We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
It is easy to put a lot of energy into researching your first board or the next board in the quiver. The case could be made, though, that your splitboard bindings are an equally, if not more important, purchase for your sport. They are what connect you to the board; they carry you up and back down again. They have the most moving parts, the most accessories, and play the biggest role in how efficiently we can travel.
Splitboard binding options are more limited than splitboards, which can make it harder to find the Goldilocks set. To make this choice easier, we have tested some of the most popular binding models from the most popular brands, as well as their high-end performance models. Through our testing, we have distilled the pros and cons of each to help you choose the model that best suits your goals as a splitboarder.
The best pair of bindings for most people is the Karakoram Prime X Carbon because it works great on both the up and the down, and stays comfortable all day. The Spark R&D Arc ST is a great option that is a bit more affordable if this is your first season on a splitboard and you're not sure you want to invest yet.
Trying to get your setup ready for the coming season? We've tested from splitboards and splitboard skins as well so you can mix and match depending on your riding style and budget.
The Karakoram Prime-X Carbon takes home our choice for the best all-around splitboard binding. While the stiff carbon highback may seem intimidating, we found this binding to have an excellent balance of high-speed response coupled with slow-speed maneuverability. The forgiving flex of the chassis, combined with the responsive highback and ankle strap, made this a binding we could easily foot-steer with, yet it remained stable and supportive at high speeds. The active joining system Karakoram uses provides one of the best board connections we have used and delivers excellent board control. Our lead tester had this to say, “I use this binding for all of my initial splitboard testing as a constant variable. I know I can put it on any board in any condition and it will perform. Once testing is over for the season, they just live on my favorite board.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Single Binding Weight
630g
Compatible Systems
Karakoram Prime Connect, Prime Crampons
Interface/Pucks Included?
Yes
Flex Rating
Medium/Stiff
Interface Weight Per Ski
346g
The Prime-X Carbon is a high-performing binding, but it also comes with a high price tag. Justifying this cost will be a hard pill to swallow for many riders, but we think that, for the discerning rider, looking for the best balance of performance, they are an excellent choice. These are also not the lightest bindings in our test, but we think the weight is comfortable and balances downhill performance without sacrificing anything. Those looking for a more affordable, lighter daily driver binding should check out the Spark R&D Arc Pro. Those who want the Karakoram active joining board feel, but a bit more affordably, should check out the Karakoram Nomad.
The Spark R&D Arc ST is a staple splitboard binding that strikes a good balance between ease of use, weight, and downhill performance. It is hard to go wrong with this binding as it simply functions how a binding should and is reliable season after season. The softer flexing baseplate on the Arc provides good sensation underfoot and allows for foot steering, while still providing enough support for the majority of backcountry riding speeds. If you like a bit more ankle mobility and a surfy feel, these are a lot of fun. Our lead tester had this to say, “This is the binding I end up recommending the most to new splitboarders. They are simple, and the ride quality is great for what most people are doing out there.”
The Arc ST is a great do-it-all binding for the majority of splitboarders, but it will feel a bit limiting for some riders. The softer flex is fun most days, but riders looking for the most responsive bindings for technical riding and high speeds will likely look elsewhere. Those looking for more response and performance from Spark should check out the Spark Surge ST Pro. Those who are looking for a great general-purpose binding at a good price, though, will love the Arc ST.
For pure, unadulterated fun and performance on the downhill, look no further than the Union Charger Pro. The Charger Pro looks more like a binding you would mount up on your resort board than a splitboard, and that's kind of the point. This binding not only looks the part, it offers a ride feel that is as close to your resort gear as we have tested. Union uses an active joining binding interface that pulls the board halves together and allows for great board control. The binding itself is quite stiff and responsive. You can slow it down and foot-steer with these, or crank the speed up to 11 and feel fully supported. This level of balance between stability, response, and maneuverability makes them our favorite for going downhill. Our lead tester said this, “I've spent so many days splitboarding that I may have forgotten just how comfy a binding can be. The padding and straps on these are great, and the ride is excellent.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Single Binding Weight
854g
Compatible Systems
Union Charger Disk
Interface/Pucks Included?
Yes
Flex Rating
Medium/Stiff
Interface Weight Per Ski
174g
The Charger Pro is excellent for the down and adequate on the up, but we found it the most challenging binding when transitioning. They have issues with icing and snow buildup that doesn't clear easily, and the screws loosen often on us. Anyone carrying these bindings far from the trailhead would be well advised to Loctite their screws, bring a multi-tool, and the included emergency repair kit they come with. Those looking for a similar balance of downhill performance with greater big-mission reliability should check out the Karakoram Prime-X Carbon. Those who are willing to sacrifice the transition efficiency for absolute performance on the descent will likely get along well with the Charger Pro.
The Spark R&D Surge ST Pro is a high-performance binding for riders who like to charge, ride technical terrain, and walk long distances. The weight-to-performance ratio on these bindings is excellent. They are one of the lightest bindings in our test, yet also supportive for high-speed cruising through variable terrain. The Spark binding system is known for its reliability, giving these bindings all the right characteristics for the strong rider looking to get far from the trailhead. Our lead tester says this, “The Surge Pro is light and efficient, but still rides great. For my biggest missions, I often end up mounting these on my board.”
The Surge ST Pro is a top-level binding for strong riders, but it can be punishing at times. The stiff baseplate and more old-school puck system make the Surge feel kind of twitchy at low speeds, and it likes to get moving before turning. Riders that tend to go faster won't notice much here, but for those looking for a bit more board control, the Spark Arc ST is more forgiving. Those who want the full support for technical lines, though, will do well with the Surge ST Pro.
Riders seeking a reliable binding for big days will love the Surge ST Pro Credit: Dom Rickicki
Product Comparison Table
Your bindings are the piece of gear you interact with the most while splitboarding. It is worth doing your research to get the right pair for you. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Why Trust GearLab
Dom Rickicki leads our splitboard binding review. He began snowboarding at age 10 in Western NY, and it has shaped his life ever since. At 18, Dom saved up his work study money for his first splitboard and began exploring the backcountry around the Adirondacks and New England. After graduating, Dom left the East Coast to start a career as a guide in the Western US and spent several winters instructing snowboarding along the way. Today, he is the head guide at KMAC Guides in Estes Park, CO, and a faculty instructor for the Silverton Avalanche School, teaching Rec and Pro avalanche education programming.
Lead tester Dom Rickicki, surfing a gully line. Credit: Dustin Dyer
Isaac Laredo has committed his life to enjoying and facilitating the creation of special moments in the outdoors. These gear reviews aim to be a manifestation of that, in the hopes that you can find the perfect piece of gear that will put a smile on your face for years to come. Isaac is an avalanche and outdoor educator and is also pursuing his AMGA Splitboard guide certification. In both of these professions, gear needs to be reliable so he can focus on student safety, the quality of the experience, and learning outcomes. Isaac graduated from Sierra Nevada College in Lake Tahoe. After moving to Tahoe in 2014, Isaac has enjoyed consistent 100+ day seasons. We also enlisted the help of Marissa Fox for this review. Marissa has been snowboarding for over 25 years and splitboarding for a decade. She has ridden terrain worldwide, ranging from shredding in the Swiss Alps to Heli-boarding in Canada. She has spent extensive time in the backcountry and is a former professional athlete in big-air snowboarding competitions.
Our testers carried these bindings far and wide to give you the best insight into how they perform in real backcountry terrain. Credit: Pat Gephart
How We Tested Splitboard Bindings
We researched the market's available splitboard bindings and purchased the top models to objectively test them side by side. You read that right, purchased. We understand that bias is the quickest way to threaten a data set, so we nip it in the bud and pay the same price as you. We aim to provide the most scientific reviews available, and the reliability of scientific findings is driven by the quality and quantity of the data. To accomplish this, we purchase each product and [how we test | test it extensively], with testing occurring in Colorado and throughout the mountain west. Most importantly, we always test these products in actual backcountry terrain. We believe products should be tested in the terrain for which they are intended. That means we are putting thousands of feet of vert on these bindings, skinning on good and bad skintracks, riding good and bad snow, the full gamut of conditions. We do not simply take these for a spin at the local resort and tell you how they feel; we put them through anything you might put them through and more.
Our testing of splitboard bindings is divided across five different metrics:
Uphill Efficiency (30% weighting)
Downhill Performance (30% of overall score weighting)
Transitions (25% weighting)
Weight (15% weighting)
Analysis and Test Results
We have tested many of the most popular bindings from the biggest names in splitboarding, as well as some up-and-coming models, to determine which will work best for most splitboarders. The reality is that snowboarders don't all fit neatly into one box, so we took the time to dissect where and for whom each binding's use case would be best suited. We found bindings that we think will fit a lot of different people's needs and are incredibly versatile. We have also found ones that tend to fit more niche categories of riders. Take the time to assess your personal abilities, goals, and realities in splitboarding, then use this breakdown to find the right tool for your toolbox.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
All splitboard bindings are expensive compared to resort bindings, but there is a spectrum of offerings. The one thing to consider when valuing splitboard bindings is whether the model includes all the hardware you need. Some bindings may appear cheaper out of the gate, but in reality, there are other parts you will need to buy. In this scenario, the price difference across all the bindings actually narrows.
The Union Charger come with a fully stocked repair kit. A great bit of added value. Credit: Dom Rickicki
One of the best value bindings we tested was the Union Charger Pro. What makes it such a good value is that it comes complete with all the necessary hardware and a half-set of replacement parts. Including all of this is a pretty sweet deal, because losing screws or breaking toe pieces is not uncommon in the backcountry. The fact that Union adds these extras to the initial purchase is great. It also helps that these are great-performing bindings.
The Spark Arc ST is one of the lowest-priced models in our test, but it is worth noting that Spark R&D doesn't include pucks with their bindings. The pucks are a necessary piece of hardware for attaching your bindings in ride mode, so there is an extra cost associated with these bindings. We believe Spark does this to give its users the option to choose between flat or canted pucks. This is nice for customization, but it needs to be addressed from a pricing standpoint. Outside of this caveat, for the price, the Arc is a great do-it-all binding for a majority of splitboarders.
Spark R&D bindings often come in at a favorable price and are reliable, easy to use bindings. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Uphill Efficiency
In the backcountry, we're spending most of our time walking uphill, so uphill performance matters a lot. For many riders, it will be the thing they choose their bindings for, trumping even downhill performance. What makes a good uphill binding? A few things, but mostly, weight, comfort, stability, and ease of use.
The Prime-X Carbon carry a hefty price tag, but for discerning riders putting a lot of miles on their splitboard, it may be worth it. Credit: Dom Rickicki
We will dive more into weight in the weight metric below, but ultimately, the less you have to carry, the easier your life is going to be. When it comes to weight in splitboard bindings, the lightest we have tested are consistently the bindings from Spark R&D. Spark's simple interface and lightweight pucks shave a lot of grams off a setup, and their all-metal binding chassis are durable and weight-conscious. If weight is your top concern, the Spark Surge ST Pro, Arc ST Pro, or Arc ST are where you should begin your search.
Aside from weight, we have to stand in these bindings all day, so they need to be comfortable. Comfort usually comes from the straps' fit and materials, as well as the highback's ability to relax into negative lean. To save weight, most splitboard binding straps are fairly minimal, as opposed to beefy, padded things. Minimal can mean discomfort, but we typically find that the shaping of the straps and flexibility of the materials make them quite comfortable. We don't dislike any of the straps we tested, but the ankle straps on the Union Charger Pro were our favorite. These straps nicely wrapped the ankle of our boot and provided even pressure, making us forget we had them on. An additional comfort bonus of the Charger Pro is its padded baseplates, which were noticeably more comfortable to walk on and kept our feet warmer.
The Surge ST Pro is one of our favorite bindings for efficient uphill travel. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Ease of use comes into play when adjusting our risers up and down as we skin on varying angles of steepness, and when making sure that the binding's rotation is friction-free. If the binding rotates freely without friction, then it is easier to get the tails of our skis to drop when kickturning. Risers that are easy to adjust save us time on the track as we don't have to stop for long periods of time to adjust them.
Adjusting the risers on Spark bindings is easily done with the top of a ski pole and some practice reps. Credit: Dom Rickicki
The easiest risers to manipulate are the ones on the Spark R&D bindings. Their “Whammy Bar” riser is easy to manipulate with the top of a ski pole and requires the least work. While these risers are easier, they do sacrifice stability. For sidehilling, it is nice to have a strong, stable platform to direct pressure to your edges. The risers on the Kararoram binding models are more work to move into place, but they are wide and stable, which makes you feel more secure when side-hilling or climbing steep slopes.
Despite the shortcoming of the riser for stability, the Spark R&D Surge ST Pro is our favorite binding for maximizing uphill efficiency, the weight savings and ease of use make them disappear under your feet for long days in the mountains.
Using the Karakoram heel risers takes some practice to get good at, but they are wide and stable for side hilling. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Downhill Performance
We spend about 80% or more of our day walking uphill when splitboarding. But we wouldn't walk up there if it weren't for the other 20% that we spend on the sweet downhill. The splitboard binding has the unique job of both functioning as a binding and serving as a joining mechanism for the two halves of a splitboard. These two things do work in concert, as the binding that creates the best connection for the board tends to produce a better ride feel.
Let's start with the joining systems, then. Of the bindings we have reviewed we have put to test three different binding attachment ecosystems; The puck system utilized by Voile and Spark R&D, Karkoram's prime connect system, which is an active joining system, and the Charger Disk developed by Union, which also utilizes active joining systems.
Karakorams Ride Mode 3.0 utilizes a pin mechanism that pushes the board halves together and pulls the binding down onto the board. We think this creates a great board feel.
The Prime Connect system that is used by Karakoram on the Prime-X Carbon and the Nomad is one of our favorites for creating board feel on the way down. Compared to a puck system, we find that this active joining system, coupled with its wide contact points, allows for much easier foot steering of the board in technical terrain or at slow speeds. The Union Charger Disk used on the Union Charger Pro is also actively joining, and we find it to produce a similar result. The Unions sit higher on the board than Karakoram, which may or may not be to your liking, but they still offer a high level of board feel and foot control.
Despite our love of active joining systems, the puck system remains a tried-and-true, easy-to-use system. Our favorite puck style bindings are the Spark Surge ST Pro. The solid metal baseplate on the Surge, combined with the pucks, gives it a rigid feel that is super responsive from edge to edge. If you're trying to go fast and want something that is going to stay with you, these bindings are a great choice. That does come at the price of slow-speed maneuverability, though, as these stiff bindings can feel pretty twitchy.
The Spark puck system rides well and has been a staple bit of technology in the splitboarding world for a reason. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Moving to the uppers of the binding, chassis flex, highback flex, and strap flexibility all contribute to how a binding rides. The Surge Pro ST has a stiff chassis and a stiff ankle strap, but the highback is a bit more forgiving, and it makes the binding more damp and forgiving, so it's not a completely relentless ride. On the flip side, the Prime-X Carbon has a more forgiving chassis but a 10-out-of-10 stiff highback. This combo leaves some maneuverability for foot steering, but provides support without being overly twitchy, which is why we like it more as an all-around binding.
The Charger Disk tightly joins the board halves together through the twisting of the binding and the locking bar.
Of all the bindings we tested, our top choice for sheer downhill performance is the Union Charger Pro. The charger takes resort binding tech and combines it with splitboard binding tech to create a ride as close to a solid snowboard as we have ever tested. The active joining charger disk tightly pulls the two snowboard halves together, creating excellent board control, while the responsive baseplate and highback allow you to put your board where you want it easily. The Charger Pro has some of the comfiest straps we have tested, and the padded baseplate makes for a damp and comfortable ride. Overall, if downhill performance is your number one concern, these are worth a look.
Splitboard or solid board? The Union Charger Pro will have you questioning what's under your feet. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Transitions
We may not all be out splitboarding for speed and fast laps. But we should all be putting work into making our transitions more efficient. Quicker transitions mean less time at the top of runs, where it is usually coldest and windiest, and more time to grab a snack and take care of ourselves. In the worst-case scenario, being able to quickly transition can be a life-saving skill if you need to get your board apart to skin up to someone caught in an avalanche.
Efficient splitboard transitions largely come down to being well-practiced with your gear and having a system you have repeated many times. That said, the binding system we choose can help speed up that process.
The Spark puck system is easy and robust, with minimal moving parts. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Often, the biggest enemy to a quick splitboard transition is icing up of the binding interface, which causes things to not fit together very well anymore. Some binding systems clear this ice away easily, while others require you to get a scraper out and do some cleaning. Sometimes the scraper is unavoidable, but if we can go longer without it, we're psyched.
Both the Spark R&D and Karakoram systems allow for a quick and easy transition between ride and touring modes. In the past, we heralded the puck system on Spark's as the easiest for self-cleaning ice, making it the most efficient. Recently, Karakoram upgraded their system to Ride Mode 3.0, and we think this new mounting plate sheds ice almost as well. With the icing problem largely gone from Karakoram bindings now, their drop on changeovers are quite a bit faster at times than trying to force a binding to slide on or off a puck system. It has happened more than once that we have almost sent a board downhill by accident after aggressively ripping a binding off an icy puck.
One handed transition in snowy conditions. The new Ride Mode 3.0 from Karakoram solves a lot of icing issues. Credit: Dom Rickicki
The system that gave us the most trouble at transitions was the Union Charger, which we go into detail about in their review. The charger disk creates a lot of friction as it rotates the binding into a locked position, which can be tough to handle if it's icy. The locking mechanism also doesn't self-clear snow easily, and we had to clean it more often. The touring brackets also require a bit of care to line up.
Between a binding like the Karakoram Prime-X Carbon or the Spark Surge ST Pro, we would choose based on the level of complexity you are willing to deal with. The Spark system is simply more archaic and able to be abused by sloppily sliding the bindings on and off and forcing things into place when they're icy. The Karakoram system requires a more precise hand and some finesse to line everything up and handle the moving parts. If you are willing to get over the learning curve with that, we think they are just as fast as the Sparks.
The Charger Pro were our least favorite bindings to transition, but they pull the board tightly together for a great ride down. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Weight
As the saying goes, 1 pound on the feet equals 5 pounds on the back. This means that saving weight on your bindings can potentially lead to significant gains while climbing. However, as with most outdoor gear, cutting weight often comes at the expense of other areas, typically performance or durability. Luckily, with splitboard bindings, we don't see as much sacrifice, though there is some. The heavier bindings we tested tended to be a bit more fun on the down, while the lighter ones were better on the up, though still capable on the down.
Weight is the most objective evaluation available to us. To get an accurate comparison, we weighed a single binding from each set and the hardware that would be mounted on one half of the splitboard. We think the weight per ski measurement we chose here is easier to measure on the home scales we and likely you will use, compared to trying to weigh a whole splitboard setup.
Union vs. Spark. vs. Karakoram. Interface weight per ski.
The most important thing to remember when comparing splitboard binding weights is that most manufacturers don't include the weight of the binding interface and hardware in their measurements. They just give the weight of one or both of the bindings. We have found vast differences in the weight of the interface from system to system, so we include that in our measurements to give you a more accurate account of what these things weigh.
Binding weights; Prime-X Carbon, Surge ST Pro, Charger Pro, Nomad, Arc ST
Between Karakoram and Spark, the bindings themselves are fairly comparable in weight, but the interface systems differ significantly. The Karakoram Prime system is much heavier than the Spark system, making it a heavier overall binding. The lightest binding system in our test was the Spark Arc ST Pro. The Arc ST Pro is great for reducing fatigue, but it is a softer, surfier binding that is less responsive on technical terrain.
The simple touring interface on Spark bindings keeps the weight down so you can get more powder laps in. Credit: Dom Rickicki
FAQs
The splitboard binding interface is the total set of hardware used to connect the bindings to the board. A splitboard binding is removed from the board at transitions and then reattached for touring or riding. There will be a set of mounts that connect the binding for downhill mode, and a set that connect the binding for walking mode. We call this whole system the interface.
They are not. Each interface is proprietary to that brand. When you buy one brand's binding setup, you are essentially buying into that brand's ecosystem.
Spark R&D = Puck style interface
Karakoram = Prime Connect interface
Union = Union Charger Disk
The chassis refers to the main body of the binding, including the baseplate. Essentially, everything that is not a strap or a highback. This part of the binding can flex a bit or be stiff, which changes how the binding interacts with the board's flex.
If you are choosing your first pair of splitboard bindings, we would first look at what binding interface you would like. The Spark R&D puck system is easy to use, lightweight, and robust. Actively joined systems like Karakoram are typically a bit harder to use, but offer better downhill performance. Your choice may come down to ease of use, price, or performance desires.
Once you've chosen an interface, you can then look at what kind of flex you are seeking. If you ride aggressively, a stiffer binding will hold up to the force you put on a board. If you like a more relaxed ride or like more ankle mobility, a softer flexing binding will work best. Each brand offers bindings with different flex profiles in their range to accommodate a variety of riding preferences.
We would largely make our decision based primarily on these two characteristics. Any other decision, like straps or added padding, etc., is something we would consider only after choosing a brand and desired flex. The interface and how it works for you is going to affect your daily splitboarding far more than a strap will.
Most brands offer connections to solid snowboards so you can use your splitboard bindings on both setups. There is a sacrifice in ride quality on your resort board here in most cases, but it is doable if you want to use one binding for everything.
Conclusion
Splitboard bindings have a lot of jobs to do, and are one of the most important pieces of our splitboard kit. You can put a lot of effort into researching your next splitboard, but unless you have bindings that complement it well, you won't see all the benefits. Whether you are looking for a light binding for big days or a stiff and heavy binding for hucking cliffs, we have dissected the market's top offerings to help you make the right choice.
