Comfort, ease of setup, ease of use, durability.

Small design quirks, binding will not fold flat for transport like most other bindings, weight, not a good backcountry binding since it requires gravity/friction to strap-in.

Flow bindings are the best "step-in" binding on the market - hands down. The term "hybrid" doesn't seem out of place. They have the support and control of a traditional strap binding but the convenience of a step-in. Unlike most bindings I've used, comfort is a high point, if not the highest point. Once they are properly setup there are no pinch or pressure points on the top of the foot - the Flow "pocket" evenly distributes the pressure across the top of the boot. Subsequently, the FL-11 is all about control and support. All movements translate well to the board - subtle, aggressive and otherwise. There isn't much flex here so 'stylers may want to look elsewhere. There are some odd quirks that you will not find on any other bindings. Perhaps the most obvious is how the bolt that connects the highback to the baseplate sticks out and gouges softer boot compounds when in "skate" or "lift exit" mode. The EVA on my rear boot looks like a dog has gone to town on it. The binding also will not fold entirely flat - a problem only for those who travel frequently or share a roof rack. They can be folded nearly flat but it requires you to completely re-adjust them once you arrive at your destination. The final issue is cause by friction of the pocket itself. Over time the pocket has ground my rear laces down to a few threads. A little wax in the pocket seems to resolve this potential problem. All-in-all the aforementioned problems are minor gripes about an otherwise brilliant product. After riding the Flow's I doubt I will ever try another step-in and it's doubtful I would go back to straps. They are the great solution for nearly any rider but especially the rider looking at Clicker, Switch, or other step-in's. No other SI can offer this much comfort and support! (this review was for the 02-03 Flow FL-11)

Similar Products Used:

Switch X-Type, Burton SI, Salomon SP3.

Rigid and reliable

I adjusted the thumbwheel on the back one day they felt like one of those mantraps

I just got back from courchevel after a week on the new 2003 FR bindings. As everyone seems to agree these are super solid bindings. There is really no flex in the fibre loaded ABS baseplates and highbacks. I am reliably informed by a plastics engineer that this material has similar strength weight charecteristics as aliminiun. It certainly seemed that way on the piste. I've just changed boards from a 155 to a 164 ( I am getting old and lazy) and it was a cinch turning with these you can get so much more force into the board. They might be a little stiff for freestylers but If you want them to feel softer you can dial in some movement by way of the thumbwheel on the back. And the convenience thing.. I am latching up the binding now after I have started down the hill! It could go sadly wrong..

Similar Products Used:

Ride, burton, hire rubbish

Responsive, great control, awesome for holding on at high speeds, and landing jumps.

Probably not very good for freestyle riding. Had to spend some time the first day riding, had some heel drag because I centered the bindings. Kinda pricey starting at $200, but worth it!

I like to read the reviews, so I figured I should write one too. Just rode the 03/04 Pro 11s. after 2 days on the mountain, I love em. I have been using swith for the last 4years, and got tired of hearing everybody say step-ins suck, so I wanted straps but wanted to keep the convenience of step ins. I've got a stiff vans boot, and the combo with the Flows is real stiff. Bindings are killer at high speed because they are super responsive. I feel like I can land anything because the bindings give me alot of control on landings.

Similar Products Used:

Switch step-ins.

easy to get in to or out of Good for an all around binding good if you think its more quantity than quality

Kind of easy to beak, not good stitching hard to adjust and get fitted properly, especially on the slopes

Well, the best thing about these is you can really get in and out faster. I mnaged to double my number of runs every day!! Okay flex, but not enough forward lean, in my opinion. good all around bindings. Athough, after my first few runs, the stiching stared to fray a bit.

Similar Products Used:

....i dont think there are any

increased feel over stepins ankle support wide range of settings (front/back and side tilts) ease of entry (shove and lift)

can take time to find fit have to wait for your friends to buckle have to answer everyone's inqueries (can I get paid for that Flow?)

I bought these without having demo'ed them, after I got tired of stuck snow in my stepins. Word of mouth was solid, so I took the plunge. As the others have said, you cant beat the feel, quick and responsive. Will add more lift to your pops and greater feel on your landings. It feels like someone has their palm on your instep, while you're riding. You gotta try 'em.

Similar Products Used:

none avail

Stability Ease of use (getting in out)

Takes a good amount of calibrating to get the right feel...

Excellent bindings! Stability and ease of use (getting in and out) - once the bindings are correctly calibrated - can't be matched. Try the FL-19s if you want more lateral movement for jumping... If you can find them at discount for around $150 or less, it's a steal. If the boots aren't calibrated correctly, you may feel a bit loose in the binding. It took a couple days to get my DC phantoms to get into the binding as well, I highly recommend letting the boot sit in the binding when you're not boarding.

Similar Products Used:

FL-19, FL-5

Comfort, easy of use and control

Quality mainly

I first used flows on a hire board a year ago. I was impressed by the comfort and ease of use. So this year I bought some. I use them with Flow profile boots. First off, they are super comfy!! I've not had a blister or pinch yet. They are quick to get into and once dialed in no adjustment is needed. Riding wise they sem great, I've used them on pistes, in deep powder and in woods and they are nice and responsive. I'm finding that there is less forward lean availible than i would like but otherwise its all good. However there are a few niggles. I seem to get a fair bit of heel lift on the back foot. It could be my style but I cant seem to get the binding to hpold the heel down without stupid levels of over tightening. Secondly I'm a little dissapointed with the quality of the kit. The steel on the back clips is not stainless and has started to rust already. Ok they may be wet but that should be expected. Flow USE STAINLESS! My boots are also looking like I've done several seasons in them already. The sheaths are also looking pretty tired with the stiching coming away. The binding chaffes the boot and the toe cap is coming away.....not good. The final thing is that flow should make the sheath clips so they can be locked down. I've had them come lose before and before I know it my carefully nurtured settings have been messed up!

Similar Products Used:

None really

awesome feel of control when you are carving. Lots of ankle support. seem very sturdy so far.

they are a little tight for me being xl bindings i have a size 14 boot which they claim will fit but i find them very tight getting in. almost makes me want strap-ins......Nah!

This is a very good overall binding. I have only used them 3 times now. But i can already tell you i for the most part love em. They have the worlds greatest feel.

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well from what i have seen there arent any.....

convenience-very easy to lock in and out. great for freeriding. great customer service if something goes wrong with the bindings.

you don't feel as secure in them as a strap in binding. questionable quality (maybe just with mine)

I bought these bindings from the advice of some friends. They said that because I am a beginner, these would make my life a lot easier. And they did. The FL-11's were a lot easier to get in and out of (because i'm chunky). However, on my second time out i caught an edge and when i wiped, one of the highbacks broke off. i was pissed! i emailed flow about the situation and they were extremely quick to respond. I received a 2 replacement highbacks, nuts & bolts, and some stickers within a week and didn't have to pay a thing! I would still recommend these bindings for freeriding only. If you are planning on doing the stunt park or pipe, look for some good strap ins.

Similar Products Used:

burton CFX, santa cruz bindings

Strapping in on the lift or on the move is a breeze. The level of toe and heel edge control is phenomenal.

None to date.

The best binding I have seen, hands down. Switched from Burton step-ins to Flow FL-11s and found my riding ability had increased overnight. I think it has to do with the better feel you get from soft boots and the incredible size of the contact patch you get from the large foot strap, but every move on the mountain was suddenly easier.

Similar Products Used:

Strictly speaking, there are none.