After years on the fence I decided to get into splitboarding just recently. I initially decided to pick up a used board with Union bindings until I started researching them. There's always a balance of cost vs performance, but this video made it completely clear how a proper binding system is worth paying for. Just notice how the guy with Spark gets the job done with MITTENS and the guys with pins all have to take their gloves off in the freezing snow. This is an activity usually done in subzero temperatures with snow and ice, and the gear should be designed to work optimally in such environments. I read about a guy who carries a hammer in order insert the pins when ice has frozen in the channel during the ascent! Thanks for a detailed and hands on video, best I've seen so far.

Great topic TJ... You've picked something here that I never knew I wanted to know more about. And on which I currently know nothing. Great to see more videos from you. 🤘

Yay!! More splitboard stuff!!

Pure knowledge! Only have ever splitboarded once and it was tough. Good to know about the different binding styles. Bo's version seems a lot easier!

Great video. Im out here in Tahoe trying to device on a backcountry plan of attack, this video really enlightened things for me in the world of binding options.

Love how lockdown has brought everyone into the backcountry

Hey TJ, I am on the Expedition 2.0s, in your video you are on the 1.0 and there are some updated changes, first being that when they rotate and slide in place, they will lock at the perfect alignment to slide the pin in, so there is no need to fiddle with it and find the alignment spot like on the 1.0s. I have dozens and dozens of tours on my 2.0s all around Colorado, they are great, and there is no real time saving benefit over other styles once you are familiar with your equipment. The Expeditions ride feel is like none other, much more comfortable, and I don't have any problems on the uphill either. The other systems are great too, for some reason everyone loves to rip on the pin system but I have not had any issues with them. Union wouldn't make a bad binding and especially not if Iguchi and Rice stand behind it. I recommend them, Union makes good stuff and I have been very happy with my setup. Maybe you can find me touring around Loveland pass, berthoud, or many other places around Colorado I frequent. Peace!

Great comparison guys, thank you!!

great stuff guys!!

Nice informational video TJ. would love to get into split boarding, another way to approach the mountain and earn those turns 🤙🏼

I would love to see more riding videos, man! :)

This was very informative and great. Thank you!

Great video. As others would say, I think the lock system is superior imo, and would love to see how Karakoram and Spark compare. They all seem to be driving each other to excellence.

Thanks for the informations TJ! I've been on splitboards for many years in the alps and for me it all comes down to what you do. For short ascends the bulletproof Sparks are best. For longer ascends with more then 800m climb I think the so called "Dyno-Split" Systems have huge benefits over a softboot system. I made the switch 3 years ago and I would never go back. I know many softbooter doing just short trips mostly from resorts but on really hard + remote tours I never met any. Its just the plus in safety having a hard boot with proper crampons and to make steps in icy patches while bootpacking. On top you safe a lot of power in the climb because the dynafit toe pieces are so light making a long stride easy. Just my 2 cents. Cheers Jens

Very useful info guys. Thanks.

Useful tech video. Recommend to view both beginner splitborders and intermediate level

nice topic! great video!

Good video. Would like to see a comparison between Spark and Karakoram also.

It's game time let's gooooo!

Great video dude! Im still trying to get a reservation for Abasin so far 0-7

I always recommend the Sparks, the system is simple and bulletproof. I haven't messed around with the newer Karakoram stuff yet though...- it would be interesting to see how they've evolved.

Yeah man! Good to see you back in the snow. I have snowshoes and never tried splitboarding. How is the riding compared to a regular snowboard - any differences? Pin vs. Lock?

I use Union for my splits - no issues and they ride really good on the down. I took my coda rocker split into the resort and cannot tell it's a split from the feel of the ride. I will always go with ride feel as long as the up is good and the bindings stand the test of time (which my expeditions have).

Went from pin system (fastec SP system bindings) to Spark Surge. In calm weather - pin system is OKeish. In the strong wind + snow, its a pain to align the holes and the pin. Price of the Karakoram was too high, Spark is also compactible with Voille pucks, so that was the way to go.

hey TJ i love the videos.. seeing the season was messed up. would you please let mus know how the Ride FUSE finished up the season and how you liked them in the end.

ATM I have version of SP bindings (made under Pathreon brand - same factory, lower price) - it´s multientry (like Flow). But I am starting to think about the upgrade and I am interested in Spark Surge (I prefer stiffer binding for the freeride)

Have ridden both the Karakoram and Spark R&D before buying. Cannot recommend the Spark system enough, it’s super easy, so lightweight too. Would prefer to have the shaved weight on the walk rather than increased binding performance on the way down. You’ll spend far more time on the ascent than descent so save that weight!

Terrific review!! I have no knowledge of splitboarding but I will give it a try. I have a stupid question -- when in walk mode with the board split, is it possible to ski downhill? Just a silly question, I know!!!

"the rear hole patterns on the Nitro Squash Splitboard are not compatible with the Union Expedition Bindings", can you test that with maximum setback and some 30 degrees front foot ?

What's the weight difference between the two systems?

Awesome vid TJ! How do they feel in comparison to traditional bindings? Would be really helpful to hear more of your guys' perspective on ride feel of the bindings especially the Spark R&Ds as well as those splitboards compared to their solid versions. Cheers!

What poles are those?

what size is your T.Rice jacket, TJ?

I've ridden them all. Karakoram PrimeX's out perform everything out there.

I love my split and have no issue with the pin system. I've used both and honestly, the pin is the least of my concerns in windy, or bad weather... The skins are much more of an issue in these circumstances. With a bit of practice it is easy to switch a pin system over in under 4 minutes.

Do the Union Expenditions still wiggle on the way down?

Let's get you a pair of the 2.0s! HMU :)

Would love feedback on the Union Expeditions? Have seen reviews of the pin coming out. I care more about the downhill feel than the uphill. Also, the cost savings is important to me

Another disadvantage to the pin system is the time it takes to put on crampons. I am considering to switch to spark now.

Nice video I wish I had the money for a split setup and gear...

cant believe people are still debating this in 2020. this was settled like 5 years ago.

I have been riding on the Karakoram bindings now for 2 years and really cannot recommend them. The quality of the materials used considering the high-end price (Highest on market?) is bad. So far the heel risers already broke three times and one time I lost the front jaw. (All three screws came loose) All this with probably 25-30 tours in 2 years only. After closer inspection back at home then I also found lots of screws missing and loose from both the base plates. 3 screws missing, some of the rest already loose to last thread pitch only. I believe the biggest con's for the Karakoram heel risers are: First they are mounted on the board itself where other bindings systems have the heel risers mounted on the bindings. Second they are made of obviously cheap plastics only where all others are made of a metal bracket. (The characteristics of plastics at low temperatures minus 15 to 20 and lower should be known...) I will change to the Union system now and only step back to the Karakoram as 2nd bindings system as reserve. For the Karakoram I will mount the heel risers from Voile and do not use the original ones from Karakoram any more.

Do you really use the Ride FUSE for splitboarding? Could your comment on the rationale behind choosing these boots or review them? Peace!

The voile kit is awesome to try for the first time. But once you change to the others, there is no come back. It's other world, especially regarding the weight. And in the mountain, every gram feels like a kilo. To me, nothing like Spark. They are a beast, especially for their price. If I have to nick pick, would be the torsion issue. I mean, a split loses its torsion for obvious reasons, but maybe you can recover a bit of it by a binding that uses a disc instead of the pucks. Actually you can feel it, not much, but there it is. Although I don't use the torsion (consciously) very much on powder or crusty snow, but it makes no harm if you gain a bit of it. A very very nice video.

really wanted a splitboard but if I had to choose between that or snowshoes (due to the low amount I board) I would go for snow shoes. However, regarding the binding system, lock seems to be just edging it for me, maybe the only downside is the foot padding? super interesting video!

No Karakoram??

Duck Stance on splitboard ?

Hardboots and Phantom bindings is the only way :)

The Sparks are so easy to transition but they hurt my feet sooooo bad. Had them 3 years. I may have to sacrifice comfort for ease. Any thoughts from people who’ve compared both would be fab :-) I have a Jones Solution new this year. I think I’d be a new woman if my feet didn’t hurt.

The pin system union is using just outdated at this point. I've seen those pins snap on people in the backcountry or get lost in transitions in shitty weather, which is not something you want and why they always carry extra. I've seen the pin get ripped out while riding and the binding came off. Also once you use them awhile they will start to wiggle so that board feel that was an advantage goes away and they will start to ride worse than any other option. Support companies actually pushing splitboarding forward, not one that hopped on a bandwagon and is selling outdated tech that everyone left back with cutting your board in half and sealing it back up.

I love the Spark R&D system but they're not very compatible with Burton (my only splitboard 😥). But then again, Burton is like Apple and their proprietary cables.

Great work. Keep working hard! Also, I Want to Be youtube friends :D

The one looked way faster and easier (lock type)

Backpack with board straps + verts for the win. No splitboard necessary and you’ll be walking up the mountains you climb to ride wayyyyy faster than on splits with skins. True story 🙌🏼

Spark are unable to meet demand for 21/22 season, so Union it is…

Voile plates are cheap but there is a reason other products exist. Using your usual binding on a plate will give you the same strap feel but you will be 1/2inch above the board surface so the ride down sucks. The most obvious disadvantage of pin systems is right there in your video, you took your gloves off to transition. Your fingers will hate you touching metal components as you reassemble.

Union, NO. Spark, best price and quality, and most easy. Karakoram, you gain a bit of torsion. Other tthan that, expensive and fragile. Always Spark.