Flux EM Bindings Review

Hello and welcome to my Flux EM bindings review.

In this review I will take a look at the EM as all-mountain snowboard bindings.

As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the EM a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other all-mountain bindings.

Overall Rating

Bindings: Flux EM 2024

Price: $229 (USD recommended retail)

Style: All-Mountain

Flex Rating: Medium (5/10)

Flex Feel: Medium (4.5/10)

Rating Score: 79.0/100

Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain Bindings

Out of the 24 men’s all-mountain bindings that I rated:

Overview of the EM’s Specs

Bindings angles: +15/-15

Stance Width: 555mm (22”)

Board demoed with: Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker

Boots demoed with: Adidas Response ADV, size US9.5

Baseplate Length: 23.6cm (9.3”) – that’s measured on the top of the footbed. 22.7cm (8.9") on the underside of the baseplate. 

Baseplate Length Fully Extended (footbed): 24.8cm (9.8")

Highback Height: 19.1cm (7.5”)

Weight: 900 grams (1lbs, 15oz)

* for one binding, including screws and disc. The average weight of a small sample size of around 80 bindings (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 models) I have weighed is 920 grams (2lbs). So the EMs are pretty much right on average. 

Responsiveness

In terms of slow speed quick/sharp turns, it felt pretty comparable to my control bindings (Burton Malavita). Felt good overall when riding at slower speeds. 

For higher speed carving they didn't perform as well and feel better when riding slower/less aggressively. They're not horrible for faster, more aggressive riding, but not great either. 

Board Feel/Butterability

Board feel was really decent. Not best of the best or anything but really decent. Which is typical of Flux. They don't have a mini-disc or anything else like that that might explain the board feel, but they do have very minimal anything in the baseplate/footbed - which is likely why the board feel is as good as it is. 

Pop/Ollie Power

I found that they had a little less energy for popping/ollies etc vs the Malavita - and vs the other Flux bindings I also rode that day (the DS and CV). Subtly worse, but was something that was enough for me to notice. 

Adjustability

Heel Cup: No

Stance Width:  Full size disc that you can run horizontal, so good micro stance width adjustbility.

Highback Lean:  Yes – and toolless

Ankle Strap Position: Yes – 2 positions

Toe Strap Position: Yes – 2 positions

Ankle and toe strap length: Yes (though this is on every binding) but it is tool-less, which isn't on every binding (though it is for most these days).

Gas pedal/toe ramp extension: Gas pedal/toe ramp yes. But no heel ramp adjustment, which is unusual for Flux. Most Flux bindings you can also adjust the heel ramp, but couldn't seem to do it with the EM.

Highback Rotation: Yes – 3 positions. Not tool-less, which isn't unusual in general. Highback rotation, on bindings that have it, you typically need a screwdriver. But the DS and CV which I was also testing had tool-less highback rotation. 

Compatible with: 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 | Channel

Shock Absorption

This is, along with other Flux bindings, the weakest point of these bindings. That lack of padding in the footbed really helps with its board feel (IMO) but doesn't help with shock absorption.

I found they didn't absorb shock great. With decent shock absorbing boots, it's not horrible or anything, but they are lacking compared to most quality bindings on the market. I wouldn't pair them with a poor shock absorbing boot - but they're fine with boots that absorb shock well. 

Comfort

Apart from that lack of shock absorption, they are really comfortable. 

Ankle Strap: Conformed really well to my boots and no pressure points whatsoever. The way the strap sits on the inside of the baseplate really helps here, IMO, and helps to give it a nice comfortable and snug fit (also great for ankle support - see below) 

Toe Strap: I'm never disappointed with Flux toe straps. They always fit super well to my boots and just feel really good. They are consistently some of the best on the market I find, even on the EMs, which are more lower end bindings, the toe strap fit and worked really well and felt really comfortable. 

Canted Footbed: No

Padded Footbed: As mentioned in shock absorption section above, very little in the way of padding on the footbed.

Highback: Tiny bit of padding towards the bottom, but it’s pretty hard, so don’t know it you can really call it padding. But padding on highbacks only tends to make a small difference. I didn't experience any calf-bite whatsover and I find that to be the main thing. 

Ankle Support

Really really good. The way the ankle strap sits on the inside of the baseplate really helps here, IMO. I'd usually give 5/5 for ankle support with Flux bindings and maybe a bit harsh not to here as it was really good. But just felt just a fraction down from the DS and CV I also tested that day, but still really good for ankle support. 

The 2 ankle strap positions help too - so you can wear it higher on your ankle for more support or a little lower for a surfier, freer feel. 

Entry/Exit

Toe strap similar to DS, not quite as smooth as CV. Ankle strap not quite as smooth as DS and CV. But really picking there – it’s still pretty smooth and as smooth as you’d ever need it. 

I did find it a little more effort on unstrap on the move than the Malavita, DS and CV. Just a touch sticky on the release, but nothing major.