Snowboard Bindings FW15/16 Trend Report

Bindings get a bad deal. They’re the things that are picked out last, after a client has selected the comfiest boot and sexiest board. And if your salespeople have done their job right, there won’t be much coin left in the pocket for the rest of the package. So all-too-often bindings are a compromise purchase – a flimsy low-end model or something dusty and sun-faded that’s been lurking on the promo shelf all summer. But that doesn’t have to be the case; 2016’s binding collections are dripping with shelf appeal and real-world functionality, and while they’ll never be as appealing as the snowboard, they’re becoming easier and easier to explain and sell. Tom Wilson-North checks out why you should be ordering more than just black Customs next year.

KEY NEW MODELS

Nitro

Burton has the lion’s share of the binding market, and their new X-base binding right at the top end is the lightest they have ever made. It is a step forward from their already-stupid-light Diode model and features incredible attention to detail; we were particularly impressed by the titanium strap mounting hardware.

The Italian/American design team at Union will be bringing back the Atlas model for next year, following strong retailer demand. “We pulled it out of the line last year and gave it a full redesign.  It’s a lighter, stronger, and canted version of the highly successful previous model”, explains Director of Team & Marketing George Kleckner.

The product development cycle in bindings means new technology is implemented at the top end before trickling down to the mid and low ranges, so it’s no surprise to see the most interesting innovation in the premium sector. It’s good to see Technine investing in development again; their TN-15 binding is literally split in half and held together with anodized aluminium wire. It promises to flex naturally with the board and follow the movement of your boots like a joystick; by that, we’re hoping they mean more F-16 than Atari 2800. Also investing in substantial chassis upgrades are Now, who have a new skate-tech hanger design called the Pilot, the next iteration following their previous IPO hanger.

Elsewhere, there are some tweaks to the fast-entry binding lines. SP have a new footbed on the Brotherhood called the CMF Tilt which uses dual compound EVA, and Völkl are releasing a classic two-strap binding called Straptec to complement their Fastec speed-entry line. Flow have some cool trickle-down tech in their mid-range on the Nexus and women’s Juno models – these inherit the toestraps and glass/nylon trays of the top end Fuse and NX2 whilst retaining a basic Uniback highback to keep the price point in check.

Burton

Rome have a brand new, redesigned Targa with cool new highback (more on that later) and new anklestrap construction that combines lightness, comfort and support. Over at Ride, they’re bringing out a LTD version of the Rodeo with Slimeback highback which will make the binding have more of a freestyle feel. Meanwhile, Drake re-tool and revamp the whole line with a ton of new investment. The Reload and Supersports get new bases, and the Delta baseplate goes 100% tool-free for easy on-the-fly customization.

HIGHBACKS & MATERIALS

Plenty of upgrades and development in highbacks next year; that’s a good thing, as a binding takes a lot of its identity from this component. Technine’s highback on the split model switches from flat to single or double scrub modes easily, and Rome’s Targa highback has a cool ‘correct flex’ design that combines an asym flex at the top with a living hinge at the ankle. That combination means the highback acts stiff when it needs to be, flexible when required and absorbs chatter before quickly locking out for full power. It’s an elegant solution to the which-stiffness-binding-should-I-buy dilemma.

In materials, Now score an industry first, introducing 40% ramie on their Carbon O-Drive highback. Ramie is a plant in the nettle family from East Asia, its fibres are very strong and have been previously used in applications like car parts and kayak paddles. It’s more renewable, less toxic and lighter weight than carbon – and I’m sure makes a mean salad too. Moving on, Head have a new PU “softback” highback made from the same material as skate wheels; the idea behind it is the surfiness and looseness of nobacks whilst still keeping the support of a highback for pistes and traverses. You’ll find this on their NX3 and NX Fay 3 bindings.

Union are expanding their line of forged carbon bindings that surfaced last year across their whole high end, and adding Duraflex. Duraflex is a multiple-flex nylon, exclusive to Union and is specifically designed for cold temperatures; you’ll see it throughout the range.

Ride

CUSHIONING

Compressed EVA pads are so 1998. Molecular science and good old common sense have created some great alternatives for smoothing out big landings and eliminating icy-morning chatter. Nitro’s Air Bags contain…well…air, and offer excellent multi-temperature performance thanks to the internal cushion post system. Burton have a suspension platform on their Diode EST called SpringBED which uses a carbon and glass platform to suspend the rider 12mm above the topsheet, for reduced chatter. Whereas for women, their EST Pod Bed was designed by their female engineer, who spent months researching the pressures exerted by women underfoot while riding. Union will be continuing with Vaporlite foam, which is the same material that has seen huge success in running shoes, and Rome are using d3o under their baseplates. The days of cold-intolerant EVA are, hopefully, coming to an end.

DISCS

Head

The unloved disc is hidden away under the footbed, expected to do its job with no recognition or recompense. But as the part that holds you to your board, it plays a vital role. We’ve seen bendy discs and microdiscs for a few years; now Flux will have urethane discs to help the binding move with the board in any direction, not just fore and aft. Burton are using 100% recycled nylon discs in a laudable planet-friendly move, and Now are using a 50% fibreglass-filled nylon disc and mounting ring, replacing their aluminium predecessors.

STRAPS

2015/16 will see a decent crop of new binding strap ideas. Switchback will be showing a redesigned strap package this year – the Miller strap has TPU mesh construction which looks comfy, and Nitro will have HD straps inspired by workwear materials for enhanced durability. On the flipside, there’s a less-is-more trend going on; Now’s Sieva straps use injected EVA and eliminate glue, fabric, stitching and waste, whilst Karakoram’s new injected moulded straps are equally minimalist. Burton’s Hammock straps pioneered this idea last year, and whilst consumers are initially sceptical about the lack of gel, more and more riders are becoming convinced of the ergonomic benefits. Burton’s strap line sees another upgrade for 15/16 with the hinged Flex-Slider appearing line-wide; that’s the hinged strap that clears the anklestrap out of the way, facilitating entry.

AESTHETIC

Nitro

“The dominant colour is black”, explains Lucien Vink, who is Flow’s Brand & Product Manager. “That is a trend that will probably never change except for the shift towards more matte black and tonal finishes”.  The matte trend is strong; high gloss finishes are over. That said, pop colours are still trending, and we loved the reflective finishes on Flux’s line. After that, colourway trends are going one of two ways, depending on the brand’s identity. Smaller brands seem to be using more functional and subtle colours like minimal grey and military green, whilst bigger brand’s bindings are louder. K2’s Lien binding will show up in a bright new flashy colourway called ‘Psychadelic’, and bright Neon Red and Teal Blue on the Salomon binders. Whilst there wasn’t any sign of Lib Tech’s binding programme just yet, the banging green and blue Psych from Gnu was un-missable, and Roxy’s Bright Edition features an orange multi-layer spectrum.

SPLITBOARD BINDINGS

Splitboarding is definitely a to-stay trend, although parallels have been drawn with windsurfing thanks to the category’s beardy gear-nerdiness and the not-immediately-obvious product compatibilities. Nevertheless, splitboards and their binding systems have been a godsend for niche independent shops who have the expertise and experience in order to specialize in the category.

Spark R&D, who were the guys who kicked the movement off, are investing in new highbacks with easier-to-use FLAD which toggles easily between tour and ride mode. They’ll also be dropping weight quite significantly, and we’ve heard talk of their existing dual-wire heel rest system being simplified somewhat. Their models will be offered in greys, blues, oranges and reds.

Over at Karakoram they’re planning on sticking with the Prime interface for its second product year, but there will be more carbon choices in the range, whereas Volkl will be continuing their Fastec Splitec Alu binding based around an integrated Voile Slider Track.

CONCLUSION

In an industry where there are fewer and fewer Euros going around for R&D, it’s no surprise that you’re not going to see anything revolutionary on the binding displays in Munich in February. But what you are going to see is a bunch of interesting new tech, no gimmicks and a load of great looking bindings from established market players that’ll do the job better than ever.

HIGHLIGHTS

Lightweight and minimalist straps
Bindings that promote natural board flex & leg movement
Modern cushioning solutions
Matt black finishes

Burton