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Bindings

Spark R&D Surge 2020-2021 Splitboard Bindings Review

  • Price: $415
  • Sizes: S, M, L
  • Entry System: Classic
  • Weight: 1365g/pair (Medium)

Why we chose the Spark Surge Splitboard Bindings: We left, we looked around, and we came back. This has to be our favourite split binding on the market.

If ever there was an arena for the words “bombproof”, “lightweight”, “durable”, “responsive” and “powerful” to parade around without so much as an ounce of concern for their actual meaning, then the snowboard industry must be it. Y’know what though, if ever there was a binding truly deserving of such adjectives, it would have to be the Spark R&D Surge splitboard bindings. They’ve won before, we’ve tested more bindings since, and they’ve come back around into the Whitelines 100 shortlist. While we’re yet to set the explosives on them, we can certainly attest for all other attributes.

Spark’s four key options are divided between the Arc and Surge, with both coming in Regular and Pro versions. Those who favour super lightweight can opt for the Pros, those who want a slightly softer, suryf flex may prefer for the Arcs. But those who prioritise charging on a binder that gives as good as it gets, the Surge is your ticket.

“While we’re yet to set the explosives on them, we can certainly attest for its other attributes”

A brand whose very name bears the words “Research and Development” should give some idea of the levels of tinkering and tweaking that goes on in the Bozeman HQ, but what’s equally interesting is how little the bindings have changed in recent years. Spark have pretty much cracked it with the Surge – providing your the kind of rider going after bigger lines or just looking for an altogether more powerful and responsive ride than the Arc.

There’s a solid piece of CNC Aluminium comprising the Surge’s Tesla T1 Baseplate, making it substantially more rigid than the Arc, although undoubtedly adding a little to its weight. The simplicity of the system instantly dispels any myths about splitboarding’s fiddly nature. Simply slide it over the pucks you’ve mounted on your snowboard, and click the toe down to secure. Then do the reverse to remove it – it’s really that easy.

That toe ramp does the job when you want to enter touring mode, too, only this time you use the protrusions on the side to secure them into the brackets on your board. A quick click later, and you’re ready to strap in.

When you’re ready to hike, a lever on the highback allows you to activate negative forward lean and gives each of your strides more length, ultimately saving more energy over the course of your day.

“For such a minimal looking bit of kit, the Pillow Straps still play their part in dissipating energy throughout the boot to eliminate any pressure spots”

The climbing wire is tucked underneath the Surge’s baseplate, although with the integrated Whammy Bars, it’s possible to access these just with the ends of your poles. Depending on the climb, either the 12-degree or 18-degree options can be selected.

On the way back down, the tougher and more responsive straps coupled with the stiffer highback make this a powerhouse binding for charging big, backcountry lines. If your priority is less on shaving every gram and more about straight lining out the mouth of a couloir on the seat of your pants, there are few better options at your disposal than these.

Of course, the response needn’t come at the expense of comfort. For such a minimal looking bit of kit, the Pillow Straps still play their part in dissipating energy throughout the boot to eliminate any pressure spots. There’s also a women’s specific fit of the Surge bindings with their own colourways, but the technology remains the same.

“I’d been riding my Spark Arc bindings for the last 3 seasons, using them for all my guiding work and days off when touring with my mates. It was only after this season, filming for the Splitboard Hub, that I made the switch to a pair of Surge bindings. That’s me fully converted. The Surges are the only split bindings I ever want or need to ride again.

Obviously, they’re a little heavier than the Arcs, but the guys at Spark R&D are so good at shaving every unnecessary gram from their gear that they’re still incredibly lightweight.

“HHorses for courses and all that but, in my opinion, the Surge bindings strike a perfect balance between workhorses and racehorses”

The pay-off is in how responsive and solid they feel to ride. The heel straps are great, really comfortable and conforming, pretty rugged when you’re trying to kick your way into your bindings at the top of a couloir, and significantly more powerful than the Arc’s heel straps.

I’d say for bigger, stronger and heavier riders, the Surge bindings are the only ones you need to consider. But even for the lighter, smaller or less aggressive riders out there, don’t rule these out in favour of the Arcs too soon. Horses for courses and all that but, in my opinion, the Surge bindings strike a perfect balance between workhorses and racehorses.”

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Owain GeorgeTDC Snowboarding

“I spend as much time as possible each winter out in the backcountry on my splitboard so the Spark Surge had a good going over.

I previously had issues with Spark setups. Mainly the bolts that hold the baseplate and the heel cup together have always worked themselves loose and I mean each time I use them!

Each time I switched over from walk to ride mode I had to get out my tool and tighten everything. If I forgot to do this ritual I could almost guarantee to lose a screw.

“The Surge is a stiffer and more responsive binding to the Arc, lending itself to more aggressive riders and steeper terrain. I really liked the feel of the high back and the straps. I found the whole binding responded well when called upon.”

In the past, I ended up using glue to remedy this problem, although that’s not ideal if you ever need to take the binding apart for some reason.

So, I was pleasantly surprised that in the time I used the new Surge this didn’t happen, stoked.

The Surge is a stiffer and more responsive binding to the Arc, lending itself to more aggressive riders and steeper terrain. I really liked the feel of the high back and the straps. I found the whole binding responded well when called upon.

Obviously, the usual luxuries of dampening and comfort as sacrificed for weight saving on a split binding but I still found the Surge to be comfortable enough for all-day touring.

My one major gripe with this binding is the ‘easy to use’ climbing wire. The promo video for the Surge shows you just how easy it is to adjust as the gradient changes on your climb. In reality, it’s about as easy as the UK leaving the EU.

I don’t know if it was only because they were brand new and hadn’t been used yet, but it just wasn’t easy to work. Instead of being able to use my pole to easily flip between different angles I found myself dropping to one knee and having to force it into place using my hands.

On a flat section, this is frustrating but manageable; try and do it on an icy traverse though, testing!

I can imagine this could be something that would aggravate someone trying splitboarding for the first time and potentially put them off it altogether.

Saying all that, the touring mode adjuster for the high back is super simple to use and really effective.

Ultimately, the descent was super rewarding on the Surge bindings, but the climbing wire was enough to make me cautious about using these again”

Tester’s Verdict 2018/19

Tom Copseyonboardmag.com

“For an inexperienced splitboarder who has previously only used regular bindings, the Surge was an eye-opener. They’re so damn light, so damn easy to switch between split- and ride modes, and so damn comfortable to boot.

The large, moulded ankle strap gave zero pressure points either going up or down, and the bindings felt responsive enough for anything.

“So damn light, so damn easy to switch between modes, and so damn comfortable”

The avalanche risk restricted us to mellower lines, but I have no doubt they have the stiffness you need to see you down steep faces. The only thing I struggled with was flipping down the riser for ascending steeper terrain with a pole (inexperience combined with exhaustion, no doubt).

At a price north of 400 shekels you might consider making do with your regular two strappers, but if you splitboard with any regularity these are an investment well worth making.”

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