Compare Prices & Buyer Reviews

ParagonSports.com MC Metafuse Binding 2012 - Mens... $319.99 Check Availability Dogfunk.com Union MC Metafuse Binding... $279.30 Check Availability Backcountry.com Union MC Metafuse Binding... $279.30 Check Availability TightBoards.com Union Force SL Snowboard Binding Purple/Orange... $200.95 Check Availability Powdertools.com Union Force Bindings... $199.95 Check Availability Christy Sports Union Force Bindings... $199.95 Check Availability Tactics Union Force Snowboard Bindings... $199.00 Check Availability ProBoardShop.com Union Force SL Snowboard Binding Purple/Orange - Men's... $189.95 Check Availability Snowboards.net Union Binding Company Force Mens Snowboard Bindings 2012... $159.98 Check Availability Berg's Ski and Snowboard Shop Union Force Snowboard Bindings - Men's Black... $159.20 Check Availability Berg's Ski and Snowboard Shop Union Force Snowboard Bindings - Men's Green... $159.20 Check Availability REI.com Union Force Snowboard Bindings - 2011/2012... $135.93 Check Availability evo Union Force T Shirt... $24.00 Check Availability

The Good Ride Take

The Union Force MC Snowboard Binding Review by The Good Ride

Unfortunately this review is only for a few people because this is really expensive.  That being said if you are a serious gear whore who wants to have the best on the mountain the 2011 and 2010 Force MC is one of the tops.  Now with the disappearance of the Burton C60 the 2012 stands pretty much alone at the top of the price range.  The only other binding that is a similar high priced competitor to this is the Burton Diode.

The Union Force MC competes directly with the Flux DMCC,  the Burton Diodes and to a lesser extent the Union Force SL's.  We feel of all the bindings the Burton and Unions have the best flex under foot. They do it in different ways but the result is the same.  The Burton and Unions have the best Padding throughout the Base.  The Diodes are the most responsive bindins in burtons line but have the smoothest turn initiation/least responsive edge to edge transitioning in this comparison. The Union Bindings have a more sharp/easiest turn initiation of all the bindings and the flux are second but have more of a smoother feeling like Burton's.  When it comes to ankle support the Burton and flux could be argued either way as the most supportive but with the new ankle straps from the 2012 Union Force SL and Force MC a much closer second than before.

Flex- These bindings are a carbon ultralight version of the Union Force SL so they have a stiffer flex.  The MC is still flexible but it's a bit more snappy than the Union Force SL.  Even though the 2012 is completely different in style the flex feels the same.

Adjustability- Like all Union Bindings there are some issues here. One complaint we have about these binding is they require an Allen wrench to make any adjustments.  This means that most pocket tools you buy won't be able to service this binding.  They do give you a little Allen wrench but its difficult to keep a little thing like that.  So it seems that the only pocket tool that will work is a biking tool.  This is rather frustrating and we wish Union would let these bindings gain a little weight and use normal screws. There is also that same issue with the SL's when it comes to adjusting the ankle strap angle.  There is really only one angle so if you like to have 3 angles like many bindings do you will be a bit disappointed here.  If you adjust the ankle strap angle you will also adjust the position of your boot on the foot bed.

Comfort- The old Force MC was very comfortable but the 2012 is even more comfortable.  The new bigger asymmetrical ankle strap does a great job at securing the ankle and also creating a lot more comfort than the sub 2012 bindings. 

Response- You can feel the difference in response from the Union Force SL's which are one binding down from these. The way these bindings are made they can have the same response as a much stiffer binding. The difference is the response is generated more from the base plate more than the high back.  This is very similar to how the Burton EST bindings work with minimal contact on the board so it flexes more naturally torsionally and longitudinally.  It's amazing what these do to a board's turn initiation.  It's like buying a new board.  All Unions do this to some extent but the Union Force MC do it more than any other binding. These are a great combo with a very aggressive mostly mountain to freeride board that takes some effort to turn.  The 2012's are going to have a little better response than the 2011's and below due to the better everything.

Weight- These bindings are incredibly light and right up there with the lightest in the industry.  We didn't scale them but it almost feels that both bindings weigh as much as one binding from other companies.

Lateral Movement- The asymmetrical ankle strap is possibly our favorite improvement over all the other improvements. Not only does it provide better support and comfort but it makes for much better lateral movement.  With the minimal contact with the board and the new bigger ankle straps the Force MC is great when it comes to flexing the board any way you want.

Dampening and Shock Absorption- Super damp and super shock absorbent.  The bindings have the ability to absorb a lot of shock and are virtually chatter free.  It might not be the most cushy but it's right up there with the best of them when it comes to absorbing shock.  When it comes to dampening it's one of if not the best.

All in all the price tag is pretty massive and if you can deal with the Allen wrench screws the Union Force SL is the choice for the serious ultra rich gear whore.  We personally feel the Union Force SL is enough for anyone with a much better price point but those that have to have the best will disagree.

The Good Ride Take on Capita and Union (same parent company)
Union- Union really lead the charge with the concept of eliminating the dead spot bindings create on snowboards.  Because of that they have some of if not the easiest turn initiation out of any binding we have tried.  The bindings with the Force style base plate really shows this and can make a stiff snowboard turn easier than most bindings out there.  The bindings with the Contact style base plate have a more mellow turn initiation.  The last few years many companies have picked up on this design style and Union isn't alone any more in this category.  Still Union makes some of the best bindings in the industry.  One of the only complaints we have is the buckle on the toe strap is very difficult to undo when it’s cranked down.   We would like to see something like the ankle strap buckle that releases with little effort.  Another complaint is the adjust-ability of their bindings.  You can make some minor tweaks to make the bindings work for you but Union pales in comparison to Burton when it comes to adjust-ability.  If you aren't that into adjusting and want possibly the best turn initiation in the industry the Union's are your choice. 
Capita- Capita knows how to make a good sturdy park and all mountain board.  They even have a good Pow board that’s priced appropriately for the amount of times you’ll use it a year.  As you start to look closer in the tech of Capita you can see little issues like some of their boards still have an extruded base instead of a sintered base.  You won't really see this on their high end boards like the Black Death but you will see it on their mid to entry level boards.  Because of this style of production you can sometimes find a Capita snowboard for $100-$200 less than some of their competitors in that class range.   If you are willing to put up with low tech in some places but still receive good performance Capita might be a good choice for you.

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 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.

Company Info & Specs

Union Force MC 2012 Company Info

MC

Metafuse Technology

Product Video

01 All New Machined Coring Stage III Base

• 02 Carbon Injected Dupont™ Zytel® ST
• 03 All New Asym/Symmetrical Full Carbon Highbacks
• 04 Universal Disks
• 05 Precision Adjustment Forward Lean
• 06 All New Magnesium Buckles + Aluminum Cage

• 07 Injected Dual Density Bushings
• 08 All New CNC Anodized Aluminum Hardware
• 09 All New Direct-Connect Strap System
  with Honeycomb Foam Construction
• 11 All New Open Toe Straps
• 12 Full Carbon Toe Ramps
• 13 Lifetime Warranty Base

Metafuse Heelcups

The lightest and strongest
heelcups in the industry.

Machined Coring

Process removes material to reduce weight and maintain strength.

Full Carbon Toe Ramps

100% energy transmission
from edge-to-edge.

Carbon Asymmetrical / Symmetrical Highbacks

Next-level heelside control—
the lightest on the market.

Union Force MC 2011 Company Info

Union Force MC 2010 Company Info

Welcome to the lightest binding on the planet. The Force-MC is powerful and efficient- a streamlined fusion of premium Dupont materials and full carbon components, including a super strong featherlight highback and gas pedal for a crucially-responsive ride. Add in the full benefit of machined coring strength and the industrys first magnesium heelcup, and you get the ultimate boot-to-binding-to-board interface for serious riders.

Size 6-10 is M/L
Size 10-13 is L/XL

Pictures

Union Force MC 2012

Union Force MC 2011

Union Force MC 2010

Other Reviews