• Price: €399
• Sizes: M, L
• Flex: 9/10
• Entry System: Classic

According to Amplid’s in-house ‘Feel-O-Meter’, the Mutant bindings sit just a nudge off the maximum levels of ‘Super Direct’ on the response scale. It’s a slightly hamfisted approach to flex ratings, especially given the state of the art levels of tech we’ve become accustomed to from the German giants of snowboarding. But the performance on offer here is no laughing matter.

As is tradition here at Whitelines, we like to don our lab coats and gather round the table for a group reading of Amplid’s new season product catalogue. Luckily, we’ve had over a year to digest the information, as the Mutant remains unchanged for 2020/21 as part of their Two Season Cycle.

“The Mutant bindings walk that ever so narrow tightrope of balancing balls-to-the-wall performance and power with the kind of comfort you’ll be happy to stay strapped into right through to last lifts”

Let’s start by throwing a few buzz words at you and see how they land: Laminated carbon highbacks? Sure. Carbon-reinforced nylon baseplates? Absolutely. Multi-density EVA padding with a dual air dampening chamber? Oh, stop it, you!

The Mutant bindings walk that ever so narrow tightrope of balancing balls-to-the-wall performance and power with the kind of comfort you’ll be happy to stay strapped into right through to last lifts. It’s very much taking the velvet glove and iron fist school of thought to its construction. Both the highback and baseplate are constructed with super lightweight and highly responsive carbon components, but they’re sufficiently cushioned with materials that soak up unwanted vibrations. There’s also a 3° canting in the footbeds to give you your knees a little more a natural alignment to the baseplates.

“It’s very much taking the velvet glove and iron fist school of thought to its construction”

With a fit as precise as their performance, the Mutant has fully adjustable heel cups, highbacks and strap lengths. The ergonomic injection moulded Lock-Down straps contour your boot for complete contact, without creating pressure points. Although pretty much ready to ride straight out the box, they’re very much aimed at the kind of rider who wants to utilise every tweak and tinker at their disposal.

Paired with the likes of the Pentaquark, snowboarders who ride on the line and refuse to be limited by any shortcomings in their equipment will love what’s on offer here. As will confident, aggressive all-mountain riders who veer closer towards the backcountry than the park. As for the rest of us? Don’t even think about strapping in before you’ve had your morning double espresso. You’ll need your wits about you here.