“NOW are on some shit. The quality of their bindings is evident in your hands, everything looks polished and feels dialled. Clearly they’ve put some decent materials into the full 2020 line-up this year.

The Select Bindings are no different, they are a solid looking rig. I got on a pair of these for a full day in overcast conditions, but I was able to churn up a wide range of terrain.

Overall I’d say the NOW Select is an exceptional binding. It is really comfortable and supportive around your foot. The straps and ratchets are impeccable, it feels like you could tighten up your foot until it breaks – I like this – there is nothing worse than a binding that won’t tighten hard enough. The straps have good ankle and toe coverage, and there is no pinching. The ratchets didn’t mess up, jam or come loose.

On snow, they’re really nice. NOW say they are a freestyle / all-mountain binding and I’d agree. They are somewhat of a mid flex, seemingly ideal for a wide range of riding styles. The Highback has a solid spine, but with nice torsional flex at the sides. This means you can get strong support for carving and turning fast with solid heel and toe support, without losing the tail to toe body movement for freestyle flexibility.

“I think this is where the Skate Tech really comes into play, allowing a greater focus of your foot to the key areas on the binding’s base. This needs to be tested to be believed, for me it is what makes NOW truly exceptional.”

NOW’s exclusive Skate Tech has a divisive reputation as being totally loved or totally hated. Personally I really like it, but I wouldn’t say I’m a die-hard fan. I don’t think it makes enough impact to be so conflicting. It’s good, but I think I can live without it.

The bushings and footpads are decent, somehow creating great shock absorption without the board feeling totally dead underfoot. They’re not too soft and cushion-like, great if you really like to feel your edges and want to be transferring power efficiently. I think this is where the Skate Tech really comes into play, allowing a greater focus of your foot to the key areas on the binding’s base. This needs to be tested to be believed, for me it is what makes NOW truly exceptional.

Overall the Select is a great binding, packed with tech, and clearly made to last. I’d say it would suit a freestyle minded all-mountain rider, somewhere in the intermediate to expert category. Nice work NOW.”