Spark R&D Surge Pro vs Karakoram Prime X vs Phantom Splitboard Bindings
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- Опубліковано 20 тра 2021
- Spark R&D Surge Pro vs Karakoram Prime X vs Phantom Splitboard Bindings
If you are looking for the best of the best for splitboard bindings, this is for you. If you are wondering what the differences in the setup between the Spark R&D, Karakoram, and Phantom then this is also for you.
All three companies are awesome and made in the USA. I have extensive experience with them (as does the Engearment Team) and we felt like we should do this overview to show you the splitboard binding options that we like.
Let us know what ones you use and if this was helpful in finding the best binding for your needs!
Spark R&D setup - snp.link/24bf40a3
Karakoram setup - snp.link/fe455f65
Phantom setup - snp.link/c3c8a64d
#Splitboarding #SplitboardBinding #Splitboard
Spark R&D Hard Boot setup - engearment.com/splitboarding/...
Spark R&D Surge Pro vs Karakoram Prime X - engearment.com/splitboarding/... - Спорт
Super useful review. Thanks
It would be interesting to include the interfaces to get a total weight for each bindings (and maybe even the crampons). No idea if there is a lot of difference, but I would like to know. It would also be interesting to add Plum bindings as they are good too.
That is a great idea. I have met with Plum a few times, but we have not been able to get their gear to Colorado to test. Very cool set up though!
I agree Daniel. It would be good to know the total weight of each set up. The phantom boot being two pounds seemed a pound heavier than I expected.
also came here to post a similar comment.
currently using spark pucks with the nitro bindings, but was thinking of chasing weight savings.
I just picked up the Sparks Surge (not Pro) to slap onto my new Lib Tech Orca Split. I can't wait to give her a rip! My previous setup was Sparks/Burton Hitchhiker on a 163 Rossignol XV, which was really good for steep shredding in the Tetons, but a little heavy, stiff, and the hitchhiker doesn't allow for the highback to bend back for touring mode. I fell in love with my regular Orca and am so stoked that they came out with the split version. I also ride the Salomon S Lab touring boot, which I am very satisfied with. PRAY FOR SNOW!
And thanks for the great review btw!
Sounds like a great set up! Stoked for you! Have a great season!
Rad dude!!! I have been riding spark HB setup with Key boot. Just bought Phatom cleats/bindings for my other board. What’s your opinion on spark vs phantom HB setup?
Thanks bro! I have not used the Spark hard boot set up but a few of our writers hae and really like them. I love the Phantom set up and hope you do too!
Great vid. I have been hardbooting for about 10 years and the last two transitioned over to soft boots. I really missed my hard boots while touring. The biggest issue I have found is in order for no heal or toe drag I have to set my angles at 46(f) and 41r). I don't feel these angles are as stable as my soft boot setup of 15(f) and -5(r). Im wondering if this is really just a matter of buying a wide board and the smallest sole length I can find to relax the angles a bit. My boots are 27.5. Any suggestions?
Thank you for the stoke! You are in an interesting position. Most people come from soft boots and go to hard boots, it seems. I ride a wide board and have size 11.5 (29.5). I think your angles (15F -5R) are good. I am 19F, 0R and have no issues with heal and toe drag. Perhaps you can demo a wide board to see if you can feel a positive difference? I agree that hard boots make touring way more efficient!
Hey I ride the karakarom SL from a few years ago. Like them. Want to get a second splitboarding setup. How hooked up do the puck (spark) bindings feel compared to the karakarom?
Great question. If the pucks are properly tightened, they should transfer your power just as well. The self cleaning aspect is also very nice on Sparks. Hope that helps!
Nice video. How ever more confused then before as what to buy lol
😄 I hear you on that! They each have their benefits and opportunities.
Looks like I'm late to the party, but while you're on the weight game you should measure the "Uphill On Foot" weight. All binding components & boots. The Phantom M6 plate goes in your pack and isn't in the equation, but the tech toes will weigh a little more than the simple adapters of Spark.
Other hardboot benefits on the uphill include better lateral rigidity for edge hold while side hilling, etc.
After Hardbooting for two seasons on a Phantom setup I'm never going back. They truly have a well engineered product.
Overall Great Video!
Hello! That is a good call. Thanks for the insight on the "Uphill on Foot". Totally agree on the improved lateral rigidity and benefit on side hilling.
Very stoked the at you are enjoying the Phantom set up as well. I am sure they will love to hear your positive feedback!
Thanks for the nice note my friend. Have a wonderful and safe season!
I’m a size 11 Burton or vans boot would a medium spark binding work? Or should I go large?
I would double check with Spark, but I am 11.5 and use a large binding.
Like everyone else, I'm trying to make a decision. I'm less concerned about weight and am comparing the standard surge and the nomad. Looks to be a couple hundred grams heavier for the nomads, but I'm more curious if you have any input on the riding characteristics between the two.
Does active joining really make a difference in board feel? My local shop only carries Karakorams, so I'd have to order Sparks and deal with shipping for any spares I require and am only saving about $100 to 150 all said and done...I hate choices.
Hello Tr0n. It is a hard call for sure! They all have their pros and very little cons. I feel like the board feel is best on the Karakoram and Phantom. But, I swear by the Spark for ease of use. I am going to be doing a new review on the Spark Surge (standard) in the coming weeks.
No matter what you go with, they will treat you very well. You can feel good that you are supporting good companies too. I would go play with the Nomads and get familiar with how they work. Let us know what you go with too. Happy and safe adventures!
@@Engearment appreciate the response and all of the reviews you have up, slowly trawling through them all now. I found a great deal on a set of Free ranger splits as the nomads seem to be all gone in medium, not quite full touring but we'll see how it goes!
Hi, thanks for your work and passion. But in my opinion you forgot to mention one of the most important questions about splitbindings (because its about safety in critical situations): what about the function of the crampons? I tried Karakorum, Plum, and Spark (and am thinking about switching to hardboot). The Plum for e.g. doesn't get pressure on the crampon when you use risers (a friend of mine felt down a gully because his Plum-crampon doesn't bite into the icy trail). At this time I used Spark and had no problems at all because you always (!) have pressure on the crampons, with or without risers. So how is this working in the M6? And what about sidewards flex in the Phantom Slipper? As I understood it flexes forward like a hard softboot (is that true?), but what about movements above the ankle sidewards? Is it stiff there? Flexable? Adjustable? Tried Hardboots a few years ago and I loved the uphill, but hate the downhill part because of this no-sidewards-flex-bullsh... Felt like my foot is cranked, really hate this feeling and love freedom of softboots while riding. Thanks for your advice. Cheers from Germany, Tim
Hello Tim! Thank you for the nice comment and great questions! I have not used crampons with the M6, yet. I have with Spark and Karakoram. I have not used Plum, as we can not seem to get them here in the US. I have seen them (OR 2018) and was really impressed. Sorry I can not be of more help with that.
The side flex on the Phantom Slipper is actually what impressed me the most. I was expecting it to be hard to handle. It was actually more agile than even the Jones MTB boot. That blew my mind. And that was the last reason I needed to give them a go.
Plus the uphill efficiency is almost like cheating LOL.
Hope that helps!
It's interesting as I prefer the Plum crampon over the Spark, then I guess it's very personal. Sure it's great that the Spark crampon is usable with the risers pressing all across its width. But in my opinion its teeth are way too short and I really wonder why it was designed like that (just like their optional baseplate padding is way too thin), maybe because the brand is american and they are more used to good conditions and less to variable alpine conditions? When you look at it and compare to any ski crampon you will immediately see that it would not hold as well. The Plum crampon is made in the same factory as most of the ski crampons of the industry, so it's basically the same and has longer teeth that hold better. For that reason I prefer he Plum crampon, even if I don't use the risers when I use it. Using both at the same time is a (dangerous) mistake. On my side I rarely use the risers or the crampons. The best splitboard binding would be the one that could take all the best of each wihout their flaws... That being said I have both bindings and could not say if one is better than the other, and if someone is looking for a split binding I would recommend Spark for most people.
@@danielbadoux4863 Hi Daniel, it seems that you own the older crampons. The actual Ibex Pro (since 2 years or so on the market) has exactly as long teeth like the plums and are thicker, so more reliable... The optional base plate padding is in deed to thin, but I fixed this with selfmade ones. When splitting with friends using a plum I always have less issues with ice and they often have to fiddle around, where the sparks just work. Sure, both are in the group of the better splitbindings, but overall handling with Sparks is much smoother than plums in my opinion.
These are good news about the new length, thanks! It's weird they didn't told me as I wrote several times about that problem and I even remember Will Ritter answering live on the internet in 2020 that it was a compromise to make everybody happy. But now for me the new crampon is a big plus. I made my custom padding too, out of expensive stomp pads... They told me it would be thicker this season and the non optional Nitro was already thicker. The Plum is not too thin but still, I'm tempted to modify it to make it thicker at the ends, juste like a gas pedal. On my side I have never had a problem handling the Plum. Just like on the Spark sometimes I need to remove the snow along the edges and around the pucks, which is in that case quickly done.
"Trying to find the lightest weight setup from each company" I have to ask why would you choose Surges over Arc's? Also what's the system weight on board including mount hardware and pucks(or equivalent mount system) weighing just the binding doesn't seem like the full story.
I am rather heavy (210lbs before added weight of pack and gear) so I opt for the Spark Surge.
Good question on the weight. I am not sure. I spent a lot of time dialing in the stance in the boards with the bindings, so I don’t have much interest in unmounting to weigh the set ups. Bit when I do, I will update and reply with the weights. Take care.
Have you tried key equipment boots?
Hello! I have not tried them yet. Will reach out to them. Thanks for the idea!
I tried a set of Phantoms years ago and never looked back.
Yep! That is what I hear from a lot of people (and what happened to me!) Stoked that you are enjoying them!