Hello and welcome to my Flux DS bindings review.
This review rates how well, in my opinion, the DSs rate as all-mountain bindings. As per SnowboardingProfiles tradition I have given them a rating out of 100, which is broken down into several categories.
Overall Rating
Bindings: Flux DS 2018
Price: $274
Smart rating score: 85.8/100
Flex: Medium (5 out of 10)
Compared to Other All-Mountain Bindings
Below are the stats for other all-mountain bindings I analyzed and how the DS’s fit in.
Number of bindings analyzed: 23
Of those:
- The average score was 78.1/100
- The highest score was 93.7/100 (see #1 below)
- The lowest score was 58.4/100
- The average price was $264
- The DS’s ranked 5th out of 23
Sizing
Check out the table below for the available sizes for the DS.
| Size | Fits Men’s US Boot Sizes | Euro Boot Sizes | UK Boot Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 4.5 - 7.5 | 36.0 - 40.0 | 3.5 - 6.5 |
| Medium | 7.0 - 10.0 | 39.0 - 43.0 | 6.0 - 9.0 |
| Large | 9.0 - 13.0 | 42.0 - 47.5 | 8.0 - 12.0 |
Who are these bindings most suitable for?
The DS’s are great for anyone looking for a bindings that can do a bit of everything. If you only want to have one pair of bindings then the DS’s are a great all round choice.
They wouldn’t be terrible for beginners but are really more for intermediate & up riders.
These bindings will match up with quite a wide range of boards too. I have used them on heaps of different boards now – as I own a pair and usually use them on boards that I demo – and they are suitable for a wide range from medium-soft flexing boards with a playgul feel all the way up to medium-stiff boards with an aggressive feel.
I’ve also used them in various conditions including hard packed trails and powder in the backcountry. And on various different types of terrain including steeps, chutes, through trees, bowls, moguls and in the park.
The DS in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a look at the DS in more detail
Demo Info
Bindings: Flux DS 2016, 2017 & 2018
Date: Multiple dates
Conditions: Various conditions
Bindings angles: Various binding angles
I own the 2016 versions of these bindings so I’ve ridden them a lot. These are the bindings I usually use to demo boards. I have also demoed the 2018 versions which are very similar but with the waffle ankle strap in place of the honeycomb strap.
Flex
Flux rate the DS’s stiffness as 4/5. Which out of 10 would translate to an 8/10 (in my books!). Other reviews I have read consider the flex to be soft to medium-soft – around 3 or 4 out of 10.
It’s definitely not as stiff as an 8/10 but I definitely wouldn’t consider them a medium-soft either. To me these bindings are completely mid-flex (5/10), maybe slightly softer but no less than 4.5/10. Which is great for an all-mountain binding.
I think the confusion here lies in the fact that they have great response and boot support. You can really lock these bad boys in tight (without pressure points) but they still butter well and there is definitely some movement when you twist the high back.
So you get the response you might expect from stiffer bindings but the butterability of a softer binding – it’s this balance that makes these bindings so good for doing everything.
Board Feel/Butterability
As mentioned above these bindings butter and tweak more like a softer flexing binding – but without sacrificing response. They don’t seem to have anything special about the base plate or disc (like a mini disc), but they still have great board feel.
Adjustability
As to be expected with Flux bindings the DS’s are super adjustable. You can adjust everything from the high-back, ankle strap, toe strap, toe ramp and heel ramp. And you can do it all tool-less which is always good.
You can basically set these up exactly how you want them. Get them in the right size and they’ll fit any foot and boot.
Learn More about the DSs in the Video Below
Shock Absorption
The biggest area for improvement for the DS’s is in the shock absorption. It’s not terrible but it’s nothing special either. Some more padding in the heel would be great.
Though some riders don’t mind this and some even prefer it, I definitely like a bit more shock absorption, especially for riding the park.
Entry/Exit
As always with Flux the ratchet system is easy and smooth which makes entry/exit easy.
When getting in I also find it really easy to push the ankle straps around the high-back so you can drop your foot in and not worry about standing on the ankle strap.
Comfort
Improved shock absorption would also improve the comfort of the DS’s but they are pretty darn comfortable anyway. A large reason for that is the awesome straps that lock down tight without producing any pressure points.
The high-back also conforms really well to boots.
Turn Initiation/Response
I am really impressed with the response I get out of the DS’s – especially considering the flex and butterability.
And you can really initiate those turns quickly – they feel great going through narrow tracks and trees but are also awesome for wider radius turns.
Ankle Support
As mentioned already, the ankle straps lock down tight but don’t produce any pressure points. They also sit high enough on the ankle to give your ankles some great support. If you like a lot of ankle support, the DSs are a great choice.
Changes from Past Models
The only change that I’m aware of between the 2017 and 2018 model is that the 2018 model now features Fluxs new Waffle strap. The 2016 and 2017 models had the honeycomb strap.
Previous Changes: The DS’s honeycomb ankle straps were new for the 2016 model. And they were a nice improvement. They were kept for the 2017 model and the 2018 model changed to the new waffle strap.
Final Verdict and Score
Check out the score breakdown for the DS’s below.
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Responsiveness: | 4.0 | 16/20 |
| Board Feel/Butterability: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Shock Absorption: | 2.5 | 7.5/15 |
| Adjustability: | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Comfort: | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
| Ankle Support: | 5.0 | 10/10 |
| Flex: | 5.0 | 5/5 |
| Entry/Exit: | 4.0 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 85.8/100 |
Overall the DS’s are one of the best all-mountain bindings going around in my opinion. And they’re reasonably priced too. Great performance but for about the average price for all-mountain bindings.
You could ride these bad boys as park-specific bindings, or never enter the park and purely use them on the trails, and they’d be just as good – or you could get the most out of them and use them for all of the above.
So it’s no surprise they made my top 5 all-mountain bindings list
More Info, Where to Buy & Availability
If you are interested in learning more about the DSs, are ready to buy, or want to research current prices or availability, check out the links below.
- Flux DS at blue-tomato (UK/Europe)
Thanks for Reading
I hope you found this review useful.
Check out the links above for more info and also check out my top 5 all-mountain bindings at the link below if you want to check out more all-mountain binding options or see how the DS compared to others.
>>SnowboardingProfiles’ Top 5 All-Mountain Snowboard Bindings
So far I am pleased with these bindings overall paired with the Burton Moto boots, but I don’t like the high back adjustment method. Other manufacturers use better systems than Flux, in my opinion. However, the straps are very comfortable (and I have the 2015 model).
Nate, do you think these are a good pairing with the 2016 Slash Brainstorm? I’m considering selling my 2016 Rome Tour for the Brainstorm.
Hey John
Thanks for the message.
Yeah they would definitely pair well with the Brainstorm. They both have a medium flex so they should go well together.