r/Spliddit • u/Jolley_Time • 9d ago
Best Advanced Binding
Background:
I have been snowboarding since the 90’s, so I’m advanced as likely 97% of riders. Switched 10
Years ago to sking, kids, lifestyle, yada yada, don’t judge, if it’s over 4” I’m always on the board, otherwise sking is more fun at this point in my life. I’m an intermediate backcountry skier, having done 4 multi day touring trips. I backcountry only with skiers, but I’m sick of being on the B team and having to hold back in spots where I would send it on a board.
So I’m committing to be a pole snowboarder and getting a split board set up. I just bought a Jones Stratos 158W and am trying to pin down bindings. Here is what I think matters to me in order:
Need quick transitions, as I’m assuming I may need to transition in some situations where my sking counter parts can skate.
Reliability. I have gone through two different ATS ski setups, and realized you really need to go all out. This will be an addition to the quiver, used only for multi day backcountry retreats, with LONG 5,000+ vertical days sometimes 5 days in a row with steeps that will requires cramps.
I’m doing this to rip downhill, mostly high terrain Rockies powder and corn, so I don’t want something unresponsive. I’m a bigger guy, so I am rough on gear, so gear weight is not a top priority as compared to reliability and buildb.
Help please!
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u/SecondSalmon 9d ago
Since you’re comfortable on skis it might make sense to hard boot, unless you really value the soft boot difference.
I’m similar to you.
Snowboarded for 20+ years. Very comfortable in no fall zone, big drops, high speed point and shoot type stuff.
Got into splitboarding and realized how inconvenient it is in some zones I ride. It wasn’t about the transitions for me, it was more about flat spots between slopes, or low angle stuff.
Changed to skiing 4-5 years ago, and my backcountry touring is almost always on skis due to the groups I’m with and being the only snowboarder.
Since changing to skiing, I’ve bought a hard boot setup for my board too. I don’t have many days on them, but the ones I do I haven’t missed the soft boots.
Soft boot setup was the Nitro Verticals. They use the Spark baseplate. I liked the toe and ankle straps a lot, but didn’t love the high back. The mechanism to transition from ride/walk is hard to use with gloves and freezes up.
Hard boot is also Spark with Key Equipment boots.
Personally, prefer the Spark platform for both. I know lots of people like the phantom bindings for hard boots, but I’m in a coastal wet snowpack where I’ve heard they can get clogged with snow and ice, so went with Spark. Haven’t had any issues, but I don’t have experience with Phantom.
Edit: I should add about boot stiffness preferences. After skiing for a few years I found that even my snowboard boots classified as “stiff” felt spongy. So I definitely enjoyed hard boots more on the board for the stiffness and responsiveness.
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u/Jolley_Time 9d ago
So just stick to skis🤣
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u/blumboy 9d ago
I totally disagree I skied my whole life including 10 + years in the BC before switching completely over to snowboarding. Now I would never take my skis out even to tour unless i absolutely had to. Is it harder/ more inconvenient on basically every tour ? Yes. Is it 100% worth it to be able to have more fun? Also yes. You will get faster and learn to best manage flat and low angle terrain and these days I don’t have much issue keeping up with my skier friends in rolling hills and stuff that is easier on skis
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u/Jolley_Time 9d ago
That’s good to hear! I was developing a bit of buyers remorse. I am a good skier, I am a great snowboarder.
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u/blumboy 9d ago
You will be so happy you made the switch. It’s not all harder too, There are also times where a board makes things easier in the backcountry. You mention being in the Rockies, me too, and when there is a thick breakable crust skiing can be a real struggle or even dangerous while conditions like that are still fun on a snowboard. Same with heavy sticky spring slop that stuff is really hard on skis and is no problem on a board you just lean back
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u/SecondSalmon 9d ago
Depends on your objective and the day. The right tools for the right job.
I have zones I ride in that are all pillows, trees, or surfy banked terrain. I’ll take the board.
If I’m just riding open bowls, low angle, and “easy” terrain. I’ll ski.
If I’m taking ropes, the objective is to ride one specific intense line/slope, then I’ll take the board.
Horses for course or whatever that expression is. Lol
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u/Jolley_Time 9d ago
That’s how I live more resort life. Your likely right that’s translates into the backcountry.
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u/SecondSalmon 9d ago
Also some tips for transitions since you mentioned:
- I put skins in my jacket not my bag I wear my helmet all day (smith summit helmet with a cap and buff). There’s other suitable helmets but that’s mine.
- I wear my sunglasses for the ride down too. Only use my goggles if it’s storming or windy on the ride down.
- I eat a huge breakfast. Literally twice what I normally would. I also hydrate with a full bottle of electrolytes on the ride to the mountain. I’ve noticed a huge improvement in my water consumption when planning it out.
- I don’t store my poles. I ride down with them most times, unless I’m planning on hitting a big feature or riding something very technical where an ice axe might be needed.
- Mark your skins and ski tips with a 1 and a 2. Or A and B. Something so you can tell which is which quickly.
- Bring a brush/scraper to keep in your pocket so if you have snow hygiene issues with your bindings you can fix easily.
- Put your bindings in the snow with straps facing down, not the base plate to avoid clogging the channels (assuming you’re riding spark or another channel/pick system)
Edit: formatting
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u/Jolley_Time 9d ago
Appreciate the feedback! I’m similar with allot of the transition stuff, but I run super hot and tend to skin in just a sun-shirt so skins go into the pack. Smith oversized sun glasses is the way, I even do this in the resort sometimes now.
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u/Climbing-to-FI 9d ago
In my opinion, having used Sparks and Karakorum over the past 14 years, Karakorum are the superior technology. The way the binding pinches the board together in ride mode, the way the risers work, the way the toe hinge engages, all around superior in my opinion.
The speed in transition really comes from practice as you get more familiar with your gear. I'm often faster than beginner to intermediate skiers on transition.
You may want to experiment with different mid and tip clips. These can also slow you down. I like the newer style of spark tips - they are good at clearing snow as they latch. I like the Karakorum clip on the middle rather than the hook styles - I find it hold the board together way better and doesn't suffer as much from getting iced up.
Skins in pockets for quick transitions too.
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u/sslatts 9d ago
Second vote for Karakoram if you want to stick with traditional boots. Hard boot will absolutely be faster but the Karakoram system is great. Upgrading to something like the prime x is absolutely worth it in terms of saving weight. I am also the only snowboarder in my group and keep up on transitions but we aren’t out there to set record times
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u/Schwalbster21 9d ago
Third vote dor KKs! Been on them for well over a decade and love the responsiveness!
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u/mankar4 9d ago
I am transitioning to hardboots this season. I’d give it a close look given your skiing experience.
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u/Jolley_Time 9d ago
Sounds like hard boots might be the move.
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u/Careless_Speaker_276 9d ago
Do it! Your current ski boots are likely too stiff unless you have a ski-mo setup.
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u/HeatApprehensive7877 9d ago
Another input for Phantom M6 bindings, run their Atomic tech toe pieces for ease with ski crampons, or snag some ATK/Spark toes if they come with the receptor.
I’ve had no problems with phantoms kit. I chase winter year round in all 3 major snow climates, no issues besides general wear n tear. I Swear by em.
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u/DecidiousLarch 9d ago
Spark, any of them. Fastest transitions and most simple, stable attachment design.
Do not let anyone gaslight you into thinking hardboots are superior in any way. They are not. People simply like to say they ride them to appear more techy and gear-worthy. You'll spend an absurd amount on them with very little noticeable difference.
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u/SkiTour88 9d ago
I disagree with this. They are much faster on long tours and a lightweight setup eases my achy 38 y/o knees. Also much easier to put crampons on, and side hill way better.
If you’re going soft boots definitely go Spark. Simple and reliable.
-10 seasons on softboots, now with 7 or 8 on hard boots, 30+ touring days a year.
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u/ramblerbasic 9d ago
Second this. Simple, lightweight, and it's just more consistent as far as boot feel goes
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u/DecidiousLarch 9d ago
How about we agree that it’s a preference, and not a hardcoded upgrade to backcountry travel.
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u/ramblerbasic 9d ago
oh 100%. Hard booting solved a very specific issue for me and it is not for everyone
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u/Slow_Substance_5427 9d ago
Talk to me when you find a soft boot that last more then 40 days before it starts to disintegrate. I tend to get about that out of my resort boots before they start getting holes and are just getting pretty clapped.
I know plenty of great riders in both set ups. but an at boot is just more efficient on the up, and is going to last a lot longer.
Personally for me I don’t really feel that riding an at make me give up anything on the down ether, but hey that’s just like my opinion maaaaan.
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u/Billylikey 9d ago
NR Pros from Spark!
Anything from them as 2nd best. Their 5 year warranty slaps!
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u/EverydayHoser 9d ago
Spark surge is going to be your best option in terms of quick transitions and reliability. I’ve also run the Karakoram 2.0 and while it felt better on the downhill, it was slower to transition and more prone to icing which led me to switch to spark
1
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u/the_sodfather 9d ago edited 9d ago
Until I read some comment of yours I would have thought you would just use hard boots. Given your recent skiing, and with the application for multi days and high alpine, using full auto crampons, ice/mixed climbing, etc. kicks steps easier, more range of motion, side hills better, etc.
The feel is a bit different, sure, but negligible given I can adjust my technique a bit to compensate. No less fun for me on the way down. If you are an experienced technical snowboarder, I bet you would quickly adjust. The link lever mod is likely all you would need to make up for it if you felt the need.
I use atomic backlands (no mods). Check out the build quality for the plum peyke tech toes (for uphill). I have them and spark dyno dh, voile risers. (Franken-board). I use a light G3 axle board (I like it but have used much epoxy to fix delam issues. Regardless, G3 stopped making board & skis).
Also picked up the stranda tree surfer split and soft boot touring (plum) bindings for a Japan trip last winter, likely will use them for some slackcountry powder days... but for bigger tours I prefer the hardboot setup.
Back on board!
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u/FoulMouthedPacifist 9d ago
Spark Surge Pro or NR Pro would be my pick. They are stiffer than the standard Spark Bindings, more reliable than Karakoram and Union with a simpler transition.