Now Select bindings with Skate Tech £285
Now Bindings completely changed how they approached binding design and inspired by how a skateboard turns, they developed new technology called Skate Tech that allows more of your turning energy to be delivered to the edges. What this means is that you put less effort in for the same response, reducing fatigue and increasing performance. It’s all clever stuff, but essentially the main part of the baseplate (or hanger as Now call it) pivots via the Kingpin around the Post, giving you more leverage as you apply pressure in your turn. This add benefits whatever your riding style – If you’re charging, you can get more response and power, while if you’re chilling, then your day just got easier. Everyone wins. Check out the video or image at the bottom to show you how Skate Tech works.
The baseplate/hanger is a true baseless design that means while you get the strength and medium-stiff flex of 30% injected glass, there’s no stiff, dead point under your feet. Vibration and impact absorption are taken care of by the 15mm thick EVA cushion under your feet and there are medium density bushings at each corner of the binding, which balances control and comfort.
The straps are moulded from a single piece of material which ensures both durability and compatibility with a wide variant of boots. They have also been built with ‘Flip It’ tech, which allows you to swap your straps between each binding for customised support – one way gives you a more responsive ride and the other loosens the feeling for a more freestyle, surf ride. The beauty of the tool-less straps means that you can flip them on the hill just using your hands, meaning one less thing to carry each day.
Strapping in, you can feel the quality oozing through the bindings and a natural, comfortable feel. We didn’t experience any foot pain at all while riding – and the wide straps spread pressure all around meaning that we didn’t have to crank the straps tight to feel supported. The buckles engage the ladders seamlessly and they’re quick and positive to do up. At low speeds the Skate Tech construction smooths out your ride and gives you more edge control and when you turn it up, the bindings respond to your input in a flash.
All of this tech is backed up by Now’s lifetime warranty on its baseplate components, meaning you can rest easy with your purchasing choice. It’s worth adding that there’s a ton of aftermarket accessories available to allow you to fine tune your ride, including different density bushings if you prefer a more tighter – or looser – feeling turn as well as various strap options. There’s even a kit available so you can add a set of Posts to your spare or powder board, so you can swap out your bindings in seconds depending on the conditions.
The Now Select suits most types of riders, especially those who spend most of their time hooning around resorts, shredding a mixture of trails, park and pow and want the forgiveness to take it easy on hangover days while still getting plenty of response when they’re feeling up for it. If you’re intending stomping 20m kickers, or riding eight million miles an hour all day long, you might want something with a little more support, but these bindings are an excellent choice for the intermediate and up rider who likes to ride it all.
Verdict
The Select is Now’s medium stiff, all-mountain freestyle binding that is aimed squarely in the middle of the pack – if you want something that will keep you riding all over the mountain without breaking the bank, this is your binding. Full Skate Tech construction means that comfort and response are enhanced despite the medium flex, with tool free adjustment on the highback, toe strap and heel strap for ease of use on and off the mountain and all backed up by Now’s Lifetime Warranty program. A simple, effective and well-priced binding that offers everything you need and nothing that you don’t.
