Binding Model: Nidecker Carbon

Binding Size: Large

Stance and Angles: 21.5 18 Negative 15 Goofy

Boot Used: K2 Thraxis

Boot Size: 10

Board Used: 144 K2 Cool Bean

Rider Weight: 195

Location: Arapahoe Basin

Conditions: Overcast, snowing hard, no wind, above average temperatures, a couple inches of fresh snow on top of corduroy or push mounds depending on where you were on the mountain.

Binding Adjustability: This is a pretty straight forward binding when it comes to adjustability. You have the standard slide down toe ladder and strap for placement, flip cams on the heel and toe, and a toe ramp that you can move forward or backwards. The forward lean is a simple flip down and slide tab.

Straps: Here’s the unique thing about these, they feature the same straps as Now Bindings. Which explains why I kept thinking these felt like a Now binding while I was riding them. The toe strap has a large enough cut out to contour to any boot. What I liked about the straps was that you felt secure when you were strapped in and they didn’t budge or have any give, you could drive hard into them and they did their job.

Ratchets: They’re ratchets, they worked. I wouldn’t say they’re the best or worst I’ve used. The press down toe release seems counter intuitive since the heel ratchet has a release lever on it.

Highbacks: They’re carbon, but honestly didn’t seem overly stiff like other ones of this caliber. They did they’re job and you could really drive into them and they would transfer that energy. The nice thing was these weren’t overly high, so there was no calf bite.

Binding Flex: This binding is marketed as being really stiff and responsive, I didn’t find it overly stiff. It felt like any freeride binding that you want control from. You can drive into it aggressively and it will transmit that power into the board and your edge to edge control.

Ride: This binding rides smooth and stable. There’s power and performance from it where you want it, but it doesn’t make you feel like you’re working to get it to initiate.

Rider in Mind: Someone that is enthralled with the idea of Carbon being in their binding or someone that just wants a binding that feels like you’ve ridden on it forever that has power and performance.

Personal Thoughts: This felt like a binding I had been on for 100 days straight. It did what I needed it to do and never faltered. It was super solid, form fitting, and functional. For being a carbon binding it didn’t feel like I had to work hard to get the most from it.

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