Binding Review: 11-12 Flow NXT-AT

Location: Mammoth, CA

Snow Conditions: Hardpacked groomers to softer slushy runs.

Setup: I rode the Flow NXT-AT bindings on the Flow Era with my Vans Veil Boots size 8.

Time to set up the binding: I set up the NXT-AT bindings at work right before I went out riding.  It was actually the quickest I’ve adjusted them myself and much faster than I was expecting to do them.

Fit: I’ve ridden the NXT-AT’s before and each time the men’s medium sizing works for my size 8 boots.  They can size down for my boots with proper adjustments and there are no gaps on the width of the binding to my boot.  My boot was okay in the heelcup, I could have done a better job adjusting the fit because there was slight lift upwards in the binding.  The highback was comfortable with my boot height, no problems on it being too much.

First Impression: The NXT-AT’s are a popular binding for good reason. All around handling with easy quick access.

Appearance: Probably my most favorite graphics of the Flow line for 2012, the colors are more subtle with blue, black and white colorways.  The power strap is mostly black with a black highback, the baseplate has a mix of black and white.  The power strap says NXT-AT on the top portion and features the logo on the lower toe portion.

Comfort: The NXT-AT’s are a comfortable all around binding.  The Flow power strap is built to give you comfort without pressure points like a normal strap can give you.  Good padding underneath the boot on the baseplate and against the highback.

Functionality: The Flow NXT-AT’s feature the flow core technology which is the original reclining highback (for quick access and rear entry into the binding), the one-piece 3D powerstrap which helps distribute pressure evenly across the boot and adapts to every type of boot and the patented power triangle, which links the highback directly to the center are of the baseplate for more response.  The NXT-AT have a rockered aluminum baseplate that’s lightweight and offers sharper response to let the board flex naturally.  The 15% fiber reinforced DuPont Zytel hiback offers response and good flex  with a Kush Kontrol EVA pad for extra pressure to the lateral edge.  There are 4 Airframe miniratchets to adjust the power strap at every angle.

Flex: The highback is on the stiffer side but mostly from the bottom up, the top of the highback has some give and flex so you don’t feel overly stiff.  Flow rates the binding stiffness as a 4.5 from 1-5 so definitely a stiffer all mountain flexing binding.  It’s been a while since I’ve ridden the AT’s but they were noticeably lighter and a bit stiffer than in the past.  One new thing with the flex is the rockered baseplate that’s supposed to help give better board to binding feel and make it more natural.  It felt pretty natural but was hard to tell without trying the previous years unrockered version back to back with it.

Response: Overall the NXT-AT delivers quick response from the highback and stiffness of the binding.  It’s noticeably a bit more responsive than previous years where I tried the NXT-AT.

Power Strap: I could have cranked the power strap tighter during riding but I kept it a tad loose on purpose (much easier to get in and out of).  It fit my Vans toe box and distributed pressure across the whole boot instead of at certain points.

Overall Impression: The NXT-AT’s are a popular staple binding from Flow.  It’s built for all mountain riding wherever you take it. I rode the binding at the end of the season, so didn’t get to play with it in powder but spent time freeriding and in the parks with it.  The quick access comes in handy, easy to lock in and go for riding.

Shay’s Honesty Box: The NXT-AT combo with the Era was really good and it was my first time trying Flow’s rockered baseplate.  The connection was still there between the board and binding without any dead feeling but it was hard to interpret how much effect the rockered baseplate played into it.  I’d probably have to take out the non-rockered and rockered to get a better feel for the differences.  The connection was there and response was good.  It seemed like with the rockered design, it made the binding stiffer than I remembered from the past demos of the AT model.

My biggest gripe with the NXT-AT is the baseplate cover that goes over the screws.  For some reason it was a pain to get up from the binding.  I guess if you don’t ever need to unscrew the bindings it would be fine.

Ready to buy? Head over to evo for the Flow NXT-AT or shop their full line of Flow snowboard bindings

On Snow Photos

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Flow NXT-AT Description

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Review Disclosure: Flow is loaning me this binding to demo/review.  I have every intention of returning it to Flow Snowboards after reviewing it.