• Sizes: XS/S, M/L
• Entry System: Classic
• Price: $385
• BUY ONLINE

There are two common misconceptions in splitboarding: The first, is that you have to lug a crap tonne of weight up the arse end of the mountain; and the second is that once you get there, you spend the next hour painstakingly transitioning from walk to ride mode. Spark R&D have dispelled both these myths with their legendary bindings. The women’s specific Arc binding is as lightweight, functional and freeride friendly as they come.

“The binding features a narrower baseplate, lower and more compact heel hoops and custom moulded straps”

Aside from the weight, Spark don’t do things by halves. The binding features a narrower baseplate, lower and more compact heel hoops, and custom moulded straps designed to accurately fit the most common boot brands out there. The aluminium baseplate is cut out to drastically shave excess weight off without compromising the binding’s overall stiffness. There’s another advantage to this: Metal conducts the cold. The less of it underfoot, the better the chance your toes have of staying warm when you’re out on a dawn patrol.

The Arcs are purpose built to handle moving through the most varied terrain. There’s the 12° and 18° climbing wire, Rip ‘n’ Flip highbacks, which hinge back -13° for getting a longer stride on the go to cover flat terrain more efficiently and, of course, Spark’s renowned T1 Tesla system.

Going up, doesn’t come much easier than that. When you’re ready to transition, it’s genuinely as easy as: unclick, slide, and click. The efficiency and effectiveness of switching between walk and ride modes with a pair of these will have you yearning for multiple descents in the backcountry.

All that’s left is the way back down. That lightweight response and comfort transfers perfectly over to surfy freeride turns, making them the ultimate split board binding for any female rider stoking for the next adventure out the back of the resort. There’s the much stiffer, more aggressive women’s Surge bindings to consider, too, but unless you’re looking for the ultimate in response (with the slight compromise being increased weight), the Arcs will have you well and truly covered.