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Snowboard Binding Reviews 30

2018 Rome Vice Snowboard Binding Review

By Kevin Hub · On August 31, 2017

Binding Model: Rome Vice

Binding Size: Medium

Stance and Angles: Goofy, 21in wide 15/-3

Board Used: Ride Alter Ego 159

Boot Used: Ride Fuse

Boot Size: 8

Rider Weight: 155lbs

Location: Copper

Conditions: Bluebird early spring conditions with heavier snow and warm temps.

Binding Adjustability: The ankle strap and ankle ladder are both on Rome’s pivot mount. They introduced it on the Katana and the Vice has a lesser adjustable version of it with half the positions. Up and forward, up and back, down and forward, down and back. It’s a pretty unique adjustment feature that I am a huge fan of. You can change the way a binding feels quite a lot by changing how high up the ankle strap hits your leg. It’s not the quickest thing to adjust, but it is simple. Just loosen the bolt enough to move the pivot, and tighten it back down. The straps are on flip cams that are stiff but secure.

Straps: The toe strap is solid with thick stretchy durable rubber that conforms to and grips your boot really well. The ankle straps are a refined version of the classic 3D shaped and padded style. They’re comfortable and provide a nice mid level support.

Ratchets: Smooth on and off with no sticking and just the right amount of effort to pop open.

Highbacks: Right around a mid flex following a similar theory to the Katana. The top of the highback is fairly soft being relatively easy to twist and flex, but as you move down the highback is gets progressively stiffer offering a flex that keep the highback out of the way but always supportive.

Binding Flex: Overall a mid flex. The straps and highback are a little bit shy of mid stiff and the frame and aluminium heelcup keep it supportive underfoot.

Ride: With the mini disc and asym frame you get all the support you need with a touch of freedom of movement. It’s a binding that lets you do what you want with it.

Rider in Mind: All mountain freestyle

Personal Thoughts: This to me felt like Rome wanted to make a 390 version of the Katana. I actually really enjoyed this binding. It had all the fancy features I like and a feel that felt familiar and like I could trust to put them on just about any of my decks and they’d do what I needed them too. If you’ve been curious of the Katana but can’t shell out the money, get these. If you like the 390 but feel like they’re just a little heavier than you like, get these. If you just need a binding that covers it all, get these.

Support your local snowboard shop buy locally. Find a shop here.

This binding was loaned to us for review from Rome Snowboards marketing department.

2018 binding review2018 Rome Vice Snowboard Binding Reviewbinding reviewrome binding reviewrome vice snowboard binding reviewvice snowboard binding review

Kevin Hub

Nerds out harder on snowboard tech specs than you.

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30 Comments

  • Piotr says: January 13, 2018 at 7:52 am

    does the vice have canted foot beds? couldn’t find any info if they did or not. plus i’m looking into replacing the 390 boss since the size i had was small for my boots.

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: January 13, 2018 at 9:38 am

      I believe that it does.

      Reply
  • Connor Billies says: January 3, 2019 at 2:10 pm

    How do you remove the footbed to install the bindings???

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: January 4, 2019 at 8:57 am

      Is this a serious question? Because if you can’t figure this out by just looking at it, you probably shouldn’t be allowed to snowboard.

      Reply
  • Andrew Hua says: April 19, 2019 at 7:34 pm

    Do you know how different the Vice going to be compared to the 2017/18 Katana ? The high backs seem to be pretty similar, and I believe they have the same baseplate. I imagine the Vice might actually be stiffer with fewer cutouts? Only other difference I see is the D3O footbed in the Katana.

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: April 19, 2019 at 8:31 pm

      Katana is actually stiffer. Has something to do with the composite materials I believe.

      Reply
  • Andrew Hua says: April 20, 2019 at 10:28 pm

    Gotcha, thanks. Took a peek at the 2020 Vice graphics, and I think this might be the first full price binding I buy hah.

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: April 21, 2019 at 8:56 am

      Gotta support snowboarding full force sometimes.

      Reply
  • Chris’ says: July 29, 2019 at 5:12 pm

    Got a pair of 32 boots size 10 what size vice bindings should I get?

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: July 29, 2019 at 10:22 pm

      Probably the Lg.

      Reply
  • Chris’ says: July 30, 2019 at 8:59 am

    So lg/xl

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: July 30, 2019 at 9:24 am

      yep

      Reply
  • kj says: August 9, 2019 at 5:19 pm

    between the vice and the dod whats do you thinks better for all mountain/ all mountain freestyle?

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: August 10, 2019 at 9:38 am

      Probably lean a bit more towards the Vice since it’s a budget Katana.

      Reply
  • Matt says: August 21, 2019 at 11:35 am

    Which is the stiffer binding, the Vice or the Cartels?

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: August 21, 2019 at 1:00 pm

      The Vice only because you have a 2 piece construction with metal that limits the flex laterally.

      Reply
  • Nick says: October 13, 2019 at 3:08 pm

    Vice or Hemlock for a Westmark rocker?

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: October 13, 2019 at 6:44 pm

      Both.

      Reply
      • Nick says: October 19, 2019 at 2:20 pm

        Ok then which is more surfy?

        Reply
        • Angrysnowboarder says: October 20, 2019 at 8:52 am

          Probably the Hemlock.

          Reply
  • Nick says: October 13, 2019 at 11:31 pm

    How do they compare response wise?

    Reply
  • Matt says: November 12, 2019 at 4:32 am

    what is the weight difference between the Vice and the Cartel?

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: November 12, 2019 at 8:23 am

      A few ounces. Not enough to matter unless your so weak legged and such a nerd you have to know this shit because it will effect the aerodynamics of an African Sparrow.

      Reply
  • Hamish says: February 19, 2020 at 7:22 pm

    Hey guys, I’m looking at a pair of the 2020 rome vice, how would they compare to my Burton Genesis bindings?

    I ride a 154 Burton trick pony and a 157 Burton deep thinker

    Cheers!

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: February 23, 2020 at 11:44 am

      More rigid heel flex but overall it’s a lesser binding than the Genesis. I’d go with the Genesis personally.

      Reply
  • Piotr says: February 6, 2021 at 2:41 pm

    Between these and the katanas. You mention the vice adjustability has less options. When it comes to changing the angle of the ankle strap, can these go as high as the katanas?

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: February 6, 2021 at 6:33 pm

      Just buy the new Vice it has all that.

      Reply
  • Chris says: March 4, 2021 at 12:42 am

    I’m looking at putting these or union stratas on a warpig. Hoping for a surfy feel for cruising around on all terrain and mixing in a little park. From what I’ve read they sound somewhat similar. What would you recommend?

    Reply
    • Angrysnowboarder says: March 4, 2021 at 8:09 am

      Strata has more lateral play to it making it a bit more surfy.

      Reply
      • Chris says: March 4, 2021 at 12:19 pm

        Thank you for the fast reply, always stoked to see new reviews and videos from you guys!

        Reply

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