Shay’s 100 Day Perspective: Rome Madisons

Last September I bought 07-08 Rome Madisons. Over 100 on snow days later, I finished the season on the Rome Madisons.

Most snowboard companies make products that last for the average rider…giving about 30-50 days on snow. Rome Snowboards came out of the woodwork in 2002 debuting products that are meant for the 100 day rider which quite frankly…not many companies build products meant for more than the average rider.

Just to be clear…I’m your average snowboarder, give or take. I’m not pro, I’m not a beginner…I’m right in the middle of those two extremes.

I put my Rome Madisons to the test this year to see how they are after 100 days on snow. This is Shay’s 100 Day Perspective…and I plan to do this with more products that hit 100 days.

Ankle Strap: On both ankle straps, the quite intricate sewing is still intact. Some frays every now and then but overall the ankle strap has held up over the 100 days. A glimpse at the inside of the ankle strap shows the ride time put in. It’s a little grimy in the color from the dirt and use. Small tear in one spot.

Toe Strap: Still in really good shape. Slight small tear on the top right but really just cosmetic.

Ladder: I’ve had ladders break on me…it does happen. The ladders on both lasted 100 days without needing new ones.

Ratchets: I was surprised how shiny they still are. They haven’t lost the grip over 100 days, no slipping when I ratchet down and have never been difficult to un-ratchet.

Highbacks: The highbacks took the most abuse over the year. However this is all cosmetic, it doesn’t have any part in how they binding rides…but how it looks.

The foam on the top of both of the highbacks was the first to go. I’d say that was about 40 days into that season that I can re-call noticing it first.

Then the glue that attached the cosmetic highback material to the actual binding highback plastic did not last. This was towards the 60 day mark when the material started coming off. It’s still on, but the glue hasn’t lasted so it’s more falling away from the plastic.

Left binding: You can see the original foam on the left side still sticking around over the side.

Overview: After 100 days, the bindings are rideable and still one of my favorite bindings. The stuff that didn’t last (glue) was cosmetic and covered under warranty. Rome Snowboards is great with their warranty so that stuff isn’t hard to replace.

It’s hard to find products that last for the 100 day rider, but some hold up better than others.