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K2 Company Snowboard Binding Review

$249
Intermediate to Expert All Mountain
Most people just don't care about quick strap/release bindings so it's good to see K2 respond to this and offer a higher end traditional strap binding to their line. The K2 Company is a nice step up from the Formula. It's lighter and a little more responsive. It also shares the same can't in the foot bed that helps the rider keep their body in better allignment as well as make for reduced fatigue and better control over your board. We like the ratchet system and long term reliability that this binding offers. The toe and ankle straps hold very well and give good support. K2's ankle strap is different than many other bindings out there as well. It's a little bigger in the middle where most taper. It does flex rather well so for most it won't pinch. The rachets work very well. We also like the addition of some tooless screws in the binding similar to what Flux does. We'd still like to see a little more shock absorption as well as have K2 address better flex under foot to reduce the dead spot created by bindings on the board. Many companies do this these days so it's not an unreasonable request. However for the price the Company is a good choice for the rider that is looking for something better than the K2 Formula who doesn't want their auto or cinch tech.

How It Rides
Flex	Stiff	Response	Good	Dampening	Excellent
Adjustability	Good	Weight	Light	Shock Absorption	Average
Comfort	Excellent	Lateral Movement	Average	Board/Boot Integration	Good

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The Good Ride Take

Metal vs Plastic Bindings

This is a Goodride breakdown for all you that are having a tough time choosing your bindings and what to make of the material you are looking at. Most bindings are Metal, Plastic or some combo of the 2.

Metal Bindings have a lot of great aspects. Almost all-metal bindings are made from aluminum. Aluminum is great when it come to weight to stiffness ratio and also pretty durable. There is one key issue with metal/aluminum bindings; they transfer all the vibrations from the board right into your feet. This is the same principle that pelage “bass-less” bindings, your feet got totally tired or fatigued. The newer generations have much better/damp bases so this problem has been minimized and in some cases eliminated. There are some companies that make great bindings despite the vibration issue with Aluminum. Some that come to mind are Ride and Rome.

Plastic Bindings also have many great features but let’s address some technical stuff first. Most plastic bindings are really hardened glass plastic mix. The high-end stuff tends to have a more carbon, and carbon fiber added for extra stiffness and weight savings. Plastic bindings really dominate the market right now and most top bindings these days are mostly or all plastic. They can be really stiff and react well to your commands. The new bindings finally dialed in the carbon/ fiber integration to the point that the bindings will perform with the stiffness of metal and absorb more chatter. Most industry leaders have limited or completely eliminated metal from their bindings and we feel that with the materials used right now this is the future. Some mostly plastic companies that we feel rock are Burton, Flux and Union.

What kind of binding should you buy? It’s a tough call. Both Plastic and Metal bindings offer freestyle, freeride and all mountain styles. At this point we feel that plastic bindings are edging out metal bindings when it comes to the very high end $300+ category. However it is a tough call in the below $300 category as to which material has the advantage.

The Good Ride Take on K2
K2 is a big company that makes a lot of ski and snowboard gear. K2 chose Flat Camber and variations of flat/rocker for their snowboards in the post camber revolution. Their flat camber has a mixed take but their flat/rocker shapes seem to be well liked and some are Good Ride Favorites. When it comes to Bindings K2 spends a lot of time working on the quick strap/release side of things and they have 2 quick release designs. Some like this but others would rather see them work on improved turn initiation, comfort and better board flex under foot. We’d at least like to see them switch to only one quick release and develop their normal bindings more. Their boots are well made, long lasting and comfortable but some don’t have the adjustability that some boots have. Their customer support is very good but there is no phone # on their site so you must contact them via email. All in all K2 does a pretty good job when it comes to making snowboard gear for a wide variety of riders.

Company Info & Specs

K2 Company 2012

~The~

Company

$249.95

NO NONSENSE TECHED OUT TWO-STRAP

Answering the call for a two-strap binding stacked with K2’s high-end feature set. The 2011-2012 K2 Company snowboard binding is the team choice for all situations. From jib fun to critical bangers, the K2 Company is a sound investment.

Harshmellow - Bindings

Harshmellow - Bindings Bindings Technology

New! Pro-fection

New! Pro-fection Bindings Technology

Clean lightweight design

• Clean design focused on lightweight durability
• On-Board Tool-less Power Ramp Adjust
• On-board Toe Strap Mount Position
• Multi-position Ankle Strap Mount

Canted Footbeds

Canted Footbeds Bindings Technology

• Angled inward 3 degrees to match your natural leg position during riding.• More support to the outside of the foot provides improved control and ollie pop.• Reduces fatigue allowing you to ride longer and stronger.

Gap Eraser Highbacks

Gap Eraser Highbacks Bindings Technology

Allows you to completely eliminate all gapping between boot and highback, highback and heelcup creating a snug union between you and your board.

Laid-Back Forward Lean

Laid-Back Forward Lean Bindings Technology

Want less forward lean? All K2 Highbacks have reduced starting forward lean. Maximum forward lean is maintained by increased range of adjustment.

Airlock Highback

Airlock Highback Bindings Technology

• Cored Lightweight Design• Seamless Power Transfer• Smooth, Asymmetrical Flex• Patented Tool-Less Forward Lean

Rocklock

Rocklock Bindings Technology

• Asym shaping to match your natural stance• Seamless Power Transfer• Thermo-Formed EVA Calfpad• Patented Tool-Less Forward Lean

Harshmellow Basepad

Harshmellow Basepad Bindings Technology

• Harshmellow gasket under the chassis isolates vibration• Reduces rider fatigue• Absorbs harsh landing impact

Seamless EVA Footbed

Seamless EVA Footbed Bindings Technology

• EVA cover with polycarbonate support frame prevents snow build-up.• Tool-less ‘Pop Top’ Disc Cover for easy access to disc mount screws

Power Ramp

Power Ramp Bindings Technology

• Tool-Less Adjustment• Integrated with Full Seamless Footbed

Multi Compatible Disc

Multi Compatible Disc Bindings Technology

• Two slot design mounts on 4-hole and 3-hole patterns...• Align slots tip-tail for 4-hole• Align slots toe-heel for 3-hole• Powerhold washers provide bomber locking power