Union Force – Binding Review

Binding: Union Force

Unoin Force

Now this is a binding worth taking about! The Union Force snowboard binding has not been around all that long but you are seeing it pop up everywhere. I was really happy to get my hands on a set of these, so I strapped them into my skate banana and off we went.  The most noticeable thing about these bindings was the response you got out of them but they are still soooo flexible.  I was amazed with these, I liked them better than my Rome 390’s. Through the park these bindings were hardly noticeable, it felt like my feet were directly attached to the board, and there were no pressure points anywhere. I didn’t really find anything I didnt like about these union force’s, you should definitely try them or pick them up for your next set of bindings.  I am going to shred these this year instead of the 390.

Grades:
Construction: A+
Flex: Medium – Soft
Weight: Light
Comfort: A
Size: Fits true to size
Usage: Park/Street/All Mountain
Overall: A

Edited: November 8th, 2009

Rome 390 Snowboard Binding – 09/10 Review

Binding: Rome 390

This is more of an update than a review, I tried the 2009/2010’s and they are virtually the exact same, enjoyed them just as much as my own, which are still living after 75 days of abuse. These bindings are great and I would recommend them to anyone.

Rome 390

Grades:
Construction: A+
Flex: Med-Soft
Weight: Light
Comfort: A
Size: Fits true to size
Usage: Park/Streets with a little all mountain
Overall: A+ Great binding

Edited: November 4th, 2009

Ride Contraband – Review

Ride Contraband

Binding: Ride Contraband

Truly as advertised the Ride Contraband is a very light binding that is quick to strap into. I got to ride them for a few days but, this was all after a fairly lengthy and apparently “worth it time to set up”.  Overall I found the contrabands a little uncomfortable but just incomparable to the rome 390’s  or the union force’s. The extra maybe 15 seconds it takes to do up the second strap on other bindings is worth it. For shredding around the mountain and in the park I found them sloppy and well unresponsive. This is all after being stoked to try these bindings and then maybe the contraband was not for me, but I do know I am going to stick with my 390’s.

Grades:
Construction: B-
Flex: Medium
Weight: Light
Comfort: B-
Size: Fits true to size
Usage: All mountain / Park
Overall: B -

Edited: November 4th, 2009

Rome Targa – Review

Binding: Rome Targa

Rome Targa Black

The Rome Targa is a truly customizable binding; you get to choose how soft or firm the ankle strap can be. This is a handy binding if you find yourself riding everywhere on the mountain, from backcountry pow to the urban streets-this binding can do it all.  With the targa (over the 390) you get the extra AutoStrap on the toe strap, as well as more cushioning on the baseplate. The only downfall to this is that it makes it a little heavier, oh well! I liked this binding a lot. It was a very close call between these and the 390’s, but I liked the more cushion in the plush ankle strap and the weight of the 390’s better. One of my buddies liked the targa’s more… Bottom line: targa’s are sick!

Grades:
Construction: A+
Flex: Stiff to Soft, you chose
Weight: Light
Comfort: A
Size: Fits true to size
Usage: Park / Streets / All mountain
Overall: A

Edited: July 9th, 2009

Rome 390 (Neon) – Review

Rome 390 Neon

Binding: Rome 390 (Neon)

A great park binding with enough response to throw off those kickers, and flexible enough to throw down on jibs.  I rode this binding as well as many others this season and this one was one of my personal favorites, hence why I bought a pair This binding is tough, yet light and is an amazing all-round park binding.  Although you could use it for an all mountain binding if you like a little more flex its home is really the park, and that’s where Rome designed it for.  It held up to over 25 days of constant park abuse, by yours truly and my shred buddy, and still works awesome; never replaced a part. I love the AutoStrap that Rome developed. It’s this piece of rubber that holds the ankle (and toe on the targa) away from the binding so its easier to get in.  The only downfall to the 390 is that its only on the ankle (damn targa’s).  These have become my perfect binding – for this season at least.

Grades:
Construction: A+
Flex: Med-Soft
Weight: Light
Comfort: A
Size: Fits true to size
Usage: Park/Streets with a little all mountain
Overall: A+ Great binding

Edited: July 9th, 2009

Snowboard Academy Review

Hey Shredders!!! Welcome to my review of Matt Belair’s video snowboard academy.

Snowboard Academy DVD

I have been snowboarding for about 5-6 years now and I am completely addicted to the sport! I get up to whistler about 35-40 days a season! Last season I ran into a fairly common problem snowboarders have: how to start shredding the park,  and how to stomp those gnarly tricks.  Over the past season I got comfortable hitting all the jumps in the park and some of the rails, but I was still not able to throw those 5`s, 7`s or even those smooth looking 3`s and my jibbing was a mess. I had no idea where to start. That’s where Matt Belair`s videos came in.  His step-by-step training videos show you how to:

• -Spin 3’s, 5’s, 7’s, and more
• -Throw off axis tricks
• -Flips
• -Jib rails like a pro

I found his videos very helpful but they also offered other benefits that no one else did, such as:

• -How to train for snowboarding (stretching & work-outs)
• -How to mentally prepare for the tricks (the most over looked part of snowboarding)

I explored many options before buying these videos, like:

• -Camp of champs (have you looked at the price?!?!?!?! I don’t know who could afford this)
• -Other professional instruction (once again very expensive for the instruction that you get)
• -Having friends help me (we all know how that goes)

After I had searched the internet and toyed with the idea of getting some professional instruction, I decided to pick up the Snowboard Academy videos and give them a try. Wow! Am I ever happy I bought them! The best part about these videos is that they are 100% guaranteed. If you don’t find them helpful he will refund your money and let you keep the videos… so what do you have to lose?

I watched these videos and shit! what a world of difference. Immediately my buddies started to notice how differently I was riding. No lie, within the first day of me riding after watching these videos I was throwing 360’s no problem! I could not believe it. My spins were looking solid and my jibing had improved 10x! I was riding all the rails in the park and throwing spins off of every jump! I was stoked! And my friends were jealous.

Matt Belair’s Snowboard Academy [Click Here]

7 FREE BONUSES worth over $100 to concrete your success:

BONUS #1 — SYSTEM INTEGRATION ($19.00 value)
We promised to leave no stone unturned and to give you the hands down best freestyle snowboard coaching in the entire world.

BONUS #2 — HOW TO GET SPONSORED ($29.00 value)
Finally a step-by-step, no bull-crap approach to getting sponsored.

BONUS #3 — SUPER PARK GUIDED VISUALIZATION ($49.00 value)
This guided visualization will do 2 things that will rocket your progression instantly.

BONUS #4 — THE ONE MINUTE SNOWBOARD MIND MIRACLE ($24.00 value)
What exactly separates a professional snowboarder from the average snowboarder?

BONUS #5 — THE 33 DAY TRAINING MANUAL ($24.00 value)
Designed to teach you a simple and effective way to train for snowboarding.

BONUS #6 — RESOURCE LIST
Have you ever wondered what the best snowboard sites are?

BONUS #7 — TRAINING LOG
Since you’ve just downloaded the most “kick ass” Snowboard camp in the world we want to make sure you are going to get off your but and train.

Edited: July 8th, 2009