Hello and welcome to my Union Force bindings review.
In this review I will take a look at the Forces as all-mountain snowboard bindings.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Forces a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other all mountain bindings.
Overall Rating
Bindings: Union Force
Price: $259 (USD recommended retail)
Style: All-Mountain
Flex Feel: Medium (6/10)
Rating Score: 84.9/100
Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain Bindings
Out of the 21 men’s all-mountain bindings that I rated:
Overview of the Force’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Force’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | All-Mountain |
Price: | $259 |
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 Force Most Suited To?
The Force suit anyone looking for a nice all-round binding with the kind of flex/response that strikes a nice middle ground between being good on a big carve but still allowing agility at slower speeds.
And those that want the above, with a pretty friendly price-tag.
Goes best with boards around a 5/10, 6/10 flex. Works with anything 4/10 to 7/10 flex, IMO.
The Force in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Force’s are capable of.
Demo Info
Bindings: Union Force 2021, M
Date: February 27, 2020
Conditions: Snowing! Quite nice amount of snow especially up higher. Wetter snow in car park which was unpleasant for changing over bindings and taking notes on lift but all good with that pow up high!
8cm in last 24 hours.
-2°C (28.4°F) with wind - didn't feel overly cold.
Groomers were a little cruddy but with some nice pow on top spots to the sides. Off groomer was nice with that 8cm layer.
I rode the model with the Forest Green colorway, solid highback. There are 5 colorway's available, with 2 of them having solid highbacks and the other 3, with the "holey" highbacks.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance Width: 550mm (21.65”)
Board demoed with: Rossignol One LF 2018
Baseplate Length: 24.5cm (9.65”) – that’s measured on the top of the footbed, no extension. No real angle down to the base of the baseplate - so roughly the same there.
Baseplate Length (Extended): 25.5cm (10.04")
Highback Height: 21.2cm (8.3”)
Weight: 920 grams (2lbs)
* 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 Force is slightly heavier than the average of those I weighed.
Flex
The baseplate is supposed to be a little stiffer, with a softer flexing highback. The highback does have a good amount of flex/twist in it. But overall feel on snow was around a 6/10.
Responsiveness
Like most Union bindings, the Force achieve response just a little better than their flex would suggest. And overall they strike a really nice balance between being good on a big carve, but also relatively maneuverable at slower speeds.
Board Feel/Butterability
For a binding without a mini-disc or anything that would suggest good board feel, the board feel with the Force is better than you'd think. It's not to the same level as like a Burton binding or a Union binding with a mini-disc, but it's not bad.
Pop/Ollie Power
Normal.
Adjustability
Basically one of the most adjustable bindings going around. Should have no issues getting your boot fitting perfectly and your bindings fitting perfectly on your boot, assuming you choose the correct size.
Heel Cup: Yes (which is really nice to have for easy centering of boots)
Stance Width: Great stance width options when running the disc horizontally. And since you have the heel cup adjustment, it's unlikely you would need to run the disc vertically (which you'd only do to help with boot centering).
Highback Lean: Yes, tool-less
Ankle Strap Position: No
Toe Strap Position: Yes
Ankle and toe strap length: Yes, tool-less
Gas pedal/toe ramp extension: Yes
Highback Rotation: Yes
Compatible with: 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 | Channel
Shock Absorption
Really good - as most Union bindings are.
Entry/Exit
Nice smooth ratchets make it nice and easy to get in and out of these bindings.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Comfort
Decently comfortable bindings overall.
Ankle Strap: The ankle strap got an upgrade again this year and is another subtle improvement.
Toe Strap: The toe strap is also new, and a toe strap that I liked.
Canted Footbed: Yes
Padded Footbed: Some decent padding and shock absorption overall
Highback: A little padding in the highback, but most importantly didn't get any calf-bite or anything like that.
Ankle Support
The ankle support has improved on the Force over the last couple of years. It used to be quite a loose feeling ride, but that's been upped now. Could be improved with the option of a higher ankle strap position, but I personally liked it just fine where it was.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.0 | 16/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 16/20 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
COMFORT | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 84.9/100 |
The Force have been around forever! And for good reason, I think. They provide great value. For the response and quality you get, they are really well priced, allowing you to get a solid quality binding for a decent price, when you've splashed out on the board.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Forces, or are ready to buy or want to research availability and prices, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other all mountain binding options or compare the Forces to other all mountain bindings check out the next link.
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Force’s are capable of.
Hello and welcome to my Union Force bindings review.
Union’s Force bindings are great for anyone looking for a binding in that just above mid-flex range for riding the groomers or backcountry – whether you want to ride fairly aggressively or want to ride more casual or ride freestyle – or do all of the above (as all-mountain bindings should).
Hello I am wondering what is the base plate length of the union force large size
Hi Sami
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t measured the length of the Large Force, only the medium. But the following might give you some insight:
– The Union Contact Pro Medium I measured was 24cm on top of footbed (23.5cm measuring the underside of the baseplate). Someone wrote in that their large Contact Pros were 26.5cm (that was the 2018 model). Now I’m not entirely sure if that was measured underside or on top of footbec.
– The Force Medium I measured is 24.5cm on the top of the footbed, and roughly the same on the underside
If Union’s medium to large add the same amount of length, then I would estimate that the Force Large would be roughly 27cm. But that’s only using the above as a guess. Also the Force’s gas pedal is adjustable (on Mediums adjusts from 24.5cm to 25.5cm. So I don’t know if they make the large go from 26cm to 27cm OR 27cm to 28cm (assuming that 27cm figure is close).
That’s about the only guess I can make based on those things but tell you with any certainty. Hope it helps somewhat anyway. You could try messaging an online retailer and they might be able to go off and measure one for you.
Thanks Nate! Enjoy the rest of the season.
Thanks dd. You too!
Hi Nate. Do you think the Force would be enough to drive a Rossi XV Magtek? My other choice would be some Cartels. I realize neither is likely a perfact match as both are probably a bit softer than ideal, but curious on your thoughts. Thanks in advance!
Hi dd
Yeah neither probably ideal, because of the flex, like you say, but doable. I do ride stiffer freeride boards on softer bindings and it’s fine. Just I find it’s more optimal on stiffer bindings for stiffer boards.
Between the Force and Cartel, I don’t think there’s really one that would drive the XV better than the other in a massively noticeable way, but I would be just leaning towards the Force, just because they felt, to me, just a touch more responsive vs the Cartels. Part of that better response could just be done to a slightly longer base plate on the Force, which can give you just that little bit more leverage on the edges of the board. But very subtle. Between the 2, I don’t think there’d be a huge difference on the XV.
Hello,
Thanks very much for doing such detailed reviews, very cool.
Any idea how long the length of the base of the Large Forces are? Mediums are just too short for me
Thank you and keep up the great work
Hi T
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t measured the Large Forces, as I always ride medium. But I did have someone send me the measurement of a large Contact Pro, which was 26.5cm long vs the Medium Contact Pro which is 24cm long. If the Force has the same difference, then I would expect the Force Large to be around 26.9cm based on the medium measuring 24.4cm (without any gas pedal extension). But there’s certainly no guarantee that the Force has the same difference between the M and L. Also the Force has an adjustable toe ramp and the Contact Pro doesn’t, so that gives you a bit more leeway in terms of length on the Force. My guess would be that it’s shorter than 26.9cm without extension, but maybe extends to about that. But that really is just a guess.
Hope this gives you a little more to go off
Hi Nate!
Been reading your reviews for a while. I bought a One Lf, most of my riding is trees, carving, and just bombing. Both east and west coast. But that being said, because I like tree runs, I need a binding that is responsive at both slow and fast speed. I am between a few options- Union Force, Union Falcor, or Union Atlas. I’m not too sure which I should get for my riding style. In terms of boots, I have Salomon synapse focus boa boots. I was wondering which bindings would you recommend and why?
Thanks!
Hi Nathan
Thanks for your message.
Definitely a weigh up there. Softer bindings are typically better for more maneuverability at slower speeds and stiffer bindings better for high speeds and harder carving. The Force is the softest of those 3, with the Falcor the stiffest, though they are come in a fairly close range. From my feel they are:
Force: 6/10
Atlas: 6.5/10
Falcor: 7/10
So, the Falcor is going to be the best in terms of bombing and carving (and that plays out in reality too), with the Force better for slower riding. But in saying that the Falcor isn’t bad at slower speeds either – they’re not oppressively stiff. But to get in the middle the Atlas is a good bet. You do get the extra board feel from the Falcor with the mini-disc too.
I would say the Synapse is around 7/10 flex and the Rossi One around 6/10 flex, so any of those options would be a good flex match.
I would personally be weighing up between the Atlas and Falcor, just because I prefer to have bindings at least as stiff as the board, so the Force is fine, but I would prefer just that bit more response and bombability of the other 2. I also like the feel of the mini-disc, so I lean towards the Falcor, but it’s a good choice to have because not one would be a bad choice, but yeah I would be weighing up between the Atlas and Falcor from what your describing.
Hope this helps with your decision
Could anyone tell me what the length is of the Union Force Large with the gas pedal fully extended? Thanks in advance
Hi Tim
Not sure about the large, but the medium is fully extended is 25.1cm (24.4cm with no extension). I was told that the Large Contact Pro is 26.5cm (no extension) and the Medium contact Pro is 24cm (no extension). Based on that the Large Force might be 26.9cm (no extension) and 27.5cm fully extended. But that’s just a guess and may not be accurate as it might not be the same amount bigger as the large contact pro is.
If anyone knows the exact answer to this, that would be much appreciated
Hey Nate,
Is there any difference for riding between 2×2 and 4×4 mounting?
I mean I can mount these bindings both ways on my 2×2 board but does it affect riding anyhow?
Regards,
Alex
Hi Alex
2 x 4 and 4 x 4 are slightly different mounting patterns on a board. 4 x 4 means that the holes are 4cm apart (horizontally) and 4cm apart vertically. With a 2 x 4 pattern, the holes are still 4cm apart vertically, but the holes are only 2cm apart horizontally, which gives you more stance width adjustment options.
You can mount Union discs both vertically and horizontally, but if you mount them vertically, you limit your stance width adjustability. And since Union bindings have an adjustable heel cup, you shouldn’t need to mount the disc vertically. The only reason you would want to mount the disc vertically, is if you needed to do so to center your boots for even toe and heel overhang. But since you should be able to achieve that by adjusting the heel cup, I would run the disc horizontally, to have more micro-adjustability for stance width. Though, if you’re just going to be riding reference and don’t need any adjustments for stance width, then it doesn’t really matter which way you mount them.
Hope this makes sense/helps
Hi
I think he meant using 2 adjacent holes horizontally,
I actually ride my force like that and I get better board flex by using the 2 holes closest to the center of the board.
Hey Nate, I have the Yes Standard 2018 156cm board, 10.5 Burton Imperials, and was trying to match them up with the Union Force 2018 M binding. The L size binding was hanging over the edge a bit. The issue I have now is that the low part of the binding heelback seems to be poking the heel of my boot. I’m a bit worried if this will destroy my boot once I start riding.
Do you think I need to get another boot or binding? Or is it ok to stick with this setup? I noticed at a Burton store that the my boot had no issue fitting into a medium Burton mission binding or malavita binding…
Hi Dennis
Thanks for your message.
This isn’t an issue I’ve come across, so I couldn’t say for sure if it’s going to cause issues, but it sounds like it could.
I’m surprised that the Large Force we’re overhanging on the board though. I measured the YES Standard at 27cm at the inserts, which is relatively wide. That said, I ride Medium for Union bindings, so I haven’t tried any Large Unions. The only large Union I’ve measured was the Contact Pro, which was 26.5cm long (Union bindings typically have longer base plates than other bindings). Did you have the toe ramp extended or all the way in. If it was extended it may have fit better being all the way in.
Either way, if you had no issues with fit in Burton bindings, then that might be the safer way to go. Also, Burton bindings in the Large size aren’t as long as Union bindings – so you would have no issues with a Large Burton binding on the Standard if you wanted to go Large with that brand.
I rode the 2019 YES Standard with Burton Malavitas (Medium) and they worked well with the board. I’d say the Mission, Cartel and Genesis would all also be good matches for the Standard.
Hope this helps
Hey Nate, thanks for the advice!
I think I was just overthinking it. I asked around and it seems like the issue I was concerned about shouldn’t be a problem just like you mentioned.
I decided to check out the Burton Genesis binding in medium. However, after I spent some time adjusting it to my 10.5 Burton Imperial boot, I decided that I liked the fit with my Union Force in Medium much better.
Another thing that swayed me was the strap quality. I wasn’t really impressed with the straps on the Burton Genesis, especially for the cost. It’s a personal choice, but I thought the Union Binding straps were easier to use, and functioned better. Of course, I made this decision by just trying the Bindings at home and not actually on a mountain.
Also, the tool less gas pedal adjustment was difficult to adjust on the Burton. It took me some time to figure out as I didn’t want to break it. The union binding has the screw which is very simple to adjust if you have a screwdriver.
In regard to the Large Force overhanging, I did have the toe ramp/gas pedal all the way in and not extended. I should clarify that the binding base only slightly hung over when the bindings were at the 15 -15 setting. It really just hungover a tad bit. But went I put the toe ramp back on, It noticeably hanging over at the toe. I just found the Large Binding just to be very big in general for a 10.5 boot. The heel cup was snug, but the front of the binding had a lot of space. I didn’t care for that too much.
Also, with the medium Union binding, if I extend the toe ramp all the way out, it does hangover the board a little bit. If I keep it at the middle setting, it’s perfect.
Hi Dennis
Thanks for the update. Sounds like the Medium force is the way to go for you then.
Yeah the gas pedal adjustment on Burton bindings can be a bit tricky at first, and you feel like you’re going to break it. I found that too. But you do get used to it.
Hi Nate,
Want to pair my Jones Mountain Twin (15/16) with Union Force (16/17 I can get them for a very good price). What would you say about this combination ?
I was actually looking forward to get Union Atlas, but can get Union Force with 30% off which makes them much cheaper.
Thanks a lot,
Val
Hi Val
Thanks for your message.
Union Force with Jones Mountain Twin sounds like a really good match, IMO. They’re a good flex match and both are quality pieces of gear. The Atlas is probably a little nicer overall than the Force but not by a huge amount, IMO, so you wouldn’t be taking much of a drop and if you can get the Force at a good price, then I’d say that’s a good way to go.
Hope this helps