Binding Model: Bataleon Astro Full Wrap Gimbal God
Binding Size: M/L
Stance and Angles: 21.5 Wide 15 Negative 12 Goofy
Boot Used: K2 Thraxis
Boot Size: 10
Board Used: Ride Shadowban
Rider Weight: 200lbs
Location: Copper Mountain
Conditions: A mix of clouds and blue skies, slightly below average temps, an inch or two off the groomed runs, and perfect corduroy everywhere else.
Binding Adjustability: The straps have flip tabs and the toe strap is on a push pin allowing for you to to move it into 3 positions. The highbacks have rotation as well as forward lean adjustments. The footbed slides forward and backward. The final adjustment comes from the heel cup, you can move it in or out based on the size of your boot.
Straps: The Infinity straps just grip so well. The toe strap contours around any boot shape and just locks in it. The heel strap is probably the thickest version of auxtech that any brand is using. This gives it a little more plushness and girth so you can drive into it aggressively.
Ratchets: The mouth feed for the ladder is wider so it allows for a better grip when you’re cranking it down. The one finger quick release is smooth and simple. When you are tightening down these work perfectly.
Highbacks: The highback is a little more rigid and doesn’t have as much play in it as others from the Bataleon line, but it does the job. Yes there isn’t much padding to this but that’s fine.
Binding Flex: With this being the full wrap version you do get a stiffer binding. There’s really nothing different in terms of the regular Astro Full Wrap but the colorway. The overall flex of this binding is in the middle of the road and you do get some lateral play but not as much as you would with the asym wrap version. The straps have give where it counts but otherwise are noticeably stiff enough.
Ride: The overall ride is damp and smooth. The footbed does a great job of reducing micro vibrations and the base foam absorbs those bigger shocks. This makes it smooth and damp which gives the binding some life instead of making it a dead turd.
Rider in Mind: All mountain do it all guy.
Personal Thoughts: I’ve ridden this binding just not in this limited release colorway. It’s solid. Like super solid. The fact that it utilizes the Rome full wrap chassis and then puts Bataleons take on straps, highback, and footbed is great. The straps are solid, the highback does its thing, and the footbed is nice and damp.
Comparable Bindings:
Rome DOD: https://bit.ly/3ZeGeCt
Ride C-6: https://bit.ly/3ZcJvSZ
Bent Metal Transfer: https://bit.ly/42K3Bqs
