Straps and Highbacks

You’ll find AuxTech straps on quite a few bindings these days, but credit where credit’s due: Rome pioneered the technology before licensing it out to a select few brands. The Katana remains one of the purist examples of AuxTech in action, too, since it’s featured on both the heel and toe straps. A clever mesh of hinges expands evenly around your foot without stretching or distorting the material, providing grippy support with zero pressure points. Tightening them is a piece of cake thanks to a set of premium grade ratchets with a silky smooth action. Noice.

Elsewhere, the highback is a minimalist glass/nylon affair that keeps the flex dial in the mid range for versatility, with a simple tools-free forward lean adjuster that even your grandma could operate.

A major selling point with the Katana is its adjustability. The highback can be canted to compensate for your binding angles, while Rome’s Pivotmount Max system offers no fewer than 64 different positions for the ankle strap. High or low, straight over the boot or asymmetric; you can really dial in the fit according to your riding style.

“The baseplate itself is lighter than ever (a full 20%, we’re told) which adds to this binder’s freestyle credentials”

Roundup

A couple of years ago we went on record to say that the Katana was right up there as the best all-mountain binding in the world. The latest version has done nothing to change our minds. It boasts the same winning balance of response and comfort, only it’s shaved a little weight into the bargain. OK, they don’t come cheap, but you simply won’t find a better set of straps anywhere on the market. If versatile, creative snow sliding is your aim then look no further.