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Karakoram Prime-X Review

Enjoyable for the up, down, and in between
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Karakoram Prime-X Review
Credit: Karakoram
Price:  $930 List
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Manufacturer:   Karakoram
By Isaac Laredo ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Dec 31, 2020
76
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#4 of 7
  • Downhill Performance - 30% 8.0
  • Transitions - 30% 7.0
  • Uphill Performance - 20% 8.0
  • Weight - 10% 6.0
  • Straps, Lean, Risers - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

The Karakoram Prime X is a binding built for all types of splitboarding, whether it be steep technical turning or low-angle powder wiggles. Its responsive feel provides solid downhill performance that is complemented by Karakoram's refined interface. The binding tours well but is heavy when you factor in its entire system. We enjoyed the performance on the up, down, and in between; however, we have a hard time getting behind the price. The Prime X is for advanced splitboarders with some extra cash in their pocket seeking a high-performance binding.
REASONS TO BUY
Improved interface
Downhill performance
Comfortable straps
Easy to deploy heel risers
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Weight of entire system

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karakoram prime-x
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Karakoram Prime-X
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Best Overall Splitboard Binding
Top Pick Award
Best for Softboot Spiltboard-Mountaineering
Best Buy Award
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line Exceptional downhill performance with refined in betweensWe consider this the best splitboard binding on the marketThis lightweight binding offers excellent performance at a reasonable priceThis top-performing model is our top choices and has been for many yearsWhile friendly on the bank account, this binding is also comfortable and user-friendly
Rating Categories Karakoram Prime-X Spark R&D Arc Pro Spark R&D Surge Pro Spark R&D Arc Voile Light Rail
Downhill Performance (30%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
Transitions (30%)
7.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Uphill Performance (20%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Weight (10%)
6.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
Straps, Lean, Risers (10%)
9.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
Specs Karakoram Prime-X Spark R&D Arc Pro Spark R&D Surge Pro Spark R&D Arc Voile Light Rail
Measured Weight (pair) 3.18 lbs 2.5 lbs 2.7 lbs 2.8 lbs 3.34 lbs
Compatible Systems Karakoram Splitboard Clips, Prime Crampons Spark Pucks, Voile Pucks (Regular or Canted), Burton Channel Pucks, One Binding System, and Ibex Crampons Spark Pucks, Voile Pucks (Regular or Canted), Burton Channel Pucks, One Binding System, and Ibex Crampons Spark Pucks, Voile Pucks (Regular or Canted), Burton Channel Pucks, One Binding System, and Ibex Crampons Voile Pucks, Voile Splitboard Crampons

Our Analysis and Test Results

Karakoram has been one of the leading binding manufacturers since its founding in 2009. The brand differentiates its products with active joining technology and systems. The active joining of the two halves is meant to increase the snowboard's performance by helping to mitigate the flex of the split in the board. Karakoram thought about the details and additional weight savings when designing the Prime X. It uses CNC'ed space-grade aluminum, aluminum hardware, and hollow, yet strong pins. The model we tested shaves 85 grams off of its predecessor.

Performance Comparison


karakoram prime-x - the prime x is robust and responsive. here, the binding is in walk...
The Prime X is robust and responsive. Here, the binding is in walk mode and displaying the amount of the negative lean in the high back.
Credit: Isaac Laredo

Uphill Performance


These bindings performed excellently on the way up. We gauged their performance on comfort, sidehilling ability, and the quality of the stride. The Prime X provided all range of motion required for daily touring. The pivot point maxes out at around 90 degrees relative to the board, and the touring pivot works like an axle, minimizing friction for efficient touring. The metal baseplate provided adequate comfort and is consistent with the rest of the industry. In addition to being comfortable, this model sidehills very well thanks to its higher sidearm. Overall, the Prime X tours well.

Weight


The Prime X is machined with bombproof materials and looks robust. Given its structure, it's pretty light. A single binding weighs 720 grams on our scale with the ratcheting buckle.

karakoram prime-x - the bombproof prime x is weighing in at an impressive 720 grams.
The bombproof Prime X is weighing in at an impressive 720 grams.
Credit: Isaac Laredo

Since we can't ride with only a single binding, we decided to weigh the entire setup. Every screw and bracket was accounted for. The Karakoram Ride 2.0, risers, and touring brackets weigh 839 grams. This is one of the heavest ride interfaces in the category, in part due to the number of moving parts. The entire riding weight of the Prime X is 5 pounds 0.3 ounces. Suddenly the seemingly lightweight has become pretty heavy.

karakoram prime-x - in our review, we look at the field weight of the binding system...
In our review, we look at the field weight of the binding system. This includes every screw, mounting plate, and heel riser. Pictured above is Karakoram's Prime interface on the scale.
Credit: Isaac Laredo

Karakoram does offer a light ride attachment system, which is a lightweight option to connect your binding for the descent. The brand claims that you can save over 100 grams off of your set up. This is an additional purchase that you have to be willing to shell out a pretty penny to harvest these benefits.

Transitions


Transitions on the Prime X were intuitive, straightforward, and efficient. Karakoram redesigned its interfaces to smooth out some of the issues in the years past. Active systems are more susceptible to snow build up because of smaller allowances and more moving parts. The Ride 2.0 system mitigates ice build-up and has a larger tolerance to allow easier attachment in challenging conditions.

karakoram prime-x - the prime 2.0's interface has reduced the icy issues of its...
The Prime 2.0's interface has reduced the icy issues of its predecessor.
Credit: Laredo

The transition from ride mode to touring was easy to accomplish. The touring interfaces require that you remove the snow before inserting the binding. The tab to close the interface has a breakaway component to avoid a critical failure into tour mode. That way, only the tab breaks as opposed to the entire system. We appreciate the added detail to improve reliability. When in touring mode, the heels can lockdown in place for downhill travel. It's a nice feature to have but far from critical.

The transition back into ride mode is a significant improvement when compared to previous models. There is a larger tolerance for the pins, and the ride plates are more resistant to snow build-up and shed snow better due to the grooves and nylon-based top. It requires more snow clearing and preparation than other passive systems. Once you figure out the technique, the bindings can easily be applied with one hand.

karakoram prime-x - this lever controls the active pins that connect to the ride or heel...
This lever controls the active pins that connect to the ride or heel lock interface.
Credit: Isaac Laredo

Downhill Performance


Principally, Karakoram's design is supposed to increase ride performance. The bindings actively pull the board halves together to theoretically increase response. The brand also makes wider baseplates that make direct contact with the board, which drives power to the board and edges; this could increase the board's feel, as well. It's hard to say if these features directly influence the downhill performance when compared to other competitors.

The Prime X provides a responsive character that is fit for all types of objectives. The highback is stiff edge to edge but has decent levels of lateral play that enable a little more opportunity to tweak out grabs in an overall reactive binding.

Straps, Lean, Risers


Straps

The Karakoram straps are some of our favorites. They are lightweight, comfortable, and durable.

karakoram prime-x - karakoram utilizes a supple rubber with an air-pod design, shown...
Karakoram utilizes a supple rubber with an Air-Pod design, shown here on the Prime X. These straps are comfortable, pressure point free, and responsive.
Credit: Laredo

Lean

The lean adjuster is an hourglass-shaped dial that is easy to switch back and forth between tour and ride mode. It offers 0-22 degrees of forward lean in ride mode and -8 degrees in walk mode.

Heel Risers

This is Karakoram's best riser system yet. The heel risers are easy to engage with a ski pole and provide adequate height in two settings. To adjust from the high to the low setting, you have to be pretty accurate to avoid putting the entire system down.

karakoram prime-x - karakoram heel risers have improved over the last few years and can...
Karakoram heel risers have improved over the last few years and can easily be deployed with a ski pole.
Credit: Laredo

Women's Model


Karakoram offers the Prime X in a women's specific model. The binding is the same based on design features and material but has women's specific sizing in its critical components.

Value


The Prime X comes at a high price point, and the active system seems to add to the cost of the binding because of its complexity. If you're interested in trying out or convinced about the active system, then this could be a good choice. It's one of the best Karakoram bindings available. If you're open to other choices, some bindings are lighter and provide comparable downhill performance at a fraction of the cost.

Conclusion


The Karakoram Prime X is a binding that fits all objectives. It has a responsive and comfortable feel, and the company has refined its interface to alleviate some of the icing and tolerance issues of the past for more efficient transitions. The binding itself is pretty light, given its robust look. Collectively, the field weight is on the heavier side of the spectrum due to the complexity of the system. The Prime X is a solid binding that comes at a heavy price. If you're into the active system, then it is a worthy consideration. If you want to go splitboard and save some money, other options exist at a lower price point and offer comparable performance.

Isaac Laredo