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News & Previews

Union Binding Co. | 2021-22 Snowboard Gear Preview

As part of our new Envision Series, we take a first look at Union Binding Co.'s new season product line

Welcome to our new Envision Series where we’ll be bringing you the latest gear previews, with some of the most exciting new snowboard, boot, binding, outerwear and goggle products to drop for winter 2021-22. In this Envision episode, we’re taking a look at next year’s lineup from Union Binding Co.

The Whitelines team usually spend January and early Feb running between trade shows and on-snow demos, checking out the latest products and testing as much new kit as we can get our hands on. This year things unfolded a little differently, but we still managed to get the scoop on a bunch of products for winter 2021/22, so we decided to cut out the middle man and bring our Envision Series directly to you.

“For next season they’re expanding their offering to cater to riders who want to venture off the beaten track”

Bindings are often the most overlooked part of a snowboard setup, but they’re one of the most important factors in making sure your setup works for you. They provide the critical interface between you and your snowboard, channelling input so you can ride effectively. Union are one of the few companies that solely make snowboard bindings, focusing all their time and energy on making some of the best products on the market.

With a pro team that encompasses every aspect of riding and includes some of the biggest names in snowboarding, Union are super highly respected in the industry. Well known for the longevity of their wares, their buzzword ‘Stronger’ references their bomb-proof design.

Union Rover Approach System 2021-2022.

With something to match every budget and riding style, Union bindings hold sway over their legions of fans and continue to find converts in the riding community. For next season they’re expanding their offering to cater to riders who want to venture off the beaten track and upgrading fan favourite models to stay firmly at the front of the pack.

“I put the Flite Pro’s on my park deck about a month ago and haven’t taken them off since”

Check out our gear preview below, as well as our interview with Riley Goodwin, Union’s Global Marketing whiz and Team Manager.

What’s your hero story going forward into the 2021/22 season?
One of our biggest stories for the 21/22 season is the Union Rover. The Rover is our all-new approach system – It’s super lightweight, easy to maneuver, fast and easy to transition, and allows you to ride the solid board of your choice on the ride down. After just a few tours on the Rover, our whole crew was sold on this new access tool and how easy it is to use. I’ve been using it for boarding, walking the dog in the woods, and just exploring new terrain around my home mountain. Not to mention, it pairs perfectly with the Union Explorer splitboard bindings.

Union Rover Approach System 2021-2022.

We’ve got a small drop of the Rover coming in out in late March 2021. Hit up your local shop to try and reserve a pair.

What product(s) are you personally most stoked on? (What will you be riding next season?)
I’ve actually been riding the all-new Flite Pro a bunch this season. I’m usually a Force or Atlas guy but when we fully redesigned the Flite Pro this year I knew I had to put some extra days on it to get the real feel for it. They come with a brand new highback, baseplate, toe strap and they’re craaaazy lightweight! Over 30G lighter than previous the previous season. And still super affordable like always. I put the Flite Pro’s on my park deck about a month ago and haven’t taken them off since.

Union Flite Pro 2021-2022.

What new tech and materials can we look forward to seeing for 2021/22?
On the tech front, something we’re really stoked about is our new Magnesium S1 Ratchets. When you ride 100+ days a season your ratchets take a beating. Freezing temps, water damage and constant strapping and unstrapping all play a role in the longevity of a binding ratchet.

“The lightest weight and highest value female specific binding the snowboard world has ever seen

Our all-new Magnesium S1 Ratchets are Union’s answer to the elements. A fully integrated spring protected from the harsh outside provides you with Union’s best ratchet to date. Longer life span and better spring return guaranteed.

Union S1 Magnesium Ratchet

Have you made any specific changes or leaps within your women’s range?
Yeah, the Trilogy, Milan and Rosa will all see updates for next year.

Just like the Flite Pro, the 21/22 Union Rosa has also been fully redesigned from the ground up. An all-new Stage 8 Duraflex baseplate combined with a Falcor inspired highback to deliver the lightest weight and highest value female specific binding the snowboard world has ever seen.

Where are we seeing innovation within your existing line?
You’ll see innovation throughout our existing line. Any time we’ve got new technology in the top of the line models, we trickle down the old technology to models below it. The entry-level price tag doesn’t mean entry-level performance at Union.

“Let’s just say we’ve got some heat coming for next fall”

Any cool artist collabs in the pipeline?
Yes, we’ve got a few really cool artist collabs coming for 21/22. We teamed up with Corey Smith and Springbreak Snowboards for super fun Contact Pro Slush Slasher binding. And on the ladies side we teamed up with Lucas Beaufort for the Milan. Really excited on how both bindings turned out!

We can’t leak anything about Union Custom House yet… but let’s just say we’ve got some heat coming for next fall. 3 heaters to be exact.

Union Falcor 2021-2022

Have any team riders been involved in the R&D process? Where have you been putting these new/improved models to the test?
We always involve our team riders in the R&D process. Every single binding that Union sells has been tested by team riders, in-house staff, engineers, reps and our state of the art testing facility in Colico, Italy.

“In order to keep up with Travis’ demanding riding we’ve redesigned and reinforced the iconic Falcor Highback”

One place you’ll really notice that this season is the all-new Falcor highback. Travis Rice trusts the Union Falcor for every turn every cliff drop and every riding condition. In order to keep up with Travis’ demanding riding we’ve redesigned and reinforced the iconic Falcor Highback for the 21/22 season. A thicker forged carbon Y-beam with stronger mounting points and an all-new forward lean adjuster combine for improved durability and response.

Union Falcor 2021-2022

Any new pro models to keep our eyes peeled for?
Be on the lookout for Scott Stevens‘ and Gigi Ruf’s new Contact Pro pro models! And we might have a couple of things in the Union Custom House collection as well… you’ll just have to wait and see.

Where can we see updates or changes within the company, not product related? 
If you haven’t already checked it out, Union launched its brand new global headquarters in Colico, IT late last year.

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