relatively cold with a little wind, but not much – wind not as strong and not quite as cold as the day before. -4 with wind. Still pretty cold for April 14th!
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance Width: 550mm (21.7”)
Board demoed with: Rossignol One LF 2018
Flex
The DSW felt just a little stiffer than medium to me, but not super-stiff. Flux rate them as 8/10 in terms of flex, but I felt them a bit softer than that. I would say around 6.5/10.
Responsiveness
Flux bindings tend to be nice and responsive, and the DSW are no exception. I felt like I could hold a carve deeper and longer vs my control bindings (Malavitas) and vs the Flux SR, which I also rode on the same day.
Board Feel/Butterability
Really decent board feel on these bindings, which is also typical of Flux. There’s no mini-disc or anything like that going on, but I think just the fact that there’s not much in the way of padding in the base plate really helps with that board feel. And that wing back also helped for buttering too.
Pop/Ollie Power
Really decent. I felt like it gave good power to the board for ollies and popping in general. Similar to my control bindings, or maybe just a touch more.
Adjustability
Heel Cup: No
Stance Width: Can run disc horizontal or vertical, so good for stance width adjustments when running horizontal.
Highback Lean: Yes, tool-less
Ankle Strap Position: Yes
Toe Strap Position: Yes
Ankle and toe strap length: Yes, tool-less
Gas pedal/toe ramp extension: Yes
Highback Rotation: Yes
Compatible with: 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 – need a separate disc for channel mounting
So, you can adjust these bindings in most ways. You can adjust the heel ramp too, which you can’t on most bindings, so that gives you some extra adjustment there.
Shock Absorption
The biggest downside to these bindings – and for Flux bindings in general is a lack of shock absorption. This minimal padding in the baseplate does, IMO, help with board feel, and allows more adjustability in having a moving heel cushion, but you do sacrifice some shock absorption. Pair with good shock absorbing boots though and that would work really well, IMO.
Entry/Exit
Nice smooth ratchets and generally easy to get in and out of.
Comfort
Really comfortable, overall. Despite a lack of padding, they conform so well to the boot and that really adds to the comfort. No cramping or anything like that, no pressure points.
Ankle Strap: Really nice ankle strap that I found conformed super nice with my boots. I really like Flux’s waffle strap.
Toe Strap: Also really nice. One of the better toe straps on the market, IMO. Fits the boot really well.
Canted Footbed: No
Padded Footbed: Not a lot of padding there – see shock absorption notes.
Highback: Didn’t notice any discomfort or calf-bite or anything like that.
Ankle Support
Typical of Flux the DSW has awesome ankle support. Just feel really locked-in, in these bindings, but at the same time not a feeling like their tight or anything, just locked-in, but comfortable.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.0 | 16/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 16/20 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 2.5 | 7.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 5.0 | 10/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 84.9/100 |
Overall the DSW are a really nice pair of bindings all round. They're just a touch stiffer than medium with great response, a good amount of adjustability and Flux's typically awesome ankle support.
Biggest issue is with shock absorption, but if that's no biggie for you, or if you have nice shock absorbing boots to make up for it, then these are great buy. Everything else about these bindings is quality.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the DSW, are ready to buy or want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to see how the DSW compares to other men’s all-mountain bindings or want to check out some other options in that category, check out the next link.
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