Hello and welcome to my Union Force Classic bindings review.
In this review I will take a look at the Force Classic as all-mountain snowboard bindings.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Force Classic a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other all-mountain bindings.
Overall Rating
Bindings: Union Force Classic 2024*
* note that Union released a new updated version of the Force for 2024, but due to its popularity, they also released a 2024 model of the 2023 Force but renamed it the Force Classic
Price: $279 (USD recommended retail)
Style: All-Mountain
Flex Rating: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Flex Feel: Medium (6/10)
Rating Score: 82.8/100
Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain Bindings
Out of the 24 men’s all-mountain bindings that we rated:
Overview of the Force Classic’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Force Classic’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
STYLE:
ALL-MOUNTAIN
PRICE:
$279 - BUYING OPTIONS
$279 - BUYING OPTIONS
Ability Level:
flex:
weight:
Felt normal
Mounts to:
2x4 | 4x4 | Channel
Sizing
SIZE | US BOOT SIZE | EURO BOOT SIZE | UK BOOT SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
XS | 3-5.5 | 34-37 | 2-4.5 |
S | 5.5-7.5 | 37-40.5 | 4.5-6.5 |
M | 8-10 | 41-43 | 7-9 |
L | 10.5-13 | 43.5-46 | 9.5-12 |
Who are the Force Classic Most Suited To?
The Force Classic are best suited to someone looking for a well priced binding that has above average carving capabilities and for everything else they are solid.
For the price and the flex they are one of the better carving bindings around, so if you're someone who wants to pay as little as you can, but really value good carving performance, then these are, as they have been for a long time, a smart choice.
Not for beginners, IMO, but anyone from intermediate to advanced should appreciated these bindings, when matched to boards in that 4/10 to 7/10 flex range. And even better matched to boards in the 5/10 to 6/10 flex range.
The Force Classic in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Force Classic are capable of.
Demo Info
Bindings: Union Force Classic 2024, Medium
Date: March 17, 2023
Conditions
Overhead was sunny, with the odd whispy cloud but predominantly a nice sunny day.
Temperature was 1°C (34°F) and -1°C (30°F) with wind, in the morning and 3°C (37°F) and 1°C (34°F) with wind, in the afternoon. Winds said 5kph (3mph) in the forecast but felt more like 20kph (12mph).
24 hour snow: 0" (0cm)
48 hour snow: 0" (0cm)
7 day snow: 16" (41cm)
On groomer: A little crunchier and icier in spots to start with but hard pack for most part. Softened up as the day went on.
Off groomer: Crunchy/icy. Not great. Doable but more about surviving than enjoying.
Set Up
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance Width: 555mm (22”)
Board tested with: Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker
Boots tested with: Adidas Response ADV, size US9.5
Footbed length: 24.5cm (9.7”)
Footbed Length Fully Extended: 25.5cm (10”)
Baseplate Length (underside): 24cm (9.5")
Highback Height: 21.3cm (8.4”)
Weight: 920 grams (2lbs, 0oz)*
*for one binding, including screws and disc. The average weight of a small sample size of around 80 bindings (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 models) I have weighed is 920 grams (2lbs). So the Force Classic is bang on average. And felt normal on snow too.
Control Bindings: Burton Malavita, M
Flex
In hand: In terms of highback twist, the Force Classic is a little stiffer than the new Force. Not by a huge amount but a bit. Not really able to pull back the highback at all on the Force Classic, which I could a touch on the new Force, so the highback on the Force Classic is a little stiffer in that sense as well.
Vs the Malavita (which have a pretty stiff highback, but overall flex is more medium), the Force Classic had more twist flex and they were the same in terms of pull back.
The ankle strap on the Classic Force felt softer than on the new Force but the toe strap felt stiffer.
On snow: Felt a touch stiffer than the new Force, but only subtly. Couldn't get it to the 7/10 flex that Union consider it - 6/10 feels about right, by my feel.
Responsiveness
They can lean into a carve better and feel more confident holding onto that carve, when carving at speed, versus both the Malavita and the new Force. Made my board feel like a slightly better carver vs Malavita and Force (new).
But they weren't as good as either the Malavita or the new Force when it came to quick, tight turns at slower speeds.
Board Feel/Butterability
They're not bad, given they have a full size disc, but not as good for board feel, ollies or butters as the Malavita. Felt very similar to the new Force.
Pop/Ollie Power
A little harder to get the board to pop/ollie vs the Malavita and the new Force.
Adjustability
The Force are really adjustable. One of the more adjustable bindings on the market.
Heel Cup: Yes
Stance Width: Micro adjustments possible - can run disc horizontal and that allows micro stance width adjustments.
Highback Lean: Yes and tool-less
Ankle Strap Position: No
Toe Strap Position: Yes - 2 position options
Ankle and toe strap length: Yes, like every binding - tool-less
Gas pedal/toe ramp extension: Yes
Highback Rotation: Yes - 3 position options.
Compatible with: 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 | The Channel
Shock Absorption
The footbed is fairly padded all across. But doesn’t feel as nice or as good a quality as it does on the new Force. Fairly thick with 2.5cm down to 2.4cm at the toe (canted) and 2.2cm down to 2cm at the heel.
On snow they were fairly decent at absorbing shock, but nothing special. Not quite as good as the Malavita or the new Force.
Comfort
Overall felt fine. No pressure points, which is the main thing.
Ankle Strap: Ankle strap is nice enough but didn't feel as nice as on new Force or Malavita. But no pressure points, which is the most important thing.
Toe Strap: Same comments as with ankle strap.
Canted Footbed: Yes
Padded Footbed: Decent padding and shock/chatter absorption, but not as good as new Force or Malavita.
Highback: Padding over most of the highback. But main thing is there was no calf bite.
Ankle Support
Ankle support was fine. I liked the position of where the ankle strap sat on my ankle. There's no ability to change the position of the ankle strap though, so if you're someone who likes a bit of a looser, surfier feeling or someone who likes the more locked-in, supportive feeling of the ankle strap sitting higher, then you can't adjust it. But I like it somewhere in the middle and that's where this one sat for me.
Entry/Exit
Nothing special about the way you get in and out of them and ratchets weren't super smooth (a little smoother on the new Force) but weren't sticky or anything either. As good as you need it though, IMO.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING | 4.0 | 12/15 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
BOARD FEEL | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 82.8/100 |
The Force Classic aren't new bindings this year, they are a carryover from the 2023 model, but they have a new name and the Force have been updated.
But this binding is so iconic and popular now that Union wanted to keep it in the line, even after updating it, so we are left with the Force Classic. Same as it was last year, but a really good buy for a lot of riders who are looking for an above average binding for carving at an affordable price (they don't often come this cheap).
Solid all round, without being spectacular. Known as the work horse, and I'd say that's a pretty fitting description.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Force Classic, are ready to buy or want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to see how the Force Classic compares to other men’s all-mountain bindings or want to check out some other options in that category, check out the next link.
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