BoardRiderLounge

Flow Snowboard Bindings - What’s With The Funky Highback?

Posted by: PoolGrind | Sep 13, 09

Flow snowboard bindings certainly stepped outside the box and people either hate them or worship them. A lot of riders are completely sold on the Flow system. They enable quicker strap-in time which means more time spent snowboarding and less time spent ratcheting down your straps. But they also have a learning curve that discourages some people and can make a first time riding experience less than stellar. When you purchase Flow bindings, you're not just purchasing a different binding. You're moving into a completely different binding system. Lots of people like to argue whether a strap in or a step in type of binding is better and now Flow has added another element to the debate.

The first point you have to know is precisely how Flows are unusual. If you haven't had the occasion to shop around and test a pair out, the reason is still pretty easy. With your usual strap-in binding, there are two straps that lay across boot. Everyone already knows that, am I right? With Flow bindings you never have to adjust two straps as you do with standard bindings. What you do in its place is lower the highack down and step in from behind. Essentially, that means you have a fast entry point and you don't have to adjust the straps every last time you pull out your foot. That's great if you have a perfect setting already dialed in.

Once you get your Flow snowboard bindings adjusted the way you like, they aren't going to crush your foot unless you change something. It is this one piece PowerStrap which really makes them more comfortable since it is one piece that disperses pressure not like standard two strap system. Plus, since you'll be doing less ratcheting, the binding straps won't wear out as fast. Flow bindings use a patented Power Triangle system that keeps all the straps together so there is no need to worry about losing a strap either.

But no snowboard binding is faultless and plenty of people have their gripe with Flow. One of the main points of debate are that Flow bindings are heavier when compared to most other bindings. Even though it's some pretty sweet and functional gear, nobody really wants to ride with any more added load than required. The entry system is frequently pretty quick, but if you get a lower end Flow binding, you might end up with one that is difficult to open. They can be pretty tricky to get in and out of chiefly when sitting in the snow. It is best to learn how to strap in and out while standing to avoid aggravation. People also grumble that snow gets stuck in between the snowboard boot and the high back making them trying to close.

For 09 you will have your pick of 15 models in men's bindings, 6 models in women's and 3 models for the kids. Depending on your snowboarding taste and ability you can select from a freestyle, all-mountain,big-mountain or freeride snowboard binding. Park riders and those hiking the pipe a lot will turn toward freestyle bindings; all-mountain bindings will be well fitting for people wanting to hit everything on the mountain; big-mountain and freeride models offer the most support and are meant for big lines, nasty drops and going mach-10.

Even though this binding scheme isn't going to be every snowboarder's choice, you have to give Flow props for working something new and being innovative. Like every other business, Flow is continuously working to improve their gear and the chances are that their bindings will only get better. So if your present bindings just aren't comfortable enough and you are tired of the strap hassle give Flow snowboard bindings a try.