Binding Model: Flow NX2 Fusion
Binding Size: Medium
Stance and Angles: Goofy, 21in wide, 12/-6
Board Used: Niche Theme 157
Boot Used: Ride Fuse
Boot Size: 8
Rider Weight: 155lbs
Location: A-Basin
Conditions: Late season spring conditions
Binding Adjustability: The heelcup/highback assembly is bolted the the lower frame at the back. It’s a bit time consuming to get it adjusted out if you need to as you have to pull the straps off in order to get to the bolts, but it is an adjustment you should only have to make once. The straps are on cams that are easy enough to pop. The forward lean is a spin dial on the back of the highback lever, spin it up for more, down for less. Flows take more time to get set up right than a standard two strap binding, after a few years riding them I’ve found that following this pattern seems to work best to minimize any adjustments you might need to make on hill: Highback forward lean, toe portion of the strap, ankle portion.
Straps: The Fusion strap holds in a boot just as well as a normal 2 strap, but actually gives more effective strap area to distribute the pressure. The straps basically disappear on the foot. They’re super comfortable and work well to drive energy forward on your toeside.
Ratchets: The ratchets aren’t really meant to be used as your primary entry, the highback is. So they have a little bit of a rough release, but they do climb well. The release levers can lock in place to keep the straps from moving on their own when your boot isn’t in the binding. If used as your primary entry the locking part can wear out, but it’ll take probably a full season to do it.
Highbacks: The upper panel is nylon with a little bit of give to keep everything comfortable and the lower is a stiffer nylon to provide as much support and response from the cable as possible.
Binding Flex: The aluminium base provides a very sturdy feel underfoot with a lot of support. The nylon heelcup has a little more flex than a full aluminium one would so you do get a little bit more lateral play. Overall it comes in as a supportive chargeable all mountain flex.
Ride: The underside of the frame has a 3d shape that lifts the corners of the binding and there’s a full length urethane pad. It does a lot to kill any of the possible harshness you’d get out of the aluminium base. The urethane pad reaches all the way to the heel in 3 spots that offer even more dampening and shock absorption. That with the 2.5 degree canting and this is one of the smoothest aluminium based bindings I’ve ridden.
Rider in Mind: All mountain light freeride.
Personal Thoughts: This was actually a go to binding for me for a season. It’s stiffness underfoot and slightly softer highback is a really solid blend of support and power without any restriction. If you’ve been curious about Flows, this is the model to try first. I rode it everywhere from park, to groomer cruising, to in bounds freeriding and it was always enough and never too much.
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*Disclaimer this binding did not change for 2018 so we carried the 2017 review over.*
30 Comments
How well would this pair with a capita ultrafear? or should I be looking for something like a fuse/bent metal transfer/ rome katana?
If you’re going Flow you probably want the Fuse as this would be an over powering binding.
Did you experience any heel lift? I tried Flows several years ago and after strapping in, I experienced some play with the lifting of my heel, drove me crazy, and I wanted a tighter response from my bindings. They fix this?
Heel lift happens inside the boot.
Dear AS,
My buddy currently rides flow bindings but complains about foot fatigue and traversing on his toe edge. Think some of it is his boot but i’ve never ridden Flow only Buton (various Customs and now the Malavita which i love) so I was not sure if the binding was an issue, or he just needs to take his skirt off. He is not too aggressive (no park) but hauls ass on groomers and gets down on steep and deep now that he is 40.
I’m setting him up with a K2 Joy Driver 165 and some Burton Concords size 10.5. He is 6’5″ and 200+ LBS. Not sure what Flows he has now but they have to be 6-7 years old. I was going to get him some Burton Genesis bindings as they seemed comfortable but still aggressive but have never ridden them either.
1) Thoughts on those vs. any of the Flow bindings or the NX2 for his set up, riding style, etc.
2) Any thoughts on the boots.
2) Any thoughts on Boa vs quick pull lacing systems. I have the Boa and like it but am unfamiliar with the quick pull. He probably gets 20 days in a year.
It’s a surprise gift from his wife so I’m flying a bit blind and can’t ask him any questions….
1. Could be the boots could be the flows aren’t set up right. If you did go Flow you probably want to go with the stiffer freeride oriented one. Otherwise Genesis would be solid.
2. Best boot is the one that fits your foot.
3. They’re both solid lace options.
3/4) whoops…seriously though, also please let me know your thoughts on these vs the hybrid model.
Quick question — would these pair well with a Rossignol Magtek XV, or is that a board binding mismatch? Thank you!
It’ll work.
Hi Angry, I’m in the market for a new set (board & bindings). Think the capita mercury is my board, but would it work with the flow nx2 bindings?. I’m an intermediate that likes to charge but does not shy away from tricks what would you think?
Should work just fine.
NX2 or Fuse on a Mind Enhancer for generally off-piste pow/slush/crud?
Probably magical mushrooms since you’re mind enhancing. Nx2
Trippy board for sure. Puts you in your happy place.
NX2 or NX2 GT for a 2017 optimistic. Carving and off piste?
Dealers choice.
I am having trouble getting boot all the way into the binding. The moment the boot sole touches OC Kush pads, it gets locked in. Although it is not all the way in the binding.
Any suggestions on how to setup either boot, solepad or bindings?
Anyone else experiencing similar issue?
Read the instructions.
Hi, would these pair well with a bataleon Goliath?
Should.
Hi, what would be your preference, these or burton step ons? I’m looking for a more convenient binding over strap bindings.
Cheers
These.
Have the NX2s and picking up another pair of flows. Any experience with the NX2-GT or CX? Or just stick with the standard NX2?
Pairing with Ride Insanos. Board quiver: Hovercraft, Greats, US Cadet, Mind Expander. Terrain: Red Mnt.
Thanks!
CX might be a bit overkill. We’ll have some reviews in the fall on various Flow models.
I’m looking to buy the Flow NX2-GT this offseason. Any difference between the 2018 and 2019 models?
Pretty sure the only change in that was for the 2020 model.
Thanks!
Awesome stuff. Got a new board – 2019 Jones Hovercraft based on your reviews. I mainly look for powder and just carve groomers when I can’t get any. Never jump, never in the park, too old for that. I’m already a lover of Flows, been using them for years and I’m still riding a 20 year old set! Now upgrading to get something stiffer to go with the new board. Would you recommend NX2-GT on this board or would the NX2 be cool? Or maybe Fuse-GT?
Any of them would work, you might even like the NX2-CT or whatever it is that’s carbon. Honestly all of them would be a super step up from what you’re on.
Awesome got a set of basic nx2 inbound. Thanks for the reply!!