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Bindings

NOW x Captain Fin 2019-2020 Snowboard Bindings Review

  • Sizes: S, M, L
  • Flex: 6
  • Entry System: Classic
  • Price: €270

It was only a matter of time before this happened. NOW have teamed up with Captain Fin for an all-new collab this year. Among the collectively limited vernacular of snowboarders, the word “surfy” must have been given as the response the exact same number of times somebody’s asked the question: “What are those NOW bindings like”? Anyway, all-new for 2020 is the NOW x Captain Fin binding and this one’s all about, you guessed it, freestyle surfy turns.

Sometimes there are only one or two components that distinguish one NOW binding from the next. The Captain Fin collab seems to take many of the best features from a few and fuse them into this limited edition model.

“The Captain Fin collab seems to take many of the best features from a few and fuse them into this limited edition model”

For starters, you have the same Skate Tech as featured in all NOW bindings, but the slightly larger 2.0 Hanger, with a 30% glass nylon composite. Then, the Sievva straps drastically limit the need for excess materials and glues but still deliver on all-mountain power whichever way you tweak and bend the board.

The toe straps get to take centre stage here though, with the all-new 3D contour design. These hug and mould the top or ends of the snowboard boots and will never work their way loose. No sir, not today. Work ‘em all you like, those bad boys are staying put.

Otherwise, the only other new component is the ultra-lightweight carbon buckles, which not only look the part but also make that real solid, reassuring, click when fastening in. They’re also 20% lighter than the conventional buckles, though we doubt that extra six-gram weight saving (or whatever it is) will transform you into the trail breaking, boot packing, master you were hoping for.

Not only do these things look the part, they ride the part. They won’t be sticking around the shop floors for too long, but they’ll be a regular sight in the mountain lineups for seasons to come.

Tester’s Verdict

Owain GeorgeTDC Snowboarding

“It’s the first time that I have ridden a NOW binding and I am sold! My flatmate, Joe, in Tignes has been telling me for a while now to get on these and that I wouldn’t go back. Coming from a skating background, Joe loves the Skate Tech in Now Bindings.

There is so much to love about the tech that NOW throws into their products.

The Captian Fin is mid flex do-it-all binding. The high back gave good forgiveness when I wanted it but wasn’t so soft when I required some response and support.

NOW’s heel cup feels amazing. Back in the day, I rode with no high backs for a few seasons, I loved the surfy, free feel it gave me in powder but ended up missing my high backs when stomping kickers and really wanting to crank my heel edge carves.

“The bindings’ Skate Tech is super subtle but it is definitely there and helps the transfer from edge to edge for sure.”

This heel cup on the NOW binding feels so locked in and solid, maybe it’s a touch higher than most other heel cups – to the extent that you could potentially lose the high back and not sacrifice the benefits of them.

The bindings’ Skate Tech is super subtle but it is definitely there, and helps the transfer from edge to edge for sure.

Everything about the binding felt well made from the generous cushioning underfoot to the materials used for the vice-like straps.

They feel like a quality product from the second you strap into the last run of the day.

After a full day’s shredding in them, I sat drinking my apres Guinness and found myself adding a pair of Captain Fins to the top of my Christmas list (I just hope Christmas comes early this year).”

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