Hello and welcome to my top 5 best freestyle snowboard bindings for men for the 2021/22 season.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com, the bindings will each get a rating out of 100, based on how well they perform as freestyle bindings.
Comparison Stats
Of 17 different freestyle bindings that I rated:
O.k. let’s get right into the top 5!
FREESTYLE BINDING #5
Bindings: Arbor Hemlock
- US
- UK
Smart rating score: 80.0/100
Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)
Starting the list at #5, we have Arbor's Hemlock bindings.
If you're looking for a softer flexing binding for more playful freestyle riding or if you're a lighter rider, the Hemlock has you covered - and provides good board feel and shock absorption and all for a really reasonable price.
Check out the Video Below for More Info
Score Breakdown for the Hemlock
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 24/30 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 20/25 |
RESPONSE | 3.0 | 9/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 80.0/100 |
FREESTYLE BINDING #4
Bindings: Burton Mission
- US
- UK
Price: View More Info and Current Prices Here (CAN)
Smart rating score: 83.7/100
Flex: Medium (5/10)
In at #4, we have the Burton Mission.
A great mid-flexing option for freestyle riding. If you like things a little bigger in the park or if you're a bigger rider, you might prefer the slightly stiffer flex of these versus something like the Hemlock or 2 of the bindings to come.
The Mission have really good board feel and shock absorption too, as well as all-round decent quality.
Check out the Video Below for More Info
Score Breakdown for the Mission
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 24/30 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
RESPONSE | 3.0 | 9/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 83.7/100 |
FREESTYLE BINDING #3
Bindings: K2 Line Up
- CA
Smart rating score: 84.2/100
Flex: Medium-soft (4/10)
Coming in at the #3 spot are the K2 Lineup.
The Lineup features K2's tripod baseplate technology which works with contact points in your feet, their tweakback highback for better tweaking and overall they give great board feel and have response that feels a little better than their softer flex would suggest.
Check out more on the Lineup bindings in the video below
Score Breakdown for the Line Up
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
BOARD FEEL | 5.0 | 30/30 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 17.5/25 |
RESPONSE | 3.0 | 9/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 84.2/100 |
FREESTYLE BINDING #2
Bindings: Burton Malavita
- US
- UK
Price: View More Info and Current Prices Here (CAN)
Smart rating score: 90.0/100
Flex: Medium (5.5/10)
>>See Full Review (Re:Flex Model)
>>See Full Review (EST Model)
Next up, in the #2 position for 2021-22, we have the Burton Malavita.
They manage to be a stiffer flexing binding (for this particular list) great for those larger jumps, but without sacrificing board feel.
They are the stiffest on this list – but still aren’t super-stiff - a nice medium flex (softer base plate and slightly stiffer high back). They’re great for going big in the park, but they can also handle smaller jumps and features just as well, as well as being great for doing butters etc. And a lot of that comes down to some awesome board feel.
They are also nice and shock absorbent – which is great if you’re going to landing jumps, ollies etc all day.
On top of all that they are super comfortable, highly adjustable, have a decent response level and are just good high quality bindings, all round – something you can use in and out of the park, but still freestyle oriented.
Check out the Video for more on the Malavitas
Score Breakdown for the Malavita Re:Flex
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
BOARD FEEL | 4.5 | 27/30 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
RESPONSE | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 9/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 90.0/100 |
Score Breakdown for the Malavita EST
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
BOARD FEEL | 5.0 | 30/30 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 20/25 |
RESPONSE | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 91.1/100 |
FREESTYLE BINDING #1
Bindings: Union Contact Pro
- US
- UK
Price: View More Info and Current Prices Here (CAN)
Smart rating score: 93.2/100
Flex: Medium-soft (4/10)
And finally in the #1 spot, we have the Contact Pro.
The Contact Pro are as good as it gets for riding freestyle, IMO, if you want something with just that slightly softer than medium flex. They have been a mainstay in this list over the years, and for good reason.
They absorb shock really well – which makes those inevitable (hopefully only occasionally) flat landings less vibratory (and yes that is a word – I looked it up! 🙂 . It also keeps your feet and legs from getting fatigued as quickly and helps to absorb chatter in bumpy and hard terrain.
They have amazing board feel too, thanks, at least in part, to their mini-disc.
And just overall, these are really well made, comfortable and smooth bindings.
If you are looking for bindings that kill it on the park laps but still handle the rest of the mountain (in a surfy, more casual kind of way) and don't want to lighten your wallet too much, then the Contact Pros should be near or at the top of your shortlist.
Learn More about the Union Contact Pros in the video below
Score Breakdown for Contact Pros
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
BOARD FEEL | 5.0 | 30/30 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 5.0 | 25/25 |
RESPONSE | 3.0 | 9/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 9/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93.2/100 |
Thanks for Reading
Thanks for reading. That’s my top 5 freestyle bindings for 2021/22.
If you’re interested in any of the above bindings check out the links under each binding for more info and current prices.
When you build your first setup this year and you bought the #1 bindings! Lets goo! I even got the gigi colorway you put in, it looks and works great with my 22 rome machanic. Super fun playful board in the park and fun crusier/ bombing hills! Couldn’t recommend the bindings enough, except that I broke my arm midway through the season 😂
Hey Nate, thanks for all the helpful infos! Have you ridden the Flight Pros? I’m looking at the Contact Pro and Mission but also being cheap. Wondering where the Flight Pros fit into your rankings.
Hi AMac
Thanks for your message.
I have ridden the Flite Pros. You can check out my review of them here. On certain boards, you would be fine with the Flite Pros, but largely depends on the board your riding and how you like to ride, as to whether they would be a good choice or not.
Use would be slow to mid-speed blues on a soft, pressable freestyle twin or sometimes a NS Harpoon. I’m borrowing a friend’s Union Force and K2 Darko boots, which are both supposedly mid-flex but feel like 10/10 stiffness to me coming from old ultra broken-in gear (20 year old boots and 14yo Mission bindings are soft like mashed potatoes but I’m used to that after so long). I’ll use those Force bindings on my aggressive camber board for bombing and carving but they felt too stiff for slow speed spins and butters and general dicking around, where I definitely need some more forgiveness. Thanks!
Hey Nate not sure where my reply went, sorry if you get this twice. Looks like I just couldn’t find your Flite Pros review with my quick typo search (Flight vs Flite), my bad. Of course you lay it down super clearly in the dedicated reviews as always. For the moderate speed buttering/spinning/jumping freestyle riding I want to do on both a soft twin and sometimes my NS Harpoon it seems clear it’s the Contact Pro. Maybe the Hemlock or Mission, too, depending on what I can find in stock for the same price, but my first choice is the Contact Pro based on how you’ve laid it all out. Your Evo affiliate link doesn’t have the mediums in stock or I would have snagged them already!
Hi AMac
Yeah, I would be leaning Contact Pros as well for what you’re describing and the boards you’re looking to pair with. Particularly if you’re finding the Force really stiff, then I think the Contact Pros should be a good match, particularly with your freestyle board. But yeah, the Hemlock would certainly work. And the Mission too, but the Mission are just a little stiffer (by my feel) than the Contact Pro and Hemlock. And likely stiffer than your 14 year old missions. But the Missions still softer, in my experience than the Force.
Couldn’t find the Contact Pros in stock anywhere so I went with the 2022 Hemlocks, which nicely were also on sale at Evo. Your affiliate link goes automatically to the 2023 Hemlocks at full price, so I made my own link with your code for the 2022 model! Thanks, Nate, can’t wait to ride em.
Hi AMac
Awesome that you were able to find a deal on the 22 Hemlock’s – and thanks for making the link, much appreciated!
Thanks for the elaborate review Nate! Crazy how the contact pro keep on topping the lists every season. I use them on a capitah ultrafear, which gives a super light weight and skatey setup. Absolutely love it!
Hey Nate,
My current snowboard is a 2020 Gnu Headspace, I am looking into buying a new set of bindings for this board. I ride park often, mostly riding large jumps and trying tricks on rails. What bindings do you recommend?
Hi Arjen
Thanks for your message.
Everything in this list would match the board, IMO, but I would be leaning either Contact Pro or Malavita. Malavita if you want a bit of extra response and something that’ll feel more solid for larger jumps. The Contact Pro, if you wanted a bit more of a playful feeling. Headspace/Contact Pro probably better for rails and Headspace/Malavita better for large jumps. But the Malavita will still be fine with rails and the Contact Pro fine with large jumps, but it just depends on which you wanted to optimize.
Hope this helps
Hey Nate, I have been trying to decide on the Malavita’s maybe you can help me straighten out my needs…. I am a level 5/5+ Maybe even a 6 on good days, rider who generally spends my time these days finding small hits and rollers off the side of the groomers while my kids figure out and start sharing my love of snowboarding. We are predominantly on green and blue runs. I do venture into the terrain park for some medium size jumps. I am currently riding a 166 MW Arbor Element Black Rocker. Over all it is a fun deck but feel a good binding would help it and me out. I am currently on Basic drake bindings. I am 6’3 and 225 boot is 13.5. Any thoughts on malavitas working for my set up? Or would you suggest a board and binding overhaul? If so what would you recommend? Thanks for all the good info you have posted.
Hi Richard
Thanks for your message.
I think the Malavitas would be a great choice for what you’re describing. A good flex match to the Element Black Rocker, not so stiff that you can’t slow it down and play around with your kids, great bindings for freestyle stuff, and not so soft that they lack response or are too soft for spring out of turns.
You could look at another board that had a bit more camber in it, to get a bit more spring out of turns and a bit more in terms of pop – for the style you’re describing, I think something from the following would be a good bet. But what I would do, is get the Malavitas (or whatever binding you decide on, but I think the Malavitas would work well) and ride them on your Element Black for a while and see how you go – you might find that it’s enough to satisfy you for now. And then, if you still feel like you want to change boards you can, and if you feel you don’t need to you don’t have to.
>>My Top All-Mountain-Freestyle Snowboards
Hope this helps with your decision
Hey Nate,
Based on your reviews I got the Malavitas and they’re amazing! I combined them with a Gnu Space Case 156 and Thirty Two Binary Boas and it’s a killer setup!
Thanks for the great reviews on everything. I check what you say when looking into new gear. As you can see I ended up getting your #1 freestyle board and freestyle binding picks. A++++!
Big Al
Hi Big Al
You’re very welcome. Definitely sounds like a killer setup!
Hi Nate,
I like your reviews very much. Make long story short, I’m 173cm & 70kg would like to buy Contact Pro and Rome Buckshot (151cm) as my first purchase as I’m borrow my friend’s board (cheap package board stiff & heavy 154cm) in past few year. I like parks and sometime all mountain. is it a good purchase? or any suggestion from your pro’s? Thank you!
Hi Andy
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t ridden the Buckshot personally but it sounds like a good size for you, IMO, given that you like to ride the park. And based on the specs, it looks like it would be suited to how you like to ride. The contact Pros would match well with it, IMO and are one of the better park/freestyle bindings out there, IMO. So yeah, without actually having ridden the Buckshot, that set up sounds like it would work well for you.
Hope this helps
Thanks Nate, much much appreciate of your reply. At least I knew I’m not going wrong with Contact Pro. When I got it, I will share my un-profession review to you.
Cheers
You’re very welcome Andy. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the board and bindings.
Hey Nate,
I am looking for new bindings to pair with my K2 Fastplant.
I ride on the east coast and am looking for all mountain freestyle binding (emphasis on the freestyle).
I am considering Nitro Zero, Nitro Team (too stiff?) and K2 Lien FS.
Would appreciate any insights you have on these bindings.
Thanks,
Mike
Hi Mike
I don’t currently test Nitro gear, so I couldn’t say for sure with the Zero or the Team but from what others say about the flex of them, I would say that the Team sounds like it would be too stiff for the Fastplant/how you’re describing your style of riding. The Zero would be a little better in terms of flex to match the Fastplant, IMO. The Lien FS would be a good match, IMO.
You could also check out these, which are labelled “all-mountain” but what I would consider “all-mountain-freestyle” (i also have a separate all-mountain-freeride list).
>>Top 5 All Mountain Bindings
Hope this helps
Hi Nate, your reviews are always very helpful, keep doing this with the same passion! I would like to ask you which binding do you you recommend for Burton custom camber? I usually do free riding, buttering and some small jumps. I’m between the malavitas and the cartels. Thanks in advance!
Hi Konstantinos
Both would definitely work with the Custom – there are advantages to either.
The Cartels are a little more responsive, IMO – so they will get you just a little more response out of the board.
The Malavitas have a little better board feel – so they’re going to feel a little nicer for buttering on.
So it’s really about weighing up which is most important. I think I would be leaning towards the Cartels for the Custom Camber, just to get a little more power into the board – and the Cartels have pretty good board feel too – just not quite at the level of the Malavitas (but the Malavitas have better board feel than most bindings out there, IMO).
Hope this helps
I have the Contact Pros as well as the Malavitas and love them both. I find the Malavitas a little more responsive but the biggest thing I notice between the two is how light the Contact Pros are. There is a noticeable difference and just makes the entire board + binding package feel so light under foot.
Hi Sean
Thanks for your input.
Union definitely makes some super light bindings and that does give a great feel, IMO. Appreciate your thoughts.
Hi Nate,
It’s me again. I’ve already received the UNION CONTACT PRO 2018 and they are awesome! It’s just what I was looking for, and perfect for my board (SLASH HAPPY PLACE) since they allow total board flex thanks to their mini disc. So, first things first, thank you for the advice, you were totally right, it was a great set up. The problem is that the screw that holds the hellstrap to the binding loosens every now and again and when I search it on forum I see it’s something common with UNION bindings. I contacted the shop and they are gonna give me the money back. The thing is that I loved those bindings, but of course I can’t rely on UNION bindings again, so… Could you recommend something really really really similar to UNION CONTACT PRO. I mean, same flex, not to much contact with the board so it allows natural board feel and flex, shock absorbers and also without forgetting that, as I told you in before posts, I also want a reasonable response.
Thank you so much in advance!
Hi Antonio
Sucks that you had issues with the straps as it sounds like you otherwise were really happy with them.
I would say that the Burton Malavita is a good option. It’s going to have that same great board feel and shock absorption. Though it will be a little stiffer flexing. Still a close enough match for the Happy Place, IMO. and going to give you similar response as the Contact Pro.
You could look at something like the Lien FS as well – I didn’t think quite as good response or shock absorption as Contact Pros/Malavitas – but still great board feel.
Hope this gives you some options
Thanks!
I was thinking about Malavita or mission…
Do you think there is a significant difference between Burton Malavita and Mission?
Hi Antonio
Yeah, there are a few differences between the Malavita and Missions. The Missions are more like the Cartels. I would say the main differences are, in my experience:
~ The Missions are a little stiffer than the Malavitas, so if you’re looking for something close to the flex of the Contact Pros, the Malavitas would be closer in that respect.
~ The Malavitas have slightly better board feel – all Burton bindings, IMO, have pretty good board feel, so the Mission’s certainly won’t feel dead underfoot, but the Malavitas just that little bit better, in that respect.
~ The Malavitas are a little more comfortable and a bit more shock absorbing in my experience – but again, there’s not that much in it – both are good in those areas.
Overall, I’d say that the Malavita’s are more freestyle oriented than the Missions and are closer overall to the Contact Pros than the Mission’s are.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate!
I’m intermediate level but not used to do any buttering or park. I’d like to start with that so I’ve just bought a Slash Happy Place 2018 and now I’m looking for boots and bindings. For the boots I firstly got the Burton Moto but I’m gonna change them for the Ruler which are a bit stiffer but still soft (what do you think?) And for the bindings I was thinking of the Burton Mission, but after reading your post the Union Contact Pro may be a good option. The thing is that I’ve read in other websites that de Union Contact Pro are quite stiff (7/10) whereas the mission are like 5/10. What do you think about the boots and the bindings? Should I get one of those or may be something softer? I’d like to start with some buttering and park (small jumps) but without forgetting going down the mountain (not in powder, in the runs)
Thanks!!
Hi Antonio
Thanks for your message.
Since you still want reasonable response but really want the bindings to be good for buttering, I think the Contact Pros would be ideal. Not sure who thinks they are 7/10 flexing but they are definitely not that stiff. I would say Contact Pro 4/10 and Mission 6/10 – and the 2018 Missions possibly stiffer than that again. The Missions tend to be like the previous season’s Cartels, but for 2018 they have they’re own high back. If you wanted something around that 5/10 flex you could look at something like the Burton Genesis which is also good for buttering but I think the Contact Pro is a great choice and just as responsive, even if they are a little softer.
In terms of boots, I would say that the Ruler would work with your setup. The Moto would too, but the Ruler would give you a bit more response compared to the Moto – and if the Ruler feels like it hold your heel better that’s also a plus for the ruler. I would say Ruler is 5/10 flex and the Moto 3/10. If I was you, I’d go with the Ruler.
Hope this helps
Thanks for the reply Nate!
Sorry for sending the message twice but the first time I though there had been a problem and didn’t send. I’ll listen to you and go for the Union Contact Pro, according to the review and what you just told me they’ll fit better to my riding.
Thanks again!!
Hi Antonio
You’re very welcome. Happy riding!
Hi Nate,
I’m considered intermediate and I want to start with some park and buttering (above all buttering) (which I’ve never done before). I’ve just got the Slash happy place 2018 and now I’m not sure about the boots, burton moto or burton ruler (Those are the only I can get in town and I want to try them before buying so forget The internet). The same for the bindings, what would you recommend? As I told you I want to start with buttering and park but continue going down the hill so they should have certain response. I was thinking of Burton Ruler (which is a bit stiffer than moto and holds the heels better as well) with the Burton Mission. But after reading your post I’m doubting. Maybe The Union Contact Pro is better, but I’ve read in other webpages that the stiffness of de Union Contact is 7/10 which seem not soft at all…
Thanks!!
Hi Nate,
I have a K2 HIT MACHINE ENJOYER SNOWBOARD 155.
I am looking at getting a new pair of bonding this year and have been looking at the Union Contact Pros. I have size 10(UK) 32TM boots.
I like riding on and a little piste with a bit of park. I’m looking to improve my buttering and jibbing this season.
Do you think this set up would work or would you recommend a different binding?
Thanks
Ant
Hi Antony
I think the Contact Pros would be a good match for the hit machine and for what you’re describing. And is definitely good for butters and jibbing, IMO.
In terms of size, generally I would say go for large for UK10s – but the 155 Hit Machine has a 247mm waist, which is quite narrow – so I would be a bit concerned that the Large bindings could end up being too big. Union says that their medium bindings are good for up to UK10s, and if you could get on mediums, I’d say they’d be a safer bet for your board. I have US10s and I prefer Medium for Union but I couldn’t say for sure how UK10s would fit in there.
However, if you already have Large bindings and find they fit on your board, then you might get away with Contact Pro Ls – but each brand is a little different, so if you don’t own Unions already then it would depend.
But yeah, the Contact Pros are a great choice, IMO – it’s just which size you go with.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
Thanks for the advise. I’m just waiting to find out the length of the base plate for the Contact Pros Large. The shop is taking its time coming back to me.
Antony
You’re very welcome Antony.
Would be interested to know once you find out.
Hi,
The shop has confirmed the size of the base plate is 26.5cm for the large bindings. The width of the board is only 25cm so they’re gonna be too big.
I’m looking at burtons now as their mediums will fit a UK 10.
Any recommendations?
Thanks
Ant
Hi Antony
Yeah I suspected they might be a bit big for that board. Keeping in mind that the width at the inserts will be wider than at the waist, and that the bindings will be on an angle (unless you ride with a straight back foot). But even then I think they sound like they would be too big. I have heard that Union Large do have quite a long baseplate (I ride Mediums for Union).
I also ride Burton medium but I measured my brothers Large Cartels and the baseplate is 23.5cm long on those – with the toe ramp all the way in. With the toe ramp fully extended they can extend out to 25.5cm. My Burton Malavita Mediums are 22cm long on the baseplate and can extend out to around 23.7cm. So, you could fit on Burton Mediums, but I think Burton Large would also work on your board, if you wanted to go that way.
In terms of suitable Burton bindings, the Malavitas are my go tos for freestyle riding. That would be my first recommendation. The Genesis are also a good freestyle choice. But if you wanted something a little less pricey, then the Customs are also a good option.
Hope this helps
Hey Nate,
I ride a lot of pipe and have the flight pros, how would you say they handle for pipe riding?
Hi Rowan
I don’t ride a lot of pipe (it’s the area I have the least experience in) but I would say that ideally something a little stiffer would probably be better for the pipe. Just to give you a bit more drive for getting up the walls. The Flite Pros are great for butters, rails, small jumps, ground tricks etc and probably do the job for the pipe – but probably not ideal for the pipe.
How do you find them for the pipe? Or have you not compared them to other bindings in there?
Hi Nate,
Your articles helped me a lot with making my decisions but I got to the point where I need Your last opinion 🙂
I have signal park 2017 board and Burton photon boa 2017 boots.
I like riding freestyle, buttering, midle jumps etc, but also just ride normally with friends.
I do not know what to choose between Burton Genesis and unio contact pro or maybe something else?
Please help ! 🙂
Hi Artur
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t ridden the signal park but after doing some quick research on it, it sounds like quite a soft flexing board. Therefore, I think the Contact Pros, being the softer flexing bindings between them and the Genesis, will likely be the best match for your board.
But then again the Photon Boas are considered Medium-Stiff, so perhaps the Genesis, being stiffer would be a better match there.
It’s a tough one because both bindings will perform well for freestyle riding.
The argument for going Genesis might be that, if you were to go for a stiffer flexing board in the future then they would work on that better than the Contact Pros and then you could use your bindings for both boards.
Do you currently have bindings? If so, if they’re already a stiffer binding than the Contact Pros, then I would go for the Contact Pros – or if you don’t think you’ll get another board anytime soon.
But if you don’t have other bindings, and think that you’ll be investing in another board within the next couple of seasons, then the Genesis might be the better option – just because, they’re a bit more do-it-all than the Contact Pros. But if you’re strictly looking for freestyle bindings, then Contact Pros.
It’s a tough one, which is why I’m a bit back and forth on it. You can’t really make a bad decision between them.
Hope this gives you more to go off.
Why AM bindings and not FS?
Hi Niki
Not saying definitely go with one of those all-mountain bindings. Just that they’re also an option if you’re doing more extreme park stuff, in terms of x-large jumps and the likes. A lot of freestyle riders like a slightly stiffer flex for that type of thing.
But generally speaking something like what’s on this list would be a good match for that board – the Contact Pros and Lien FS being the most obvious.
The bindings in that list I linked you to are bindings that can do a bit of everything, so they’re still suitable to freestyle riding – they’re just a little stiffer. Particularly something like the Burton Genesis or Malavitas. Maybe the Burton Cartels might be getting a little bit further from freestyle territory.
For someone not riding any freestyle at all, then something like an all-mountain-freeride binding might be the way to go.
I would say that the Contact Pros or Lien FS are likely the best bet for your board, but I wanted to give you all the potential options. If you’re doing a lot of jibbing as well as jumps/pipe, then something like this. But if you were mainly just looking to get big air, then a bit more stiffness in flex is sometimes preferred.
Hope that makes sense and clarifies it.
Hi,
I am searching new bindigs for Nitro Chuck….Which binding would you recommend?
Hi Niki
Based on the specs/description of that board (I don’t currently demo Nitro gear so I’m going off specs) I’d say you couldn’t go past the Contact Pros – but really anything on this list would be suitable. If you tend to hit large/x-large jumps in the park quite regularly, then something slightly stiffer (but not too stiff and still with good board feel) is also an option. Something like the Burton Malavitas or something from the following list would work well:
>>Top 5 All Mountain Bindings
A bit of extra stiffness can also help if you’re a larger rider.
But the Contact Pros can definitely handle larger jumps too, so they’re definitely still a great option.
This list hasn’t yet been updated for 2017-18 yet, but I am looking to change up the scoring system a little bit (with less emphasis on flex), but some bindings here, including the Contact Pros and Lien FS, will still definitely make the list.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
I’m planning on picking up the Union Contact Pros but wanted your advice on sizing. I’m a size 8.5 boot so I guess I fit at the top of the small or at the bottom of medium. What would you recommend I go for? Is there much difference in terms of weight and flex etc. between small and medium?
Hi Nolan
Check out your other comment for my answer.
Hi Nate!
I was looking at getting new bindings and a new board for next season until recently when one of my bindings broke. I need new ones so I can still ride this season but I won’t know what kind of board I will be mounting them on.
I have a friend who swears by his Union bindings so I was looking at picking up either the Contact Pro or the Flight Pro. I like riding park and am very keen on getting better at it but I am a novice to intermediate at best. I also enjoy riding regular runs on the mountain and I am looking for a binding that will allow me to carve easily on blue runs. My question to you is: is the Flight Pro versatile enough to handle the other features of the mountain I like or should I bite the bullet and pay the extra money for the Contact Pro bindings?
Hi Ryan
If I was you I would invest in the Contact Pros. The Flite Pros are great bindings for beginners, and really Union don’t make anything that’s bad – but the Contact Pros will do a better job outside the park and also inside the park. I really like the feel of the mini disc in the contact pros – you just get that really nice board feel.
You can’t go wrong with Union, IMO, but the Contact Pros are a step up that’s worth paying a bit extra for – and they’re still a freestyle binding and they’re still on the softer side, so they’re still going to be really forgiving and easy to ride.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
I’m considered intermediate level and I wish to start picking up some Buttering and Jibbing.
Currently riding the Ride Crook board and using 2016 Ride KX bindings. The tongue ladder on the bindings is wearing off and I couldn’t find replacements.
I’m now considering getting the Union Contact Pro bindings. Do you think it’s a match with my board and intent? Do you have a few more bindings to pair? Thank you!
W
Hi W
If you are looking into Buttering and Jibbing, then I can’t think of too many better than the Union Contact Pros to be honest. They’ve got a minimal deadspot underfoot – one of the smallest deadspots I’ve ridden – and that really helps for buttering and tweaking grabs and just getting really good board feel underfoot. And yeah they’ll definitely go with your board too.
But if you want other options, then I think the following would also work well for your purpose and your board:
~ K2 Lien FS (see #2 on this list)
~ Burton Genesis (if you wanted something that’s a little stiffer flexing but still really butterable) – just make sure to get the re:flex model (not the EST) so it will fit with your board
But really I think that the Contact Pros will suit your purposes really well.
Hope this helps
Hi look to buy a new binding been riding more freestyle! But I do like to charge as well. I probably only have space for one binding when I go away . I have a yes jackpot and lib tech travis rice goldmember and Burton slx boots. Looking at the contact pro or genesis, I like the idea of the contact pro mini disc and foam Base for better flex, but maybe the Genesis is more suitable for my riding but hear great things about the union. Can you help and any advice? Thanks
Hey Edward
Sounds like an awesome set up!
So you want one set of bindings that are going to go well with both your Jackpot and your Goldmember. Personally, I think that the Genesis are one of the best bindings when it comes to riding with multiple boards so I think that will be your best bet overall. It’s a great binding for freestyle riding and would be on this list if I had classified it as a freestyle binding. But I classify it as an all-mountain binding.
If you needed bindings just for your Jackpot, then I’d say go with the Contact Pros but I think the Genesis will do a better job going between the two boards. The mini discs on the Contact Pros are definitely nice but the Genesis does have the Re:Flex base which works really well with minimizing the dead spot and flexing really well with the board.
If you do go with the Genesis just make sure that you go with the Re:flex version and not the EST version. The EST version is only for Burton boards with the Channel system.
You wouldn’t go wrong with either of these two and Union bindings are really nice – but in this case I would say the Genesis is the best option.
Hope this helps with your decision.
Cheers mate I think you are probably right! Contact pro for the jackpot would be the best but genesis better for both! Thanks for your help
How would you compare the flex between Lien FS and Lien AT? Is FS much softer than AT?
Hey. The Lien FS is definitely softer but not like super soft. Think of it as a 4 out of 10 with 1 being the softest. So it’s really a medium-soft. Whereas the Lien AT is more like a 6 out of 10 so more a medium. You could still do some freestyle in the AT but the FS would be better for it.
What about doing all-mountain with Lien FS? Too soft for it?
I would say it’s definitely doable but maybe not ideal. All mountain is kind of a broad definition but you may want the extra response of a medium flex for certain things. But if you like a playful feeling ride, like to ride freestyle outside the park and don’t do anything too extreme in terms of backcountry/speed/tree runs etc then the Lien FS could work well.