Seven years is the period of refinement and for Union bindings, it’s building on the development of the previous years but also showing remarkable changes to what will become the future of the bindings. Moving into 2012, Union introduces a new Stage III base and the new open toe strap design featured on all bindings. The data binding is gone but there’s the new atlas in the lineup. Union continues the custom house designs like the Capita ultrafear binding, team binding and the collab with Holden.
In the 2012 Union catalog, they say “The perfect binding is more than a mechanism. It’s more than a tool. It’s more than the sum of a baseplate, highbacks, straps and hardware. The perfect binding is a catalyst to creating the ultimate connection between rider and board – and that connection spells freedom.” Well said Union.
The all new toe strap on Union Bindings
Union MC
All new machined coring stage III base, carbon-injected dupont zytel ST, all new asym/symmetrical full carbon highbacks, universal discs, metafuse heelcups, precision adjustment forward lean, injected dual density bushings, all new magnesium buckles + aluminum cage, all new direct-connect strap system, with honeycomb foam construction, all new CNC anodized aluminum hardware, all new open toe straps, full carbon toe ramps, lifetime warranty base.
Union SL
Superlight/All-mountain attacker
Machined coring stage III base, carbon-injected dupont zytel ST, asym/symmetrical SL highbacks, shift on the fly forward lean, injected dual density bushings, CNC machined heelcups, all new direct-connect strap system, 3D multi-layer tapered strap core, all new magnesium buckles + aluminum cage, universal discs, all new open toe straps, dual density toe ramps, grade 8.8 hardware, lifetime warranty base.
Union SL Highback
Union Asadachi
The Good Wood
Stage II base – lifetime warranty, dupont zytel ST, asym/symmetrical highbacks, injected EVA bushings, extruded anodized aluminum heelcups, quick-adjust forward lean, all new direct-connect strap system, 3D multi-layer tapered strap core, recycled materials, tool-free strap adjustment, all new magnesium buckles and aluminum core, all new open toe straps, grade 8.8 hardware, lifetime warranty base.
Union Atlas
Performance Evolution
Stage III base – dupont zytel ST, multizone atlas highbacks, extruded anodized aluminum heelcups, shift on the fly forward lean, injected dual density bushings, all new direct connect strap system, 3D multi-layer tapered strap core, all new magnesium buckles, universal discs, all new open toe straps, grade 8.8 hardware, lifetime warranty base.
Colors: Black, Purple and Glow (light up the night)
All the colors of the Atlas binding
Union Contact Pro
Gigi Tested, Ruf Approved
Designed by Gigi Ruf, carbon injected contact base, dupont zytel ST, contact pro dupont zytel ST highback, triple zone injected EVA bushings, shift on the fly forward lean, CNC machined heelcups, all new injected magnesium buckles, all new direct connect strap system, 3D multi-layer tapered strap core, universal disks, all new toe cup design, grade 8.8 hardware, lifetime warranty base.
Colors: Red/White, Black
Contact Pro Highback
Look at the Contact Pro Carbon injected baseplate
Union Force
Down for the Duration
Stage II base – dupont zytel ST, multizone dupont zytel ST highbacks, injected EVA bushings, extruded anodized aluminum heelcups, quick adjust forward lean, all new direct connect strap system, 3D multi layer tapered strap core, PU leather straps, tool-free size adjustment, magnesium buckles, universal disks, all new toe cup design, grade 8.8 hardware, lifetime warranty base.
Colors: Acid green, black, white
Union Contact
True board flex/true board control
Contact base – dupont zytel ST, injected dual zone EVA bushings, extruded anodized aluminum heelcups, quick-adjust forward lean, all new direct connect strap system, 3D multi layer strap core, PU leather straps, tool free size adjustment, magnesium buckles, universal disks, all new toe cup design, grade 8.8 hardware, lifetime warranty base.
Colors: Rasta, CMYK, Black
Union Contact in Rasta
Union Contact in CMYK
Union Flite
Fucking Light
Flight Base- dupont zytel ST, flight dupont zytel ST highbacks, injected dual density EVa bushings, extruded anodized aluminum heelcups, quick adjust forward lean, all new direct connect strap system, PU leather straps, tool free size adjustment, injected aluminum buckles, universal disks, grade 8.8 hardware, lifetime warranty base.
Colors: Black, red, blue
Union DLX
Built to Last
Stage I base – dupont zytel ST, multi-zone dupont zytel ST, injected EVA bushings, extruded aluminum heelcups, quick adjust forward lean, all new direct connect strap system, tool free size adjustment, injected aluminum buckles and steel age, universal disks, grade 8.8 hardware, lifetime warranty base.
Colors: Black, yellow, green
Union Trilogy
True to form
Trilogy II base – dupont zytel ST, asym/symmetrical highbacks, quick adjust forward lean, injected EVA bushings, CNC machined heelcups, tool free size adjustment, magnesium buckles, injected EVA bushings, universal disks, all new direct connect strap system, all new toe cup design, grade 8.8 hardware, lifetime warranty base.
Colors: White, black
Union Milan
Performance Evolution
Milan base – dupont zytel ST, asym/symmetrical highbacks, quick adjust forward lean, injected EVA bushings, extruded aluminum heelcups, all new direct connect strap system, tool free size adjustment, injected aluminum buckles, universal disks, all new toe cup design, grade 8.8 hardware, lifetime warranty base.
Colors: Red, Black, Tiffany
Flite Lady
Like, so Light
Women’s specific flite baseplate, injected EVA bushings, extruded aluminum heelcups, all new direct connect strap system, PU leather straps, tool free size adjustment, injected aluminum buckles, universal disks, grade 8.8 hardware, lifetime warranty base.
Colors: White, black, silver
Union Cadet
Ultimate Convenience
Stage I base – dupont zytel ST, cadet multi-zone dupont zytel ST highback, injected EVA bushings, extruded aluminum heelcups, quick-adjust forward lean, all new direct connect strap system, tool free size adjustment, injected aluminum buckles and steel cage, universal disks, grade 8.8 hardware, lifetime warranty base.
Colors: White, Black
Union Holden Collab
Long lasting friendships and mutual business respect led to the collaboration between the Union and Holden brands. Features stage II baseplate – recycled materials, multizone dupont Zytel ST highback, injected EVA bushings, recycled extruded aluminum heelcups, quick adjust forward lean, direct connect 3D strap system, tool free size adjustment, magnesium buckles and aluminum cage, universal disks, grade 8.8 hardware, real leather toe cup design, real leather tapered ankle straps and riri zipper.
Union Danny Kass
Union Capita Ultrafear and Union Team
Union Capita Ultrafear
February 8th, 2011 at 8:35 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by shayboarder and Shred Union, Girls Learn To Ride. Girls Learn To Ride said: Union Bindings 2011-2012 http://bit.ly/hZNCwW [...]
February 8th, 2011 at 10:18 am
Those are some great looking bindings, I need a new pair.
February 8th, 2011 at 10:44 am
Sick
February 8th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
These new bindings are starting to look like Burtons, not sure if I’m liking that.
February 8th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Still no tool-free adjustment on the toe strap.. Where’s the logic behind that?
February 8th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Well done Shay!
Hey Jonathan, why do you need a tool free adjustment on the toe strap? Are you constantly changing your size setting?
February 8th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Hey GK, with your reasoning, why have tool-free adjustments at all?
Apparently you haven’t dialed in new bindings too many times, but usually finding that sweet spot with the toe strap is a lot trickier than centering the ankle strap.
Also, speaking as a shop guy, tool-less adjustments are a pretty good sales pitch.
February 8th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
nice but any canted footbed for 2012 ? for my wide Crazy duck style (old knees)
February 8th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
i really hate foward lean, alot of those bindings look like they have a ton of foward lean! but the atlas looks kind of mellow!
February 8th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
I don’t think you’ll “feel” the forward lean too much unless you really apply it. Unions highbacks are stiffer at the bottom than the top. Takes the bite that you may feel with other bindings out of the equation. The contacts and DLX have a very flat wide highbacks that seems to be geared towards a more park/jib oriented rider. Even the new Atlas looks that way. Maybe those will work for you better. Do you ride Unions now?
February 8th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
DAVID-They all start out at 10* just like most bindings
Francis, cut some eva foam n put in the footbed. Adds a nice homemade touch.
Tool free just adds weight, theres really no need for it but it is handy in the ankle strap.
Shay, where can I get some of those custom contact pro’s on the top pic? Im diggen em!
February 9th, 2011 at 5:03 am
I love my Forces but I tried some Ride bindings this year… hated the straps but loved the cantered footbed… I’d love to see that on this line. Any news?
February 9th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Brek…those are atlas bases with contact pro highbacks.10 2 01 says they are the new superpro bindings.
February 10th, 2011 at 10:44 am
What’s different about Stage III bases? And does anyone now the prices already?
February 10th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Stage III has dual density bushings and better strength to weight ratio.
February 11th, 2011 at 8:16 am
I want those Union x Holden collab. Looks so good. Looks like a solid tank of a binding. When do those come out and $$$? Will they be available at c3 shop?
February 11th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Ok thx man, those new bases look sick
February 14th, 2011 at 10:52 am
I heard the new atlas bindings will be at the force price and the forces will be dropping in price…
Thanks Lee thats super sick!
February 15th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
the new toe cap strap looks 10 times better than last years
February 18th, 2011 at 5:04 am
Just tried the 2012 force and they are soooo nice and the toe strap is 100% better
April 11th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
nooooo, i loved the old toe strap
, fuckin union
April 25th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
except for the force contact and dlx, they look like burton bindings
May 16th, 2011 at 7:34 pm
Is the Union team Binding going to be for sale? or team only?
June 2nd, 2011 at 6:48 am
The Danny Kass bindings, do they have Stage III base?
June 4th, 2011 at 9:35 am
Looks like Danny’s binding is based on the flite not stage 3.
June 18th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
BTW you guys do realise that some union bindings have cant (same logic behind burtons new Autocant) built into them.
The EVA padding on the base is made of different densities, therefore the canting of the base will happen automatically depending on your weight. pretty smart if you think about it.
June 25th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Eddie,
I think you refer to the contact base, where they put EVA with 3 different densities… ? But it will not give more than 1 degree if this works… not 2 to 4 degree where you start to feel it more on your knees in my opinion… like Ride bindings or others on the market.
July 24th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
I wanted to get the Data’s this year… as if its discontinued… :/
July 28th, 2011 at 11:28 am
the atlas look sick but would they have that same true flex and control as the contact or similar ?
August 6th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
On the Ladys flight black, is the other color pink or red?
August 8th, 2011 at 6:36 am
Jenn it’s pink.
August 9th, 2011 at 5:42 am
Jess my gf rode the Atlas last year after riding the purple superpros. After her first day on them she loved em. Felt really solid to her and gave her good control. It was definitely a confidence booster for her since she started picking up more speed and trying different areas on the mtn that she really wouldn’t charge before. Long story short, you wont be disappointed.
August 13th, 2011 at 2:34 am
So anyone know when these are expected for release in UK? Desperate to get the milans after trying out a friends.
August 30th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Those atlas’s look sick. I’m new to union and I’m wondering if the atlas is gonna be worth the extra 40$ instead of the force. Thoughts?
August 31st, 2011 at 6:54 am
Amy, I’d look for them in the fall.
Dan, Here’s my thoughts on the Force vs Atlas. If you have never tried the Force and just want an all mountain binding, go with the Force. If you have tried the Force and want something a little bit more, then go with the Atlas. If you prefer a lighter binding, go with the Atlas. If you can’t afford the $40 extra, go with the Force. Both bindings are solid, either way you get a great binding.
September 3rd, 2011 at 8:58 pm
What would u say is a better binding for jumps and rails… Contact pro, force, or atlas?
September 5th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Stan, that depends on your own comfort. All three are good and used for what you’re asking about. Pro will have a little more “play” than the others because of the reduced contact with the board and the flat highback. Atlas and Force are fairly similar bindings. But both can be used to slay them jumps and rails.
September 11th, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Is there much of a difference between 2011 vs 2012 bindings? Somehow the 2011 Milan after discount now is about $40 less than the 2012 Milan since the initial price is now $80 lower….
What might be good women beginner boots?
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:12 am
For a freeride/all mountain binding what would be your choice in the new line up. Been on a hybrid union mix of data and force. Really like the bindings but want something with a touch more response. Heres what I’m thinking, SL, Asadachi, and then the Gigi contact pros. The Gigi binding looks nice, but just don’t know how it would pair with a stiffer board having the flex in the base plate(sounds great in theory for comfort, but not are about response compared to the SL and Asadachi. Opinions welcome Hombre’s!
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:27 am
Voltron….Atlas would probably do you right.
October 3rd, 2011 at 8:56 am
Do you think the Union Capita Ultrafears will go good with my 2012 horrorscope fk?
October 6th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
those would be sick but the team highback is kinda stiff i think does anyone know when or where i can get the superpro i want to know when the comeout for sale
January 1st, 2012 at 4:50 pm
does anyone know where i can get spare parts?
January 1st, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Derek, for sure!
Dean, call Union and talk to them, they have spare parts for bindings.