Binding Review: 08-09 Union Force

Location: Steamboat, Colorado

Snow Conditions: Groomers to powder to icy days.

Setup: I rode the Union Force bindings with a variety of snowboards but mainly the Infinity-R and Lotus-R and my Vans Omni Focus boots now wearing Rome Vamp boots.

Time to set up the binding: Average

Fit: It was easy to adjust them to my vans boots however when I changed to Rome boots, I needed to adjust them again because they were adjusted to a different boot. They fit both boots fine.

First Impression: I needed a solid pair of bindings to try out as I demo’d companies without bindings…and Force’s were the first choice to rock for the day, I knew they’d be issue-free.

Appearance: The red stands out and makes the binding look hot, sizzling red lipstick hot.

Comfort: When I first took them out it took a couple runs to adjust to the highback for me, but after that I haven’t noticed it being an issue. I think it was the switch from a lower women’s highback to the men’s highback. The ankle strap is comfortable and molds to my boot just fine. The toe strap once adjusted fits my boot. Padding on the highback is nice.

Functionality: Easy to adjust the highback’s forward lean. The ankle strap I can adjust without a tool to center it. The toe strap requires a tool but is easy to quickly fix it.

Flex: The forces have good lateral flex with the highback being stiffer at the bottom, softer at the top. The straps are medium flex. I haven’t had any issues with being able to hold a heel or toe edge into turns, heel turns against the highback give good support.

Response: I never have to overwork or wait for the response, it’s there already. It’s mid-way in the response category, not overally responsive like a stiffer binding would be and it’s not completely soft so you are having to work overtime with it, the Force is right in the middle.

Toe Strap: You definitely have to get it dialed for it to fit. When I switched from Vans to Rome boots without adjusting them, the toe strap didn’t work as well and it was noticeable. After adjusting them, they fit fine and I didn’t encounter any movements when riding. I could rock it was cap strap or regular strap.

Overall Impression: I have rode these bindings everywhere, groomed runs to powder runs and the response and flex is good for everything. Going from the Contacts to the Forces, I needed just a bit more stiffness in the highback and straps which I got. They’ve taken a beating but just minor scratchers from riding so far and they are holding up.

Shay’s Honesty Box: There’s a reason why this is such a popular binding, it’s a do-everything, go-everything binding that doesn’t limit you or your riding. I’m so glad that I traded in the contacts because they were too soft for me and the forces have been just fine for flex and what I needed to ride everywhere with.

On-Snow Photos
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Union Force Description