Hello and welcome to my Union STR snowboard bindings review.
In this review I will take a look at the STR as all-mountain snowboard bindings.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the STR a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other all-mountain bindings.
Overall Rating
Bindings: Union STR
Price: $239 (USD recommended retail)
Style: All-Mountain
Flex Rating: Medium (6/10)
Flex Feel: Medium (5.5/10)
Rating Score: 80.6/100
Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain Bindings
Of the 30 current model aggressive all-mountain snowboards that we tested:
❄️ The STR ranked 23rd= out of 30
Overview of the STR’s Specs
Check out the tables for the STR’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
STYLE:
ALL-MOUNTAIN
PRICE:
$239
Ability Level:
flex:
weight:
Felt normal
Mounts to:
2x4 | 4x4 | Channel
Sizing
SIZE | US BOOT SIZE | EURO BOOT SIZE | UK BOOT SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
S | 5.5-7.5 | 37-40.5 | 4.5-6.5 |
M | 8-10 | 41-43 | 7-9 |
L | 10.5-13 | 43.5-46 | 9.5-12 |
Who are the STR Most Suited To?
The STR are best suited to those looking for medium flex bindings for a lower than average price. The average price for this flex range is typically around $300. Most bindings in this price range are softer flexing - which is fine, if that's what you're after, but if you want medium but don't have the budget for their typical price tag, these fill that void.
Not for beginners, despite that price-tag. Beginner bindings aren't all about price and these are stiffer than I would recommend for most beginners. Intermediate and up.
Best matched to boards in the 3.5/10 to 6.5/10 flex range and even better for the 4.5/10 to 5.5/10 flex range, IMO.
The STR in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the STR are capable of.
Demo Info
Bindings: Union STR 2025, Medium
Date: February 27, 2024
Changes for the 2025 model
- Gets tool-less toe strap adjustments for the first time
- New ankle strap
- New toe strap
- New ratchets
Flex
Highback Twist: The medial side (inside) felt stiffer than the lateral side (outside) when twisting the highback .
Both the lateral and medial flex, when twisting, was softer than the other Union bindings I had with me at the time (Falcor, Atlas Pro and Atlas). The medial side just a little softer but the lateral side significantly softer.
Highback Pullback: It's quite easy to get the top two thirds of the highback to pull back, so plenty of flex there. It's more difficult to pullback on the medial side vs the lateral side, but the medial side still easier to pull back on than the Falcor, Atlas Pro and Atlas. The bottom third of the highback is stiffer.
Ankle Strap: Overall the STR had a relatively soft flexing ankle strap. The Falcor was overall softer than it, but it was softer than the Atlas and Atlas Pro.
Toe Strap: The STR's toe strap was the stiffest, followed by the Atlas, with the Atlas Pro and Falcor toe straps being softer.
On Snow: The overall flex feeling on snow was the softest of the 4 Union bindings overall but wasn't super soft. It felt very similar in overall flex to my control bindings. Very much medium flexing, by my feel.
Responsiveness
They felt at their best for slower speed sharp turns versus higher speed riding and hard carving, but they weren't bad for the later. Very similar to my control bindings for both slow speed/more casual turning and higher speed turns and carves.
Not as good as Falcor, Atlas and Atlas Pro for higher speed stuff, and better than Atlas Pro for slow speed riding and equal of the Atlas and Falcor.
They have a similar response feel to the Atlas, in terms of being a smooth, consistent, even response (as opposed to a more springy/explosive response).
Board Feel/Butterability
Good feel for ollies and presses, etc. Not as good as my control bindings or the Falcor, but they were still pretty decent. At least as good as the Atlas.
Pop/Ollie Power
While it was easy to initiate pop/ollies on this board, it didn't quite have the same power versus the Falcor, Atlas, Atlas Pro and my control bindings. Really only a slight difference, as this doesn't typically vary a huge amount between bindings, in my experience, but just down a touch from the others.
Adjustability
Overall good adjustability. Not quite to the extent of the Atlas. as it doesn't have the extendable gas pedal.
Heel Cup: Yes
Stance Width: Micro adjustments possible - can run disc horizontal and that increases stance width adjustment options. And because you can adjust the heel cup, you shouldn't need to run the disc vertical for boot centering, so you should be able to take advantage of running the disc horizontally.
Highback Lean: Yes and tool-less
Ankle Strap Position: No
Toe Strap Position: Yes - 2 position options
Ankle and toe strap length: Tool-less
Gas pedal/toe ramp extension: No
Highback Rotation: Yes - 2 position options.
Compatible with: 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 | Channel
Shock Absorption
This is probably the STRs biggest weakness. It felt the chatter and shock from landings pretty badly. Down a little from the Atlas and Atlas Pro, which aren't amazing either and well down from the Falcor and my control bindings.
Entry/Exit
Nothing out of the ordinary going on here. Ratchets were decently smooth and was perfectly fine getting them ratcheted up and they easily released for a quick/easy exit.
Comfort
Overall nice and comfortable and I had no issues with minimal pressure points. Really nice ankle and toe straps for this price point.
Ankle Strap: Conformed nicely and overall felt good. Very minor pressure on the top of my left foot, but it was nothing major and improved over time, rather than getting worse.
Toe Strap: Again, conformed nicely. No pressure points.
Canted Footbed: Yes
Padded Footbed: OK padding on footbed, but overall felt shock/chatter quite a bit (see shock absorption section for more).
Highback: A little padding at top and through middle – covers just over half. But most importantly no calf-bite issues.
Ankle Support
Felt a little less than with the other Union bindings I was testing around the time, but not far off - and nothing that was super lacking in support or anything.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 3.5 | 14/20 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 16/20 |
| Board Feel | 4 | 12/15 |
| Shock Absorption | 3 | 6/10 |
| Adjustability | 4 | 8/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| Ankle Support | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Entry/Exit | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 80.6/100 |
If I was to be given a pair of Union bindings and could pick any one with a mid-flex, it wouldn't be the STR. They're certainly not the best pair Union has to offer in the flex range, but they are a really solid option for the price range.
They do their job well enough, and are at a rare price point for mid-flexing bindings.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you’re interested in learning more about the STRs, are ready to buy or want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other all-mountain binding options or want to compare the STR to others in this category, check out the link below.
Hi Nate,
I just bought a new board this year, a Jones Frontier.
I had a 22 years old Ride Catalyst with Ride Preston LS bindings.
The Ride Bindings are on the Jones now, they are ok, but getting old.
I would like to benefit the end of season sales to buy new bindings.
I’d like something good, not too expansive, but good.
My boots are Burton Imperial.
I consider the Union STR or the Union Atlas, because the STR seems to be a good price/quality ratio, and seems ok for my needs, but they are great discounts on the Atlas.
The Atlas are certainly higher end, but I’m afraid they could be too stiff, but I don’t know how to rank the flex of my old Preston LS…
I’d like my bindings to be ok everywhere, and to be confortable too, even if I think I prefer stiffer than softer.
I ride 6 days a year, as I live far from the mountain, but consider myself as a good rider (riding for 25 years, not the best or the fastest, but I’m confident nearly everywhere).
I like carving and going fast on the slopes, out the slopes on the powder too, I also like to go to the park for jumps, and to play on the side hits (small jumps, some tricks, and I’d like to work that more). I don’t go on rails and I don’t go backcountry.
What binding would you go for?
Thanks for your reply, ride on!
Hi Bbr, thanks for your message.
The Atlas should match the Frontier well, IMO. They are on the stiffer end of a good range for the Frontier, but still within a good range, IMO and for your riding style I think they should work well. The STR are also suitable for the Frontier, but if they are a similar price, I would go Atlas over STR.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
I would like to replace the bindings on my Burton Process board (pure pop camber with the channel).
I mounted Burton mission but they are now destroyed.
Can UNION STR be an alternative?
My level is medium-high but at 50 years old I’m not going to kill myself in the park, I’m more into curves in handling and speed, a few jumps/180s and I go switch without problems.
I am looking for a binding to do a bit of everything, not too soft and most of all not to expensive.
I do like your site, thanks and ciao from Italy
Hi Davide, thanks for your message.
The STR is a good flex equivalent to the Mission and would do the job and be a good flex match to the Process Purepop, IMO. And they are really well priced, so I think they are a good bet. They are compatible with the channel out of the box, so you’re good there too.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate, i just discovered your site and really apreciate what you are doing, your reviews are sincere and clear, thanks man!
I would like to ask your oppinon in which bindings buy for a Salomon Dancehaul. I just bought one in 147 and looking for a budget binding. I am intermediate rider who spend his time mostly on groomers and learning to carve and taking small jumps. I am trying to create a forgiving setup since i am not alway in good shape jeje. My boots are mid stiff ones with double boa. I have found sale opportunites on this bindings:
– Union Flite pro
– Union STR
– K2 Lineup
– Drake Fifty
– Rome Crux
– Arbor Hemlock
Which one would reccomend for my desire setup? Thx again!!
Hi Cris
The Flite Pro, Lineup and Hemlock are a little too soft flexing to be optimal with the Dancehaul, IMO.
The Drake Fifty and the Union STR would both work well for the Dancehaul, IMO.
We haven’t tested the Rome Crux yet, but on paper, it looks like it would be a good flex-match to the Dancehaul as well.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
Thanks for your brilliant reviews, I’ve read through quite a number at this point.
I’d really appreciate your input.
I consider myself an intermediate-5 all mountain rider. When I next get on the slopes I’ll be working on getting clean carves.
I ride a Rome Mechanic Uni, which has a Flex of 4/10.
I initially paired my board with Union Contact Pro’s. I have since received a voucher for them after making a warranty claim.
I am considering between the following bindings (in this order of ranking):
1 Union STR’s
2 Union Strata
3 Union Force
I feel that at moderate to higher speeds I am beginning to notice I am demanding a little more of locked in feel, than the board is giving me. I don’t know right now if it’s me, or the board but it will likely be replaced in another season or two for something stiffer. I’d like the bindings I choose to also suit a slightly stiffer board so I can move them over when I upgrade my board.
What would you recommend?
Many thanks in advance!
Hi Kyle
Thanks for your message.
I think the STR would be the best suited to your current board. However, going Strata or Force would give you more scope for your next board and are still within a good flex range for your current board. On the stiffer side for your current board but still within a good range, IMO. If you were to go STR now and then end up with a 6/10 to 7/10 flex board for your next one, then the STR wouldn’t as suitable, particularly if you went 7/10 flex. But if you went Strata or Force, then they would match better to those boards in the 6/10 to 7/10 flex range than the STR and would still work fine if you only went up subtly to 5/10 flex.
So that would have me leaning more towards the Strata or Force. Between those 2, I find the Strata has better board feel and has a more “springy/lively” response, versus the Force which has a more consistent, smooth, predictable response. I would say the Force a touch better for bigger more high speed carves, with the Strata still better than the STR and Contact Pro for those and the Strata better for pressing, ollies, sidehits etc vs the Force.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate
Requesting your input on bindings + boots to go with YES Typo 155 ( thanks to your input on this board )
Intermediate rider – mostly downhill at moderate speeds on blue slopes and occasionally mellow groomed black runs and moguls once in a while, but want to learn park riding and some tricks this season. I presume I need a med/mid flex boots and bindings. I narrowed down to these, but open to suggestions outside of these too.
Bindings :
Burton Mission Re:Flex 2022
Bent Metal Joint 2022
K2 Formula 2022
Union STR 2023
Rome Crux 2022
Boots :
Burton Moto Boa ( single Boa )
DC Control Boa 2021 or 2022 ( double Boa )
Nidecker Triton 2021/22 ( double Boa )
Rome Bodega Boa
Thanks
Missed one in the list – Salomon District Bindings
Hi Will
Yeah, I think medium would be best to match both the board and for your purposes. Something 5/10 to 6/10 flex would be your best bet, IMO.
From your list, for bindings, I would be leaning Burton Mission or Union STR.
I haven’t ridden the Bent Metal Joint, but from my limited experience with Bent Metal, they’re a little softer than what they rate at (IMO). But that said, I don’t have a lot of experience with Bent Metal, so this might be an option. The K2 Formula are a good flex-match, IMO, but they’re bindings I didn’t like a whole lot – and particularly for board feel, I didn’t like them – and that’s something I think you’ll appreciate for when you start doing some tricks. The District is a binding I haven’t ridden in a good few years, but when I did last ride it, I felt it at a 4/10 flex, so might be borderline a little soft.
The Crux are maybe a good option. But I haven’t tested these, so can’t say for sure.
For boots, I would be leaning DC Control but the Nidecker Triton and Rome Bodega are likely good options too. But I’ve yet to test Nidecker or Rome boots (hoping to get hold of some this winter) so can’t say for sure on those. The Moto are too soft for this setup, IMO. I felt them at a 3/10 flex.
Hope this helps to narrow down your options
Hi Nate,
I’m a low intermediate rider, trying to decide between these Union STRs or the Burton Missions. At first I was leaning towards the Union STR since they offer full stance width adjustability, and an adjustable heelcup. But then I read some comments about loosening screws and sliding heelcups that made me concerned that the separate heelcup being locked in by the ankle strap screw may be a design flaw. It seems that a fixed attached one-piece heel cup like the Missions would offer stronger structural rigidity to handle such a high-stress area of the binding. Have you noticed any issues in this regard? Do you think it makes the Missions a better choice, even though they sacrifice stance width adjustability?
Thanks,
Kevin
Hi Kevin
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t had any of those issues with Union bindings before. I have only ever tested the STR and not owned them, so I couldn’t say over the long term. I have owned the Union Falcor for over 3 seasons now though and no issues there. I don’t think it’s a design flaw in general with them, but could be specifically to the STR? Not sure, as I haven’t heard anyone with this issue before.
The Missions though are a good option, if you’re willing to sacrifice those adjustability things. Some things that might help your decision:
– I found the STR a touch more responsive than the Mission
– I found the Mission to have slightly better board feel and more shock absorption
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
“They felt quite dead underfoot” – Union STR bindings. Please explain further. I’m trying to understand what you mean by that statement. I’ve only been boarding a couple of years and now I’m starting to buy new equipment rather than used stuff.
Hi Robert
Thanks for your message.
Essentially it just means that the binding doesn’t flex that well with the board. Anything part of the binding that’s actually attached to the snowboard creates a “deadspot”, where essentially the board can flex as it’s supposed to in that spot. The STRs just felt like they had a relatively large deadspot. Certainly not the worst I’ve felt, but compared to other Union bindings, I found it. Sorry if this doesn’t describe it very well – it’s hard to explain, it’s just a feeling you get from the board/bindings. It’s easier to understand if you ride a binding with a small “deadspot” or just a binding that doesn’t feel dead underfoot and then ride with one that does. You can feel the difference, but it’s difficult to put into words!