Union STR Snowboard Bindings Review

Overview of the STR’s Specs

Check out the tables for the STR’s specs and available sizes.

Specs

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.

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. 

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