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Bindings

NOW Recon 2019-2020 Snowboard Bindings Review

  • Sizes: S, M, L
  • Flex: 9
  • Entry System: Classic
  • Price: €470
  • BUY ONLINE

NOW bindings have built an undisputed reputation for offering the most comfortable, skate-inspired bindings in the game. Known for their ease of use and mellow, surfy, edge to edge response, they’re a go-to option for snowboarders in the backcountry, and back on the pistes who seek that cruisey style. However, the Recon stands above most of NOW’s pack as the blacked-out, no-nonsense hard charger. This looks like the Batmobile of snowboard drivers. And it’s about as decked out as it, too.

The obvious starting point with any NOW binding is their one-of-a-kind Skate Tech. Although recently adopted by the Jones family with the Apollo and Mercury, here’s where it all started. The baseplate ‘hinges’ around a central fulcrum point, allowing riders to ever so slightly rock between the edge and deliver energy directly out to the contact bushings – rather than pulling and levering against the straps.

“The Recon stands above most of NOW’s pack as the blacked-out, no-nonsense hard charger”

[monetizer101 search=’NOW Recon 2020′]
As a binding designed for high level, high-consequence riding, Skate Tech is maybe as its most effective in the Recon. Rider’s will be able to deliver immediate and accurate response when charging no-fall-zone lines or straight-lining bulletproof groomers and feel the maximum level of response underfoot.

That’s also in no part to NOW’s upgraded ‘FS Carbon Highback with 12k Non-Crimp Carbon’. If something has carbon mentioned twice in its title you’d best believe it’s going to feel snappy. This is about as stiff as a highback gets and is completely unnecessary (and probably punishing) for any less than the most demanding riders and terrain.

Asides from this upgrade, the Recon still comes equipped with NOW’s lightest and most responsive straps and components, making it one stop short of being their most premium (and obviously, costly) binding.

Tester’s Verdict

Stevo McDonaldWhiteroom Snowboarding

“This is one of the top-end bindings in the NOW range, featuring a carbon-fibre highback plus all the flash padding and ratchet trimmings. It’s definitely stiff and responsive, although a little less so than the Jones version in my opinion (which seems to feature a similar baseplate mated to a minimalist Jones carbon highback).

Like the Jones, these were also pretty comfortable at the same time and this, for me, is a binding virtually any capable rider could get on with – despite what the catalogue tells us. Again, I noticed that the baseplate was narrow and the heel padding overly high, but these are small things.

This was my first ride on a Skate Tech binding and I’ve got to say I’m unconvinced. Try it, see if works for you. If it does, cool, I’ve got some very fine homeopathic remedies to sell you! If not, no worries, this is still a super-comfortable and responsive binding.

Summary: Comfortable and responsive binding to suit anyone, with only a tiny drop of snake oil.”
[monetizer101 search=’NOW Recon 2020′]

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