Hello and welcome to my Union Ultra Bindings review.
In this review I will take a look at the Ultra as freestyle snowboard bindings.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Ultra a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other freestyle bindings.
NOTE: The Ultra used to be quite a different binding. A lot stiffer and more what I would call a freeride binding. But that model retired in 2020. See the "past reviews" tab at the bottom of this post for the previous Ultras.
Overall Rating
Bindings: Ultra Ultra 2023
Price: $299 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Freestyle
Flex Rating: Medium (5/10)
Flex Feel: Medium (5/10)
Rating Score: 90.0/100
Compared to other Men’s Freestyle Bindings
Out of the 17 men’s freestyle bindings that I rated:
The Ultra in More Detail
Check out the tables for the Ultra’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freestyle |
Price: | $299 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Weight: | A little lighter than 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 Ultra Most Suited to?
The Ultra are best suited to anyone looking for a mid-flexing binding for hitting jumps, sidehits and rails, and buttering around everywhere. Basically the ideal freestyle binding.
But they could just as easily be used for cruising the groomers.
Not quite beginner friendly - though would be doable for beginners - but great for intermediate and up.
Best suited to boards in that 3/10 to 5/10 flex range, but certainly doable for 6/10 flex as well.
The Ultra in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Ultra are capable of.
Demo Info
Bindings: Ultra Ultra 2023, M
Date: March 25, 2022
Conditions
Sunny with clouds. More cloud than blue skies - high cloud. Unlimited visibility.
Temperature: 37°F (3°C)
24hr snow: 0" (0cm)
48hr snow: 0" (0cm)
7 day snow: 27" (69cm)
On groomer: Nicely groomed mid-soft pack. Some glints of slush to start with and then got slushier as the day went on.
Off groomer: A little icy and crunchy to start in spots but not too bad. Got progressively softer.
Set Up
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance Width: 555mm (22”)
Board demoed with: Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker
Footbed Length: 23.8cm (9.4”)
Baseplate Length: 23.6cm (9.3")
Highback Height: 21cm (8.3”)
Weight: 880 grams (1lbs, 15oz)*
* for one binding, including screws and disc. The average weight of a small sample size of around 60 bindings (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023 models) I have weighed, was 913 grams. The lightest was 680 grams and the heaviest was 1,240grams. So the Ultra was a little lighter on the scales than average. Felt just a touch lighter to ride with on snow.
Flex
They felt marginally softer than my control bindings (Malavita's) but very little in it. I rate those a 5.5/10 for flex, so these I feel are very much right on that 5/10 mark.
Response
I felt like the Ultra was about the same as my control bindings when it came to hard carves and riding at speed. At slower speeds, they reacted a little better - made my board feel a little more agile at slower speeds.
Butterability/Board Feel
These bindings have awesome board feel. I could really feel the flex of the board and felt like there was no dead spot.
That mini-disc certainly helps, IMO. And the footbed is like rubbery almost. It's this kind of firm squishy stuff and there's very little of anything that's hard in there. This likely helps the bindings flex with the board too.
Adjustability
This is perhaps the only areas that the Ultras aren't super strong in. They still have decent adjustbility, but compared to everything else about this binding, it's not as up-there.
Heel Cup: Yes - which is great for boot centering.
Stance Width: You do have some micro adjustability with the mini-disc, which has to be run horizontally, but it is limited because of the size of the disc.
Highback Lean: No. There is no highback lean adjustment available.
Ankle Strap Position: No
Toe Strap Position: Yes - 2 position options
Ankle and toe strap length: Tool-less
Gas pedal/toe ramp extension: No
Highback Rotation: Yes - 2 position options
Compatible with: 2 x 4 | Channel (but not 4x4 because of the mini-disc).
Shock Absorption
Bottom of baseplate is this almost rubbery, but kind of firm squishy stuff, that’s really reboundy. It covers the entire bottom of the baseplate. The top of the footbed is nice and spongy and reboundy too.
So, it was no surprise that these bindings absorbed shock really well. Whether it was from flat landings or just absorbing chatter, these bindings felt damp and super shock absorbing. I had to um and ah about giving this a 5 for shock absorption and the only real reason I didn't was because NOW bindings are so darn shock absorbing, and it's not quite to that level, but really close.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Entry/Exit
Nice and smooth on the ankle strap in particular. Toe strap not quite as smooth but still fine. The ankle strap has a flexy thing on the base of it which helps to open it out and get it out of the way. Not quite in the same way as Burton’s flex slider. On the Ultra it bounces back, but it’s quite bendy and easily bends out of the way.
Comfort
Ankle Strap: Relatively firm but some flex to it. Not a waffle or honeycomb strap, but still fairly minimal and nice feeling and quality looking. I did have some pressure on the top of foot initially but that went away when I dialed it back. Can over crank ankle strap. But no loss of response or support dialing it back - it's just one of those straps you've got to be careful not to overcrank.
Toe Strap: Nice and minimal and conformed nicely to my boots. Quite flexy.
Canted Footbed: No
Padded Footbed: See shock absorption notes above - really nice in this area.
Highback: Plenty of padding on the highback - and the center of the highback almost semi-floats. All around the center is hard, but that center bit is soft and squishy - quite unique. Most importantly no calf bite.
Ankle Support
You can't change the position of the ankle strap so it sits higher on your ankle, which is nice to have. But the position it was in felt just right for me. With enough support and enough freedom of movement.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
BOARD FEEL | 5.0 | 30/30 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
RESPONSE | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 90.0/100 |
Overall, the Ultras are super nice bindings and quite unique in the way the center of the highback kind of floats.
They manage to be really good at shock absorbing shock but at the same time have great board feel. An elusive combination that's ideal for riding freestyle, IMO. And on top of that they still don't lack response.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Ultra, are ready to buy or want to research pricing and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out other freestyle options or want to see how the Ultra compared to other options, check out the next link.
Bindings: Union Ultra 2019, Medium
Hi there I’m looking at getting a set of these bindings for next season, I noticed that in the sizing chart medium goes from size 8-10 and large is 10.5+. I am kind of in the middle of 10 and 10.5 depending on the boot. Currently have size 10.5 boots but wondering if in the future I get size 10 again if the large would still fit or if I’d be better off getting the mediums. Thanks
Hi Will
I really like Union’s in Medium personally. I’m a 10 for the most part, but sometimes a 9.5 (my current boots are 9.5). With 10s, I’d say Medium for sure. For 10.5s, it’s a tougher call and would depend on how bulky your 10.5s are. If they’re not too bulky you should be able to get 10.5s in a medium, but if they’re bulkier, either at the heel or in terms of length, then it could be pushing it for fitting it in.
Hope this helps
Thanks for the input Nate.
Cheers
You’re very welcome Will. Happy riding!
Hi Nate,
Thank you for all of your reviews, they’re very helpful. I’m looking to purchase a salomon assassin pro (22/23 season), and wondering if you can help me determine what binding would be best. I’m a fairly aggressive all-mountain rider that hits the park quite a bit, as well as ripping through glades when conditions permit. Currently am deciding between Union ultra (2023), union strata, or union falcor. Not sure if there are major differences besides stiffness, but the new ultras seem like a potentially revolutionary tech. Any recommendations and thoughts you can share on this set up would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Mike
Hey Mike
Thanks for your message.
I would be leaning Falcor. IMO it’s the best flex match to the Assassin Pro and best for more aggressive riding. But it’s still good for park – still has good board feel and isn’t oppressively stiff or anything. The Ultra’s are real nice, but are a little softer than ideal for the Assassin Pro, IMO.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
I’m looking to replace my malavitas with those, can you feel the no-canting in the ultra? I’ve never ridden bindings without them and don’t think it makes much of a difference.
Hi Dan
Thanks for your message.
I can’t notice it really, to be honest, when I’m riding. I think the biggest advantage of the canted footbed is over the course of a long period. i.e. to reduce fatigue etc if riding a lot. But that’s pretty hard to judge.
How do you think the ultras would pair with the super doa or mega merc?
Hi Jon
I wouldn’t personally pair the Ultras with either the Super DOA or Mega Merc. Too soft for those boards, IMO. Not stiff enough to properly drive those boards. I would want at least 6/10 flex bindings for Super DOA – and preferably 7/10 to 8/10. For the Mega Merc I’d want at least 7/10.
One thing I did with my Ultras was to put the ankle strap from my Stratas (little larger and more supportive) on which gave me a little more support.
Hey Chris
Thanks for your input. Something I might try if I can get both of them together this season.
Hi Nate
Just so i got this right the footbed length is 23.8 vs 26.2 on the strata? We dont have the ultras here yet but there are some great deals online black friday.
I think that made my mind up to go large for burton slx.
(Found and bought a pair of adidas uk10 2018 white on ebay! Hopefully they last.)
Cheers
Tim
Hey Tim
Yeah, Medium Ultra measured 23.8cm on the footbed (23.6cm on the underside of the base plate) versus Medium Strata, which measured 26.2cm on the top of the footbed (and 24.2cm on the bottom of the baseplate. So yeah, the bottom of the baseplate isn’t that much longer, but it’s much longer on the top of the footbed.
Hello Nate,
Awesome review. Thinking about putting these on my new Jones Mountain Twin. Thoughts? Also, I wear a size 10 boot. Would you recommend the M or Large binding? My boot is a Burton Ion 2019sih. I know the size chart says M but it’s kinda a tweener.
Thank you!
Hi David
Thanks for your message.
Yeah, I think these match with the MT. Probably the softest I would go with on the MT, but still in range. I would go with the M. I always ride M Union in 10s and it’s a good fit. Assuming you don’t have a wide Mountain Twin, it would be a good fit with the board too. If you do have a wide Mountain Twin, then I could be swayed to going to the L (just to give a little more leverage closer to the edges of the board) but I think the best boot fit is still going to be the M – and I would take boot fit over leverage as it only gives you a little more in terms of leverage, so even though the L would make more sense on a wide than it would on the regular width, I think I’d still go M regardless.
Hope this helps
Hi I will be buying the 2023 GNU RC C3 this year and looking for a good binding pair. Was considering these or Strata or possibly something from Burton. I don’t really ride much park more all mountain but in the east so not much if any pow, mainly hard pack and ice. Do some trees and want something to intimate turns at slower speeds as well. Thanks!
Hi Patrick
The Ultra would work on the RC C3, but I would be leaning Strata, just because the Strata I found a touch stiffer and a better flex match to the RC C3, IMO. Ultra not out of range for it, but the softest end of the range, IMO.
From Burton, something like the Cartel, Malavita or Cartel X would work well, IMO.
Hope this helps
Hi
I just got a warpig as another addition to my quiver, wanted that party board ride. I’ve been thinking about it getting the Union Ultras or Stratas for it. Any suggestions? Can’t quite decide. I’m 5’11”, 175, size 9 boot and ride a bit of everything these days.
Thanks!
Hi Jason
Thanks for your message.
I’d be leaning Strata for the Warpig, though the Ultra wouldn’t be wrong. Reason, I would be leaning Strata is that I found them just a touch stiffer than the Ultra, and just a slightly better flex match to the Warpig, which I felt is around 6/10 in terms of flex. But the Ultras would certainly work.
Hope this helps with your decision
Thanks so much. I appreciate the feedback. I’m sort of stuck between the two but it sounds like I can’t go wrong here? I also have a pair of last years force pros so wanted a new softer binding to play around in and get a bit more surfy sometimes. Love your page and these reviews are always super helpful!
You’re very welcome Jason. Yeah, if you want a bit of a bigger contrast in terms of flex with your bindings, then the Ultra are the softer option.
Hi Nate. I ended up getting a pair of Malavitas for such a good sale price I ended up ruling out the Unions. Was a good opportunity to try Burton’s for the first time. Your ranking certainly helped. Got the Malavitas on a Warpig (for now) and my Force Pros on the yes standard. Thanks for all the great reviews and advice!
Hey Jason
Thanks for the update.
I use the Malavitas as my control bindings and have zero complaints with a lot of time on them. Hope they treat you well.
Hi Nate
I am a heavy guy at a a weight 200-218 punds. (90-98kg), looking for the perfect bindings for my Drake Battle rusty 163.
So far i am leaning towrds these (Union ultra), salomon Disctrict pro, Jones Orion or mercury surf. (But i am open for all recomendations).
The board is rated as a 6/10 flex, and is made for powder days and the park.
So i am looking for something with soft enough flex for tweak-ability and surfy feel, but responsive enough to carve a wide board. Hope you can help pointing me in the right direction.
And if possible great Shock Absortion.
Thank you for you for the time you spend helping others getting the right gear for the season.
Best regards Mads.
Hi Mads
Thanks for your message.
The Ultra would be doable on that board, but I would be erring a little stiffer to match the board and being a bigger guy, I think going stiffer than that is your best bet. But I get that you don’t want to go too stiff, for your riding style. I haven’t ridden the District Pro, so can’t say for sure with them, but they look to be the stiffest of those you’ve mentioned. I’m not sure about shock absorption with them, having not tested them. I felt the Mercury at a 7/10 flex (vs 5/10 on the Ultra). I’d be leaning towards that over the Ultra. They have great shock absorption too. I haven’t tested the Orion, but they look to be a touch softer than the Mercury – so maybe around a 6/10 flex. Can’t say for sure though, having not tested them, but if that’s the case, I think they’d work well for the board and how you’re describing your riding. Not the same kind of board feel as you’d get out of the Ultra, but no doubt very good shock absorption as all Jones/NOW bindings tend to have. If you did want that board feel, but a little stiffer, then the Union Strata would be your best bet, IMO. Or the Falcor if you wanted to go stiffer again.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
I found this review while looking for info on the Union Ultra *women’s* binding. When you say it’s not overly maneuverable at slow speeds, what does that translate to on the slopes? I normally ride blues and easy blacks, but I plan to spend some time on greens learning switch this year…
Other options I’m looking at include the Union Trilogy, Flux GX and Rome Katana (men’s in the smallest size, since they don’t make a women’s model). No Burton since I want to try a different brand. How would you compare the 4?
Also, I’ve heard Union’s mini-disc screws tend to loosen over the course of a day. Have you experienced that yourself?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Valerie
Thanks for your message.
I know this is confusing (and I wish Union hadn’t named their new Ultra, the Ultra) but this review is for the old Ultra, which was discontinued after the 2020 model. The new Ultra is quite a different binding. The old Ultra was really quite stiff. The new Ultra is much softer – it’s mid-flex (what I felt at 5/10). I did ride the new 2023 Ultra, but haven’t had the chance to publish the review yet. The women’s version of the new Ultra is very similar to the men’s version.
In terms of maneuverability at slow speeds, it’s typical of stiffer bindings to be harder to maneuver with when riding slow. Stiffer bindings tend to be better for riding fast and aggressive. But that’s not an issue with the new Ultra, which are nice and maneuverable at slower speeds.
Note that the Trilogy (6.5/10), GX (7/10) and Katana (7/10) are all a little stiffer than the new Ultra, but not as stiff as the old Ultra. So if you’re looking for something more in that 7/10 flex range, then the new Ultra might be a bit soft for you. I would say the likes of the Triloy, GX and Katana are all pretty good at riding at slower speeds, but not as good as the Ultra, but they are better for big high speed carves – give a bit more stability in that sense. Which would be the better choice for you would also depend on the board you will be using them with.
In terms of mini-disc screws, they did have some issues in the past, but as far as I know those are sorted. It used to be the case, when mounting them, that you had to sink the first couple of screws without washers, then sink the next 2 screws with washers, and then unscrew the other two and put the washers back on before sinking again. Was a pain. And yeah, it did end up being that they would come loose sooner than they should. But I never had it happen within a day, but after a couple of days riding, they would need tightening. All screws do loosen over time, so it always pays to check your bindings after every few days of riding, but yeah, they did have that issue where they would loosen faster. But the last couple of years, I’ve found I could sink the screws without first removing the washers and they haven’t loosened in the same way.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
Why is its Responsiveness lower compared to the falcor? Its stiffer tho.
Would you take these (199€) or the falcor (175€) for the Jones Flagship (both 2020)?
Regars,
Hendrik
Hi Hendrik
I found the Falcor more responsive, just that it has this spring to it that the Ultra didn’t have. Also the Falcor is as stiff or stiffer in the baseplate, but with a softer high back. And with the highback, the Falcor is pretty rigid in terms of pulling straight back. But had more give when twisting it. Also, I found the Ultra was something I felt I had to wrestle the response out of, where the response from the Falcor felt easier and more natural, to me. Potentially a stronger rider or a heavier rider would get more out of the Ultra and more easily,
I would personally take the Falcor – even riding a stiffer board like the Flagship.
Hi Nate!
Excellent explanation as always 🙂
I have to decide between the Union Falcor für 179€ or the Salomon Quantum für 229€ (both 2020). Both are really good prices tho!
Atm I would go with the Falcor, but I have already bought the strata now and it kinda feels like I’m buying nearly the same binding 😀
Regards,
Hendrik
Ps: I really love your side
Hi Hendrik
The Strata and Falcor are certainly different and I think you would notice the difference between them. But yeah, they’re not streets apart by any means.
Or even the union forged force for 259€, but I can’t find many infos
Hi Hendrik
Unfortunately I didn’t get on the Forged Force for their one season, so can’t say much about them (except that being high-end Union bindings, I can’t imagine them being bad!).
I did ride the Atlas FC this year, which is the replacement for it – certainly not an exact replacement but fills the spot that the Forged Force left. I really liked the Atlas FC. It’s really stiff, but somehow I preferred the feel of it over the old Ultra. Not sure why, but something about it I preferred. But not sure how the Forged Force felt in comparison.