K2 Snowboards Cinch CTC Snowboard Binding - 2009 BCS

I slapped these onto my new Ultralight XL and went up the mountain for some solo time on the mountain. Boy did I feel stupid for buying an all-day pass. I was once one of those boarders who sat on his tush... waddled over to the bench... stumbled and fumbled to strap my bindings on. I meditate on the lift... lead foot strapped in... trailing foot in the binding but loose... I cruise off the lift with my foot in place... turn... squat and lock!!! The poseurs with their Costco setups and backpacks full of beer glare at me in jealousy as I cruise down the mountain... Bye bye! The time you save by using these bindings was enough to make me smile. Knowing I could use them for quick entrances and exits was great... and all of the adjustability was still there. I must have done a whole day's runs in three hours. (Queue divine backlight, toothy grin, and church chorus.)

*Note cable tensioning and highback angle (forward back) are things you should get dialed in at home. These settings are tool sensitive.

Highback angle (left right) does not appear to be adjustable. I didn't even notice a difference.

If you look at the photos and videos on Youtube, you might get the impression there are many joints and moving components in this setup. You might rightfully suspect it had some effect on the support or stiffness of the binding. Using my old Burton Cartel bindings as my only basis for comparison, I believe these offered more stiffness, fewer pressure points, and the toe strap secured perfectly.

Final word: If you enjoy getting the most out of your day, want the flexibility to strap-in old-school while you learn to board... and then have the flexibility to take advantage of the easy in/out feature... you need this binding. It truly bridges the gap between the older technology and the intermediate/advanced rider bindings like offered by Flow.