Mike Hardaker Testing Nitro Splitboard Bindings in the Tetons | Photo: Ryan Ariano Mountain Weekly News
Splitboard Hardware
Spark R&D Crossbar Clips
A cooler new invention for splitboarding is the Spark R&D Crossbar Clip designed to pull both parts of the splitboard in together. In the past, the industry relied on either Voile or Karakoram, so it’s nice to see Spark entering this realm as well. The clips are easy to use and have the ability to be adjusted as needed by turning a set screw. Say goodbye to any gaps between your splitboard moving forward.
Price: $50.00
Karakoram Ultra Clips
Another new piece of tech Karakoram is bringing to the splitboard world comes in the form of new clips to hold your splitboard together. The new UltraClips will according to Karakoram:
Once joined the UltraClip fully constrains the seam of your splitboard to eliminate seam rattling, seam shearing, and seam rolling.
The new UltraClip is music to our ears as it can be super frustrating when your board starts to separate over time, even worse is when you can see light through each half of the board. Luckily it looks like those days are coming to an end thanks to new connectors from both Karakoram and Spark R&D and now Capita has followed suit. Plum is surely next.
Price: $39.99
Karakoram Flex Lock
With a solid connection between the highback and your ankle strap, this innovative system from Karakoram will help to increase lateral support, something the splitboard world, especially soft booters are in dire need of.
Price: $59.95
If you splitboard you can thank the guys above (left to right) Will Ritter of Spark R&D and Tyler Kloster of Karakoram for their solid innovations to the split world over the past few years.
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I am surprised not to find a Karakoram or Plum binding in your top ten. In my opinion they are far above all of the ones reviewed here. Spark have decent bindings but I had an awfull experience with a Voilé setup.
And how about Phantom for hardboot ? I would love to see them reviewed
Pops,
We don’t support Karakoram Bindings at all. Plum is unavailable in North America because they actually got sued by Karakoram… John at Phantom can reach out to us anytime for reviews but he doesn’t so we stick with the companies that want us to test their gear.
-Mike
Hey, so you posted the Voile binding as “speed rail” but the binding you are reviewing is the “light speed”, the “light rail” is now the k2 binding you reviewed. Also, as some one who has been on the “speed rail” since they first came out (2016?) They only problem I have ever had is the shearing off of one of the hooks. Voile changed up the materials from the first season and they also changed the climbing interface from plastic grommets to brass. I can literally have them on and off in less than 5 seconds, though it does take some time to figure out the angle that you need to apply them, also the voile heel risers are money, especially compared to the spark risers that are connected to the binding. Last year I picked up a pair of Plum Feryans and really enjoyed the tech and the torsional stiffness especially for big lines, but overall its just way to complex and I am always having screws loosen even when i have used loctite. Im back with the speed rails now, just way more simple and fool proof.
Those Plum Bindings are sure nice.
The article is a roundup of all split bindings, so the Voile ones are old but still sold. So they still are included in the future if they arent available we can pull them. Had to do that with Fix, they never brought their splitboard binding to the market.
Mike
Unbelievable that on the top 10 you find 2 union and no Karakoram.
If you had problems with karakoram you should report them, they have a long life warranty, thats the main reason of the high price.
But Union? Really? Did u try to insert that pin after a tour with the bindings full with snow and in a storm?
Interesting…
Karakoram is well aware of the problems we found while testing their bindings. We reviewed 2 pairs in the past, both under 2 stars out of 5 stars. If Karakoram wants me to test their bindings, well they can contact me. Paging Tyler, Bryce and Russell.
My 0.02 is they wont be in business in 5 years. Union and Spark have the market on lock.
Mike
Hi Mike,
Im not sure if my last comment went through. I wanted to ask about bindings that help “press” the two splitboard halves together. From my understanding, Karakoram and the Union Split help push the two board halves together when engaged in riding mode, do you know if the Spark bindings (spark surge specifically) helps do this as well? I am looking to buy these as the Karakoram and Union split are sold out where I am at.
Thanks for the reply
Adrian,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. The Sparks do help to bring the board together adding additional contact. Most boards now are really tight from the factory so the gap is minimal at best. What board you mounting them on?
Mike
Hello, could you give more feedback on the Voile speed rails and if you would buy them?
I only ask because my local shop has literally sold out of everything else. That being said, they look pretty neat… no experience riding them but I love that they have the locked ski feature for riding downhill section, that way I dont have to take shit from my skier friends
Adrian,
I would grab them. Similar to Spark in how you take them on and off in ride mode.
Mike
No Karakoram?
No, have had major issues with them icing up and breaking over the years. I can’t stand behind that product personally.
Im surprised Phantom Snow bindings were omitted in the top 10. Hands down the best bindings I’ve ridden and extremely efficient, as you’ve noted with hard boots. Thanks for the review and work from Utah
Scott,
Phantom won’t send us bindings? So no clue how they ride. We have a hardboot roundup coming up soon. Our crew runs the Spark setup.
Did you really try to put on the K2 binding? I find them very easy and fast to change in all conditions. Use maybe 5 sec to put them in walk mode.
Yes, settup is the pain in the ass. Full review of the K2 Binding will be out shortly.
Did you try to put the binding in walkmode before putting it on? Makes it alot easier! Love your writing, sorry if i seem rude✌
Aksel,
More so the actual setup with all the moving pieces and parts. We appreciate your feedback. Where you are you from?
Norway✌
Im going for my first tent trips using this board, and really hope it hold for 5 days outside in a storm!
Super informative article thank you. Do you know if the flex lock from karakoram is only compatible with their bindings? I would assume so. And for me, being able to edge better with my downhill foot would be huge, is my only option changing my spark setup to karakoram?
Liam,
Looks to be built to work with the Karakoram Bindings specifically. Im not sure of anyone using these on non-Karakoram. Spark has the Strappy Strap – https://www.backcountry.com/spark-rd-strappy-strap
the new k2’s are made by voile. same exact design
Pat,
Actually they slide on backwards compared to the Voile Speed Rail…
Thank god someone is trying to invent new splitboarding gear. Beyond my usual knuckle dragging, I feel like a caveman when riding with AT skiers. Thanks for shining a light on all the new stuff. Good to see you at the show!
take care of your shoes!
just don’t put on ski boots unless you plan to actually ski 🙂 were stoked on all the new split stuff that’s coming out. So far Spark, Union and Karakoram are the market leaders, TBD who else jumps into that realm. Most likely Plum, some other Euro Brands, Fix? Shit I want to see JF @ now make a split binding. Try not to miss next years appointment. “Fuck your F*ce” stoked to see you in Denver my friend, and fitting to be out front of The Motet, of all places.
Mike, Thanks for the article. I was unaware Union was using a pinned system. That seems awfully risky to me, but they do have a loyal following. Do you know what happened to Ranger Bindings in NZ? Any photos of the Fix interface?
We’re currently waiting to see how the Fix system will work. I believe Ranger is still doing bindings in NZ. Maybe try them on Intagram? https://www.instagram.com/rangerbackcountry/ Just hard to get access here in N. America
As for Union, really looking forward to seeing how the binding rides, pin or no pin