UPDATE: Check out our review of the 2018/2019 Bent Metal Solution here

The Details:

The wizards at Mervin Manufacturing have revitalised their Bent Metal brand for 2016/17, taking the expertise found in their Lib Tech, Gnu and Roxy boards and applied it to bindings. They’ve kept things simple this season, offering three models with varying degrees of stiffness.

Of the three options in Bent Metal’s relaunched line, the Bent Metal Solution is by far the most freeride focused. Its stiff, lightweight design is perfect for those who need something to mount on their powder gun.

You’ll immediately notice that it’s got a carbon highback, which is the go-to material for delivering power without bulk. It looks impossibly thin at first but even a quick twist with your hands confirms that this is a tough mother. If it’s lightning-fast response that you want, this one is happy to oblige. When you’re really feeling the G’s, your boot is held firmly in place by minimalist straps that don’t trade effectiveness for comfort.

The underfoot ‘Drive Plate’ packs more tech in its multi-layer design than most entire bindings (a nifty breakdown can be found here. The EVA footbed on the top and the nylon carriage on the bottom handle shock-absorption, while the dual carbon layers and solid maple wood bring the strength and response.

Carbon isn’t cheap – especially aerospace-grade premium stuff that’s found in the Bent Metal Solution – which explains the above-average price tag, but if you want something that’s powerful enough to handle serious descents, that money will go a long way.