Flow Snowboard Bindings - Are These Bindings Made For You?



Posted: Saturday, September 05, 2009

by Matt Banks
BoardRiderLounge

Flow snowboard bindings certainly did things differently and people either hate them or love them. A lot of riders are completely stoked on the Flow system. They enable quicker strap-in time which results in more time spent riding and less time spent ratcheting down your straps. But they come with a getting used to that discourages some people and can make a first time riding experience less than stellar. When you decide to go with Flow snowboard bindings you are not just trading out out your old bindings for newer ones. You're stepping into a completely different binding system. There is a huge discussion about whether or not strap-ins or step-ins are the preferred kind of snowboard binding and now that Flow has introduced something practically as fundamentally different; their bindings have entered in the discussion.

The first point you have to recognize is exactly how Flows are different. If you haven't seen them on the hill or haven't scoped them out on the web then here's how they are unique. With your usual strap-in binding, there are two straps that lay across boot. You're accustomed with those. With Flow bindings you never have to adjust two straps as you do with standard bindings. What you do instead is lower the highack down and step in from the back. So the advantage is that you have speedy rear entry access and you use up less time struggling with your straps to get them just right. So once you have them set up just as you like you don't really have to adjust and re-adjust every time you get off the lift.

After you have initially set up your bindings to your perfect taste, you won't be inconvenienced from the frequent foot aches associated with tightening down your bindings too securely. You are getting additional comfort because Flow has replaced the two strap system with one unit called the PowerStrap. And more, since you'll be doing much less ratcheting, the binding straps won't wear out as fast. The patented Power Triangle system also keeps all the straps connected so that even if there is a mal-function, you won't be left without half your binding straps.

But of course these are not for everybody but quite a few people are pretty stoked on Flow snowboard bindings. For starters, the binding is a good bit heavier than the majority of other bindings. Even though it's some pretty sweet and functional technology, nobody really wants to ride with any more extra load than necessary. Although you can get in and out of these bindings pretty quickly, some cheaper models can be a bit tricky to open. This is especially the case if you are sitting down. Learn to strap in standing up if you are going to get Flows. Another complaint you will hear about these snowboard bindings is that fluff easily ends up against the high back making them difficult to latch.

For 2009 you will have your option of 15 styles in men's bindings, 6 styles in women's and 3 styles for the kids. Depending on your riding taste and ability you can select from a freestyle, all-mountain,big-mountain or freeride snowboard binding. Freestyle bindings are meant for the park riders and half pipe riders; all-mountain bindings are designed to be all purpose; big-mountain bindings are for riding sizeable lines and have a lot more support; freeride models also are more supportive than freestyle for example.

While it isn't for every person, the rear entry system deserves praise for attempting to intoduce another level to snowboarding. Like every other company, Flow is continuously trying to enhance their product and the chances are that their bindings will only get tougher. So if your present bindings just aren't comfy enough and you are tired of the strap annoyance give Flow snowboard bindings a go.

Boardriderlounge.com serves up articles, videos, forum rants and an extensive selection of deeply discounted snowboard gear from top merchants. Compare and save by accessing the internet's best snowboard gear deals all in one place. And of course you will find a large selection of Flow snowboard bindings on sale.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Paul Schroeder
 2 years 262 days ago.
73 fans.
And here I was,convinced that the only ones who enjoyed resort snowboarding junkets were the osteopaths who set broken bones and mended twisted cartilage
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