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TightBoards.com Union SL Snowboard Bindings Gunmetal... $279.95 Check Availability TightBoards.com Union SL Snowboard Bindings Red... $279.95 Check Availability ProBoardShop.com Union SL Snowboard Bindings Gunmetal - Men's... $279.95 Check Availability ProBoardShop.com Union SL Snowboard Bindings Red - Men's... $279.95 Check Availability Christy Sports Union SL Bindings... $279.95 Check Availability The House Union SL Snowboard Bindings Gunmetal - Men's... $279.95 Check Availability The House Union SL Snowboard Bindings Red - Men's... $279.95 Check Availability ParagonSports.com SL Binding 2012 - Mens... $279.95 Check Availability evo Union SL Snowboard Bindings 2012... $279.00 Check Availability Snowboard Connection Union SL Snowboard Bindings RED... $279.00 Check Availability Snowboard Connection Union SL Snowboard Bindings GUNMETAL... $279.00 Check Availability Tactics Union SL Snowboard Bindings... $279.00 Check Availability TightBoards.com Union Force SL Snowboard Binding Purple/Orange... $219.95 Check Availability ProBoardShop.com Union Force SL Snowboard Binding Purple/Orange - Men's... $219.95 Check Availability The House Union Force SL Snowboard Binding Purple/Orange - Men's... $219.95 Check Availability TightBoards.com Union Force Snowboard Bindings White... $199.95 Check Availability ProBoardShop.com Union Force Snowboard Bindings White - Men's... $199.95 Check Availability Peter Glenn Ski & Sports Union Force Snowboard Binding (Men's)... $199.95 Check Availability Christy Sports Union Force Bindings... $199.95 Check Availability The House Union Force Snowboard Bindings White - Men's... $199.95 Check Availability Snowboards.net Union Binding Company Force Mens Snowboard Bindings 2012... $199.95 Check Availability ParagonSports.com Force Binding 2012 - Mens... $199.95 Check Availability evo Union Force Snowboard Bindings 2012... $199.00 Check Availability Snowboard Connection Union Force Snowboard Bindings BLACK... $199.00 Check Availability Snowboard Connection Union Force Snowboard Bindings WHITE... $199.00 Check Availability Snowboard Connection Union Force Snowboard Bindings ACID GREEN... $199.00 Check Availability Snowboard Connection Union Force Snowboard Bindings HAZARD ORANGE... $199.00 Check Availability US Outdoor Store Union Force Binding... $199.00 Check Availability REI.com Union Force Snowboard Bindings - 2011/2012... $199.00 Check Availability Tactics Union Force Snowboard Bindings... $199.00 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 evo Union Force T Shirt... $24.00 Check Availability evo Union Force T Shirt... $14.90 Check Availability

The Good Ride Take

The Union Force SL Snowboard Binding Review by The Good Ride

The Union Force bindings are a nice combination of the Force, and Force MC. Like we said above the Union Force has been completely re-designed for 2012 and there isn't an upgrade we don't like.  There is a new high back, ankle strap, toe strap and base plate.  It's just a better version of the older Union Force SL's.

The Union Force SL competes directly with the Flux SF45,  to a lesser extent the Union Force MC, Burton Diode's and in some way the Burton Prophecy 2012.  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 along the foot.  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 Prophecy's are the least responsive in this group but have a very smooth fun ride.  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 with the new ankle straps from the 2012 Union Force SL and Force MC a much closer second than before.

A quick look at the 2012 Union Force SL

Stiffness- With all years bindings we were so impressed with the flex and don't really understand how something so soft could be so responsive.  As long as they are this good we don't really care.  The 2012 Union Force has a bigger better more asymmetrical high back that still has the magic that the old high backs.  We like the new high back better though due to it's larger size and asymmetrical shape.  It just feels more comfortable.
Adjust-ability- Just like all Union Bindings the heel cup slides to adjust perfectly for any boot in its size range.  We like this better than an adjustable toe plate/gas pedal.  The one draw back with all models, including the 2012,  is that you can't adjust the angle of the ankle strap like you can with other bindings. Where most bindings have three angles/positions for the ankle strap the Union Force SL's only have one unless you want to change the position your boot sits on the binding.  Everything else is like most other bindings you use.  You can change up the angle the high back lines up with the edge of the board and have 2 position choices.  You also have the same adjustability with the ankle straps as any other binding.  The one issue is Union has 2 size bindings.  M/L and L/XL where most have 3 sizes.  We'd like to see a small, medium and large/xtra large set of sizing to better fit all sizes but it's not a huge complaint.

Comfort- A good fit makes good comfort.  The 2011 and below ankle strap is pretty rough at first but it wears out after a while and becomes very comfortable.  The 2012 ankle strap is comfortable and supportive which almost completely changed the comfort game. In the past some people complained that the toe straps weren't a good fit.  We never had any issues but it's worth a mention.  In 2012 Union created a new toe strap that fits really well over the toe and just the same if you do an old school strap too.
Response-  These soft bindings have stiff binding response.  They are incredible on toe or heel side turns and feel equal.  We especially enjoyed these bindings on stiffer boards.  They seem to make the stiffest board more responsive.   They aren't bad on softer park oriented boards but the Danny Kass or Union Contact's might be a better choice.  It really all comes down to personal preference.
Lateral Movement- The 2011 narrow ankle strap doesn't allow a lot of lateral movement with the board.  The 2012 asymmetrical ankle strap is much bigger than the older ankle straps and this is great.  It's much more supportive and allows you to get a lot more lateral flex out of the board.
Dampening-  This is damp!  Very Damp!  The Union Force Sl's are made for high speed.  There is no change in 2012 when it comes to speed.  It might even be a little better because with more support around the ankle comes more confidence.
Shock Absorption-  There is EVA foam everywhere on these bindings.  They cored out the heel and put in EVA padding, have EVA across the foot bed and EVA under the toe.  These binding can handle just about any jump.  

A problem for 2011 and below but not for 2012
After many days on the hill we found one issue with the Union Force and Force SL aroud the Ankle. The small strap does not give you that feeling you are locked in and supported like many larger ankle straps do.  When riding stiffer boards through chopped up moguled powder runs to get back to the chair your ankle feels very exposed and there is a lot more stress.  On groomed runs or in most situations in the park you don't notice this. 

All in all the Union Force SL's are some of the best bindings you can get for the price and we find these hard not to recommend.

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

The Union Force SL 2012

SL

Super Light All-Mountain Attacker

Product Video

01 Machined Coring Stage III Base

• 02 Carbon-Injected Dupont™ Zytel® ST
• 03 Asym/Symmetrical Carbon Highbacks
• 04 Shift on the Fly Forward Lean
• 05 Injected Dual Density Bushings
• 06 CNC Machined Heelcups
• 07 All New Direct-Contact Strap System
• 08 3D Multi-Layer Tapered Strap Core

• 09 All New Magnesium
  Buckles + Aluminum Cage
• 10 Universal Disks
• 11 All New Open Toe Straps
• 12 Dual Density Toe Ramps
• 13 Grade 8.8 Hardware
• 14 Lifetime Warranty Base

Machined Coring

CNC process removes
excess weight and
maintains strength.

Asymmetrical /
Symmetrical Highback

Maximum tweakability
and heelside control.

Injected EVA Bushings

Light weight, durable
material allows for
true board flex.

CNC Machined Heelcups

Process removes material
to reduce weight and
maintain strength.

The Union Force SL 2011

The Union Force SL 2010

A perfect fusion of performance and style. The Force-SL is an all-terrain freeride machine that upholds Union's strict standards of durability and performance, with the full benefits of machined coring strength and the unprecedented comfort and response of our asymmetrical/symmetrical highbacks. Plus, the CNC machined heelcups deliver enhanced reinforcement, while ultra cush EVA bushings dampen vibration for sweet board flex and smooth ride.

Pictures

The Union Force SL 2012

The Union Force SL 2011

The Union Force SL 2010

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