In Praise of Flow Bindings Ask "Are Flow bindings any good?," and you will get a range of answers. Many members of the Grays on Trays discussion board like Flows, though many do not. I'm the publisher of this site, so I'm offering you my take. Simple to Use Some people switch to Flows bindings because they find that straps are too complicated. If you're interested in enjoying time on the hill rather than fiddling with your gear, then perhaps Flow bindings are for you. They can be especially helpful when you're starting to learn how to ride: There's no need to fiddle with strap bindings in cold weather, or step on the straps while you're skating around. Like a Pair of Loafers What do so many Grays on Trays like about Flows? They're not strap bindings! No need to ratchet down after every run. Getting into the binding is quick: slide in foot, push lever from its open position to a closed one, and go. It's like putting on a pair of loafers compared with lacing up tennis shoes. While other riders are messing with their straps at the top of the hill, I'm already sliding away. Sometimes I even start sliding before I put the lever into place. It's that easy. Minimal Bending Over A bonus is that you don't have as much bending or crouching--good for the aging body. After you've been snowboarding for a while, you may find that you've gotten yourself into better shape. If that's the case, the fact that you can save energy by using Flow bindings isn't as significant. Then again, why make extra work for yourself? Oh yes, there's another benefit from the Flow model of In, Up, Go: no "wet butt syndrome" from sitting on the snow to strap in. Some people have praised Flows for eliminating pressure points that they got from straps. Enough Control? Yes! There are several raps against Flows. Some of it is style prejudice--the "you're not a REAL snowboarder unless you do this" nonsense. You may also hear that they are somehow less secure than straps. If you believe that, just remember that the Flow professional team regularly medals at freestyle events, suggesting tha the binding style is quite suitable for jumping in the air, if that's your thing. The most legitimate knock on Flows used to be that they tend to be heavier than a strap binding. But in the last several years the Flow people have made their gear much lighter than it used to be. So now it's mostly a matter of preference. One Limitation Flows would be good for a beginner (and many other riders), since it simplifies time on the snow at a point when so many things are new and different, if not difficult. But there is one time when Flow bindings might have a disadvantage: When you've got one foot out mid-way down the hill and you then want to get back into your bindings to head downhill. At that point, the highback lever that slips into the powerstrap can get in the way. It's hard if not impossible to get your foot under the powerstrap, since the highback lever can't fully recline. So you have two options. One, you could dig a small shelf into the hill and clear enough space to stand up. Or you could do a turtle roll and end up with your toeside. The K2 Cinch: Close But Not Quite Some people suggest that the K2 Cinch binding is better. Give it a try if you can. It won't hurt. Discussion You can find a lot of discussion about bindings at either Snowboard.com or at the Grays on Trays forum. Return to the home page.