Hello and welcome to my Union Juliet review.
In this review I will take a look at the Juliet as all-mountain snowboard bindings.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Juliet a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other women's all-mountain bindings.
Overall Rating
Bindings: Union Juliet
Price: $219 (USD recommended retail)
Style: All-Mountain
Flex Rating: Medium (6/10)
Flex Feel: Medium (5/10)
Rating Score: 80.1/100
Compared to other Women’s All-Mountain Bindings
Out of the 16 women’s all-mountain bindings that I rated:
Overview of the Juliet’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Juliet’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | All-Mountain |
Price: | $219 - BUYING OPTIONS |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Weight: | Normal |
Mounts To: | 2 x 4 | 4 x 4 | Channel |
Sizing
SIZE | US WOMEN'S BOOT SIZE | EURO BOOT SIZE | UK BOOT SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
S | 4-6.5 | 34-37 | 2-4.5 |
M | 6.5-8.5 | 37-40.5 | 4.5-6.5 |
L | 9-11 | 41-43 | 7-9 |
Who are the Juliet Most Suited To?
The Juliet are great for anyone looking for all-mountain bindings in that medium flex range, but don't want to pay what you'd normally have to for that flex level. Someone looking for an intermediate to advanced binding but for the price of an average beginner binding.
The Juliet are best matched to boards in the 4/10 to 6/10 range.
The Juliet in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Juliet are capable of.
Demo Info
Bindings: Union Juliet 2022, Medium
Date: February 24, 2021
Conditions: Sunny! As in not a single cloud in the sky! So, naturally, perfect visibility.
-4°C (25°F) with and without wind - no wind. Felt warmer than that though - because of the sun.
24 hours snow: 2cm (1")
7 day snow: 45cm (18")
On Groomer: Hard but not icy.
Off Groomer: Crunchy and with some icy patches.
Weight: 800 grams (1lbs, 12oz)
Tester: Jade
Rider Height: 5'7" (170cm)
Rider Weight: 145lbs (66kg)
Rider Boot Size: Women's US6.5 Thirty Two Exit
Test Bindings Used: Burton Lexa, Medium
Test Board: Ride OMG
Bindings angles: +15/-12
Stance Width: 510mm (20”)
Baseplate Length: 23cm (9”) – that’s measured on the top of the footbed. 22.5cm (8.9") on the underside of the baseplate – it angles up to the top of the footbed.
Highback Height: 19.7cm (7.8”)*
*from bottom of baseplate to top of highback is 25.7cm (10.1")
Responsiveness
The Juliet strike a good balance between being able to dig into and lay down a good carve, but also being feeling good at assisting the board in creating good maneuverability at slower speeds.
In terms of carves, it's one of the best, if not the best, for the price.
Board Feel/Butterability
As is typically the case with Union bindings with the universal disc, the board feel isn't awesome, but it's also not awful.
Pop/Ollie Power
Jade found the Juliet had less pop in comparison to her control bindings (Burton Lexa). She wasn't able to get as much air in her jumps or ollies and had to put more effort in in order to get off the ground.
Adjustability
Heel Cup: Yes and this makes heel/toe boot centering easy, which allows you to run the disc horizontally, to give you more stance width options.
Stance Width: Really good - you can run the disc horizontally (which you can pretty much always do, because the heel cup adjustment takes care of your 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: No
Highback Rotation: Yes, 3 different slots
Compatible with: 2 x 4 | 4 x4 | The Channel (so basically everything).
Shock Absorption
They're not super shock absorbent, but they're not ultra chattery either. Jade found that they didn't absorb shock quite as well as her control bindings (Burton Lexa).
Entry/Exit
The ratchets are fairly smooth. Not as smooth as the smoothest on the market, but not bad, especially for the price point.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Comfort
Overall nicely comfortable.
Ankle Strap: No pressure points or anything like that and conformed well to Jade's boot
Toe Strap: Ditto ankle strap.
Canted Footbed: Yes
Highback: There's a good bit of padding on the highback, which is nice, but most importantly Jade got no calf bite.
Ankle Support
Jade felt that there was slightly less ankle support than with her control bindings, but only very subtly less.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.0 | 12/15 |
BOARD FEEL | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ANKLE SUPPORT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 80.1/100 |
The Juliet aren't bindings that are going to wow you, but they are solid all-round bindings without any major weaknesses. They're run of the mill - but they come in at a good price, making them great value for someone looking for an average binding for a less than average price.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Juliet, are ready to buy or want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to see how the Juliet compares to other women’s all-mountain bindings or want to check out some other options in that category, check out the next link.
Hey Nate,
Thanks heaps for all your helpful feedback! I’m wondering if you can please help with recommendations for some new bindings. I currently ride my capita space metal fantasy with union Juliet bindings. I basically bought them because they look sick with by board, but tbh I need something more comfortable with better ankle support. I don’t want anything too stiff, but not too flexible either – so i think medium flex would be best. I’m an intermediate rider, with a smooth riding style. Not aggressive, but have to turn aggressively at times as the conditions are sometimes quite icy where I ride in the north island of NZ. I also sometimes hit some easy rails at the park. Look forward to hearing from you 🙂
Thanks heaps
Hi Erica
Thanks for your message.
Some good options for what you’re describing on this list.
Something like the Burton Escapade would give you a good increase in terms of comfort, IMO, and also give you better ankle support (and you have the option of shifting the ankle strap so that it sits higher on the ankle for even more ankle support. Biggest downside is price. The Lexa aren’t quite as comfortable but still comfortable and a price that’s easier on the wallet.
Something like the Flux GS will give you the best ankle support – and still very comfortable. Only downside is a lack of shock absorption.
If you wanted to stick with Union, then the Legacy is a good bet.
Hope this helps