Spark R&D
Firstly, the bindings produced by Spark. They advertise that they produce the lightest splitboard bindings on the market, but this requires a direct upgrade to the Pro version. ST stands for the company's own "Smooth Touring" technology. The T1 Touring System is easy to use and makes it easy to switch from ascent to descent. Another positive aspect is the availability of spare parts, from straps and buckles to individual screws. There are two variantions of pucks, normal and canted. The latter are tilted inwards by three degrees, which should lead to a riding position that is easy on the knees and ankles.
All models are available as unisex versions, in sizes XS to L, 24.5 cm to 27.5 cm+.
Arc ST: Weight in size M: 1256 g (per pair), 529 €, the lighter version with medium flex, intended as an all-mountain version. It is light enough for a comfortable ascent, but robust enough to cope with more demanding conditions.
Surge ST: Weight in size M: 1378 g (per pair), 569 €, slightly heavier than the Arc ST, but also more robust, with a stiffer flex for more demanding terrain and "big lines".
In the Pro version, both bindings save weight, but use higher-quality materials to ensure that robustness is not compromised. Instead, lighter, specialised aluminium alloys as well as carbon-reinforced highbacks and aluminium screws are used. This reduces the weight to 1134 g (Arc ST Pro) and 1240 g (Surge ST Pro) per pair and increases the price to €739 and €779 respectively.
The following applies to all bindings with Spark System (including Burton and Nitro): The pucks must be purchased separately! These cost €99 and should be fitted using the template provided. Extra accessories must also be purchased for the ski mode. Together with the pucks, the interface weighs 750 g.
Burton Hitchhiker
The base plate and the touring system by Spark R&D are used here and supplemented with a highback and straps from Burton. The binding is therefore very robust and downhill-orientated, with a weight of 1570 g per pair in size M. Cost point 539 €. Burton's speciality: splitboarding with StepOn System. However, this requires special boots from Burton and you have to pay close attention to the size so that the binding and boot fit together. This version costs € 550 and weighs 1660 g per pair in size M.
The bindings are available in sizes XS to L, 23.5 cm to 28 cm+.
Nitro Vertical.
Once again, the binding consists of the base plate and the touring system by Spark R&D, while the highback and straps come from Nitro. The binding is also robust and downhill-orientated. It costs €599 and weighs 1540 g per pair in size M. The Nitro straps are reinforced with wire to increase durability.
The bindings are available in sizes M and L, 24 cm to 31.5 cm. Nitro also offers the "Spark Arc Miniganger". A version for children from boot size 35 (22 cm).
Plum
Compared to Spark, Plum stands out above all with the puck system, which presses the two splitboard halves together with the binding in downhill mode and thus increases the stiffness of the board. This makes the binding more technically complex than the Spark, but not more difficult to use. However, when switching from downhill to uphill mode, snow can get caught in the binding, which must first be removed before switching to uphill mode. However, the bindings have a heel lock for ski mode.
Here, too, there are only unisex models in sizes S to L, 24 cm to 30 cm+. Incidentally, the Plum bindings are all made from the same aluminium that Spark only uses for the Pro versions.
Eterlou: Medium flex, weight 1488 g per pair in size mouth costs € 699. Designed as a robust all-mountain binding, suitable for everyone.
Feyan: The carbon version with a very stiff flex is slightly heavier at 1500 g per pair in size M despite carbon, but also more robust than the Eterlou binding and costs €749. This binding is aimed more at experienced boarders and for demanding tours and steep descents.
Dari: The version with rear entry for riders who don't want to do without this feature. It has a medium flex and a weight of 1808 g per pair at a price of €848.
Advantage with Plum (and therefore also with Roissignol): Pucks are included in the delivery and can be adjusted together with the binding, which is easier than with the template from Spark. The interface with the pucks weighs 550 g.
Rossignol
The Rossignol XV splitboard binding was designed together with Xavier De Le Rue, has a stiff flex, weighs 1560 g per pair and costs € 865. This binding comes with a tilted footbed and asymmetrical highbacks as standard, which are designed to keep feet and knees in a natural position. Technically, the binding is otherwise constructed in the same way as the other Plum models.
The bindings are available in sizes S to L, from 22 cm to over 26.5 cm.
Union
The spliboard bindings from Union are "developed for the snowboarder". They should feel as if you were riding a normal snowboard. Unlike other manufacturers, the Union bindings are made of plastic and therefore generally have a softer flex. There are two models in different versions. With Union, the crampons are attached directly to the binding and not to the touring brackets as with other manufacturers. However, problems can occur when locking the crampons, which can cause them to come loose. There is no information on the weight on the manufacturer's website, but fortunately other retailers do provide information. However, there is also an excellent supply of spare parts.
The bindings are available in sizes S to L, 24 cm to 28 cm+.
Explorer: Weight 1620 g per pair, at € 399 the cheapest splitboard binding. An extra cotter pin is required to fix the binding, which can be a little unwieldy. It is possible to upgrade to the FC version (Forged Carbon), which saves 100 g in weight but makes the binding 130 € more expensive.
Charger: Weight 1650 g per pair, cost €499. The Explorer has been further developed here, which is why the splints are no longer needed and the binding can be locked in place with a lever. Similar to Plum, the two halves of the board can be pulled together. An FC version and a Pro version are also available. The FC version is approx. 100 g lighter and costs € 699, the Pro version is approx. 50 g lighter but stiffer and costs € 599;
Union also includes the pucks. The interface together with the pucks weighs 530 g.
Karacoram.
At Karakoram you have the opportunity to buy the most expensive splitboard bindings on the market. They are "snowboard obsessed" here and you can see that when you visit the homepage. To mention all the details listed there would go beyond the scope of this article, but we would like to emphasise the very good availability of spare parts and the extra variants for small shoe sizes (marked with a W). The bindings are CNC-milled from aluminium and there are also special models that can be used for both splitboards and normal snowboards. On the homepage there are detailed descriptions of the conversion and function of the bindings, including videos. The pucks are also designed to increase the stiffness of the board. All bindings are locked with a lever for descending, ascending and in ski mode. For the pucks, Karakoram offers the unique option of switching to a carbon version to save even more weight.
The only problem is that everything has to fit very precisely for it to work well. Snow can easily get caught in the system, which can make the conversion difficult. The fact that you can stay in the binding with your boots on, as demonstrated on the website in dry conditions, in order to switch from ascent to descent mode, will probably not work on the mountain.
The bindings are available in sizes S to L, <22.5 cm to 30.5 cm.
At Karakoram, the more expensive, the more high-tech. The model range starts with the Grizzly for €599 (1680 g) and a soft flex. This is followed by the Ultra Ranger (€799, 1400 g) and the Nomad (€869, 1280 g), both also in a W version and with a medium flex. Then comes the Prime X (€1119, 1100 g), also in a W version, with a stiff flex, and the Straightline (€1249, 1500 g) with a very stiff flex. The top model is the X Carbon (€1399, 1120 g), also available as a W version, with a less stiff flex, but significantly lighter than the Straightline.
Karakoram also comes with everything you need for assembly. The interface weighs 750 g together with the pucks.
