Switchback Universe Bindings
This review has been a long time coming, I`m not just reviewing brand new kit after a few days use, this is a long term test! I always like to get the most out of my equipment and now more than ever it seems more important to keep using rather than replace, with too much waste in the world I feel I should try to reduce as much as possible how often I replace my kit, I do need my equipment to still perform though . This is where the Switchback Universe comes in, I have used these bindings for 3 full seasons and they have now started their 4th. I have never had bindings like these, solid,simple and bulletproof. Although they are sold as a freeride binding, I use them for everything, the wrap back high back is rad, offers support but doesn`t get in the way, the base plates are simple and solid, the straps are comfy but also offer good response and feel. Not the stiffest binding but definitely not too flexy and a great all round performer. The thing with these bindings is the longevity, 3 full seasons equals about 6 days per week for 5 months x 3 so about 350 – 375 days riding, no mechanicals ,no broken parts and not even a replacement ratchet, this is super performance and exactly what we should be looking at to reduce our waste within the industry. I will definitely buy another pair of Switchbacks when these eventually give up, but for now they are still going strong and are outlasting all my other kit.
https://www.switchbackbindings.com/
New Shred Stick!
There`s been one week of the season so far and its been rad, plenty of snow, some nice weather and a super quiet mountain, just perfect for getting back into riding.
I`ve also been able to get to know my new board the Nitro Fury 157, an asymmetric twin which is part of the Nitro Quiver series, an experimental line of boards full of rad shapes. It`s the first asymmetric board i`ve ridden since the very first time i tried snowboarding in 1991 on a santa cruz asymmetric, and it`s so good! Asymmetric shaped boards aren`t new tech, some of the early boards in the 80`s and 90`s were asymmetric making those board designers well ahead of the game. The idea behind asymmetric boards is to even out the feel of toe edge and heel edge so giving a tighter sidecut on the heel edge than the toe edge, this comes from binding angles and contact points of the edge. If you look at a snowboard with bindings on, most people are riding between 15 and 28 degrees front foot and -3 to -18 on the back foot, there is a shorter distance from the outside of the binding to tip of the toe edge than on the heel edge. Effectively on a normal board this means the response is quicker on the toe edge and easier to get grip along the full length of the edge, the asymmetrical shape tightens the heel edge and evens out the response and feel.
Is it a gimmick? Definitely not, this board absolutely rips! I`m getting such good response and shape on my heel edge turn it feels incredible, it really does even out the ride and lock the heel edge in as easily as on the toe edge. Carving is a dream and shorter turns on steeper slopes feel so good, it totally increases your confidence that you heel edge will just grip for days! I`m totally sold on this shape and even though it`s only been a week of riding I can`t see why I would go back to a regular shaped board for my all round stick.
The base on the Nitro Fury is super fast it also has power pods on the edges for increased grip, its a mid flex so good enough for riding at slower speeds but definitely enough to crank it hard through some high speed turns. Overall an awesome board with a great flex and fast base but what really makes it is the shape, its a game changer.
Jono Stevens Snowboarding 