Hello and welcome to my Union Atlas bindings review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Atlas’ as All-Mountain-Freeride snowboard bindings.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Atlas’ a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other All-Mountain-Freeride bindings.
Overall Rating
Bindings: Union Atlas 2021
Price: $329
Style: All-Mountain-Freeride
Other Uses: All-Mountain
Flex Rating: Baseplate = 7/10 | Highback = 7/10 (based on Union's flex slider graphs)
Flex Feel: Medium-Stiff (6.5/10)
Rating Score: 85.6/100
Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings
Out of the 16 Men’s All-Mountain-Freeride bindings that I rated:
Overview of the Atlas’ Specs
Check out the tables for the Atlas' specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | All-Mountain-Freeride |
Price: | $329 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Edge-to-edge: | Medium-Fast |
Weight: | Normal |
Mounts to: | 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 | Channel |
Sizing
SIZE | US BOOT SIZE | EURO BOOT SIZE | UK BOOT SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
S | 6-7.5 | 38-40.5 | 5-6.5 |
M | 8-10 | 41-43 | 7-9 |
L | 10.5+ | 43.5+ | 9.5+ |
Who are the Atlas Most Suited to?
The Atlas are best suited to anyone looking for a versatile binding, that's a little stiffer than medium, but not too stiff. Something that will match well with medium to medium-stiff flexing boards (ideally 5/10 to 7/10 flex boards) and offers a large amount of adjustability and comfort at the same time.
Too stiff for beginners, but anyone intermediate and up, looking to match to a mid to mid-stiff flexing board should be well suited to this binding.
The Atlas in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Atlas are capable of.
Demo Info
Binding: Union Atlas 2021, size M
Date: February 28, 2020
Conditions: No fresh overnight but there was the previous night. Groomers were nice. Well enough groomed with a medium snow base and a soft layer on top.
Off groomer good too - not fresh like it was the previous day but medium - not hard or crunchy or anything.
Visibility variable. Temp was -3°C (26.6°F) with wind but didn't feel overly cold to start. Wind picked up and was quite a chilly wind later on.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 550mm (21.7″)
Board demoed with: Rossignol One LF 2018, 159
Baseplate Length: 24.4cm (9.6")*
*measured on the top side of the footbed (gas pedal all the way in) - a little bit of angle down to underside of baseplate which was 23cm (9.05").
Baseplate with gas pedal extended: 25.4cm (10")
Highback Height: 21cm (8.3")*
* from bottom of heel cup to top of highback.
Height from Bottom of Baseplate to top of Highback: 27.2cm (10.7")
Weight: 940 grams (2lbs, 1oz)*
* for one binding, including screws and disc. The average weight of a small sample size of around 30 bindings (2019, 2020 & 2021 models) I weighed, was 895 grams. The lightest was 760 grams and the heaviest was 1,020grams. So the Atlas is just slightly heavier than normal based on those samples.
2021 Model
I tested the 2020 model and I wouldn't don't test a binding two years in a row unless there have been significant changes. But there have been significant changes between the 2020 and 2021 models, so I had to retest them (see end of this section for details on the changes).
Sizing
With my old Vans Aura snowboard boots (size 10), I easily fit in a Union medium with plenty of room to spare - would definitely be confident getting a 10.5 and possibly even 11 of that, and other low profile boots, into a medium Union. With my Salomon Lo-Fi (size 10 but not very low profile), it maxed out the toe strap.
Still fit in fine in the Lo-Fi size 10, but I wouldn't be that confident going to a 10.5. So for a bulkier boot, I would go to the large size for the Atlas for 10.5 and up - but for lower profile boots, you should be able to get a 10.5 in the medium fine.
Flex
Whilst the new flex ratings from Union for the 2021 Atlas look to show the Atlas as stiff as the Falcor, I would say that they're still just a hair softer. Not by much at all, very similar, but subtly softer overall, IMO. 6.5/10 vs 7/10 for the Falcor.
Also on the flex slider from Union, it makes the Atlas look just a touch softer than the Atlas FC, but I rode the 2 the same day and the Atlas FC felt considerably stiffer - more like 9/10.
Union also now rates the highback and baseplate as stiff as each other, but I would still say that the highback is softer.
Responsiveness
These bindings allow you to get into a deeper, harder carve than the average binding. But they balance that well with still allowing maneuverability at slower speeds. You get a little more on a carve vs my test bindings (Burton Malavita) but just that slight bit less maneuverability at slower speeds.
Board Feel/Butterability
The board feel is decent, given they don't have a mini-disc or anything. But not as good as say the Strata or Falcor (or my test bindings).
Pop/Ollie Power
Didn't notice any less or more than my test bindings or typical bindings. I find it's only very few bindings that actually make this better or worse. The Falcor just that little bit better in this respect.
Adjustability
One of the more adjustable bindings going around.
Heel Cup: Yes - which is great for centering boots - which in turn frees up the disc to be run horizontally for more stance width options.
Stance Width: Can run disc vertically and horizontally
Highback Lean: Yes, tool-less
Ankle Strap Position: No
Toe Strap Position: Yes
Ankle and toe strap length: Tool-less
Gas pedal/toe ramp extension: Yes
Highback Rotation: Sort of
Compatible with: 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 | Channel
So basically the only adjustability it doesn't have is being able to move the position of the ankle strap.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Shock Absorption
Really good in this area. Probably a little better than the old Atlas. The footbed doesn't feel overly soft to the touch, but it's thick enough and the most important thing is that it does provide good dampness against chatter and good shock absorption on flat landings.
Entry/Exit
I found the ankle strap to be smoother than the previous Atlas - and even a little smoother than on the Strata and Falcor. Similar in smoothness to the Malavita (my test bindings) - and I found the Atlas FC to be the same.
Comfort
Overall nice and comfortable.
Ankle Strap: Nice strap and a good upgrade. Still prefer the Falcor/Strata strap, but I really like those, so this is a really good ankle strap.
Toe Strap: Had no issues with the toe strap - seemed to do the job nicely.
Canted Footbed: Yes
Padded Footbed: Some good padding in the footbed and good shock absorption.
Highback: Some padding there, but the main thing is that there's no calf bite or anything like that. The highback feels quite soft flexing compared to the overall flex feel of the binding, and that helps too with comfort.
Ankle Support
Good ankle support on these bindings - this has really improved over the years on this and other Union bindings. Still no option for a higher ankle strap position, which some might like, but I liked it where it was and wouldn't change a thing.
Changes for the 2021 Model
What's changed for the 2021 model - well basically everything. The easier question might be to ask what hasn't changed. Well overall, the flex feels about the same, strangely - given all the changes they made and given how Union rates the flex. But to me it seems very similar flex-wise.
But to sum up the changes:
- The Ankle strap is new
- The toe strap is new
- The baseplate is new
- The highback is new
- The heelcup is new
- The bushings are new
So, basically everything!
Changes for 2020 model
There were a few changes for the 2020 model:
1. The ankle strap has changed to the "Exoframe 2.0 Direct Connect with hinge" from the "Exoframe" on the 2019 model. This is a subtle improvement. It's a bigger improvement vs the 2018 model (which were already pretty good, IMO). So yeah basically really nice ankle strap!
2. New "Hexgrip w Secure Lock" toe strap. This is a good improvement from the "Ultragrip X" on the 2018 & 2019 models.
3. The baseplate has changed from a "Duraflex ST" to a "Duraflex CB". This essentially means there is there is now some carbon in the material for the baseplate to help to make it stiffer but also reducing the weight.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.0 | 24/30 |
BOARD FEEL | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 8/10 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 85.6/100 |
Overall, the Atlas is a great all-round binding, that's nice and responsive and really comfortable and nice and damp, with smooth entry/exit and good ankle support... you get the picture, it's basically good across all areas.
And it's one of the more adjustable bindings you'll find, so should have no problem fitting any boot well and any board well, given you get the right size.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you’re interested in Union’s Atlas bindings, are ready to buy or want to research current prices or availability, check out the links below.
- US
- CANADA
If you want to check out some other all-mountain-freeride type bindings or want to compare the Atlas to others, check out the next link.
Hello and welcome to my Union Atlas bindings review.
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Atlas are capable of.
Hi Nate,
Do you know the baseplate length of size L Atlas. I made a purchase of Capita Kazu Kokubo 157+Union Atlas L. My foot is mondo 280cm, but my current boots are 285. I ride front foot +15deg and back foot -9deg. Will i have binding overhang?
So i am wondering whether I should’ve purchased size M bindings.
Great site, keep up the good work.
Hi Niko
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t measured the baseplate on the L Atlas, just the M. But I would say you’re probably fine there – just based on the M and on the difference between M and L in other Union bindings. The bottom of the baseplate on the Atlas is 23cm. The bottom of the baseplate on the Force M is around 24.5cm. The bottom of the baseplate on the L Force is 26.3cm (from what I’ve been told by others, but I haven’t measured it myself). So my guess would be that the L Atlas would be around 24.8cm give or take. The footbed on the Atlas is longer and based on other sizes, the footbed is likely around 26.5cm.
The Kazu is around 26.2cm at the back insert, but with a 9 degree angle, I don’t think you would get any binding overhang. And if you do it would only be the footbed, which of course sits higher up, and only very very minimal and nothing that would be worried about. Of course no guarantees, but based on this I think you would be fine with the L Atlas on the 157 Kazu.
In terms of fitting into the M, depending on the brand/model of your boots you might be OK to fit in the M, but I think you will be fine with the L on that board anyway.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
I just bought the 2021 Yes Standard (in large part thanks to your review) and I am looking for some new bindings to pair with it. I do a little bit of everything when I ride, from powder to park, which is why I wanted the versatility of the Standard. I am looking at both the Union Atlas and Falcor. Which of those two would you recommend for the Standard? I’m also open to suggestions if you think another binding might be better. Also, would there be any issue with the Falcor’s mini disc in using the Standard’s slamback inserts?
Thanks!
Hi Jake
Thanks for your message.
Glad you mentioned the slam backs. Before I read that part, I was going to say go Atlas, because you won’t be able to use the slam backs with the mini disc on the Falcor. Also I think the Atlas is very subtly a better flex match to the Standard. Very little difference, IMO, but just subtly. And yeah, because you can use the Slam Backs with the Atlas, that’s the way I would be leaning for you, with the Standard.
Hope this helps
Great thank you! Keep up the awesome work with these reviews, they really helped me out a lot.
You’re very welcome Jake. Happy riding!
Hi Nate
I have a Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker 2021 – 161W.
Which binding would you recommend me? The Atlas or the Strata? I ride more relaxed.
Hi Paul
Thanks for your message.
Not really a wrong choice there, but I would be leaning towards Strata in this case. Just mildly softer and subtly a better match for the Terrain Wrecker.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate, would the 2021 Atlas Kazu share all the upgrades? I noticed that the ankle strap is different from regular Atlas. In fact, it appears to be the same strap as the 2021 Strata. Thoughts? Thanks.
Hi Ben
Thanks for your message. I hadn’t looked closely at the Kazu Atlas until you mentioned it there – but you’re right it does have a different strap, which is the same as the strap on the 2021 Strata (the Forma Lab ankle strap as opposed to the Exoframe 3.0 on the Atlas. Everything else looks to be the same as with the regular Atlas, but it gets that upgraded ankle strap.
Both straps are really nice, so there’s not going to be a huge difference there – however, I do slightly prefer the Forma Lab over the Exoframe 3.0 personally.
So yeah it shares all the upgrades that the regular Atlas got, in addition to one extra upgrade, by the looks of it.
Oh and I just noticed it’s also got a different toe strap to the regular Atlas. I don’t notice a massive difference between the Hexagrip and the TS-3.0 Ultragrip Wide, so not really a downgrade or upgrade there, IMO.
Hello I have bought a lib tech orca and I am between union falcor union atlas and burton cartel x .who would you suggest to me and why?
Hi Giannis
Thanks for your message.
I would personally probably lean towards the Falcor, because I really like those bindings – but also because I think they’re a slightly better flex-match for the Orca and they’re a harder driving binding, and I think the Orca needs a hard driver. All would work, but I would be leaning Falcor. I haven’t ridden the Cartel X yet, but on paper they would be suitable too. I would likely still lean Falcor, just because they have a longer baseplate and the Orca is a wider board (just to gain a little more leverage on the edges). Not a deal breaker, but that would be one thing I would be considering for that board, depending on the size of bindings and the size Orca that you have.
Hope this helps
thanks nate you help me very much i found the ultra union 2020 with 60 %sale and i took it.
i believe its very similar with falcor.and i believe its a good choice.What is your opinion?
Hi Giannis
I wouldn’t say the Falcor and Ultra are super similar. They’ve got a different feel. They have a similar flex to the baseplate, but a stiffer highback, and from my feel felt stiffer overall than the Falcor. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though on the Orca. I think it will match the Orca just fine. But will feel a little stiffer than the Falcor would have, IMO.
Hi
What Do u think Abou matching Jones Flagship 19 with Atlas 20 or 21? I am thinking about Falcor as well. Cant really decide which one to buy.cheers
Hi Jakub
I would go Falcor over Atlas for the 2019 Flagship. Just that little bit more drive out of the Falcor, and the 2019 Flagship needs a hard driver, IMO. The Atlas would work, but I think the Falcor would be the slightly better option. The Atlas FC would be a really good match too, but I understand the price of the Atlas FC is pretty prohibitive to most.
Hope this helps
How do you think this would pair up with the new Capita Black Snowboard of death? Thinking about these or the new Rome D.O.D. bindings, but also open to other suggestions.
Hi Kenny
I think the Atlas would work well on the BSOD. I don’t test Rome gear, so not sure about the D.O.D. In general, I would try to match the BSOD with anything around a 7/10 flex. The Atlas is close to that, and would work, IMO. And is a very good pair of bindings, IMO, outside of just looking at flex.
Check out the following if you wanted to look at other options:
>>Top 5 All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
Thanks for the review. I’m a high-intermediate rider who likes all-mountain freeriding, tree-runs, powder, jumps on natural kickers.
I currently ride a 2018 Salomon Sight with Salomon District bindings and a 10.5 Salomon Hi-Fi (28.5 cm) boot. Both the board and bindings are quite soft and I’m considering making that combo into my park/freestyle board and using my 2020 Yes Pick Your Line (159) as my do-everything board.
For this I need to pick out a good pair of bindings and I’m trying to decide between the Union Falcor, Union Atlas, and Burton Cartel. Which do you recommend?
Hi Zee
Thanks for your message.
For the PYL, I would be leaning towards the Falcors. I think they’re the best flex match and overall a very good pair of bindings. The Atlas and Cartel would certainly work with it, but, IMO, the Falcor would be the best choice of the 3.
Been riding unions for years but really have been thinking of making the switch to Flux. Have you ridden the tm’s? You obviously like the XF’s, comparison?
Hi Rob
Thanks for your message.
I have ridden the TMs – and they’re also very good bindings. Flux are pretty consistently good across their line I have found, from the models I have tried. I slightly prefer the XF over the TM, but mostly because of personal preference I think. I found the XFs were just that little bit more forgiving, and with slightly better board feel – partly because they’re slightly softer flexing and partly because they have slightly shorter high backs. But forgiveness is a personal preference thing. I found the XFs struck a really good balance (for me) in terms of being responsive but still with enough forgiveness.
But for more details, check out the following:
>>Flux TM Full Review
>>Flex XF Full Review
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
Thanks for your reviews. The breadth of your coverage really helps me make informed decisions. Please keep up the great work.
Question. I urgently need to replace my Union Atlas for an upcoming trip. I’m riding a Jones Ultra Mountain Twin and am considering my binding options. I’ve never been a park rat, but have enjoyed hitting natural features all around.
In an ideal world, I’d be hitting back country pow day in day out. Given weather conditions, the reality is that towards the end of last season, I’ve enjoyed bombing/ carving a lot more technically on groomers and have enjoyed dialling all my gear super tight and responsive. How would the Flux XF compare to the Atlas? Should I go for a Union Falcor or Flux XV if I want an even faster response?
Hi Rafael
Thanks for your message.
I would personally prefer the XF or Falcor on the Ultra Mountain Twin than the Atlas. Just a little bit more responsive, and better in terms of board feel, IMO. But if you really want dialled-in, stiff and responsive, then something like the XV would be the way to go.
Something like one of these would be good options in that case (which includes the XV):
>>Top 5 Freeride Bindings
If you want just that little bit more forgiveness but still great response, then I would say the XF or Falcor are the best bets.
Hope this helps