Union Strata Review

Hello and welcome to my Union Strata review.

In this review I will take a look at the Strata as all-mountain snowboard bindings.

As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Strata a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other all-mountain bindings.

Overall Rating

Bindings: Union Strata

Price: $249 (USD recommended retail)

Style: All-Mountain

Flex Rating: Baseplate = Medium (6/10), highback = Medium-Stiff (7/10)

Flex Feel: Medium (6/10)

Rating Score: 93.5/100

Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain Bindings

Out of the 25 men’s all-mountain bindings that I rated:

Who are the Strata Most Suited To?

The Strata is a versatile bindings that achieves a great mix of having great board feel, whilst still being nice and shock absorbing. 

And they just give an extra spring to your ride - provide some real energy out of turns.  

They are the perfect middle ground of do-it-all, IMO. They’re soft enough to play around on the groomers or in the park, but their stiff enough and responsive enough to lay down big carves too and play off-groomer. 

You can take these anywhere on the mountain and ride any style.

They are best suited to boards with a 4/10 to 7/10 flex, and even better for boards with a 5/10 or 6/10 flex. 

The Strata in More Detail

Bindings angles: +15/-15

Stance Width: 565mm (22.2”)

Board demoed with: Rossignol One LF 2018

Baseplate Length: 26.2cm (10.31”) – that’s measured on the top of the footbed. 24.2cm (9.53") on the underside of the baseplate – it angles up to the top of the footbed.

Highback Height: 21.2cm (8.3”)

Weight: 900 grams (1lbs, 15oz)

* 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 Strata is average of those I weighed.  

Flex

The Strata has a nice flex that isn't too soft, but not too soft either. I felt it at the stiffer end of medium - a 6/10, IMO. 

Responsiveness

Feels more responsive than the flex suggests - and just has this nice lively, springy feel to it. Compared to the Force (which I rode that day too) it feels like a similar flex, but just has that extra spring/bounce to it. 

Board Feel/Butterability

Really good board feel. That mini-disc makes a big difference there. Could definitely feel the flex of the board more than on the Force - and the board feel isn't terrible on the force either. 

Pop/Ollie Power

Pop/ollie power felt similar to my test bindings (Burton Malavita) - but that's a good thing. 

Adjustability

Heel Cup: Yes (which is really nice to have for easy centering of boots)

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: Not 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-ish

Compatible with: 2 x 4 | 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). 

Shock Absorption

These bindings absorb shock really well. You wouldn't necessarily think it when you try to squeeze the footbed. It doesn't feel overly squishy in hand. But it's got some really good dampening qualities when you ride and has a springy feel underfoot. 

Entry/Exit

Like most Union bindings, nice smooth feeling ratchets that are easy and smooth to get on and off. 

Comfort

Super comfortable overall. No cramping or calf bite at all, which is the main thing. 

Ankle Strap: Really nice ankle strap. One of my favorite ankle straps now. Just conforms really nicely with the boot, with no pressure points, whilst still giving a nice secure feeling. 

Toe Strap: Toes straps are all good too. 

Canted Footbed: Yes

Padded Footbed:  The padding isn't overly soft feeling to touch, but does a great job absorbing shock and chatter. 

Highback: There's a little padding near the base of the high back but otherwise not much, but you don't feel the highback - no calf bite or anything and that's the main thing. 

Ankle Support

Union have improved in this are over the last few years, and the new Forma Lab strap is another step up again. Really supportive strap this one. The only thing that would make it better is to have an option to have it in a slightly higher position, but I personally like it where it is - would just be nice for some if the option was there. 

Changes for the 2023 Model

The ratchets were magnesium and are now aluminum (downgrade). And it now only comes in a solid highback option. Whereas before you could get it in either a solid highback or one with holes through it. 

But more remarkably, the price has gone down by $70 for the 2023 model. Which is a big drop for such a small downgrade. But I think the pricing is mostly reflective of the Ultra coming in and the Contact Pro going out - and the pricing reflects where Union see the Strata now sitting in the pecking order. Works out well for the customer. 

Changes for the 2022 Model

As far as I can tell the 2022 model of the Strata is identical to the 2021 model, bar the colorways. 

Changes for the 2021 Model

The ankle strap has changed again for the 2021 model to the Forma Lab - another nice upgrade. As far as I can tell the ankle strap is the only change.  

Changes for the 2020 Model

The Ankle Strap and toe strap are different. The ankle strap is the Forma Elite Direct Connect – which was on the 2019 Falcor. It’s now moved onto the Strata. I own the 2019 Falcor’s and love that strap, so no complaints from me for that change. Otherwise everything else is pretty much how it was.  

Changes for the 2019 Model

There was no 2018 model – this is a brand new model for 2019!

Score Breakdown and Final Verdict

Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.

The Strata is an awesome binding! Lively/springy and just great board feel, whilst at the same time absorbs shock really well. That's a combo that most bindings struggle to achieve.  

They're also really comfortable and provide good ankle support, with enough adjustability. 

Who are the Strata Most Suited To?

The Strata fill the gap that’s in between the Contact Pro and Falcor nicely, in terms of flex, and has the mini disc the same as those two models.

But it’s completely its own binding and sits perfectly in the middle ground of do-it-all, IMO. They’re soft enough to play around on the groomers or in the park, but their stiff enough and responsive enough to lay down big carves too and play off-groomer. 

You can take these anywhere on the mountain and ride any style.

They are best suited to boards with a 4/10 to 7/10 flex, and even better for boards with a 5/10 or 6/10 flex. 

Overall a great pair of bindings that can do a bit of everything. If I had to choose I’d still go Falcor, but very little in it – and if you’re looking for something that has great board feel, still really good response and is nice and damp but you want something just a little softer flexing than the Falcor, then the Strata fit that bill nicely.