NOW Drive Snowboard Bindings Review

The Drive are best for anyone looking for a binding that has a smooth feel to it, with good response, and one that can hold on to a carve well. Also for someone that wants a binding that absorbs shock well, and smooths out the bumps well. 

Not for a beginner - too stiff for that. Also not for anyone looking for a lot of board feel or who like to butter a lot. 

Bindings angles: +15/-15

Stance width: 550mm (21.7″)

Board demoed with: Rossignol One LF 2018, 159

Baseplate Length: 24.3cm (9.6”)*

*measured on the top side of the footbed - a little bit of angle down to underside of baseplate

Highback Height: 20cm (7.87”)*

* from bottom of heel cup to top of highback

Height from Bottom of Baseplate to top of Highback: 29cm (11.42") 

Weight: 860 grams (1 lbs, 14 oz)*

*of one binding, including screws and disc. The average weight of a small sample size of 26 bindings (2019 & 2020 models) I weighed, was 894 grams. The lightest was 760 grams and the heaviest was 1,000grams. 

Flex

NOW rate these as 8/10, but I felt them a little softer than that. They're certainly more than medium, but not quite 8, by my feel. I would say 7/10 is a more accurate description of their flex. 

Responsiveness

They don't have a super snappy response, but they do respond well - and that response is smooth, even and predictable. On top of that, I felt that I could hold on to a carve a little longer than the average binding, and really lean into it, so that's definitely a big plus there. 

Board Feel/Butterability

This is probably the weakest point of the binding. Not necessarily what a binding of this type is going for, but personally I still like a good bit of board feel, even in a stiffer binding that's more directed at freeriding and aggressive all-mountain riding. 

That kingpin skate tech works well for other things but not so much for board feel. Side to side there's quite a dead feel and it doesn't make buttering easy, even on a board that's quite buttery. 

Pop/Ollie Power

I didn't really notice any difference between these and my control bindings (Burton Malavita), but that's not a bad thing as the Malavitas have pretty good pop/ollie power. Could maybe get a bit more out of them with a canted footbed but overall pretty good. 

Adjustability

Next to board feel, the adjustability is the next most lacking thing with these bindings. But if they fit fine and you don't find you need any extra adjustability, then it's not a big issue. But if you really like to tweak things, then it could be. 

Heel Cup: No

Stance Width: Can run disc vertically and horizontally

Highback Lean: Yes, tool-less

Ankle Strap Position: No

Toe Strap Position: No

Ankle and toe strap length: Tool-less

Gas pedal/toe ramp extension: No

Highback Rotation: No

Compatible with: 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 - Not compatible with channel without separate disc

So basically the highback lean, the tool-less ankle and toe strap length and the fact you can run the disc both vertically and horizontally are the only real things that adjust from this list. 

However, there are a couple of things that do adjust that most other bindings don't do. 

1. You can flip the ankle strap between the left and right bindings, which changes the feel - one way it gives more ankle support and the other way allows for a bit more freedom. 
2. You can get separate bushings and they can be swapped out. This allows you to adjust the flex feel of the bindings. 

Let’s Break up this text with a Video

Shock Absorption

One of the top features of the Drive, IMO, is the way they absorb shock. This is achieved in a couple of different ways. 

Firstly: There is a good amount of padding underfoot - which is the way that most bindings deal with shock absorption - and this part of it alone does a good job. The footbed is harder than other NOW bindings I rode, but it's still fairly thick - and that extra hardness probably helps with it's response. On other NOW bindings I would likely give 5/5 for shock absorption just for this factor, but the Drive would probably get more like 4/5. But the next factor bumps them up, and is part of what makes NOW quite unique, when it comes to shock absorption. 

Secondly: NOW's kingpin Skate Tech does a great job at absorbing crud, bumps, chatter you name it. It gives the Drive a really damp, smooth feel when you're riding, and on landings from jumps.   

Entry/Exit

The ratchets on all NOW bindings I've tried function really well. They're not the smoothest on the market, but they work - and aren't sticky or anything like that. The ankle strap somehow felt smoother than the toe strap. 

Comfort

Overall, a good amount of comfort - didn't feel any pressure points or get any other kind of foot pain from them - which is the main thing. 

Ankle Strap: It's a quality ankle strap. Not what I would rate as one of the best I've tried, but very good nonetheless.

Toe Strap: Again, not the best I've tried but good enough

Canted Footbed: No

Padded Footbed: Good amount of padding - and the heel has a little extra (which, IMO, is where you need it most). 

Highback: There's a little bit of something, other than just hard plastic on the high back, but not heaps, but most importantly didn't feel any pressure points or any issues with it.  

Ankle Support

There's good ankle support but not amazing - the ankle strap is good, but found it sat too low on my ankle to really feel hugely supportive - which is where I think a higher ankle strap position option would be good to have. But still not bad either, not super loose or anything. 

I was going to give 3.5/5 for ankle support, but then I remembered that you can flip the ankle straps over for more support. I was riding them in the position where you get more freedom of movement (which I like in more freestyle bindings, or surfing powder, but prefer a bit more support if I'm going to be charging in harder conditions). I didn't get a chance to ride them with the straps flipped, but assuming they give more support, I bumped the score a little, but they could be even better than 4/5 suggests, but since I didn't get a chance to ride them in that other position, that's what I've gone with.  

Price/Value for Money

They're a little cheaper than the average binding in this category, and for this kind of flex range. 

Overall, the Drive's a very solid binding - and is great for anyone who likes a smooth, chatter absorbing ride, and likes to lay deep into a carve. 

It has some unique adjustability options (like the flip-it straps and the changeable bushings) but doesn't have some of the more traditional adjustability options. Also, there isn't a lot of board feel, for those who like to feel the board, and butter a bit.

If those two things aren't an issue for you, and you like the idea of a smooth, damp, yet responsive ride, and you want to save a bit of cash vs most others in this category, then the Drive might be a great option for you.