Yo, binding advice please.

Posted: 30 January 2012 07:51 AM

Im about to buy a 156 attack banana and i was wondering if there are any bindings i should be aiming for, or just slap on anything that looks good. im 175 pounds 5’11”, been boarding for 5 years, mostly in australia, but will be going to new zealand for a few weeks this year.

thanks for the help.

Posted: 30 January 2012 12:13 PM

Since this is an all mountain board, you might want to go with a responsive, all-round binding. Try checking out some of these:

Union Force or Contact, or Contact Pro if you want lighter weight
Ride Capo or Maestro (Maestro is a bit stiffer)
Salomon Arcade
K2 Company

There are really stiff bindings out there for hauling-ass down the mountain, and there are really flexible bindings made for jibbing. It would be best to avoid either extreme end of the scale, however depending on your riding style and what you like to do will lean you one way or the other.
Unless you have a chance to get to a store where they have a good selection of bindings, read all you can about what you’re choosing and go with your best judgement. In the middle ground, there are going to be lots of bindings that give a similar performance, and it’s going to be the details which make them a good or bad choice for you - e.g. how you cope with a canted footbed, how the adjustment works, how easy they are to get in and out of etc.

My personal preference right now is Union - they make some really good, durable, lightweight bindings and feel responsive in the park and on piste.

Posted: 30 January 2012 05:52 PM

Burton Cartels and Union Force bindings are probably the most popular choices to pair with something like the Attack Banana.

I’ve tried the Burton Cartels and I’m really not a fan.  My favorite all mountain bindings are Rome 390 Boss.  They’re in the same price range, but you get incredibly adjustability with the footbed options, and the toe strap is just way better than anything else imho.  It’s super light weight and has an elastic feel, that molds over any boot well when you tighten it, giving it incredible hold.  When I rode the Cartels, during 4 hours of non stop riding, my toe ended up popping out of the toe strap twice.  I can’t see that ever happening with the 390 Bosses.