Hello and welcome to my Salomon Highlander bindings review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Highlander as all-mountain-freeride snowboard bindings.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Highlander a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other all-mountain-freeride bindings.
Overall Rating
Binding: Salomon Highlander
Price: $359
Style: All-Mountain-Freeride
Flex Rating: Stiff (8/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Rating Score: 85.1/100
Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings
Out of the 20 men’s all-mountain-freeride bindings that I rated:
Overview of the Highlander’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Highlander’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | All-Mountain-Freeride |
Price: | $359 - BUYING OPTIONS |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Edge-to-edge: | Medium-Fast |
Weight: | Lighter side of normal |
Mounts to: | 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 | Channel |
Sizing
SIZE | US BOOT SIZE | EURO BOOT SIZE | UK BOOT SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
S | 3.5-8 | 34.5-39 | 2.5-7 |
M | 7.5-10.5 | 40-43.5 | 6.5-9.5 |
L | 10.5-13.5 | 43.5-47 | 9.5-12.5 |
Who is the Highlander Most Suited To?
The Highlander is a great option for anyone looking for a responsive pair of bindings, that still have some forgiveness to them and can still ride them at slower speeds when needed.
And just for those that want an all-round quality binding that doesn't have any areas of weakness.
Not for a beginner - too stiff for that, but great for solid intermediate and up riders.
The Highlander in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Highlander are capable of.
Demo Info
Binding: Salomon Highlander 2020, M
Date: March 10, 2019
Conditions: Mostly sunny and perfect vis.
Groomers were on the firmer side, but not overly hard - and really well groomed - especially first thing, was smooth going and could really confidently bomb and lean into some deep carves.
Got a little cruddy as the day wore on, but was never too bad.
Off-groomer was tracked, but there'd been recent fresh snow a few days prior and there were still some good patches of untracked fresh snow.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 550mm (21.7″)
Board demoed with: Rossignol One LF 2018, 159
Boots tested with: Vans Aura Pro, size US10
Baseplate Length: 25.7cm (10.12”)*
*measured on the top side of the footbed - a little bit of angle down to underside of baseplate
Highback Height: 16.5cm (6.5")*
* from bottom of heel cup to top of highback. Highback itself if 18.5cm (7.28") - it extends below the bottom of the heel cup. Heel cup is quite high.
Flex
To me they felt 7/10 when flexing in hand and 7/10 on snow. The rep said he considered them 8/10, but I felt them just a touch softer than that.
Responsiveness
I really liked the response with these bindings. Felt I could hold a carve a little deeper and a little longer too vs my control bindings (Burton Malavita). But at the same time there was still maneuverability at slow speeds, which was great.
Board Feel/Butterability
Really decent board feel, despite there not being any mini-disc or anything else in the base plate that would suggest it - and there was decent shock absorption at the same time. Maybe something to do with the flexible heel loop/shadowfit tech? And maybe because of the shorter highback.
Pop/Ollie Power
Could get good pop out of these. Made my board feel subtly more poppy.
Let's Break this Text Up with a Video
Adjustability
Relatively good adjustability. The forward lean adjuster is a little funny (didn't think it had any at first) - but mostly because it's not what I was used to, I'm sure you'd get used to it.
Heel Cup: No
Stance Width: Can run disc horizontal or vertical, so good for stance width adjustments when running horizontal.
Highback Lean: Yes, but found the way it was down a little tricky and not tool-less
Ankle Strap Position: No
Toe Strap Position: Yes
Ankle and toe strap length: Yes and tool-less
Gas pedal/toe ramp extension: Yes
Highback Rotation: Yes, but not independent of highback lean
Compatible with: 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 | channel
Shock Absorption
Decent amount of padding in there. Not epic, but more than enough, IMO. That flexible heel loop helps to absorb shock too, I would say.
Entry/Exit
Ratchets were nice and smooth and felt solid. Maybe not the smoothest I've ever tried but nothing that would ever be an issue.
Comfort
Overall very comfortable binding - didn't notice them much in terms of comfort, which is a good thing.
Ankle Strap: Nice ankle strap. Conforms well with no pressure points.
Toe Strap: Good toe strap too. Nothing to complain about there.
Canted Footbed: Yes
Padded Footbed: Good padding and the heel loop also helps to absorb shock I think.
Highback: Didn't notice it at all, which is usually a good thing. No calf bite or anything.
Ankle Support
Really solid ankle support. Doesn't give you different ankle strap position options, which would be nice to see. But the position it's set in offered really good ankle support for me.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING | 4.0 | 20/25 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 8/10 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 85.1/100 |
Overall, the Highlander was a binding that I really enjoyed riding with. I felt I could hold my carves a little deeper and a little longer than the average binding and they were comfortable and still worked well at low speeds and for buttering/board feel.
They just felt like a binding that was at once responsive and comfortable. The ankle support was really really good, but I didn't feel like I had no freedom of movement in there. Finds a really good balance of being responsive and tough, but also forgiving in a sense.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Highlander, 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 all-mountain-freeride binding options, or if you want to compare how the Highlander compares to other all-mountain-freeride bindings, then check out the next link.
Hi Nate,
Great review, thanks for everything you put into this site! Do you think the Highlander bindings would work well with a Gnu Gremlin?
Board size: 155
Boot Size: 10.5 Salomon Dialogue
Riding Style: Inter/Advanced – like to go fast, hit chutes & bowls, run through trees, hit kickers and jumps if I am feeling froggy, but also mellow cruise with the family. All Mountain Freerider.
I have road Salomon Holograms on my Lib TRP for years and have really enjoyed them.
Hi Chris
Thanks for your message. As per my response on the All-Mountain-Freeride bindings post, I think the Highlander would be a good match with the Gremlin and the riding style you’re describing. See other response for more details.
Thanks for the info Nate! Do you think the Highlander bindings would work well with a Jones Flagship?
Board size: 165W
Boot Size: 13uk Burton Ruler
Rider Style: Inter/Advanced – like to go fast but sometimes cruisey, use the whole mountain. Enjoy kickers and the occasional mid-size jump.
Hi Grayson
Thanks for your message.
I think they’re a good match for the Flagship – good match flex-wise. And a good match to what you’re describing as well. They are a burly enough binding to handle speed and bigger carves, but have enough forgiveness that they’re not too unforgiving for when you’re riding slower, more mellow. So yeah, all in all I think they’re a good match for the board and for how you’re describing your riding.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
I’m looking for new bindings
I wear salomon Hi Fi boots and I have pain in my heel because of the bindings I use.
What is the best option for bindings?
I’m thinking burton cartel X
Hi Pedro
Thanks for your message.
Can you let me know a little more info. What board will you be putting the bindings on? What bindings are causing the problem and what size are they? What size are your Hi-Fis? Also a little bit about your riding style would help too. E.g. do you bomb? Big carves? Or more cruisey? Trees? Park/Freestyle? Powder? Anything about your typical riding style.
Good morning Nate,
my style is all mountain, i go down black rails and some jumps,
I use a Pathron Legend board and my boots are EUR40.5/ USA8
I’ve been looking at the Salomon Highlander bindings and they look good too
Thanks for your help
Hi Pedro
Thanks for the extra info.
I don’t have any experience with the Pathron Legend, so can’t say for sure, but what I could find out about it sounds like it’s got a medium-stiff flex. So flex-wise, the Highlander would be a good match. And would work for how you describe your riding style as well.
You can find some other similar options here, but the Highlander should work fine. If you do go Highlander, the Medium is the size you should go with. Not sure what would have been causing the heel problem with your old bindings, so no guarantees that would be fixed, but in terms of matching your style and board, the Highlander are a good match, IMO.
thank you very much for your opinion 🙂
You’re very welcome Pedro. Hope you have an awesome season!
Thanks Nate.
I might will get the Highlander.
Hi Nate, How are you?
I have consider to buy the Highlander bindings
Because I am very keen to flexible heel cup of shadow fit.
But my board is gnu riders choice and boots is Salomon Hi-fi
which is soft flex 4/10? plastic heel cup hold very well though.
So do you think High lander will be hanging well with my other boys?
Thank you.
Hi Bo
Thanks for your message.
The Highlander is the stiffest I would put on the Rider’s Choice, but it’s within range – just at the top end of the range, IMO. If you were to go any stiffer, I think they would start to make the board feel a bit twitchy, but I think you should be good with the Highlander on that board. IMO the Salomon Hi-Fi are more like 5/10 to 5.5/10 flex-wise (though could feel softer than that depending on how long you’ve had them). So, a very similar flex to the board, so same deal there.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
I thought of getting a pair of these and the Slash ATV 159W. I currently posess Salomon Hologram bindings and I am riding Bataleon boards (especially the Boss) since years. They improved my riding, but I need something less forgiving now to improve further. Especially for aggressive carving I had some troubles with my setup, as of my boot size MP 29 (Salomon Synapse Focus Boa). Though I‘m perfectly happy for butters and spins on the slope. I‘ll see what‘s doable with this board. Do you think the Highlander bindings provide the necessary flexibility to the otherwise torsionally stiff ATV?
I‘ve also had a look at Gigi Rüfs combo with the contact pro or on other Union Bindings like the Strata. The Atlas seems to be not forgiving and flexible enough for my point of view. I‘m 183 cm and -85 kg. I have to admir so far I‘m a big fan of the Hologram bindings, but as there‘d be quite a discount on board and bindings if I buy it together I thought I could get a new pair of bindings too.
Would be nice to hear your comment about it.
Thank you for your awesome reviews I enjoyed reading them.
Hi Luki
Thanks for your message.
I think the Highlander would pair well with the ATV – and would be a better match to the ATV too, IMO, being a little stiffer than the Hologram. I personally wouldn’t go as soft as the Contact Pro on the ATV, but the Strata could work. I’d personally go Falcor on the ATV, if I was to go Union. But given you’ve liked your Holograms, I think the Highlander would be a good bet (very nice bindings, IMO and a good match).
Hope this helps