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Bindings

Union Atlas 2021-2022 Snowboard Bindings Review

  • Price: £290 / $350
  • Sizes: S, M, L
  • Flex: 7/10
  • Entry System: Classic
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Union’s flagship all-mountain binding, the Atlas is a bona fide classic. So much so that Union haven’t changed a thing for 2021/22, except the dope colourways on offer. But as they say, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. And do Union’s ever break? Their bombproof construction and lifetime warranty says not.

“Union’s flagship all-mountain binding, the Atlas is a bona fide classic”

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UNION.COM

Who Is The Union Atlas For?

You’re an experienced rider who probably spends more time charging groomers and hitting the sidecountry than you do riding the rail line (think Kazu Kokobu and Arthur Longo style). That to be said, you won’t say no to any type of snowboarding, you’re always hyped to be on board especially when you’ve got one of the sickest bindings on the market strapped to your feet.

Baseplate

The Atlas’s Duraflex CB baseplate is injected with carbon fiber to deliver instant response, without the hefty weight penalty often found on high-end products. It’s pretty damn stiff, but not brittle, and Union trust it so much they hook it up with their lifetime guarantee. All the power being generated through the baseplate has to go somewhere, and underfoot you’ll find Unions top-end Vaporlite High-Density Bushings to dampen the ride and soak up some of that slap and chatter as you’re hooning it over mottled terrain.

Like most things on the Atlas (more on that later) the gas pedal can be adjusted for size, allowing you to really center your boot on the board for maximum drive and power. It’s made of a non-stick EVA foam to aid with the vibration dampening of the bushings and to stop snow sticking throughout the day.

“Like most things on the Atlas (more on that later) the gas pedal can be adjusted for size, allowing you to really center your boot on the board for maximum drive and power”

Straps and Highbacks

Moving up from the baseplate we get onto the heelcup, again this is fully size adjustable, and it’s made from crazy strong extruded aluminium. The heel cup is a super important part of your binding, it allows you to leverage power by stopping the highback moving, thus putting you on your heel edge. So, getting one that’s as powerful as your riding is super important.

Like everything else about the Atlas, the straps are designed for effortless transfer of power and ultimate precision. Both are fully adjustable, designed to be minimalistic on the surface, but deliver great hold by fully contouring to your boot without pressure points.

Highbacks are important, they leverage all our pressure. So as a rider who prioritises instant reaction and fast response, having a stiff highback is pretty important. Sitting at a 7/10 flex-wise and made of the same hardwearing material as the baseplate, the Atlas Duraflex CB Highback is designed specifically for the Atlas and will give great heel to toe energy transfer and a second to none fit.

“Like everything else about the Atlas, the straps are designed for effortless transfer of power and ultimate precision”

Roundup

If for some reason you think the Atlas isn’t enough, there is a big daddy Atlas (The Atlas FC) which is crazy stiff and definitely isn’t for everyone. It’s made of Forged Carbon and warrants only the most experienced riders.

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