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Bindings

NOW Select Pro 2020-2021 Snowboard Bindings Review

  • Price: $330
  • Sizes: M, L
  • Flex: 6/10
  • Entry System: Classic

The NOW Select Pro is aimed at those who have a penchant for playful riding and are looking for a binding to bust their freestyle out of the confines of the park. A master of disguise, the Select Pro can be a different binding every time you take it out, this is versatility and adaptability at its finest.

SkateTech is where it’s at with NOW, drawing inspiration from the trucks on your skateboard they eschew a traditional baseplate in favour of their Hanger technology. It transfers energy directly to the bushings in the heel and toe without getting lost in translation. More response with less effort, everyone’s a winner.

“More response with less effort, everyone’s a winner”

The most customisable binding in their line, the Select Pro has the edge when it comes to dialling in your perfect fit. With three different thickness of bushings which directly translate to power transfer you can switch it up from first gear to full throttle depending on your mood. Use the softer bushings for days when you want to butter and jib around and the stiffer ones for hitting bigger features or when you just want to bomb around the hill with your homies.

Swap out the highbacks for NOW’s signature Highcups when you’re wanting a more surfy feel or if you want to really tweak and bone out your grabs. They sit just above the heelcup and offer less support from the rear but a far superior range of motion, they’re ideal for the modern-day freestyler. The FM Highbacks it comes with are primed and ready for alpine acrobatics, they’re pre-rotated and cut out to offer more torsional flex without diminishing the heel to toe response.

“You can switch it up from first gear to full throttle depending on your mood”

With their mid flex, the Select Pro have got provision enough for big landings and high-tech rail manoeuvres, but they still fall on the playful and easy-going side of things. Those looking for something more suited to balls to the wall charging would do well to seek out the Drive or the Pilot, but jib kids and park rats can’t go wrong with the Select Pro.

Tester Verdict 2020/21

Ed BlomfieldEditor-At-Large, Whitelines

“JF and the guys at NOW are focused on nothing but bindings, and it shows. There’s an attention to detail in the Select Pro that experienced riders will really appreciate. The straps are well-thought-out – tough, lightweight and most importantly, comfortable. I’m one of those guys that really likes to crank their heel straps, and with the ergonomic design I got the locked-in feel I need without any pressure points. The ratchets, too, functioned efficiently; there was zero slipping.

“Freeriders will appreciate the cruisy vibes, and freestyle shredders could definitely benefit from the predictable control”

The build quality of the baseplate and highback feels similarly bomb proof. You just know you’re in good hands. All fine and dandy, you might say, but what about the Skate Tech? Bottom line, that’s the key selling point of the NOW range, and it’s fair to say not everyone’s into it. Personally I’ve ridden the system a few times and never found it super noticeable before, but with the softer bushings I was running in these I could suddenly appreciate the difference. It’s a distinctly cushioned feel that’s smooth edge to edge, with less chatter. Freeriders will appreciate the cruisy vibes, and freestyle shredders could definitely benefit from the predictable control and improve dampening. Are you guaranteed to love them? No. But innovation means breaking from the norm. Give them a try.”

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Paul WoolProfessor

“NOW are on some shit. The quality of their bindings is evident in your hands, everything looks polished and feels dialled. Clearly they’ve put some decent materials into the full 2020 line-up this year.

The Select Bindings are no different, they are a solid looking rig. I got on a pair of these for a full day in overcast conditions, but I was able to churn up a wide range of terrain.

Overall I’d say the NOW Select is an exceptional binding. It is really comfortable and supportive around your foot. The straps and ratchets are impeccable, it feels like you could tighten up your foot until it breaks – I like this – there is nothing worse than a binding that won’t tighten hard enough. The straps have good ankle and toe coverage, and there is no pinching. The ratchets didn’t mess up, jam or come loose.

On snow, they’re really nice. NOW say they are a freestyle / all-mountain binding and I’d agree. They are somewhat of a mid flex, seemingly ideal for a wide range of riding styles. The Highback has a solid spine, but with nice torsional flex at the sides. This means you can get strong support for carving and turning fast with solid heel and toe support, without losing the tail to toe body movement for freestyle flexibility.

“I think this is where the Skate Tech really comes into play, allowing a greater focus of your foot to the key areas on the binding’s base. This needs to be tested to be believed, for me it is what makes NOW truly exceptional.”

NOW’s exclusive Skate Tech has a divisive reputation as being totally loved or totally hated. Personally I really like it, but I wouldn’t say I’m a die-hard fan. I don’t think it makes enough impact to be so conflicting. It’s good, but I think I can live without it.

The bushings and footpads are decent, somehow creating great shock absorption without the board feeling totally dead underfoot. They’re not too soft and cushion-like, great if you really like to feel your edges and want to be transferring power efficiently. I think this is where the Skate Tech really comes into play, allowing a greater focus of your foot to the key areas on the binding’s base. This needs to be tested to be believed, for me it is what makes NOW truly exceptional.

Overall the Select is a great binding, packed with tech, and clearly made to last. I’d say it would suit a freestyle minded all-mountain rider, somewhere in the intermediate to expert category. Nice work NOW.”

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Rhys JonesTDC Snowboarding

“I hadn’t ridden NOW bindings before and I was really keen to check them out, I’d heard a lot about the SkateTech technology, and I liked the way it gives you a looser feeling to your riding. I would like to try different bushings under the binding to compare the feel of them. But that’s exactly what’s on offer when you buy these ones fresh.

They were pretty light without feeling cheap, and really quite stiff for a mid-flex binding.

“I liked the way it gives you a looser feeling to your riding. I would like to try different bushings under the binding to compare the feel of them. But that’s exactly what’s on offer when you buy these ones fresh”

No issues to install these on my board. Standard buckle/ratchet system which locks you in nicely. They have included the 3D contour toe strap, which hugs your toes to give extra hold.

Overall, really comfortable to ride. Enjoyed jibbing and flat ground tricks on these. Really manoeuvrable without losing edge control. High performance for a mid-stiff binding. The heel cup was higher than previous bindings I’d ridden and I quite liked the way they felt around the ankle.

Definitely for the more advanced intermediate rider looking to hoon around in the park or hit the streets.”

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