We at Switch Skate and Snow in Durham, believe that a snowboard binding is much more than just two straps and a highback. Our guide covers sizing, fits, and style most suitable for you preferences when on the hills.
With Union Bindings, you get a fusion of precision engineering, comfort, and style that can elevate your ride, whether you’re carving groomers in Durham Region or catching air in Whistler. This Union Bindings Guide and Union Bindings Size Guide is our attempt to give you everything you need to pick and adjust Union bindings properly, so your board feels like an extension of yourself.
At switch we've got more then just one kind of Union Bindings:
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Union Bindings – Legendary durability and precision. For park-ready freestyle snowboard bindings to rugged all-mountain chargers, Union sets the standard with this one.
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Union Step On Bindings – The latest releases in step on snowboard bindings technology, offering lightning-fast entry with pro-level control.
Shop Union Bindings with Switch!
Switch Skate & Snow:
161 HARWOOD AVE N UNIT #6, AJAX, ONTARIO, L1Z0A1
What Makes Union Bindings Stand Out in Popularity
Strong Construction & Materials
- Union Bindings uses high-grade aluminum, fiber-reinforced nylon, and signature foams to balance durability and lightweight feel.
- Their highbacks and baseplates are engineered to reduce frost and cold-related brittleness, important when winter in Ontario can bring frigid rides.
Responsive Design
- The design of the heelcup, strap geometry, and forward lean adjustability gives you edge-to-edge power without sacrificing ease of use.
- Every Union model aims to reduce slack in the connection between boot and board so you don’t lose energy through flex or lag.
Comfort & Fit Adjustability
- Cushioned ankle and toe straps, padding in heel and toe areas, adjustable highback lean, and multiple mounting disks (for different board insert patterns) all help dial in comfort.
- Union’s ability to fit with most boots (once you’ve got the right size) is key. Poor sizing ruins performance even before you strap in.
Union Bindings - Key Performance Factors to Know
| Factors: | Why it Matters: |
| Flex Rating | Soft flex = park, jib, playful. Stiff flex = boots-on-edge power, big mountain, freeride. |
| Highback Shape & Lean |
Helps with carving and stability; more lean = more carve and control. |
| Strap Type (ankle / toe) |
Different designs for comfort vs. locking-in feel. Union’s ratchets and ratchet ladders often get praised for reliability. |
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Baseplate Construction |
More solid baseplates reduce fatigue, improve power; lighter ones give a surfier feel. |
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Mounting Disk Compatibility |
Your board’s insert pattern (2×4, 4×2, Channel, etc.) determines what disks you need or how much adjustment is possible. |
The Union Bindings Size Guide: How to Pick Your Size Correctly
This is where many riders go wrong. The Union Bindings Size Guide is a tool, not a strict rule: always double-check with your boots.
Union’s Official Size Chart Highlights
We got this information directly from Union’s official website and size tools:
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Men’s Bindings:
• Small = US Men’s 5.5‑7.5
• Medium = US Men’s 8‑10
• Large = US Men’s 10.5‑13
• Extra Large = US Men’s 13‑15 -
Women’s Bindings:
• Small = US Women’s 4‑6.5
• Medium = Women’s 6.5‑8.5
• Large = Women’s 9‑11 -
Youth / Kids / Junior Bindings: Ranges also given, for example “Extra Small / Small / Medium” based on US Kids, UK, Euro, and Mondo sizes.
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Mondo Point (length in cm) is often used for precise fitting: e.g., 24‑25.5 cm usually corresponds to Medium in many Men’s binding lines.
How to Use the Size Guide Like a Pro
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Measure your boot’s length in Mondo Point (often marked inside the boot).
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Check the chart: match your US / UK / EU / Mondo to the binding size.
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If you’re on the boundary (e.g. 10.5 US), decide based on boot width & padding:
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If your boot is snug and narrow, a size down might still work.
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If wide or thicker shell, size up.
Try them on with the snowboard, if possible. Even if the size chart fits, sometimes the feel differs depending on boot brand or liner.
Union Bindings Adjustment Guide
Getting a binding that fits is just the start. Adjusting it well turns it into a dope machine!
Important Adjustment Steps
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Set forward and lean on the highback if your riding demands more response on snow. Dial it back for mellow cruising or freestyle.
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Adjust ankle and toe strap positions so they pull firmly across the shell without pressure points.
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Heelcup alignment: the boot heel should sit snugly in the heelcup, neither too far back nor too pushed forward.
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Disk / Mounting adjustments: ensure that straps align centrally over boot; if using Universal Disks, check you’re compatible with your board’s insert pattern. Union gives multiple disk types.
Maintenance Tips
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Tighten loose screws (baseplate, strap buckles) before they snow in.
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Keep ratchets clean of ice and snow.
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After riding in wet snow, let bindings dry; avoid storing with metal components frozen.
Replace worn straps or toe caps rather than pushing their limits—they affect safety and comfort.
Matching Binding Style, Performance & Your Snow Conditions Here in Ontario
We’ve ridden enough in Ontario winters to know that conditions vary wildly: cold, icy, deep snow, crust, so your binding choice and setup should reflect what you ride most.
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If you ride frozen groomers / icy slopes → stiffer baseplates and highbacks, more forward lean, narrow bindings that lock in tight.
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If powder or off‑piste is your thing → bindings with good cushioning, some flex, room for boot to move without losing control.
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For park / freestyle → flexibility, lighter weight, forgiving highback; quicker response less critical than comfort and maneuverability.
Union offers models across this spectrum, so in the Union Bindings Overview / Union Bindings Reference sense, ensure your model matches your terrain habits.
Common Sizing Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Sometimes what seems like a sizing issue is really a setup or compatibility issue.
Here are some issues we see often:
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Picking a binding size solely by US boot size without considering Mondo or width → can lead to wasted money and poor performance.
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Assuming “all bindings” of Union follow the same shape; some models have slightly different toe‑strap geometry or baseplate shapes, affecting fit.
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Over‑tightening straps or forward lean to compensate for loose fit → causes discomfort or even injuries.
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Buying a binding size up “just in case” and using too much shim or padding → less control, more slippage.
Conclusion
In this Union Bindings Guide / Union Bindings Manual, we’ve walked you through everything from what makes Union bindings special, how to ensure fit via the Union Bindings Size Guide, dialling in your setup, and matching performance to your riding and local snow conditions.
When your binding fits well, your setup is tuned, you've got your fit right with the goggles, helmets, snow pants, and everything else you feel more in control, ride more confidently, and just enjoy being on snow more.
FAQs
What if my boot size falls exactly between two Union binding sizes?
Go by your boot’s width, liner bulk, and your style. If you’re riding aggressively (carving, steep terrain), lean toward the larger binding; for park or just cruising, the smaller might suffice if fit isn’t tight in the highback or heelcup.
Can I use Union bindings with any snowboard brand?
Mostly yes. Union bindings support many disk types and insert patterns. Always check the disk compatibility and ensure the baseplate fits your board’s hole pattern. Also ensure strap geometry matches your boot.
How often should I check my bindings for maintenance?
Before every few rides, check screws and ratchets. After a big snowstorm or wet ride, dry them thoroughly. Annually, inspect straps, padding, and any wear on high backs; replace as needed.
Do women’s Union bindings perform differently or need different setup?
Not in a functional way if size and flex are matched. Differences tend to be cosmetic, graphics, or colour options. What matters is choosing the right size (per Union’s Women’s Size Guide) and adjusting the layout to your comfort and riding style.
How do I know if I have the right flex rating in my binding?
You can test: hit a carve or land a jump. If the binding lets your boot twist too much, it’s too soft. If you feel harshness or it resists flex too much, especially in turns, it’s too stiff. Also test on flat terrain: your board should respond smoothly without feeling robotic or mushy.
