Binding Model: Jones Apollo
Binding Size: Medium
Stance and Angles: 21.5 Wide 18 Negative 15 Goofy
Boot Used: K2 Thraxis
Boot Size: 10
Board Used: K2 Simple Pleasures
Rider Weight: 195lbs
Location: Arapahoe Basin
Conditions: Sunny blue skies, cold temps, chalk like snow off the trails, hard firm corduroy on groomers, and no wind.
Binding Adjustability: On the straps you have the standard tool-less adjustments, I will say that right out the box these need a screw driver to loosen them, but after that you’re fine. They work and work well. Everything else is pretty standard. You have the pop down toe straps to set in a different position. The heel strap is connected to the high back and through the chassis which does give some limitations.
Straps: The straps are plush and hold you in well. The toe strap is a bit bulky and takes a bit of effort to center on your boot, it seems designed more for a pointed toe boot than a snub nosed one. The heel strap holds you down well and has the option of being either more surfy or freeride-esq depending on which way you want to flip it. I went with the freeride aspect.
Ratchets: The ratchets lock in well and slide easily. The one downside I noticed was that the release lever on the heel strap could be a bit bigger so it’s easier to engage. The toe strap is a press down release which as the heel has a release lever initially makes you realize you have to use a different motion to get out.
Highbacks: These highbacks are high and stiff. I noticed that they came up almost to the very top of my boot and didn’t flex when driving into them. They do they’re job though with allowing you to leverage into the skate tech and push the binding.
Binding Flex: Overall this binding is on the stiffer side and more aggressive. These are for charging hard and leaving trenches in your path.
Ride: The ride is smooth and stable. You’ll notice how hard you can drive into the highback and straps when transitioning from toe to heel. This is a binding that is damp and does a great job of absorbing chatter and giving you a ride that isn’t hindered by chatter.
Rider in Mind: The aggressive mountain charger.
Personal Thoughts: This binding was stiff and I felt it in my calves after cranking some hard turns. I had the hard bushings in this binding which made it even more aggressive of a ride. This is a binding for just pushing it to the limits and really getting after it.
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