Binding Model: Salomon Highlander
Binding Size: Lg/XL
Stance and Angles: 21.5 Wide 15 Negative 12 Goofy
Boot Used: K2 Thraxis
Boot Size: 10
Board Used: Endeavor Archetype
Rider Weight: 195lbs
Location: Arapahoe Basin
Conditions: Overcast skies, colder temps, blower pow, and a little bit of wind.
Binding Adjustability: So you have the standard flip cam adjustments on the toe and heel strap. There’s also the pin placement for the toe strap. You can move the highback in the heelcup with two screws. The toe ramp slides out and can be locked in.
Straps: That toe strap is designed to fit just about any shape. It will contour around them and lock in perfectly. The heel strap is of that new age minimalist variety that removes excess material and is designed to contour around your heel perfectly. It does that.
Ratchets: I’m not a fan of press down release ratchets, but these work so flawlessly. You can feel the power of them as they climb. The release is smooth as well. Basically these are dialed.
Highbacks: The highbacks are a little spongy and this is due in part to the Shadowfit technology. You have that soft heel cup so there’s some give in them. It’s designed to give you support where you need it but still be playful, and it is.
Binding Flex: The overall flex is somewhere around a middle of the road, maybe just a hair below that. You can feel that Shadowfit has give in the heel. It’s a playful binding you can occasionally charge with.
Ride: Here’s the thing about the ride if you’re going fast and being aggressive there’s response. But the second you slow it down you lose power off the heels due to the shadowfit.
Rider in Mind: All mountain skate styled rider.
Personal Thoughts: This binding has a canted footbed, I never noticed it so it does have that going for it. What I didn’t like was the fact that you lose power off the heels if you’re not charging. It just becomes sloppy going into slow speed carves or turns. When you’re charging though it compensates for the Shadowfit and you can push into it aggressively.
