So i just got some new boots that dont fit my 2 yr old K2 cinch bindings, thus i need to buy new ones before november... I really like the step-in feature of the Cinch, but was wondering if there was a better alternative... Flow maybe?  I was thinking either the Cinch CTX or something comprable... any suggestions

Go with Flows over the Cinches.  Just make sure with Flows you don 't get anything in their lower end line.

stick with the cinch's, they lightened them up from last year. kills the flows for 2 reasons: 1) the highback and straps both separate to give you a much easier way to get connected then to sham your foot in your binding. 2) you have straps, so if you tightened it to tight and can't get your boot in, you can easily give a little bit and restrap. with a flow, you have to fumble with the basket, which is a bitch, and make sure you tighten all 4 straps evenly so the basket is centered. flows are lighter, but mostly plastic. they are also expensive for what they are. our shop dropped them this year for the cinch's and speed zone. I hated highback bindings until i demoed the 09 ctx, and loved them

You hated highback bindings?  What have you been riding oldschool low backs or taking the highback off.

The Cinch is pure crap compared to Flows.  K2 uses a hinge which binds up with snow and they've always been known to use cheap pot metals on certain key important pieces.  The weight on those things is similar to the old flows from 5 years ago.  Like I said before Flows blow the cinchs out of the water.

by 'highback bindings' i meant that the binding is a highback entry, or you don't have to worry about straps. the cinch's are heavier then flow's, so if park is the only thing you're riding I would get the flow's. but for an all mountain setup, the cinch's will give a better feel. flow is beefing their bindings up while k2 is lightening the weight, so they are on opposite ends, but the strength of the k2's, and the easier cinch system, would give k2 and edge, even though its slightly heavier. I have demoed the ctx and the team, and the frx, and i personally liked the ctx's better as feel standpoint. i just felt like i could really push that binding, and I didn't have to mess with a basket (which I had to adjust within 2 runs). the fxs was considerably lighter, but I could hold better on the ctx

yeah, i spend the majority of my time away from the park... I need something that will be good for cruising around mostly, with some occasional carcass hucking thrown in from time to time.... and durability is key too

If I go with the cinchs is it worth shelling out the extra $$ for the CTX over the CTS, or is there not that much of a difference

Posted by chronders
yeah, i spend the majority of my time away from the park... I need something that will be good for cruising around mostly, with some occasional carcass hucking thrown in from time to time.... and durability is key too

  Go with flows the NXT FR's are going to be more of what you're looking at then compared to any of the Cinch bindings.  The cinch is what it is but its a crappy design the 3 piece hinge on the side binds with snow, the latch in the back is still cheaply made.  If the warranty pairs we have in the back my shop are still there I'll take some pics to show their weak points.

Posted by elsnowboardo
Go with Flows over the Cinches.  Just make sure with Flows you don 't get anything in their lower end line.

Well, if this speaks for anything good about Flow bindings..

For the past season or two, I've been riding the bottom of the muck Flow Flite 1 of which I don't even know when it was made (no padding on highback or base, bulky, and stiff as wood), but besides the lack of bells and whistles, it's a formidable pair of bindings. Man, if the cheapest in the Flow lineup is this reliable, I can't imagine how much better overall the higher end ones would be.. o_o
[Edited by namjah on 11/13/2008 at 8:12 PM]
[Edited by namjah on 11/13/2008 at 8:12 PM]

check out the Bent Metal Step-In...... fuckin' eh!!

First off, any of the rear entry binders take a little getting used to. The cinch I found pretty hard to get into unless I was on a super flat surface, steping in you have to really point your toe down & if your moving in the slightest then forget about it. Probably why most people end up sitting on their asses & strapping in like it's a normal 2 strap binding. Also, I had the ratchets always getting tighter on me, you kick those while sitting on the chair or whatever & they get tighter.  Flow, I don't ever stop, get off the chair start going down hill & kick my foot in. If I want it a little tighter I just click the ratchet once...pretty easy. Main problem I think people have with the flow is that they think they have to crank down & you don't need to at all. For me, I have a hard time switching back to 2 straps every once in awhile, I just feel way more comfy & secure in Flow. The Cinch made me wonder why anybody would buy this, it's heavy, not really easy, either buy a 2 strap or get a flow.

I keep hearing people say "you don't have to tighten flows down, thats why you cant get your foot into them"

This did not work well for me and my NXT AT's. If the strap wasn't pretty tight, I had lots of heel play, which sucked for me, made my toe carves gutless as my heel was popping up.

I know, I know, everyone says you gotta dial em in. I played with everything. Centering the strap rotating highback, setting it up as best as I could.

No luck for me.


To each their own, but I found the flows convenience didn't outweigh the lack of control I felt to make them convenient.