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Salomon Relay Snowboard Binding Review

$229
Intermediate to Expert All Mountain Freeride
The Salomon Relay has been around for a while and is one of their better all mountain bindings out there. It has a lot of stiff competition from many excellent bindings in it's price class but if the style is right for you it's not a bad choice. Just like their boards some people swear by Salomon and some are really turned off by them. These bindings have a tall base plate and high back that at it's lowest setting has a forward lean. This binding is strange in one way. It relies on a Steel cable instead of a fiberglass/Plastic heel to hold the high back in place. For 2011 The Relay moved from a solid strap system to a strap system that is hollowed out in the middle that is similar to the Burton Prophecy. We like this tech as it makes the straps a little more comfortable for all. The old straps on the 2010's and below aren't a deal breaker but they aren't as comfortable as the new ones. We'd like to see Salomon remove more of the base plat to allow more turn initiation but the Relay still does a good job of getting a stiff board from edge to edge in tight situations. If you like the concept of the Relay but want some more response then go for the Salomon Relay Pro. For 2012 there were some changes that aren't revolutionary but make for a better ride. All in all the Salomon Relay performs well for it's price and is a good all mountain to Freeride choice for a snowboard binding.

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

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The Good Ride Take

A quick look at the 2012 Salomon Relay

A Good Ride Take on Binding Tech
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 plague “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
Salomon is small compared to some companies but they have the complete line up and a very strong following. You will either love or hate a Salomon board. Salomon makes a very fast and damp all mountain to freeride board that seems to feel best at high speeds. It is really scary how fast it is. They have also made a solid effort to make some pretty good park boards as well and won some Good Wood Award's in the park and pipe. If you are looking for something a bit off the beaten path Salomon might work for you.
Boots
It is almost undisputed amongst most knowledgeable riders that Salomon has some of the best boots out there. They have spent a lot of time making a boot that fits well and that won’t pack out much. Even though there is a semi-traditional lacing system it still has a speed lace tightening system and it can lock at each rung on the upper part of the boot. Some complain that the Salomon boot runs a bit narrow so if you have wide feet think twice. Also others complain that it can take longer than some boots to make them comfortable for your feet.
Bindings
Salomon’s bindings are not as popular as their boards and boots but still do a good job competing with the other big name brands. They are reliable and well made and have a more traditional old school feel compared to the leading companies. That being said the turn initiation and general feeling is good so these could work for you.

Company Info & Specs

Salomon Relay 2012

Relay Series

COMFORTABLE CONTROL

Skate-Surf feel + classic highback binding control; The Relay project goal has never changed. Now loaded with key features from our traditional bindings, Relay Series features Viper ratchet and a simplified construction for improved ease of riding and reliability.

Binding Flex

Highback

Heel Loop

Baseplate Tech

Baseplate

Ergo Pack

Fast Fit, IMS, Toolfree Pad ADJ, Toolfree Strap ADJ, Toolfree Toe Strap ADJ

Toe Straps

True Grip

Ankle Straps

3D Prime Core Strap

Base Padding

Adjustable Toe Ramp, Smart Sole

Disk Type

Universal

Ratchet

The Viper

Salomon Relay 2011

on a Snowboard

Wolle sums it up best “The relay bindings put power on the toe and heel edge but in the same time it offers you a lot of freedom to tweak.” So get out there, grab your board, and style it out.

Baseplate: Composite 30%, IMS, MOB Loop
Padding: Full EVA Smart Sole
Highback: Integra highback
Ankle Strap: 3D Prime Core ankle Strap
Toe Strap: Fast fit, True Grip Toe Strap
Ratchets: VIPER Ratchet

Salomon Relay 2010

$230.00

Too Legit to Quit

FLEX: 3

Maximize the flexibility and response of the MOB loop in the Relay Series. Tweak your grabs and comfort float through pow like you’ve got velvet underfoot.

Baseplate / Material	Relay, Composite 30%
Highback	Integra highback
Ankle Strap	3D Prime Strap
Toe Strap	Fast fit, Wrap strap
Heel Loop	MOB Loop
Padding	Smart Sole: SCS+EVA
Features+	Toolfree strap adjustment, IMS