Choosing the right snowboard bindings is crucial for enhancing your riding experience. This review focuses on purple snowboard bindings, examining their performance, comfort, and suitability for different riding styles. We'll delve into specific models like the RIDE Specter and Burton Scribe, providing insights to help you make an informed decision.
RIDE Specter: Lightweight and High-Performance
At a time when many competitors focus on gimmicky, clunky, over-designed bindings, RIDE introduces the Specter.
23/24 RIDE C-2 Snowboard Bindings Overview
The Specter is built off RIDE's A-Series chassis. This aluminum chassis offers lightweight durability backed by a lifetime warranty. The unique properties of aluminum allow the binding to flex with your board, providing the ultimate freestyle feel.
RIDE optimized the forward lean angle and flex to be perfect for freestyle riding, and with the new flat nylon highback, they’ve eliminated the forward lean block. The all-new ankle strap uses a urethane material to create a medium flexing frame, cushioned with a softer material to provide better pressure distribution when tightened, making this strap one of the most comfortable in the line. The minimalist toe strap will fit over the top or the front of your boot without adding any additional weight.
Burton Scribe: A Versatile Option
The Burton Scribe binding has been around for a while now. The 2013 Burton Scribe stepped it up and added Re:Flex technology, which makes for a much better flex under foot, very important for a freestyle-focused ride like the Scribe.
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Flex and Comfort
The Scribe has a pretty soft flex on the outside with more of a medium flex on the inside. You feel more of a medium feel to it when turning. The ankle strap is comfortable compared to the rest of the ankle straps out there in the industry.
Response and Feel
The Burton Scribe's heel-to-toe response is pretty mellow and smooth, but they aren’t best for boards that have moderate to difficult turn initiation. There is much more butterability with any board under foot than you would get with a regular disc binding. It makes the board it’s attached to seem softer and more playful. The 2014 Burton Scribe has a little less leverage on the outside for butters and presses due to the smaller ankle strap.
Support and Shock Absorption
There is a pretty good ankle strap that provides good support on the outside and freedom to move a little more on the inside. The Scribe offers outstanding shock absorption.
Re:Flex Tech
Re:Flex Tech really changes the way the board rides for the better but it has one minor issue that should be addressed. Most 4-hole Discs can be aligned tip to tail or heel to toe, but the Re:Flex Disc can only be aligned heel to toe. This isn’t a big deal because most align heel to toe, but some like to turn their discs sideways to reduce or increase their stance width to a size that the binding holes won’t allow.
Additional Considerations
When selecting snowboard bindings, consider the following factors:
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- Riding Style: All-mountain, freestyle, or freeride.
- Flex: Soft, medium, or stiff.
- Comfort: Ankle and toe strap design.
- Responsiveness: How quickly the binding transfers energy to the board.
User Experiences
Many users have found purple snowboard bindings to be a great addition to their setup. Some have described them as the highest performance bindings they have ever had, offering an incredibly responsive feeling when cruising but just stiff enough for park riding. The great cushion on the base plate muffles any chatter you get from the board. Straps/buckles are high quality, and they are often recommended for the all-mountain rider, especially for the price point.
They provide a very surfy loose feel depending on high back setting and comfortable reliable straps that endure a range of temps and still function properly. They are really nice all-around bindings, but pay attention to the details and mind the sharp connecting pieces, especially the back of the heel angle adjustment mechanism.
Summary
Here's a quick comparison table based on the reviews:
| Binding | Flex | Comfort | Response | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIDE Specter | Medium | High | High | Freestyle |
| Burton Scribe | Soft to Medium | Good | Mellow | Freestyle, All-Mountain |
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