Binding Review: 11-12 Rome Madison

Location: Mammoth, CA & June, CA

Snow Conditions: Hardpacked to deep powder conditions

Setup: I rode the Rome Madison bindings on the Never Summer SL & Lotus with my Vans Veil Boots size 8.

Time to set up the binding: It’s been a while since I mounted Rome’s by my own hands and at first I thought the screws were too short.  After a google search, I found out I just needed to tighten one screw without the washer, then the screws with washers would tighten and I could put a washer on the last screw.  So it took more time but only because the last time I had madisons that wasn’t an issue.  Other than that, straps was quick adjust so took no time to set up to my boots.

Fit: The Rome Madisons have always been a good fit to my Vans boots.  My boots are quick to adjust with the Madisons, I usually pull out the toe ramp to match the boot length better and the width of the binding works good with my boot footprint.

First Impression: Good to be back on the Madisons for hard riding no matter where you take them

Appearance: I ended up riding the MFR pro model Madison bindings which in my opinion are badass.  They kind of remind me of the victorian look with the lace and colors but seriously I just loved the deep purple coloring of the MFR bindings and you know they are badass victorian, not prissy victorian.

Comfort: Cush is the name of the game with Madisons and they deliver ultimate comfort.  The ankle strap is heavily padded and easily molds to the boot with the gel.  The toe strap is simplistic but very moldable to the boot.

Functionality: The Rome Madisons feature an asym highback that’s built and designed to match a female riders calf, the toe strap is the conformist.2 toe strap which is common in most of the rome line, the contour ankle strap has gel and is designed for mid level support.  The baseplate is V-rod for a narrow footprint that helps give natural board flex, underwrap.2 heel hoop for toe to heel power.  My favorite features are the rome customization package for highback rotation, ankle strap positioning, adjustable toe ramps and 0-24 degree forward lean.  All of those are needed on bindings to get the perfect adjustments.  The quicktech comes in handy for adjustments on the mountain.  The only thing I didn’t find functional was the screws and what I described in time to set up the binding.  I shouldn’t have to google directions to screwing in bindings.

Flex: The Madisons are in the mid range for overall flex.  For pow riding, they are on the softer side so a lot more movement and in park riding, forgiving enough to be playful with on the mountain.  Overall just enough support and response you want on the mountain but right in the middle of stiff and soft.

Response: Overall decent response but it’s not meant to be an overly responsive binding.  Most of the response is in the baseplate and highback, just enough support for the bits of aggressive riding you take it through.

Toe Strap: I’ve tried out the conformist toe strap from Rome in the past and most recently with the Mob bindings.  On the Madisions they still deliver a moldable toe strap that you can ride convertible or over the top.  I rocked the toe strap over the toe and it never slipped while riding.  Gripped quite well and kept my boot locked into the binding.

Overall Impression: The Madisons are the women’s park to pow binding.  This year they introduced the MFR Madison pro design to the Madison binding and they compliment each other perfectly.  The Madison continues to be a dominant women’s binding for the all mountain freestyle rider.

Shay’s Honesty Box: I love the Madisons, they’ve been a favorite binding for years and a binding I stand behind.  The only thing I didn’t like was the screws, I’ve mounted hundreds of bindings to boards and I thought the screws were too short but really you just had to do one and then the others.  I didn’t see the purpose or the benefit for the everyday rider to have to figure that one out.

Ready to buy? Head over to evo for the Rome Madison or shop their full line of Rome snowboard bindings

On Snow Photos

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Rome Madison Description

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Review Disclosure: I borrowed this binding from the local Rome reps and returned it after demo’ing them.  Please be aware bindings may change, this review was done in March 2011.