Location: Mammoth Mountain, CA
Snow Conditions: Hardpacked to icy groomers.
Setup: I rode the Flux GU15 on the Arbor Wasteland with my Vans Veil Boots size 8.
Time to set up the binding: Pretty average time to set up the bindings. Adjusted the binding straps to fit my boots better but that didn’t take more than a couple minutes.
Fit: I rode the women’s small GU15 bindings which fit women’s 7-9 size. My size 8 Vans boots were barely fitting in them, definitely snug in the heel of the binding but didn’t get stuck while riding or unstrapping each lift ride.
First Impression: The GU15’s might be pretty in pink but they are soft and badass in the park.
Appearance: I demoed the GU15’s in the pink polka dot color option. They are absolutely bright prink with black polka dots and a pink bow on the toe strap. The bindings also come in a black and violet color option for those not loving the pink color. I probably wouldn’t buy the pink because of my own personal preferences.
Comfort: Flux has it dialed on comfortable bindings. The GU15’s deliver a very comfortable plush ride for the women wanting a softer flexing park binding. Both the ankle and toe strap offered good padding so you never felt any pressure points while riding. Padding underfoot that helped absorb bumps.
Functionality: Gotta love tool-less adjustments on the straps for easy adjustments on the go. The Flux GU15’s continue to offer the typical Flux functionality. Good cushioning on the base and highback. The ratchets are a low profile ratchet buckle and were super easy to grab and release on the mountain.
Flex: These park driven bindings with a urethane highback definitely offer comfort and flex for park laps. The straps are on the softer side so you are held secure but with a good soft flex for forgiveness. I was quite impressed with the urethane highback, good movement on the top portion of the highback for give and then stiffer stiffer in the lower portion of the highback. It’s not a very responsive binding but it can hold you through each turn with ease.
Response: The urethane highback helped support on turns but overall the binding was on the softer side without much response. It’s more mellow easy to ride binding that’s super comfortable than responsive.
Toe Strap: The Flux GU15 feature the FTM classic toe strap in my opinion looks weaker than it is. I didn’t think it would grip as well as a more curved spread out toe strap but it stayed secure on my Vans boots while riding.
Overall Impression: The GU15’s offer up a park flex binding for the women. It’s really comfortable with good padding and gives you a soft forgivable flex for park laps after more park laps.
Shay’s Honesty Box: I probably could have done without the pink bow on the toe strap, that was a bit overkill for looks but maybe female park rippers want that…I’m only in park half of the time. The bindings were a great choice for park laps and I did enjoy the urethane highback, makes it fun and playful.
Flux GU15 Description
Review Disclosure: I demoed this binding from P3 Snowboard Shop in Mammoth.
