Hello and welcome to my Union Contact Pro Binding review.
In this review I will assess the Contact Pros for all of the freestyle relevant factors of the bindings to see how they perform as freestyle bindings.
As is custom at SnowboardingProfiles.com the bindings will receive a rating out of 100. This is not an exact science but will give some idea of how good the Contact Pros are as a binding for freestyle riding.
Overall Rating
Bindings: Union Contact Pro
Price: $239
Style: Freestyle
Flex Rating: Baseplate = 5/10 | Highback = 5/10 | Straps = 5/10
Flex Feel: Medium-Soft (4/10)
Rating Score: 93.2/100
Compared to other Men’s Freestyle Bindings
Out of the 17 Men’s Freestyle bindings that I rated:
Overview of the Contact Pro’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Contact Pro’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freestyle |
Price: | $239 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Weight: | Light |
Mounts To: | 2 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+ | 43.5+ | 9.5+ |
Who are the Contact Pros Most Suited To?
The Contact Pros are a great choice for anyone wanting to ride surfy, more for slashing up the mountain than carving it up. Particularly suited to those who want to ride playful freestyle. Just so fun riding playfully in these bindings!
Best matched to 3/10 to 5/10 flexing boards. I rode them with my Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker (5/10 flex by my feel) and they felt like they matched really well.
A good option for any ability level - even beginners can ride these bindings, if they're looking for a better quality beginner binding or think they'll be moving into freestyle in their future.
The Contact Pro in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Contact Pro are capable of.
Demo Info
Binding: Union Contact Pro 2022, M
Date: February 24, 2021
Conditions: Sunny! As in not a single cloud. Perfect visibility.
-4°C (25°F) and -4°C (25°F) with wind chill (as in no wind!). Felt warmer than that because of the sun.
Snow was pretty good for the most part. On groomer some harder spots but mostly medium. Off groomer medium with some crunchy spots.
24 hour snow: 2cm (0.75")
7 day snow: 45cm (18")
On groomer: Hard but not icy.
Off groomer: Crunchy with some icy patches
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 555mm (22″)
Board demoed with: Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker
Boots demoed with: Adidas Tactical ADV 9.5
Baseplate Length: 24.5cm (9.7”)*
*measured on the top side of the footbed - 24cm (9.5") at base of baseplate.
Highback Height: 20cm (7.9”)*
* from bottom of heel cup to top of highback
Height from top of footbed to top of highback: 26.3cm (10.4")
Weight: 780g (1lb 11oz)
* for one binding, including screws and disc. The average weight of a small sample size of around 45 bindings (2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 models) I weighed, was 890 grams. The lightest was 680 grams and the heaviest was 1,160grams. So the Contact Pro are a good bit lighter than average.
Mounting and Setup
Previously with Union bindings I've had to sink a screw without a washer first, then sink the 3 other screws and then remove that first screw and add the washer back before re-sinking it. I didn't have that issue on the 2022 Contact Pro, so that was nice to just be able to sink it easily without first having to sink one washer-less.
The highback lean adjuster is tool-less. The ankle strap is tool-less. But for some reason they've made it so that to adjust the toe strap you need a screw driver. Not a major thing, but just annoying.
I found I had to setup the toe strap on the second to last hole - which was quite surprising in my 9.5 low profile boots. Wasn't the case on the 2022 Falcor, but you might not want to go beyond a size 10 in these bindings, or you may not be able to get the toe strap into the optimal position.
Flex
While Union rate it 5/10 for all 3 of baseplate, highback and straps, I felt it's overall feel when riding to be around a 4/10, maybe pushing 4.5/10, but I'd say 4/10, by my feel.
Responsiveness
When it comes to big carves at highspeed, the Contact Pro isn't amazing. It's not bad (especially given the flex feel), but it's not as good as my control bindings (Malavita) and a long way back from the Falcor (which I also rode that day).
But when it comes to riding at slower speeds they are super easy to maneuver in. It made riding slow really fun - even better at slow speeds than the Malavitas, which aren't bad at all. For slower speed and playful riding, they were just super fun.
Board Feel/Butterability
Such good board feel! Just flexes so nicely with the board.
Part of that, I'm guessing, is down to the minidisc it uses and part of it because of the softer base plate. So easy to butter and press and ollie in these bindings.
Pop/Ollie Power
Just so easy to extract pop out of my control board with these bindings. Made it easier than my control bindings and easier than any other binding I tested that day. Don't think I got any more overall pop, but just helped to make the pop of the board super easy to access.
Adjustability
Heel Cup: Yes - which is great for getting your heel and toe overhang centered
Stance Width: With the mini-discs can't run the disc vertically - but there's no need to have that, with the adjustable heel cup (you'd typically only run vertically for boot centering). So with the disc running horizontally it gives you some stance width adjustability. However, being a mini-disc it's somewhat limited.
Highback Lean: Yes and tool-less
Ankle Strap Position: No
Toe Strap Position: Yes
Ankle and toe strap length: Yes and ankle strap is tool-less but toe needs a screwdriver, which is a bit annoying!
Gas pedal/toe ramp extension: No
Highback Rotation: Yes- and you get a little more rotation than on the Falcor and Flite Pro, which only have 2 slots. The Contact Pro has 3 slots for highback rotation.
Compatible with: 2 x 4 | The Channel (not compatible with 4 x 4, which means doesn't work on "slam back inserts" "float packs" - anything that has an extra set of holes 4cm behind the main insert pack and not compatible with 4 x 4 insert packs, though those are very rare these days).
Let's Break this text up with a video
Shock Absorption
These bindings absorb shock really nicely. Could really notice on flat landings and bad landings. Just a step up from my control bindings (Malavita), which are themselves very good.
Entry/Exit
Straps are quite smooth, but not super smooth. Not as smooth as my control bindings (Malavita) or on the Falcor.
Comfort
Overall, really very comfortable.
Ankle Strap: Feels like it conforms well to the foot, with no pressure points.
Toe Strap: Also conformed well and produced no pressure points.
Canted Footbed: No - this is the on thing that I'd like to see on the Contact Pros. It's not something you notice after a few laps, but accumulatively over the day and days, canting can really help, IMO.
Padded Footbed: Footbed has a good amount of padding and it's nice and cush.
Highback: Zero calf bite, which is basically everything when it comes to highback comfort. Has good amount of padding on the highback too.
Ankle Support
Sits a little lower on the ankle than most, which can limit the amount of ankle support (whilst giving a little more freedom of movement), but even with the lower positioned ankle strap it's not bad and for the way you want to ride these bindings, I think the position works as it is. Still wouldn't say no to an option to move it higher.
Changes for 2022 Model
The contact pro gets a new highback for the 2022 model. Union call it their "Asym S2 Duraflex" highback. Otherwise looks to be the same bindings, bar the colorways.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
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 |
The Contact Pro are great bindings for riding playfully on a 3/10 to 5/10 flexing board. You can surf/slash up the mountain in them, take them in the park and they're just so much fun, and so easy going.
Not something for those looking to bomb and aggressively carve up the mountain, but for playful freestyle riding, whether that be in the park or over the mountain, the Contact Pro are one of the best in the business!
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you are interested in the Contact Pros, check out the links below for more info, user reviews, current prices and availability.
If you want to check out some other freestyle options or see how the Contact Pros compared to other men’s freestyle bindings check out the link below.
Hello and welcome to my Union Contact Pro Binding review – part of my Freestyle bindings review series.
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Contact Pros are capable of.
Hello and welcome to my Union Contact Pro Binding review – part of my Freestyle bindings review series.
Hi Nate,
Really appreciate your reviews! I’m a beginner edging on intermediate and recently purchased a Burton Instigator to help me progress into the intermediate realm. My next trip out here soon I’m looking to progress and spend most of my time on the blues instead of greens so I’m trying to decide which binding to pair with the Instigator and I’m torn between the Malavita EST or the Contact Pros. I really want to go with the Malavita EST’s as I can use them on my next board as I progress into an intermediate all-mountain rider (eventually want to be able to ride a Burton custom) but I know you have mentioned them as being too stiff for beginners. So would the Malavita EST’s be a little too stiff given my board and skill level and should I just go with the Contact Pros for now or do you think they are not going to be that much harder to progress on than the Contact Pros and worth taking a shot?
Thanks!
Adam
Hi Adam
Thanks for your message.
It’s a bit of a stretch. I think you get away with it in terms of skill level, given that you’re pushing intermediate, but my biggest concern would be them making the board feel twitchy. A binding that’s too stiff for the board can sometimes overpower the board and make it feel a bit twitchy. The Malavita’s aren’t super stiff or anything (I feel them at 5.5/10 for flex) but with the Instigator being as soft as it is, that would be my biggest concern. Unless you think you would have use for the Contact Pros later, you could go with something like the Flite Pros, which are cheaper, for the Instigator – and that way, if you do have to upgrade your bindings for your future board, it wouldn’t be as much of a hit money wise. But I definitely get where your coming from, as if you did go with something like the Malavita’s, you could use them on a future board like the Custom. But yeah, my biggest concern would be them overpowering the instigator.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
I’ve scored a Jones Aviator 2.0 and need some boots and bindings. I was considering the Contact Pros because although the Aviator is described by Jones as stiff (8 out of 10), I feel its more like a 6 or 7 out of 10. I’ve been riding at a high intermediate level for a long time but at age 50 I’m slowing down so I don’t need as much response and I want boots and bindings that offer a lot of shock absorption.
Do you think the Contact Pros could work for me? Would you get a touch more response out of them by dialling in a smidge of forward lean? Any shock absorbent boot recommendations to round out my set up?
Thanks,
MDC
Hi MDC
Thanks for your message.
Nice score!
Even if you’re feeling it more like 6 or 7, I still wouldn’t go as soft as the Contact Pro – and there are lots of bindings with good shock absorption that are a bit stiffer. I would typically say go with something 7/10 to 9/10 flex on the Aviator 2.0, but if you wanted to go a little softer you could – I just wouldn’t go quite as soft as the Contact Pro. From Union, the Strata could work well (also has good shock absorption) – and also check out the following for more options.
>>Top 5 All Mountain Bindings
>>Top 5 All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings
Adding some forward lean helps a little for response for sure, but wouldn’t, IMO, make up for the Contact Pros being too soft.
For boots, the most shock absorbing boots I’ve ridden are the Adidas Tactical ADV and Acerra ADV – that boost tech isn’t just marketing hype – it’s like walking on a cloud. So those would be my first suggestions. The Tactical ADV is around a 6/10 flex and the Acerra ADV around 8/10 flex – so depending on how stiff you wanted to go. I would typically say go for something around that 7/10 to 9/10 flex again, like with bindings, but if you wanted to go 6/10 it would certainly work (I rode the Aviator 2.0 with my Tactical ADVs and they worked fine), but I wouldn’t go softer than that. For other options also check out:
>>My Top All Mountain (medium to medium-stiff flex) Snowboard Boots
>>My Top 5 Freeride Boots
Note the shock absorption scores in the score breakdown.
Hope this helps
Hey Nate,
Im about to get a Bataleon Disaster. Do you think the Contact Pros or Stratas are more suited for this board?
Park, side jumps, spins, jibbing I enjoy doing it all. Im a little worried the contact pros wont hold up well on the rest of the mountain.
Looking forward to your reply!
Thank you
Hi Mike
Thanks for your message.
Having not tested the Disaster, I can’t say for sure how the flex feels, but based on specs, at a 2/10 flex it sounds like it’s really soft. Even if it’s stiffer than Bataleon rate it, it’s not likely to be any stiffer than 4/10, so I’d go Contact Pro for sure. The Strata is too stiff for the board, IMO. The Contact Pros should work really well, IMO.
For the rest of the mountain, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. The Strata is better for riding at speed and big carves and the likes, but that’s going to be limited by the board anyway, and you won’t be able to drive the board any harder with the Strata, IMO. The Contact Pros should have enough to drive a board that soft to it’s limit, IMO.
Hope this helps with your decision
This website had been an AWESOME resource. I bought a Never Summer Harpoon which is around a medium flex board. I was thinking of getting either the Union Contact Pro or the Union Force. I’m not an aggressive rider, not a beginner, but not quite an intermediate, I would say… mostly groomers for now, but would like to hit some trees. Do you have any recommendations?
Hi Raleigh
Thanks for your message.
I would say for your level, the Contact Pro would be the best bet, but for the board, the Force is a better match, IMO. Force isn’t too big a stretch for your level though – doable, IMO. So I think Force would overall be your best bet. Contact Pro great for softer flexing boards, but not as good for stiffer boards, in my experience. Not that the Harpoon is stiff, but I felt it at a 6/10 flex, and the Force would match that really well. Also being a wider board, that extra response you get from the Force will help to drive the wider width.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
I was wondering if you could explain the highback rotation on these. You say they can’t be adjusted independently. And could you maybe explain the differences between the highback rotation on these vs the Strata (which I think can be adjusted).
Thanks Nate
Matt
Hi Matt
Thanks for your message.
I believe you can rotate the highback independently on these now. My apologies and I will update the adjustability section here now. Previously you could only rotate the highbacks by moving just one side of the heel loop forward (which is still the case on some Union bindings – like the Falcor), so you couldn’t do it independently of the heel loop. But with the new models and I believe last year’s models too, you can rotate it independently now. I believe these work the same as the Strata.
Hope this helps
Hey Nate
Sorry a little late off the mark here but I’ve just picked up a bataleon fun kink 154 and have been looking at union contact pros our union force. I’m just torn because I haven’t ridden the board yet and I like to ride all mountain incorporating a little buttering and hits on slope and of course I like to charge for shits and giggles. So I have no idea which bindings is going to suit me best….
Hi Michael
Thanks for your message.
I don’t test Bataleon boards, so I’m not sure how it feels flex-wise, in reality. But looks like it’s rated 4/10 for flex. If that’s fairly accurate, then I think the Contact Pro would be a good match for it. The Force are a little stiffer. They would work though. If I have to go stiffer with one or the other, I would prefer to go with stiffer bindings on softer board than the other way around. The Contact Pros are better for buttering, IMO. The Force would be better for charging, IMO, so there’s that to consider too. If you were happy to go for that stiffer kind of flex, but wanted to maintain that butterability, the Strata is also a good option. Similar flex to the Force, but more buttery. But I would probably go Contact Pro on the Fun Kink, assuming the flex-rating is accurate.
Hope this helps
Nate,
I would like to know your top 3 bindings that would fall into this same flex / quality category?
Is there anyone out there that makes a hybrid binding with interchangeable base plate dampening and choices of high backs, all of them working with the same frame? That would be the …. It would be cool to go back to the truck and make some adjustments depending on mood or conditions.
Hi MC
Thanks for your message – and apologies for the slow response. A bit behind and trying to catch up after vacation.
To go along with the Contact Pro, the other 2, that have around that 4/10 flex, that I would put in for a top 3 would be the Ride Rodeo and the K2 Lineup. But I would add that the Contact Pros, IMO, are a good step up from them. In terms of quality at this flex, the Contact Pros are the best I’ve seen. Typically softer bindings like this are less quality. The other one’s that spring to mind actually are the Flux DSL and the Flux SR.
In terms of interchangeable components, I’m not sure of a particular brand that does this specifically. But within a brand, often some things are interchangeable – like the ankle straps and toe straps. And in some cases I think highbacks can even be changed. But I’ve never tried this personally and don’t know specifically which brands or models you can do this with. And also, I suspect you would have to buy 2 sets of bindings to do this. Not sure if you can buy separate components individually, but you could always inquire as it might be possible.
There are some bindings that you can change the feel of the bindings. E.g. with NOW bindings you can change the bushings on some of their bindings. They come with 2 sets of bushings – like medium and hard – and you can adjust that way. Would be pretty cool to have a binding that can do what you’re saying though and have multiple highbacks and other components that you can mix and match – just don’t know of anyone that does that specifically.
Hope this gives you more info to go off
Hello Nate,
I am thinking of buying medium sized Contact pros. My boot size is 10.5 US ( Ride Rook boots ). Will I be fine with medium or should I pick up the large ones?
Thanks for your help
Hi Joe
I would say you should be fine in Ride Rooks. Ride typically have a smaller footprint than the average boot – and, IMO, Union is pretty conservative just going to 10 for medium. I haven’t had ride boots in Union bindings, so I couldn’t say for sure. But I would be willing to bet that they would be fine length wise. And most likely should be any issues with the width of the boot either.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
Appreciate the reviews. I’ve been riding Ride Rodeos for the last 6 years. They’ve served me pretty well but I’m considering switching to the Contact Pros. Mostly park jibs and medium jumps, with a little freestyle focused all mountain.
They both seem pretty similar. Any input on the differences you noticed between them?
Thanks
-Lou
Hi Lou
Thanks for your message.
Both good bindings for Freestyle riding, IMO. The main differences would be as follows, IMO:
1. Contact Pros a little better in terms of board feel
2. Contact Pros lighter in terms of weight
3. Ride Rodeo has a canted footbed, where the Contact Pro doesn’t
4. Contact Pro’s ratchet system a little smoother
So, overall, I find the Contact Pros a little better, but both are great bindings. However, compared to 6 years ago Rodeo’s both the current models would be an improvement, IMO.
Hope this helps with your decision
Thanks for the reply Nate!
That definitely helps.
I meant 3 pairs of Rodeos over the last 6 years. Didn’t realize the Contacts didn’t have canted footbeds though.. Might have to stick with the Rodeo’s or find something else.
You’re very welcome Lou.
You could look into the K2 Lineup if you wanted a change but still wanted to keep the Canted footbed. Or the Burton Malavita or Ride LTD, if you wanted to go a little stiffer flexing.
Hi Nate,
Thanks for the review.
I would like to ask for advice about sizing of this binding.
I am looking to buying contact pros 2018. Im not sure about sizing. I am a size 10 US, 28CM MONDO so it looks like i just fit into the medium size or lower end of the large size. After reading some comments/recommendations from you I think Medium should be ok. Im wearing Northwave FREEDOM SL boots.
What size would you recommend?
Thanks for your answer.
Fridrich
Hi Fridrich
Thanks for your message.
I ride 10s and I personally prefer Union in medium. Unfortunately I haven’t had any experience with Northwave boots, so I couldn’t say first hand what they’re outersole reduction is like – but from a brief bit of research, it sounds like they actually have a reasonably low profile outsole, so, based on that, I’d say they’d be fine with Union’s mediums.
Hope this helps
Hey Nate thank you for your review.
I’m hesitating between the contact pro, the atlas or the Burton mission.
I went to the store and i was able to see all. I noticed that these bindings are very lightweight but they seem a little fragile compared to the atlas or the mission.
Also I don’t know what suits me better because the contact pro has short and soft higbacks but the other ones aren a lot more tall and stiffy.
I like to ride all the mountain sometimes very fast. Often I prefer to hit the powder outside the track and go for some little jumps and boxes on the park. I’m not an advanced rider but I’m improving.
Do you think that I should go for this ones? They are all on the same price range.
Thank you for your help
Hi Gustavo
Thanks for your message.
These are quite different to the Atlas. Like you say the Atlas are stiffer. They are also more responsive and more suitable for riding fast. The Contact Pros are more freestyle oriented – hence the shorter softer highback – and they also have better board feel, and help the board to flex more naturally underfoot. This is something that I really like the feel of, especially for freestyle riding. I’d say contact pros would be the better option for your jumps and boxes in the park, but the Atlas better for everything else.
The Missions are kind of in-between in a lot of ways. They have pretty good board feel (better than the Atlas but not as good as the Contact Pros, IMO) but aren’t as responsive as the Atlas – similar in response to the Contact Pros. But a little more suitable for higher speeds than the Contact Pros.
So, you’ve got to weight up whether you want to loose some board feel, for a more responsive ride like the Atlas or if you want to loose some response and have all the board feel – then the Contact Pros. For something kind of in between, the Missions.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate
I’m looking at buying a pair of these but unsure about sizing. I’m a size 8.5 shoe so it looks like i just fit into the small size or lower end of the medium. What size would you recommend? Is there a huge difference in weight and functionality between the different sizes? Thanks mate.
Hi Nolan
I haven’t tried other sizes except the Medium but I’m pretty sure that the difference in weight and everything is negligible – as in, you wouldn’t notice it. I think the most important thing is to get the size right for your boots.
I think your best bet is to go with the medium. Depending on your boot brand, you could end up being a bit big for the small. If you were in 8s, I’d say small but 8.5s go with medium.
Hope this helps
Thanks for the advice Nate! Sorry I posted twice – thought that the first one didn’t work but realised afterwards that you probably vet the comments before they are posted haha
You’re welcome Nolan. Yeah I vet the comments – or else I’d end up with a bunch of spammy stuff in the comments.