2012 Raiden Phantoms Used and Reviewed
Phantoms have different meanings to different people some are good and some are bad. They lurk in the shadows or in the dark trying to scare us. The Phantoms from Raiden are one of those bindings that’s been there lurking getting better and better every year and now is the time to let them attack your feet and guide them across the slopes.
Board Used: Nitro Rook
Stance: 22.5
Angles: 18 Negative 15 Goofy
Location: Snowbasin
Conditions: Sunny with some clouds poking through on firm snow that was a bit deadly in spots. Ice patches were lurking around every little bump.
Boots Used: K2 T1 DB Size 10
Weight: 165
Binding Compatibility: This is the binding that is designed to match that board.
Binding Adjustability: It has all the standard features we’ve come to expect quick adjust toe/heel straps and forward lean. The toe ramp/cover can be slid into place as needed. The heel cup can be pulled out or pushed in with some screw adjustments as well.
Straps: The toe strap is a full cut out to mold to any boot shape and allows it to fit better than in previous years. The heel strap has ample padding for those that like to really drive into the boot or be held down.
Highbacks: This is all new for 2012 and you can see that just by looking at it. With a more asymmetrical styling it allows for flex when you need it while driving back into the highback. It’s not like in years past where it was just rather soft and would mush out when any force is applied to it.
Binding Flex: Middle of the road all mountain freestyle flex. The mini disk does give the binding more play if you use 2 screws with it and lessens the dead spot under foot. The air bags shouldn’t be over looked as well these really do dampening the ride so micro vibrations or bone jarring bomb drops shouldn’t bother your knees all too much.
Ratchets: You want to talk about an amazing advancement these ratchets slid on like butter and had no problems releasing or tightening down.
Rider in Mind: The guy that’s going from the park to the pow and doesn’t need a soft mushy binding.
Personal Thoughts: Raiden really has really come a long way in the last 5 years. So much has changed in their line up that the bindings are really worth a solid look over. They give you the performance and features you need without adding too much bullshit that over complicates their ease of use and adjustability.
What They Say: The Phantom is our pro level performance freestyle binding. The FTI EVO 2 AIR chassis delivers full DUAL AIR dampening to absorb bone bruising drops and stability for high speed performance. The performance level of this binding has been stepped up once again. Redesigned ankle and toe straps with NEw Speedwheel ratchets and LSD alignment mean smoother entry and exit combined with reliability and comfort. The New taller X Beam highback gives a fine tuned response at high speed and support for unmatched comfort. Whether you’re coming by land or air, the Phantom’s light weight and insane board feel make it top choice of the team… Ride the Lightening.
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Hey, I’m just wondering which binding you’d suggest for me, I just purchased a 2011 Forum Destroyer Chillydog and am stuck on either to get the 2011 Rome 390 Boss, or the 2011 Raiden Phantoms, I would get the Rome 390 Boss but am worried that they will be really heavy from what I’ve read. Your thoughts?
Thanks in advance
What’s your definition of heavy? I think people are just pussies that need to spend less time on the internet and more time shredding then the heavy factor doesn’t come into play.
haha I agree with you on the fact that people are pussies online but what got my attention on this is that my local Skate Snow Shop sales person said that he didn’t like the 390′s due to their weight being “heavy” I just wanted to check with you (demo’ed just about everything out there lol) and saw what you had to say would be a better binding for the 2011 Destroyer whether the 390 boss or phantoms (2011 version).
also wondering if you think the Union Force 2011 would work good
I will say the Phantoms are a tad bit lighter because they have less metal in them but it’s not that much of a difference.
Ok, thanks for the info man, do you think the phantoms (2011) will too stiff for the board to jib with though?
Nah I think it’ll be fine if you know how to jib and aren’t afraid to use some muscle to press with.
I’m looking at both the Phantom and the Blackhawk for my new Optimistic. Have you gotten a chance to try the Blackhawks? How would they compare to the Phantom’s? Would you recommend one over the other for the Optimistic? I’m more of a groomer/pow/trees rider and don’t spend much time in the park.
Also, I also wear the K2 T1′s in size 10 although mine are from ’07. Anyway, I was wondering if you went with the medium or large in the Phantoms? Size 10 seems like it is almost between sizes according to their chart.
Large for sure and you can go with either or the differences are pretty subtle once you’re strapped in.
Thanks Angry, how would the Phantoms or Blackhawks compare to the Rome Targas?
Haven’t been on the new Targa’s man so can’t really say.
Okay, how about the K2 Companys? I was looking at those but your review saying that the over abudance of base padding deadend the feel of the board made me shy away from ‘em.
There’s a ton of base padding on it and if you want something that absorbs chatter go for it.
Back to sizing on the Raidens, I’m assuming the ones you tried were a large and you had no problems with the fit? According to the Raiden size chart medium goes to 10.5 or 28.5, but I would think that I would have to have everything maxed out to fit in them.
Yeah I’m pretty sure they were larges.
These or 390 Bosses on the NS Evo? Any preference, or way I should go about choosing? I’m kind of buying the bindings blind, since I don’t have a local shop to check them out at.
The 390′s have some issues people freak out about like the paint chipping or the screw that holds the forward lean adjustment in place getting loose. If you’re cool with bindings getting worked and chipped and are competent enough to put a little clear nail polish on the FLAD screw then 390′s compliment it. They do weigh more than the Phantoms though. Both are solid bindings and have their pros and cons. Me personally I’m riding 390 bosses but probably would have gone with Phantoms.
Well, I went ahead and ordered the Phantoms. Sound good to me. Thanks!
Did you use 2 or 4 screws on the mini disc? If you used 2, were there any issues? Thanks.
Rock it either way. What you need to look for is if the disk is slightly warped, mine is so I built up the base with a little duct tape no problems since.
Would you recommend these on the Neversummer Cobra, or another binding for the Cobra? Thanks
Definitely.
hey i was wondering if you’d go with raiden phantoms or burton malavitas? how is the board feel on the phantoms compared to the burton malavitas?
Haven’t been on a set of Malavitas in a few years.
mm ok. do you generally like raidens better or burton?
I like what works.