Salomon Chief Snowboard Binding Review |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Compare Prices & Buyer Reviews
The Good Ride TakeA quick look at the 2012 Salomon Chief
A Good Ride Take on Binding Tech 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 Salomon Boards
Company Info & SpecsSalomon Cheif 2012Chief Advanced Class Connection The Chief is packed full of new tech for 11/12. Canted Footbed, 3D Supreme ankle strap and our long throw Viper ratchet. Our best binding for the advanced rider, on board every day riding whatever the snow throws your way. Responsive, comfortable and built with quality.
Salomon Cheif 2011Peak to TweakThe Chief blends a super responsive base plate for high speed run-ins with plush comfy straps, SCS + Full EVA dampening and a softer highback for tweaking out those Methods and landing everything like you’re riding in pow.
Salomon Cheif 2010Visionary Flex and SupportFLEX: 4Want the perfect blend of style and substance? The Chief is the all-around badass for you. Full of cushion and comfort for landing like Grenier and responsive for all wheel drive style control through icy carves or questionable run-ins.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Salomon Chief Snowboard Binding Review
Bindings - Binding Reviews
 |
4.7 (3) |
.jpg)
.
User reviews
Average user rating from: 3 user(s)
|
|
|
Two boards - two sets of Chiefs!
|
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
I find these bindings just perfect for all around riding.They are firm enough to go on an aggressive all-mountain board (I have the 2011 model on a Salomon Special II as The Good Ride suggests in its review), yet the highback is flexible enough for these to be used on a freestyle all-mountain board (I've used the 2010 model on a Salomon Grip and Stepchild Headless Horseman and was pleased with it in both cases). While I was very happy with the 2010 model when I got it, the 2011 (and 2012) model is definitely better - the toe strap does offer better fit over the boot. Adjustments are many, easy, and intuitive. Finally, the fast-fit toe strap is just soooo convenient. No having to clear that strap from the base of the binding when stepping in. Just flip up, ratchet down, and ride. I'm surprised other manufacturers don't do this with their bindings. |
Was this review helpful to you?
Reviewed by nvansluy
January 31, 2012 |
Just gets out of the way
|
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Have about a dozen days on these on two board - Rossignol Taipan and Rossignol Experience.1. The toe strap is quick and easy, as the two halves are permanently connected. It's easy to loosen it all the way and flop it forward for easy in & out. I sometimes find it comes off my boot during a run, but have had this happen with another brand as well so it might just be me. Never noticed until I looked down afterward. 2. Canted footbed is subtle but helps get a comfortable stance. Highly recommend this if you have an ankle issue that's aggravated by the foot rolling to the outside edge. 3. These bindings seem to just get out of the way; I don't notice them when riding, and it lets me focus on just that. 4. Size M seems to fit well with a Burton size 8 boot (I have Imperials from last season). 5. Well thought-out design, and good construction, but you do need both #2 and #3 phillips heads to adjust everything on the binding, plus an allen wrench. They include a cheap one. Easy to start stripping the screw head if you're not careful - try a better quality allen wrench and ensure it's seated all the way in. 6. They marked up my topsheet - they left a round black circle at the cutout for the disc. |
Was this review helpful to you?
Reviewed by Steve
January 12, 2012 |
Good Stuff
|
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
I currently own the 08-09 model year Salomon Chief bindings, and I would buy another pair in a hearbeat. I recently let a buddy try my setup and right as he strapped in (before he had even taken a run) he commented how he wanted my bindings. They feel that good from the get go, responsive and damp, and have never let me down in the ~35 full days I have on them. The Salomon fast fit toe strap is excellent as you can get it on 1 handed every time. I crank my straps pretty tight and occasionally they have a hard time releasing if they get packed with heavy / wet snow, and sometimes my small toes go a bit numb under the toe strap, but I cant necessarily blame that on the fit of the binding, so I have no real complaints.
|
Was this review helpful to you?
Reviewed by 6IX
May 13, 2011 |