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Union Strata Review

Last Updated: October 7, 2021 by Nate 175 Comments

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: $319 (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 22 men’s all-mountain bindings that I rated:

  • The average score was 80.9/100
  • The highest score was 93.5/100
  • The lowest score was 67.2/100
  • The average price was $274
  • The Strata ranked 1st out of 22! 

Overview of the Strata’s Specs

Check out the tables for the Strata’s specs and available sizes.

Specs

Style:

All-Mountain

Price: 

$319

Ability Level: 

Ability Level Intermediate to Expert

Flex: 

Snowboard Flex 6

Edge-to-Edge: 

Medium-Fast

Weight: 

Normal

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

10.5+

43.5+

9.5+

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

O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Strata are capable of.

Demo Info

Bindings: Union Strata 2021, Medium

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.

Union Strata 2021 Review

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. 

Let’s Break up this text with a Video

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 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.

RATING
(out of 5)

SCORE WEIGHTING

RESPONSE

4.0

16/20

BOARD FEEL

5.0

20/20

SHOCK ABSORPTION

4.5

13.5/15

ADJUSTABILITY

4.0

12/15

COMFORT

4.5

13.5/15

ANKLE SUPPORT

4.0

8/10

ENTRY/EXIT

4.0

4/5

TOTAL after normalizing

93.5/100

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. 

More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online

If you want to learn more about the Strata, are ready to buy or want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.

  • US
  • CANADA
  • UK/EUROPE

>>Union Strata at evo.com

>>Union Strata at backcountry.com

>>Union Strata at snowboards.com

>>Union Strata at PRFO

>>Union Strata at blue-tomato

Union Strata 2022

If you want to see how the Strata compares to other men’s all-mountain bindings or want to check out some other options in that category, check out the next link.

My Top 5 Men's All-Mountain Bindings
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PAST REVIEWS OF THE STRATA

Union Strata ReviewHello 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 2020

Price: $279 (USD recommended retail)

Style: All-Mountain

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

Flex Feel: Medium (6/10)

Rating Score: 92.5/100

Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain Bindings

Out of the 22 men’s all-mountain bindings that I rated:

  • The average score was 78.0/100
  • The highest score was 93.0/100
  • The lowest score was 57.0/100
  • The average price was $259
  • The Strata ranked 2nd out of 22 

Overview of the Strata’s Specs

Check out the tables for the Strata’s specs and available sizes.

Specs

Style:

All-Mountain

Price: 

$279

Ability Level: 

Ability Level Intermediate to Expert

Flex: 

Snowboard Flex 6

Edge-to-Edge: 

Medium-Fast

Weight: 

Light

Mounts To: 

2 x 4 | Channel

Sizing

SIZE 

US BOOT SIZE

EURO BOOT SIZE

UK BOOT SIZE

S

5-8

37-41

4-7

M

7-10

40-43

6-9

L

10+

43+

9+

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. 

The Strata in More Detail

Union Strata 2019 reviewO.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Strata are capable of.

Demo Info

Bindings: Union Strata 2019, Medium

Date: March 22, 2018

Conditions: Puking snow! A lot of fresh powder and everything just filling in all day. Being a weekday, nothing was getting too tracked out anyway, but even if it did it would have just filled in again. Visibility was of course not ideal, but far from whiteout as well (mid-level vis). It was cold (had to be for the snow) but not super freezing. Just nicely cold – and superbly powdery!

Bindings angles: +15/-15

Stance Width: 555mm (21.85”)

Board demoed with: Rossignol One LF 2018

Baseplate Length: 25.8cm (10.16”) – that’s measured on the top of the footbed. 24.0cm on the underside of the baseplate – it angles up to the top of the footbed.

Highback Height: 20.6cm (8.11”)

Weight: 860 grams (1lbs, 14oz) – per binding, including disc and screws

Lighter than most bindings, but heavier than some Union bindings (like the Falcor, Ultra, Contact Pro and Flite Pro).

Flex

Overall the Strata feels a touch softer than the Falcor. The highback is noticeably softer but overall, on snow it’s what I would consider 6/10.

Responsiveness

The Strata’s have great response. They can really drive your board from edge-to-edge, quickly and effortlessly. Not quite as responsive as the Falcor’s but great level of response for anything from a 4/10 to a 7/10 flexing board. Ideal for 5/10 or 6/10 flexing boards, IMO.

Board Feel/Butterability

As with every Union binding that has a mini-disc (which the Strata has), the Strata’s provide great board feel and are easy to butter with.

Pop/Ollie Power

I didn’t feel they had quite the pop power as the Falcors, but they came very close. Great pop overall and made my board feel poppier than it usually does.

Adjustability

You can adjust the heelcup, which I am a big fan of. Really helps to make it easier for boot centering.

The highback lean, ankle strap length adjustments and toe strap length adjustment are all tool-less.

There isn’t any toe ramp (aka gas pedal) adjustment and there’s only one position for the ankle strap (you can adjust the length but not the position – so you can’t move it so that it sits higher on your ankle). But there are two different positions for the toe strap, so you can wear it either as a toe cap or over your boot.

So, most of the adjustments you expect from bindings these days, but not everything – but that heel cup adjustment does get a big tick from me.

Shock Absorption

These bindings are super-cush and will keep absorbing shock all day. They feature a new technology from Union, which they’re calling Fused Vaporlite™ which is basically supposed to be super-dampening, but also light weight and doesn’t interfere with board feel.

I don’t know the technical reasons for this, but from riding these bindings, they felt really damp, had great board feel and at just 780g (860g with disc and screws), they’re certainly pretty light (though not the lightest that Union has).

Entry/Exit

Really smooth ratchets that go on and come off really easily – as is the case with most Union bindings.

Let’s Break up this text with a Video

Comfort

These bindings are super comfortable and I really didn’t notice them on. The ankle strap and toe strap both conformed really nicely without pressure points and that dampening and lightness really add to the comfort too.

I did feel like you can just keep tightening these bindings, they almost conform so well that you can get them too tight and then it starts to cut off circulation! But so long as you don’t over tighten them, they’re super comfortable.

Ankle Support

The ankle support is fine and they give you a little more support than the likes of the Contact Pro. Similar in ankle support to the Falcor. Not as much support as Burton bindings, most (maybe all) of which have a position that’s higher on the ankle which can provide more support – and not as much as Flux (which have even better ankle support, IMO). But nothing like super loose or unsupportive by any means. Was enough for me, for sure.

Changes from the 2019 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 from the 2018 Model

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

Score Breakdown and Final Verdict

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

RATING
(out of 5)

Contribution to Final Score

RESPONSE

4.0

16/20

BOARD FEEL

5.0

20/20

SHOCK ABSORPTION

5.0

15/15

ADJUSTABILITY

4.0

12/15

COMFORT

4.0

12/15

ANKLE SUPPORT

3.5

7/10

ENTRY/EXIT

4.0

4/5

TOTAL after normalizing

92.5/100

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.

Filed Under: 2019 Snowboard Binding Reviews, 2020 Snowboard Binding Reviews, 2021 Snowboard Binding Reviews, 2022 Snowboard Binding Reviews, Men's All Mountain Binding Reviews, Union Tagged With: Union Strata 2019-20, Union Strata 2020-21, Union Strata 2021-22, Union Strata 2022, Union Strata Bindings Review, Union Strata Review 2018-19

About Nate

Nate is passionate about and loves learning new things everyday about snowboarding, particularly the technical aspects of snowboarding gear. That, and becoming a better rider and just enjoying and getting the most out of life.

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