Karakoram Nomad Splitboard Bindings Review

At this point, I didn’t think anything in splitboard gear could surprise me as much as the Karakoram Nomad Splitboard Binding did. But hey, it’s an infant sport where innovation and constant reinvention is the name of the game. And while Karakoram is almost as old as the scene itself, they’re new to me and performed better than I’d ever thought they could.

Karkoram Nomad Reliability

I’d long stayed away from Karakoram because I’d heard the horror stories. “There’s too many moving parts”; “They’re overkill”; “They’re too complicated”. But you didn’t get into splitboarding because it’s easy; you got into it because you wanted to be king of the mountain. And that’s just what Kakoram’s Nomad bindings are made for.

Nomad Specs

Let’s start with Karakoram’s Prime Connect Split Kit 2.0. Yeah they take a little longer to set up but once set they lock your splitboard bindings in like iron braces. The pre-loaded connection makes for a quick tight lock with a lever lock that makes for an easy connection and disconnection. A solid seam prevents separation which Karakoram calls Ride Mode 2.0. Now the bindings.

Are the Karakoram Nomad Bindings Stiff?

The medium-stiff flex on the Nomads means they balance perfectly response and responsiveness. The Active Joining tech has an improved feel while the Heel Lock system helps you when side-hilling. The space-grade aluminum frame makes them light but strong while the airpod ankle strap balances comfort and weight. Of course the dual riser gives you multiple options with an epicly light carbon ratchet. And at 640g, they’re super light. All of this means that these bindings are space-age construction locking your feet to your board.

How Do The Karakoram Nomad Bindings Perform?

Okay, so for the part that was tough: setting up my Karakoram bindings. I’ve set up countless other split bindings and yeah, it took me a second to figure out how to get the angles dialed in. There’s a lot of metal in the Karakoram Nomad Bindings, meaning they’re more durable and tighter than most split bindings though you have to be careful when dialing them in or you might nick your fingers.

Once set up, I started playing with the ingenious mechanisms that lock your toes in for that delicate ballet dance up the hill. Then with the metal pegs on the bindings that get it all snug and cozy for the shred down. Plus you can even rock these Karakoram Splitboard Bindings on your resort board thanks to the Quiver Connectors.

Karakoram Nomad Weight

The first tour I was amazed with how light the bindings were despite how firm. No split binding I’ve tried has ever felt this light. They felt more rigid when side-hilling and inspired confidence split-skiing down. The lever locking in the toes unlatched quickly and easily. The risers took me some playing around with to figure out how to get the mid-level but I could do it with the handle of my ski pole basket. The down, of course, was the real test.

Nomad Splitboard Binding Weight – 640g / 1.41 lbs.

Clicking in the binding pegs was a little tricky for me the first time. I had to make sure it was lined up, and at first I tried to force the heel-cup to lock it in. Which ended up being a good thing. On other bindings I could force them to lock, only to have them slide or wiggle. Once I got it perfect and the pegs went in smoothly, the bindings didn’t move. They performed so well I wore them while lapping the resort, the ultimate test for a split binding.

The Nomads performed great on hardpack and ice. They sliced smoothly through deep early season pow, with instant response, light weight, and a connection more bombproof than any binding I’ve tried. The Nomads live up to the Karakoram hype.

Karakoram Nomad Splitboard Bindings Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Reliable performance with iron-like connection.
• Medium-stiff flex for balance and responsiveness.
• Lightweight construction with confident performance.

Cons:

• Setting up can be tricky
• Have to be careful with metal parts
• Angles may be challenging to dial in

Overall Impression

The bomber, high-performance Nomads you’re guaranteed to love. Yeah, Karakorams are complicated but so is your weird love of toiling up mountains just to go back down them. These are high-tech tools but that’s what the craziest mountains require. They feel like stepping up to big boy bindings. It’s about time you finally check out the Karakoram Nomad Bindings ($699.99). Put some space-age Elon Musk-style boot-locker on your favorite ride, and take it to the moon. A Nomad knows no horizon.

Related Splitboard Bindings

1. K2 Farout Splitboard Binding
2. Nitro Vertical Splitboard Binding
3. Union Charger Splitboard Binding