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The Good Ride Take

A quick look at the 2012 Salomon Pact

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.

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 Pact 2012

Pact

BLOODLINE BINDING

The Pact represents 15 years of Salomon design and development, dialed down to the best value binding you can buy. Loaded with our new Lock-In toe strap, Smoothcrank ratchets and Freeframe highback, the Pact blends the best binding basics with a full feature set of technological upgrades.

Pictures

Salomon Pact 2012

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