I had 2 snowbaords with step in bindings. There time has come so I replaced them with a new board and K2 Cinch bindings. Despite setting them up at home on the carpet, my first time using them was a nightmare. To get good control, tighten them down, but then you cannot get your boot in easily and you wind up with some ratcheting. That wastes time. Make it looser to get your boots in faster and you get sloppy control. I would suggest staying with the flows I had demo-ed, but unfortunately not bought. Maybe it is just me, but definately try before you buy with these. Note: Large size bindings; size 11 boots.

I was looking for Flows and I heard that these were even better... I got them for my birthday and I was stoked to try them out.. after a couple runs I began hitting the big boy jumps and anytime i hit the flats the pull up metal piece would come down and i would basically fall out of my bindings.. Not cool. These were a waste of money, This year i bought traditional straps, these wont come out at all.

I am one of the only 3 snowboarders on ski patrol up at 7 Springs and I really was upset that I would have to switch from the conventional strap bindings. We get a lot of calls and I have to be in and out of my bindings fast as well as be able to take off with a toboggan and strap in on the fly. Because I had only used conventional straps I had to do research. I demo'd a pair or flows. They were pretty quick but they definitely didnt give me very good responsiveness and were kinda loose. It is a catch 22....the tighter you push on the top plate the tighter and more stable you are but then it is a pain to get into them. SO..I decided to try the Cinch but I didnt know much about them so I got the CTL style. These were perfect for what I wanted. In and out in a flash and nice snug strap feel. I thought they were the best...until...a month or so in and the padding on the high back began to peel off and the ratchets started to rust. I returned them and they gave me another set. The high back is still there but the buckles started to rust again (this all in the same season)!! So the bindings are great but you get what you pay for. I found out that the CTL were the low end version. All I wanted was for them to make this binding but with greater quality. Guess what? they do. I will be riding the CTX version this year and they are way nicer and have a lot of new features. I'll let you know how they performed. As for the CTL's...great idea but cheaply done.

Similar Products Used:

Flows, conventional straps

I bought these bindings, and was immediately stoked that i could finally get in and out of my bindings without holding people up

unfortunately, on my first time out, the little metal pieces that hold the strap in place on the lever snapped. both of them on the first day. that gives you an idea of how unreliable they are.

while they were amazing when they were all in one piece, K2 needs to make some serious changes in the design before i go out and buy another pair. it's not worth it if they are only going to work for a few hours before pieces start to break off.

I just picked these up in early August and took them down to Chile for some late winter riding (remember it is just becoming spring there now) and I completely loved them. I had checked them out when they were in 1st gen. But K2 didn't have any that accepted my enormous feet (size 15) I loved how they rode on the large moutains down there and held up amazingly well. I plan to keep them for a long time!

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Similar Products Used:

Flow Pro's

I bought 1st gen Cinch's in Feb 2004. Love 'em. Got em off internet from some dealer in Oregen eager to clear out his gear after their horrible season (he was overstocked). Never even seen em before but I took a chance. Immediately discover: They lock down tight as f-ck if you want. The entry way is al ittle narrow....but with a little practice you can still "slide in & lock down" on the fly. One negative: a little piece at the bottom of the highback gets destroyed and breaks off eventually....then it makes it very difficult to lock up on the fly...you almost have to stop to lock...but still faster than strap in's (and just as tight). Nothing beats floow's for locking up quick...I rode flow and loved em but they are just too ooose compared to cinch's or traditional strap's. if you buy,...careful that little locking tab mechanism needs TLC...otherwise (...>snap<...)

Similar Products Used:

Flow's

I rode the 05-06 Cinch bindings last seaason and have to say they have been perfect for freeride and some hits in the park! I read about them popping open on hard hits and after a few of my own, the bindings acted as they should. I am completly satisfied with them and can't wait for next season.