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Bindings

Jones Apollo 2019-2020 Snowboard Bindings Review

  • Sizes: M, L
  • Flex: 7-10
  • Entry System: Classic
  • Price: £400/€480
  • Buy Direct From Jones
  • Why we chose the Jones Apollo Snowboard Bindings: Sustainability. Skatability. Shredability.

    Since they hit the shelves last season, you’d be forgiven for assuming the Jones Apollo bindings were just another model from the NOW line-up. After all, they’ve adopted their patented, pivot-style ‘Skate Tech’ hardware, which created one of the biggest shake-ups in binding technology in recent years.

    However, look a little deeper and you’ll see the Jones family DNA running through the Apollo. These are another eco-minded, performance-focused, rider-driven product that has become synonymous with the brand. That wooden-effect highback is actually a carbon and flax composite. Yes, flax. The superfood. The result is a binding that sizes up to all of its pure-bred, carbon rivals out there, but with only a fraction of the footprint.

    “The result is a binding that sizes up to all of its pure-bred, carbon rivals out there, but with only a fraction of the footprint”

    The asymmetric design wraps your calf, too, providing increased contact and therefore more immediate response for commanding freeriders. Work this binding, or prepare to get worked. It’s already thinking about the next turn while you’re still dreaming about the last.

And turning is what the Apollo was made for, whether it’s laying trenches on the piste or burning down a backcountry line. ‘Skate Tech’ allows the chassis to pivot around a central kingpin, so it ever so slightly rocks between contact bushings located in the corners of the binding. This transmits pressure directly to the edge, giving you increased response and feel throughout the turn.

“For anyone who aspires to Jeremy Jones style of riding, the Apollo will make complete sense”

What style of turn you go for is up to you, but with the ‘Flip-It’ ankle straps you can turn them upside down to go from the more aggressive Freeride mode, or dial in the altogether, looser Surf mode. Don’t forget to then swap between the interchangeable hard and soft bushings to further optimise the performance out of each riding mode.

‘Skate Tech’ may still divide opinion amongst some snowboarders, but for anyone who aspires to Jeremy Jones style of riding, the Apollo will make complete sense.

For riders after a slightly more forgiving ride, without sacrificing any other performance, the Mercury is your best bet. Apart from the highbacks, they’re essentially the same.

Tester’s Verdict

Stevo McDonaldWhiteroom Snowboarding

“Jones and Now belong to the same stable of brands and it’s immediately obvious that this is effectively a Now binding with a Jones twist. A Now skate-tech base-plate is paired with a new Carbon Fibre / Flax (!) composite highback just to make sure some green credentials are squeezed in there. As you’d expect from a Jones binding, it’s pretty stiff and works well paired with the high-end Jones boards.

“The highback shape has been well thought-out and it feels comfortable and super-supportive”

I like this binding a lot. Many super-stiff carbon high-backs are downright uncomfortable, feeling like you’re being stabbed in the calf on a regular basis. This isn’t the case here. The highback shape has been well thought-out and it feels comfortable and super-supportive. The baseplate and straps are also well thought-out and comfortable. The only thing I noticed (along with a fellow tester) is that the baseplate on both this binding and the Now bindings was pretty narrow (in the medium size).

I have small feet (size 7) but even so the binding was narrow enough to have to pull my boots (Salomon Synapse) out after unstrapping. Personally, the skate-tech does nothing for me, but that doesn’t take anything away from this being a comfortable and responsive binding. I did find both the Jones and the Now bindings to have an excess of heel padding, meaning that I felt my heel was a bit high all the time, but it’s a small thing and may just be personal preference. I’d happily ride these all season long.”

Trade Secrets

Jeremy Jones – Founder, Jones

“The Apollo bindings are made for hard charging riders who like a stiff and supportive binding. I’m especially excited about the new Flax/Carbon Wide Back. I extended the width of the high back’s upper section for added power on toe side turns. No matter how hard you rail a turn you’re not gong to fall out of the Wide Back. We’ve also widened the heel strap on the Apollo for more support and comfort. These are powerful and plush bindings.”

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