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.
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This binding was loaned to us for review from Rome Snowboards marketing department.
8 Comments
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.
I believe that it does.
How do you remove the footbed to install the bindings???
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.
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.
Katana is actually stiffer. Has something to do with the composite materials I believe.
Gotcha, thanks. Took a peek at the 2020 Vice graphics, and I think this might be the first full price binding I buy hah.
Gotta support snowboarding full force sometimes.