Bent Metal Joint 2020-2021 Snowboard Bindings Review - Whitelines Snowboarding

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Bent Metal Joint 2020-2021 Snowboard Bindings Review

The Bent Metal Joint is a versatile mid-flexing all-mountain option that marries high tech with high performance to create your dependable daily driver binding.

Bent Metal use their signature Flex Drive Plates, which are built much the same way as a snowboard, with a core sandwiched between multiple layers. They do exactly what it says on the tin- they flex underfoot, and drive power to the edges of your board, rather than create a dead zone across the width. You can switch out the Flex Drive Plates for softer or stiffer versions to really cater to each riders individual needs, they’re available via the Bent Metal website and are super easy to swap out.

“They do exactly what it says on the tin- they flex underfoot, and drive power to the edges of your board”

The top strap is Bent Metal’s Mobility Ankle Strap, it’s lightweight and malleable so as to fit around your boot instead of creating a pressure point over the arch. A central cutout shaves precious grams and allows it to bend around lumps and bumps rather than push down on them. The toestraps are minimalist in design, but offer a good amount of support up front, without being bulky or awkward.

The Nylon Highback sits with a flex rating slap bang in the middle, it’ll be great for playful cruising and mellow laps with your buddies. The cutout near the top both reduces weight and enables a flex point, and even better it’s a handy carry handle for hiking lines or traipsing through the carpark.

“For an access all areas binding at a really reasonable price, you can’t say much fairer than the Joint”

The forward lean is adjustable via Bent Metal’s classic cube design, and the plates can be manoeuvred to better fit your boot length. If you’re looking for something with a bit more beef, you’d do better to check out the BMBW Solution, but for an access all areas binding at a really reasonable price, you can’t say much fairer than the Joint.

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Paul Wool – Professor

“The Joint is Bent Metal’s Mid flex binding, sitting between their awesome Logic and Transfer. It is a hugely impressive, strong and simple binding that works as well, if not better, than many bindings with a much higher price tag.

In your hand the binding looks solid and is very light, the Nylon High back and heel cup look dialled. It has a really nice layered base, with cool graphics, and good access to the bolts. The straps look a little bit flimsy, but this isn’t the case once you strap in – they lock in well and the sprawling rubber beds your boot in superbly.

I rode the joint for a week last season and got out on the 2020 colourway for a solid day hitting all the mountain could offer. I rode a short and fat powder board and an all mountain do-everything board.

“At speed, the bindings don’t feel loose or unsporting, coping with the unexpected, transferring energy when and where it is needed”

Being someone who normally likes a stiff binding for charging and carving hard, I really enjoyed the medium flex. It gave support in all the right areas while allowing a refreshing torsional flex. The highbacks sits high and wide across your calves. They seem to have an even distribution of flex, that held up vertically really well, feeling fantastic on aggressive toe and heel edges. You still have the flexibility to lean back, tweak out a slash or an air. At speed, the bindings don’t feel loose or unsporting, coping with the unexpected, transferring energy when and where it is needed.

The base plate is really comfortable, plenty of padding in there, taking a lot more abuse than I anticipated – I knuckled the shit out a couple of kickers and was surprised my knees didn’t disintegrate. They cope with choppy powder and icy hard pack with a relaxed smooth ride.

Obviously, it is crucial that bindings last and stand up to abuse. Although I only got out on the 2020 model for a day, I rode last year’s model for a week and didn’t encounter any problems – nothing came loose or jammed on me. It is clear Mervin are putting a lot of resources in to Bent Metal, the quality is something to behold.

Overall, this is an excellent option for anyone looking for an all mountain binding, regardless if it is your first pair of bindings or your 20th pair. Don’t forget about that incredible price tag too.”

Tester’s Verdict 2018/19

Sam McMahon – whitelines.com

“I know what I like when I’m looking for bindings: flexibility. Not just overall, but a decent amount of lateral flex coupled with responsiveness from toe to heel. Perhaps it’s due to my skate background, but I’m always excited when I find a pair of foot straps that tick these boxes.

Since Bent Mental was revived a few years ago, I’ve been pretty stoked on its offerings. The Transfer and Logic are both great bindings in my opinion, so when I heard that the brand new Joint was here to occupy a space between them, I was intrigued.

It seems like my prayers had been answered. The name literally comes from the goal to create a fluid joint between the rider and board rather than simply clamping them down.

“This is the kind of product every snowboard brand should be working towards”

Whilst riding you have heaps of freedom to shift your weight around and tweak out in the air, all the while being ready to dart from edge to edge at a moment’s notice. One of the best feeling bindings this year, and the one I found myself reaching for more than once during The Selection.

Best of all? The price. It’s rare to find a binder in the (admittedly, just) sub-£200 category these days, but to try out a pair that ride as well as these, fit comfortably and come with a bunch of features that are actually useful (the Cube is still the best forward lean adjustment, as well as the simplest) wasn’t something I was anticipating.

Great binding, better price – this is the kind of product every snowboard brand should be working towards. It fully deserves its place here in The Whitelines 100.”

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bent metal Bent Metal Reviews 2020/21 Buyers Guide 2020/21 Buyers Guide 2020/21 Bindings

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