Hello and welcome to my Flux DSL snowboard bindings review.
In this review, I will take a look at the DSL as freestyle snowboard bindings (though you could also use them as all-mountain bindings).
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the DSL a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other freestyle bindings.
NOTE: The 2021 model was the last model of the Flux DSL, so this review will no longer be updated.
Overall Rating
Binding: Flux DSL 2021
Price: $265
Style: Freestyle
Flex Rating: Medium-Soft (4/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium-Soft (4/10)
Rating Score: 75.8/100
Compared to other Men’s Freestyle Bindings
Out of the 20 men’s freestyle bindings that I rated:
Overview of the DSL's Specs
Check out the tables for the DSL’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freestyle but also work well as casual all-mountain and work well for beginners |
Price: | $265 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
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 | 7-10 | 39-43 | 6-9 |
L | 9-13 | 42-47.5 | 8-12 |
Who are the DSL Most Suited To?
The DSL are a great option for those looking for a high-end beginner binding. They are great for progressing on, but aren't a cheap binding in any way. They are great quality.
They also work really well as freestyle bindings, if you can live with the less shock absorption or more casual all-mountain riding.
Work best with boards around 3/10 to 5/10 flex.
The DSL in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the DSL are capable of.
Demo Info
Binding: Ride DSL 2021, L
Date: March 8, 2020
Conditions: Well groomed and hard packed on groomer. Not super hard but quite firm for the most part.
Off-groomer good. Nothing fresh, but still some old snow and nothing too crunchy or icy or anything.
Colder than the day before. Part of that being here hour earlier because daylight saving. -11°C (12.2°F) and -14°C (6.8°F) with wind, but it felt even colder than that.
Cloudy but still at least 90% visibility.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 550mm (21.7″)
Board demoed with: Rossignol One LF
Baseplate Length: 25cm (9.84”)*
*measured on the top side of the footbed
Highback Height: 19cm (7.48”)*
* from bottom of heel cup to top of highback
Height from top of footbed to top of highback: 26cm (10.24")
Flex
Overall it's just a little softer than medium, but very close to medium. I would say 4/10 but pushing 4.5/10.
Responsiveness
Really good for carving especially for its flex. Something that Flux tends to be good at, is getting a binding to carve better than it's flex would indicate.
Even better for riding at slow speeds, which makes this binding a great beginners choice. It's not what you'd think of as what some people see as a typical "beginner's" binding, because it's a really high quality binding, but my view of a good beginner's binding is one that helps a beginner to progress, and the quality doesn't have to be low for that to be the case.
Board Feel/Butterability
Good board feel with these bindings. Can feel the board nicely.
Pop/Ollie Power
As good as my test bindings (Burton Malavita) - didn't notice any difference between the 2.
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
You feel the chatter in these bindings and the flat landings a bit. They don't have a lot of shock absorption going on. I think that's probably how they have such good board feel for bindings that don't have a mini-disc or anything else in the baseplate to suggest they might have good board feel. I think it's just that there is minimal going on in terms of shock absorption.
So that's probably the biggest downside of this binding, if you're looking for something with good shock absorption.
Entry/Exit
Nice and smooth typical of Flux.
Comfort
Overall really comfortable, despite the lack of shock absorption.
Ankle Strap: Really like Flux's ankle straps typically and the DSL's are no exception.
Toe Strap: Dito the ankle strap.
Canted Footbed: No
Padded Footbed: Not a lot of padding there (see shock absorption)
Highback: A little padding top and bottom, but zero calf-bite and that's the main thing.
Ankle Support
Typical of Flux the DSL have awesome ankle support. The way your able to get the straps tighten with zero pressure points and just a really locked down, snug but comfortable feel.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 24/30 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 2.5 | 12.5/25 |
RESPONSE | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 9/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 75.8/100 |
Overall, the DSL is a great binding. It's score doesn't come out that high, mostly due to the shock absorption but if that's not a big deal for you, then these bindings ride well, feel good and are just all round good quality bindings.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the DSL, or if you are ready to buy, or if you just want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other freestyle binding options, or if you want to compare how the DSL compare to other freestyle bindings, then check out the next link.
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