For years Forum has been rebuilt under the Burton parent company, expanding now into a snowboard company building up a quality product with less reliance on the team. You have to give them credit for the Bob Ross Happy Boarding design that is featured on the Republic binding.
For 09-10, Forum received the SIA Snowpress Innovation Award for their Shaka binding, Forums new technology using a hinge disc that allows for natural board flex. TWS Business has a great video from SIA that shows the Shaka binding up close and what it does.
Each year I’ve skipped by Forum during demo time but not this year, it’s time to head back to Forum and see how far they’ve come.
Forum Shaka Binding
Color: Irie
Forum Shaka Binding
Color: Black
Forum Republic Binding
Color: Happy White
Forum Republic Binding
Color: Black-Kore
Forum Republic Binding
Color: Beaten
Forum Recon Binding
Color: Green
Forum Recon Binding
Color: Black
Forum Faction Binding
Color: White
Forum Faction Binding
Color: Teal Orange Swap Mix
Forum Faction Binding
Color: Black
Forum Keeper Binding
Color: White
Forum Keeper Binding
Color: Grassy Knoll Green
Forum Keeper Binding
Color: Black
Forum Journal Binding
Color: Pearl White Gold
Forum Journal Binding
Color: Black Cracked Grey
Forum Aura Binding
Color: White
Forum Aura Binding
Color: Pink
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:36 pm
It seems like there are a few companies that run a very simlar base / heel cup set up. I know Drake and I think Rome are very similar to those.
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Some things worth noting:
-Forum has not incorporated the standard unibody chassis like it's parent company, which is good.
-I wonder how much does the Shaka binding flex given that it does have an aluminum heel cup that surrounds the entire binding. Wouldn't that just give the heelcup a lot more torsional stress?
-Black heel and toe straps on a binding that's predominantly green yellow and red?
June 15th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
haha good point Alvin…the colorways are interesting.
I’m definitely saving judgement till on-snow time with the shaka’s
June 28th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
hey guys,
alvin, i share your opinion. the stiff heelcup is blocking the board from its natural flex. so a flexy disk is not really an advantage in terms of enabling the board to flex with a mounted binding! i think there is – maybe – a little advantage but still not the real advantage as it publishes in ads, videos etc….i’d like to try them someday!