Union Strata Snowboard Bindings Review
GREAT BINDING THAT YOU CAN TAKE ANYWHERE ON THE MOUNTAIN
The Union Strata bindings have been one of the best-selling snowboard bindings over the past few seasons. What is appealing to many about the Union Strata is they are a binding from a household name in the binding world at a reasonable price with fantastic performance and comfort.
Let’s take a closer look at the Union Strata snowboard bindings whilst considering the following categories; Style, Cost, Flex, Comfort, and Durability.
Union Strata Snowboard Bindings
This review is my opinion of the Union Strata snowboard bindings which were purchased with my own money. If you find it useful consider purchasing your pair through the affiliate links in the post to support the website and future content.
ABOUT ME
Before jumping into the full review it is worth noting the following information about me as a snowboarder. I am lucky to snowboard a lot but I am not a professional. I have lots of experience riding in all terrain in all conditions and have previous snowboard shop maintenance and retail experience. I use my website to express my opinions on gear and I hope you find them useful when choosing what gear works for you.
WHAT UNION SAY
Union's #1 men's park and freestyle snowboard binding. The soft and surfy ride feel of the Union Strata is perfect for snowboarders looking to cruise the park or surf the whole mountain. Strap in and unlock your snowboards true flex.
TEST CONDITIONS
These bindings have been part of my binding rotation since 2020 and therefore have been put through their paces in a number of conditions.
BOARDS
I have partnered the Union Strata with the following all-mountain freestyle snowboards over the years.
Prior Wildcard
Prior AMF
STANCE
Mostly I run with +12 -9 but have recently switched to 0 on the back foot. My stance width is 21.5inches.
BOOTS
Salomon Synapse
Salomon Echo Dual Boa
JUDGEMENT
The Union Strata snowboard bindings have been perfect as a one-binding choice to ride everything The 6/10 flex offers enough response for freeriding but also subtlety for comfort. My riding style ensures I see a wide variety of terrain and these bindings’ biggest complement is that I never thoughts about them when riding… they just do the job and do it well.
STYLE
The Strata snowboard bindings from Union are an all-mountain binding with a freestyle feel. These are not the stiffest binding but neither are they wishy washy, the Union Strata is capable of exploring everywhere. Both videos below were filmed whilst wearing the Union Strata Bindings, from park to pow they deliver.
COST
The Union Strata snowboard binding has a RRP of £240 in the UK which sits it in the moderately priced category. The Union Strata is £70 cheaper than the popular Union Atlas and £170 cheaper than the Union Atlas Pro. When you factor in that the Union Strata is regularly available in the sales for closer to £160/£170 they represent great value.
COMFORT
The comfort of the Union Strata snowboard bindings is fantastic. I love the straps and how they hug your boots in a secure but not straight jacket way. The straps have some give/flex which means you don’t get any pressure points across the boot. Similarly, the high-back doesn’t bite the back of your boots so comfort has never been an issue for me in these.
Union Strata Comfort
The footbed is cushioned and adds some great shock absorbtion to these bindings further adding to the comfort of riding the Union Strata bindings.
FLEX
Union rates the Strata as a medium flex 6/10 and I’d say this feels true. The Strata highback feels firm for a freestyle-inspired binding but this also helps its all-mountain appeal.
DURABILITY
Long gone are the days of losing ankle straps on Union Bindings with any issues regarding the screws well and truly resolved. The Union Strata snowboard bindings have stood the test of time.
The baseplate and highback are in great condition with only the expected scratches from multiple seasons of use. The straps are dirty but function like day one. My only issue has been one buckle that recently had started to stick when unlocking. I tightened a screw and this issue was resolved.
Union Strata Bindings
STRAPS
To me the straps on a snowboard binding rate highly as to whether I am going to get along with the binding as a whole. A good easy to use strap with smooth buckles makes all the difference for a day on snow. The Union Strata has this smooth transition out of the binding with the quick release buckles and they are equally smooth to lock in. The Union Strata toe strap is one of my favourites across different bindings with the webbing really wrapping around your boots and pulling the boot back into the binding.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Union Strata bindings have been a fantastic addition to my gear room and I never worry about them when out on the hill. The Union Strata will take you anywhere on the mountain and ultimately that’s what I am looking for in a snowboard binding. These Union bindings are comfortable and have lasted the test of time. A win for me.
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