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Bindings

NOW Conda 2017-2018 Women’s Snowboard Bindings Review

UPDATE: Check out our review of the 2018/2019 NOW Conda here

The NOW Conda women’s snowboard binding first appeared last winter, giving hard-charging female snowboarders a chance to really make the most of JF Pelchat’s unique design. Slightly stiffer than the NOW Vetta, it’s the one to go for if you’re a take-no-prisoners kind of rider.

“With Skate-Tech, energy transfer is a lot more effective as you turn, and unpleasant foot fatigue is reduced”

New for 2017/18 is the asymmetrical SIEVA ankle strap, which fuses the best tech from two existing models. The single-injected EVA construction means that consistent flex is guaranteed, and there are no stitched sections that are susceptible to wear and tear. It’s also flippable, so if you want a more freestyle feel then just swap the two ankle straps around to change the nature of the support.

NOW’s signature ‘Skate Tech’ remains, of course. The binding rocks subtly from the toe edge to the heel edge as you make turns, pivoting through the central kingpin. The amount of movement is determined by the density of the bushings at the front and back of the binding, which can be changed to suit your own preference. If you’re still struggling to picture it, think about how skateboard trucks work as you shift weight from your heels to toes.

The idea is that energy transfer is a lot more effective as you turn, with unpleasant foot fatigue reduced at the same time. The results have won over freeriders (Jeremy Jones, Manuel Diaz) and freestylers (Frank Bouregois, Austen Sweeten) alike, so if you’ve never tried it then perhaps this winter is the time to fix that.

“If you’re serious about snowboarding then the NOW Conda is the only binding that you need this winter”

Helen Schettini rides the NOW Conda when exploring the BC backcountry, where the asymmetrical hinged highback provides the necessary support without being too rigid. The ‘baseless’ nature of the chassis means that her YES Hel Yes snowboard can flex more freely too.

This year you can buy separate mounts for different boards, and use the kingpin system to quickly and easily swap your bindings between boards. It’s a completely tool-free process, and one that will save loads of time and effort when you need to change up for a pow day.

For this reason, and several others, if you’re serious about snowboarding then the NOW Conda is the only binding that you need this winter.

The famed NOW pivot point

Tester’s Verdict

Tammy Estenmintsnowboarding.com

“I don’t mind admitting that I was a more than little sceptical when trying NOW bindings for the first time, especially being incredibly picky with bindings. However it is safe to say that I am totally and utterly sold on them!

“I don’t need to over tighten the bindings, yet they still offer a superior level of support”

The Condas are a stiff women’s freeride binding and I love them as much as I love deep, bottomless powder. Mega responsive – tick. Incredibly comfy – tick. Reliable – tick. What more do you need from your favourite binding?

I find that the generous cushioning given by the sturdy ankle strap means that I don’t need to over tighten the bindings, yet they still offer a superior level of support no matter what you are riding that day. The general comfort and cushioning of the Conda means that my feet never get tired, even after long days lapping run after run.

I strongly recommend the NOW Conda for any intermediate or advanced female rider looking for a responsive binding that also offers maximum comfort. Happy feet = happy Tammy.”

Trade Secrets

Helen Schettini – Team Rider, NOW

Most of us thought there was never going to be any new technology through bindings anymore. As long as they held your boot in, they were good enough.

Well, not anymore. JF [Pelchat, NOW founder] has created possibly the best new innovation to snowboarding in the last decade. These bindings are genius!

The hardest thing about them is explaining why they are better than any other binding out there. But trust me, once you ride a pair, you’ll never go back.

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