Year Model: 2022
Size: M
Boot size: Women’s 9. The Medium bindings are a bit big but work. I tried the Small and they also worked for my boot. If I had my pick, I’d go small.
Board used: Pallas Epiphany Splitboard
Flex: Medium
Shock Absorption: Medium dampness, they reduce chatter underfoot well.
Entry/Exit: Quick to get on and off, they work just like a typical snowboard binding.
Comfort: Very comfortable, the straps stretch over your foot and disperse pressure, which is great for people who easily get foot pain. A padded underfoot (Union was the first in splitboard bindings to offer this) is comfortable and reduces chatter, and the plastic highbacks are great for a surfy ride.
Who would love them: The big decision in splitboarding is often binding weight vs. comfort. These Union Explorer bindings ride just like a regular snowboard binding. They are hard plastic and durable. If you are more interested in the way down, these bindings are awesome, but if you’re doing long tours with way more touring than snowboarding, you may want a lighter weight binding. These lean more towards a freestyle vibe than other splitboard bindings out there.
What stands out: These bindings use the pin system unlike a lot. The bindings sit down on the baseplates and then spin into place, and then a pin goes through to secure them. This pin needs to be clipped into place securely or it will fall out while riding. In touring mode, the pin goes through the front of the binding easily and clips into place. There is no riser pad that attaches to the board, which I like for simplicity.
Overall feelings: I would definitely recommend these Union Explorer bindings for their price point. Definitely not the lightest splitboard binding out there, but awesome for a responsive ride down, a more playful feel, and super easy to use. Personally, I don’t notice them being ‘heavy’ either.
