Binding Model: Rossignol Cuda

Binding Size: M/L

Stance and Angles: 21.5 Wide 15 Negative 12 Goofy

Boot Used: K2 Thraxis

Boot Size: 10

Board Used: Telos Mike Ranquet

Rider Weight: 200lbs

Location: Copper Mountain

Conditions: Overcast skies with high visibility, snow falling, fresh snow over corduroy, and heavier older snow off the runs.

Binding Adjustability: The big thing with this binding is that it fits a size 8 to 13, this is not a good idea as that’s a huge variance. This means that the heel cup adjustment can fit 6 different sized boots, yeah right. Instead of flip cams on the straps you have a push down quick release, great if this was a rental binding, not so great for a binding that someone who actually knows how to ride. Sure it’s quick and simple but with a little force it releases and the straps slide. Otherwise you have 2 spots for highback rotation and the forward lean on that as well as three spots to adjust the toe ramp.

Straps: The heel strap is a two piece construction. A stiff hard plastic exoskeleton with a cheap foam on the inside. The foam is only connected at two points on the outside and I actually had it bunk up and create a weird pinch point. Otherwise the strap was a strap I’ve ridden worse and I’ve ridden way better, it wasn’t anything remarkable. The toe strap is a webbed hard plastic, this really doesn’t contour as well as it could if it were a more malleable. I had it pop off twice from my boot just due to the shaping.

Ratchets: The ratchets on the heel strapped could use a wide mouth guide to better ease the ladder strap in but otherwise they climbed well, released quick, and didn’t have any issues. The toe strap also needs a ladder feed, but these are more rigid when feeding the ladder in and take excessive effort. Otherwise they released and climbed well enough.

Highbacks: There’s a little bit of natural forward lean so they aren’t a true zero. Which if you ride with zero lean this will piss you off. Otherwise they did their job and were about what you would expect. There’s a little bit of play in them but nothing mind blowing.

Binding Flex: The overall flex is a little stiffer than middle of the road all mountain. You don’t get a lot of lateral play in them due to the huge dead spot the disk creates. The straps are rigid so don’t expect a lot of give from their either.

Ride: The overall ride is like using an older binding that has a huge dead spot, a lack of flex at integral parts, and a slightly dead damp feel.

Rider in Mind: All mountain rider that wants a stiffer binding with weird adjustments.

Personal Thoughts: Dear Rossignol France, I give you evidence that a one size fits all binding approach does not work. It may in a rental shop, but these are retail bindings. Your base plate has essentially been the same since I was a teenager, even if you did add 2 holes for ICS option. The straps work but they could be better and by work I mean they will hold you in but in a world of options yours rank right up there with the knock off Alibaba express bindings every cheap company comes out with. You need to reinvest in your binding division and create a better offering. You know it, I know it, the people reading or watching this review know it. You make some sick boards, now is the time to make some sick bindings.

Comparable Bindings: Union Force, K2 Formula, Burton Cartel