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Bindings

Spark R&D Arc Pro 2020-2021 Splitboard Bindings Review

  • Sizes: S, M, L
  • Entry System: Classic
  • Price: $540
  • BUY ONLINE

The brains from the Bozeman backcountry headquarters recently introduced the Pro series alongide their well established Arc and Surge bindings. Producing “the lightest and highest performing splitboard bindings in the world” is a bold claim to make, but one that we wholeheartedly agree with. The Spark Arc Pro takes all the convenience and comfort of Spark’s bestselling predecessor and delivers a level up in response, and a serious drop in weight.

“The Spark Arc Pro takes all the convenience and comfort of Spark’s bestselling predecessor and delivers a level up in response, and a serious drop in weight”

By using 7075 aluminium in the heel hoops, they’ve created an even lighter alternative to the Arcs. The ladders, adjusters and straps also get an upgrade with tougher materials that hold their shape for lasting durability. They are, are 20% lighter than the originals.

For those who felt that the Arc highbacks may have been a little on the soft side, torsionally, the Pro puts things to rights. Using carbon-reinforced nylon, they’ve not only made them stiffer but (starting to see a pattern here?) lighter, too.

Every gram counts on a tour, but Spark’s dedication to weight savings might just verge on the obsessive. Aluminium has replaced stainless steel screws where possible; where it wasn’t, they hollowed out the parts instead. Every last detail has been put under the knife and, wherever possible, they’ve cut the weight, strengthened the components and managed to give the Pros an altogether sleeker, more sophisticated look. These things mean business and are geared towards splitboarders who want to capitalise on every marginal gain at their disposal.

“A binding that performs as well on the ups as it does on the downs is, as any regular splitboarder knows all too well, as rare as they come. The Arc Pros nail it”

A binding that performs as well on the ups as it does on the downs is, as any regular splitboarder knows all too well, as rare as they come. The Arc Pros nail it. Transitioning is completely effortless with the T1 Tesla Snap Ramp, where you simply need to slide the baseplate across the pucks and click the toe piece in to secure them.

Once you’re descending, they still have the looser, more forgiving surfy feel associated with their predecessors, but with a little added zing to help on bigger lines. Any splitboarders who’ve racked up a few vertical metres before strapping into these will welcome the change. Proper game-changers.

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Stevo McDonaldWhiteroom Snowboarding

“I spend loads of time out in the backcountry and I’ve been riding Spark bindings for a few years, from way back in the old pin-style days right up to the latest Tesla interface.

I was pretty excited to get on the new, upgraded “Pro” versions. The difference between the Pro and standard versions of the Arc are pretty subtle – carbon-stiffened highbacks, upgraded materials in the heelcups, the straps and the pins to keep the weight down. It all adds up to a binding which is even lighter than the standard Arc, but adds enough stiffness to let you push it pretty hard.

“I’d have to vote this the best splitboard binding on the market”

For me, this makes it the best splitboard binding I’ve ever ridden. It’s silly light, it’s comfortable going up and down and it’s stiff enough to ride it hard.

This is an almost flawless product. The only grips I have are the usual Spark ones – the climbing wire remains awkward to use, even with the whammy bar system, and there are still occasional issues with bolts coming loose. Nevertheless, I’d have to vote this the best splitboard binding on the market.”

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