Union Charger Pro Splitboard Binding Review: The Fastest Transition in the Game

When Union first came out with split bindings, it was a tectonic shift in splitboarding. Their first round had pins, and its downhill pucks could shift a little. But hot damn did they ride downhill with the fire. Unions were the first ever split bindings I used that rode downhill like a standard solid.

The new Union Charger Pro Splitboard Bindings have grown up, with a switching interface that’s quicker and easier than about any other split binding, with a solid performance design that kills it going downhill, as is to be expected, but that also helps you tour uphill like a beast. Union has taken it to the next level with the new Charger Pro, a binding that shares its name with both the raddest muscle car of all time and a term for athletes who rip downhill.

How Does Union Compare to the Rest of Splitboard Bindings?

Like other split bindings, they’re light and made for the quick transition. Unlike other split bindings, they don’t feel like they’re gonna break. Unlike other split bindings, you feel fine sending it big, spinning, and they even kill it if you’re the kind of rider who take a split in solid form down the resort.

Since our initial Teton test of this system, splitboard binding tech has evolved rapidly. While this remains a powerhouse for downhill performance, you can see how it compares to the rest of the 2026 market in our current guide to the best splitboard bindings.

Forged Carbon Construction: Built for Technical Terrain

When you add that Pro name to the Union Chargers, you know it’s made from the finest of the fine. Start with the bindings’ EXP3 Duraflex XB Baseplate. This is a solid baseplate, with responsiveness that, like, nobody else has figured out in the split binding game. It’s light but strong, and hooks into the pucks better than every previous generation. There’s no bend and twist in these baseplates. I felt more secure crusing downhill even on hardpacked steep bowls, like Cody Bowl in the Jackson Hole backcountry, where I took these Chargers for a spin.

There’s the Forged Carbon Heelcup. These carbon ankle holders are made in Italy, 45% lighter than the aluminum ones most people use, but they’re as responsive and bombproof as the metal ones. And they hold the EXP4 Duraflex ST highbacks (with extra fiberglass to toughen ‘em up). What are most touring highbacks like? Like skeletal little flexy scaffolds, bending when you lean back, feeling that they might snap from a long tour.

Yet the Charger Pros highbacks are solid, giving full responsiveness, full support, full heelside power. I felt locked in when I sent a 3 off a little sidehit, and when a week later I went on a couple-hour tour, it never felt like I might snap when my form got sloppy, my steps belligerent.

And how ‘bout ‘dem straps? The Exoframe 5.0 Ankle Straps are light but tight, giving that comforting snug hold to your boot but the responsiveness all their solid bindings deliver. The toe caps are some of the ergonomically best I’ve tried.

Yeah, these bindings are made from carbon and steel and fiberglass and magic and dreams. But how do they perform?

Pinless Interface: The Fastest Transitions in Splitboarding

Some bindings have super complex transitions with lots of clips and heelcup flippers; others have moving parts on the toe that don’t guarantee the lock is as tight. Union started off with pins but now they got their own game. In touring mode, you just slide the holes on the toe into the two pegs while the bindings are up. They flatten down, locked in.

To undo it, you simply lift your bindings back to a 90 degree angle, they slide off, no issue. To lock in for downhill mode, you pull up a little lever in the baseplate, then align the front with the notches in the pucks. It rotates until you hit a little notch in the back of the pucks, flatten the lever, and you’re charging. Like a pro.

Some bindings have issues with wet sticky snow, or with getting too much pow in the pucks. I found the process of spinning the bindings cleared out the snow and then I could lock in the pucks. One issue, if the lever doesn’t go down easily, push it forward and down; if that doesn’t work, try pushing it a bit farther over and it’ll close down smoothly. Which begs the question, how’s set up?

So the OG Voile pucks are still probably the easiest setup, though over time you can get some looseness and wiggle heel to toe. Union’s puck system comes with a template piece that makes sure it’s the right size but there are a few more steps. You gotta screw in the base, then screw the pucks into that, which lets you dial in your angle but if you get wiggle in the lower plate, you gotta unscrew everything. So make sure all bolts are tight before you head out. Though you should note, over a season I never had anything loosen.

Here’s the deal, though. You’re touring, get the Charger Pros in, bring them flat, you’re dialed. Literally nothing else. The plastic riser is easy to get in place with a pole, just as easy to bring back in. So you’re at the top, good, now time to change over. I can make the binding transfer faster than I can line my splitskis up. Twist  ‘em on, flatten the lever to lock in, and rip.

From hardpack to pow these bindings performed better than literally any other split binding I’ve ever tried, and I’ve tried them all. I forgot I was even on a split.

The Union Charger Pro is lip-smacking, pillow-popping, speed-chasing, crud-slaying heavenly fun, and performance, yeah, but really the reason we do this whole damn thing is to have fun. The Union bros know that and it shows.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Unrivaled Downhill Feel: Provides a responsive, rigid connection to the board that successfully mimics the feel of a standard solid-board binding.

• Rapid Pinless Transitions: The dual-lock interface allows for lightning-fast switches between tour and ride mode without the hassle of traditional pins.

Cons:

• Technical Setup: The mounting system involves more steps than standard pucks and requires all bolts to be perfectly torqued to avoid baseplate wiggle.

• Snow Sensitivity: The rotating locking mechanism requires the disks to be completely clear of snow and ice to engage the lever smoothly.

Overall Impression: Solid Board Performance on a Split Setup

Union didn’t have to make split bindings. They were already dominating the world of solid board bindings, they had all the top pros rocking them, they had all the top skids singing their praises.

I’ve ridden dozens of binders, and get ‘em for free, and the last pair of bindings I bought were Unions (and I still rock them). Think about that. Think about the fact that Union earned their bones on downhill performance, which is the real reason we fight our way to these airy, windy peaks in the first place, for the heavenly release on that unbridled downhill. Union didn’t have to make split bindings.

They WANTED to. They wanted to up performance for the crazy free spirits who want to struggle their way up mountains for that great free ride. They thought they could do it better because they’ve been doing it better on solids for years. And they DID do it better. Union brought the hammer with their new Charger Pros. They took all those years of practice with bindings, all those big-budget composites and engineers and all of that, and they applied that to this little boot-holder that crushes on the uphill and absolutely charges on the down. There’s no binding like these. Nothing that brings next-level performance and power balanced with lightness and precision; ease and speed of transition combined with fluidity and fury on the way down.

The Union Charger Pro is a specialized tool for riders who refuse to compromise on the descent. Ready to build your full backcountry kit? Explore our vetting of the Best Splitboards of 2026 and our guide to Essential Ski Touring Gear to see what our team recommends for this season.

Related Teton Tested Bindings

• Burton Hitchhiker Review:
  Check out our Full Burton Hitchhiker Review to see how this hybrid Spark/Burton system compares to the Union in terms of downhill comfort and response.

• Spark R&D Surge Pro Review:
  Read our Full Spark R&D Surge Pro Review for the ultimate stiff, lightweight alternative designed for aggressive big-mountain charging.

• Nitro Vertical ST Review:
  See our Full Nitro Vertical ST Review to discover how Nitro combines a Spark R&D baseplate with their legendary boot-strap comfort for a damp, resort-like feel.