UNION Beyond Medals 2024 Snowboard Bindingen

Im a pretty average rider, like to do deep carves on early morning groomers and go on tree runs or chasing steep powder lines when the snow permits.. Ive always used mid stiff bindings but was looking for something a little bit stiffer and that has better quality buckles because my previous ones from a different brand kept breaking. I had an eye on Union for a long time due to its reputation for having long lasting and quality bindings. The most important thing for me when looking for bindings has always been response rate, adjustability, comfort and quality. I had my eye on these Beyond Medals edition of the Union Atlas for two reasons, one I hear how great the atlas were from peers. After riding with them it was confirmed, the adjustability is great, so many different ways to adjust it to your feet to give it the bst fit (I have a size 42.5 on Deeluxe explorers and bought size M). The stiffness combination is great, its a stiff binding (9/10) with a stiff plate and a highback that's stiff when it comes to flex but the tortional flex had quite a bit of give to it (Back and forth is stiff but when twisting it has some give to it).

It was my first time riding with such a stiff binding but i have to say the response you get from it is incredible, I rode it on my Golden Orca 157 on groomers and also powder and I don't think I ever want to go back to mid flexing bindings unless its for park. I also like the fact that the Union B.M Atlas bindings base plate have a setting for Burtons channel system, since my second board is a Burton Skeleton key its great to be able to switch them back and forth. The Golden Orca is a relatively stiff board at 7/7.5/10 and the Skeleton key is a softer 5/6 flex rating. I tried it on both and had no major differences, though I would say the Golden Orca being a stiffer board is where this binding felt most at home, I would maybe go a tad softer binding on a softer board. I loved that the binding has full metal buckles and a soft band, feels very sturdy and comfortable at the same time. I would recommend adjusting them to your boot before hopping onto the Piste, being a stiff binding, if you don't adjust them to your boot you may find yourself with hot spots. Another great positive point from these bindings for me was the collaboration with Beyond Medals... being Swedish myself its nice to have the Swedish brand from Gothenburg rocking the awesome graphics and colorways on this binding. Not to mention the awesome carry bag you get with them. My only recommendation for the bindings would be for the paint to be a bit tougher, It can chip away at the corners from placing them in cars with other boards.

This is a great binding, its made from quality materials, tough as nails yet so adjustable that it makes for a comfortable and secure ride. Its very stiff and responsive, so I would recommend it more for the intermediate to advance rider that wants more control. I think beginners would find this binding harder to use. In addition, I would not recommend this as a park binding due to its stiffness, instead I would recommend it for all mountain chargers or back country freeride lovers.