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Sun & Ski Sports K2 Men's Formula Snowboard Bindings '12... $189.99 Check Availability Powdertools.com K2 Formula Snowboard Binding| Men's... $189.95 Check Availability Christy Sports K2 Formula Snowboard Binding| Men's... $189.95 Check Availability Tactics K2 Formula Snowboard Bindings... $189.95 Check Availability The Gear Lounge K2 Mens Formula Binding 2012... $174.95 Check Availability TightBoards.com K2 Formula Snowboard Bindings Green... $151.95 Check Availability TightBoards.com K2 Formula Snowboard Bindings Black... $151.95 Check Availability ProBoardShop.com K2 Formula Snowboard Bindings Green - Men's... $141.95 Check Availability Snowboards.net K2 Formula Snowboard Bindings 2012... $132.98 Check Availability Skis.com K2 Formula Snowboard Bindings... $132.98 Check Availability SummitOnline.com K2 Formula Snowboard Bindings... $132.98 Check Availability evo K2 Formula Snowboard Bindings 2012... $132.97 Check Availability Backcountry.com K2 Snowboards Formula Snowboard Binding... $132.97 Check Availability REI.com K2 Formula Snowboard Bindings - 2011/2012... $132.93 Check Availability US Outdoor Store K2 Formula Binding - 2012... $131.95 Check Availability Powdertools.com K2 Formula Binding | Men's | 10/11... $124.95 Check Availability Alpinewarehouse.com K2 Formula Binding | Men's | 10/11... $124.95 Check Availability Christy Sports K2 Formula Binding | Men's | 10/11... $124.95 Check Availability The Ski Bum K2 Formula Snowboard Binding- Yellow... $113.97 Check Availability Snowboard Connection K2 Formula Bindings GREEN... $113.97 Check Availability

The Good Ride Take

The K2 Formula Snowboard Binding Review by The Good Ride

K2 made a big move when it came to the old Formulas vs. the new Formulas and we want to take a moment to show the difference.  If you are going to buy these we strongly suggest paying a little more for the 2009-2010 models and up.  The 2008-2009 model and below  just don't cut the mustard for us.

The Older K2 Formula's
These have excellent ratchets and very comfortable straps. When we started getting them set up and that is when some frustration set in.   The first thing is the base plates have a different washer and screw set up that just isn't as easy to get set up.  The washers will be difficult to replace if you loose them where almost every other binding has similar washers so you can go to a shop and get new ones.  Also the gas pedal adjustment was not that easy to set up either.  It has 2 little pegs you have to push down to adjust it.   The biggest pisser was the Heel Loop for the older bindings.  Instead of 2 screws like a lot of metal/plastic bindings have it has a screw bolt system in the front and a double Allen wrench set up in the front.  You need 2 Allen wrenches to close it back up.  This is just short bus!  Why couldn't they just put another screw in there???? Our Bindings arrived at the smallest shoe setting so we had to adjust them in order for a size 8 and size 9 boot to fit.  The entire base plate is made of very hard plastic/fiberglass and it is especially hard on the top sheet of your board.  The one saving grace is the straps are very easy to adjust.  you just flip this tab and they are ready to adjust.   The high backs have 4 holes on each side where most have 3 so you can tweak your high backs to work with the angle you adjust them to.The one issue the old bindings had  there is a very small oval hollowed out in the heel for more EVA foam where most heels these days are being completely removed and replaced with Rubber, Gel and EVA or sometimes all three.  The majority of your boot will still hit the hard plastic a few millimeters below the EVA foam. 

2010, 2011 and 2012

K2 changed out the old metal/plastic base plate to a complete plastic/fiberglass base plate.   You no longer have to adjust a metal heel loop to fit your boot!  Well done These bindings went from a pain to a pleasure to set up and also added a lot more heel cushioning. It's also easier on your top sheet.  The next fix is they went from a small oval of EVA surrounded by hard plastic to more shock absorption that get's closer to the Union Contact and most Burton bindings.   The entire base plate has EVA foam across it and a flap to cover the screws so it fits your foot better.  This seems to be the trend for every snowboard company so it's not as unique as it use to be.  The high backs are pretty aggressive.  They also kept the same strap system from previous years which we applaud.   The one thing we wish they kept was the 4 hole per side adjustment system for the high backs.  The new models just have 3. 

So on the hill this binding doesn't surprise you in any way.  It is very predictable and rides like most bindings did a few years ago.  We rode these bindings on 2 different boards.  A freeride board and an all mountain freestyle board.  Both boards we have tried many bindings on so we have a good idea of how they ride. The K2 Formula's rode rather flat and unresponsive compared to the Union, Rome, Flux and Burton Bindings we had on these boards before.  Flat response is desirable for some but for most of us at the good ride we like a binding that takes less work to manipulate the board.  Normally we like an ankle strap of this size but it just didn't conform to the way your forward flex works and caused some pressure points.  It will probably go away over time but it would of been a little better to taper the size near the center of the binding.   The toe strap was excellent.  It works either way without any issues but we preferred it over the toe.   

After our demo of these bindings we took them off to see a lot more than your usual marks on the board.  It was very frustrating compared to union and Burton EST bindings.  Those 2 bindings leave minimal impact.   All in all this binding would not be something we would like to add to our quiver but it seems to be a good binding if you can find it on sale at the end of the season.  We feel K2 has wasted too much time trying to make an easy entry binding instead of working on better turn initiation.  This is one of the only traditional bindings they have left and even though they made some changes it still needs some work.  If you like the old school feeling where you have to work more for your turns and you have a very tough top sheet then this might be an option.

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 Formula 2012

Formula

TEAM TESTED, SHOP STAFF APPROVED

The foundation of K2’s binding progression, The 2011-2012 K2 Formula snowboard binding is loaded once again with canted footbeds, Pro-Fusion GF chassis lightness and Rocklock highback coring. Now with 4 colorway’s, one’s sure to fit your kit.

Canted Footbeds

• 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.

Pro-Fusion GF

Glass FIlled Nylon strength

• Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon design
• On-Board Tool-less Power Ramp Adjust
• On-board Toe Strap Mount Position
• Multi-position Ankle Strap Mount

Gap Eraser Highbacks

 

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

Rocklock

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

Seamless EVA Footbed

• 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

• Tool-Less Adjustment• Integrated with Full Seamless Footbed

Multi Compatible Disc

 

• 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

Multi Compatible-Offset Discs

• Offset slots to allow for toe-heel centering by rotating it 180 degrees

Tool-Less Universal

 

• Cored for a lightweight and secure fit over the toe• Tool-Less cam-lock adjust

EZ Feed

A wider, tapered ladder opening allows for the easiest, ease of entry.

Hinge Mount

K2 PATENTED!

Provides easy entry and exit from the binding by allowing the ankle strap to move freely away from the footbed.

Cam Lock-Center Adjusting

 

Tool-less and secure adjustment, allows you to precisely center your straps with ease and speed.

Custom Caddi

• Super Cush performance• Ladder Cover• Durable PU laminates

K2 Formula 2011

Formula Construction Features

CHASSIS:

NEW! Pro-Fusion Chassis

FOOTBED FEATURES:

NEW! Canted Footbed w/ Seamless EVA, Pop-Top Disc Cover, Tool-Less Adjust Power Ramp

HIGHBACK:

NEW! Rocklock Highback

ANKLE STRAP:

Custom Caddy Ankle Strap

STRAP FEATURES:

Hinge Mount & Cam-Lock centering adjust

TOE STRAP:

Tool-Less Universal Toe Strap

RATCHET:

Aluminum Litespeed Ratchets w/ EZ Feed Housings

DISC:

Multi-Compatible & Offset Discs

K2 Formula 2010

SIZES

M, L, XL

Black

Yellow

Black/White

Pictures

K2 Formula 2011

K2 Formula 2010

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