My 2 cents - you can buy foam topsheet for Sparks (Spark R&D Baseplate Padding Kit), also you can mount it to normal snowboard using adapter (Spark R&D Solid Board Pucks) ;)

@drewnicholson5928

2 жыл бұрын

union comes with mounts for a solid board(dont have to buy any "kit") and they are a real binding so you actually can ride them. Who would want to ride a spark binding on a regular board, they are shit for downhill?

@lukasvrana6388

2 жыл бұрын

@@drewnicholson5928 Why do u thing Spark is shit? I have Surge and its pretty stiff. I dont see much difference compared to my other boards/bindings...

@drewnicholson5928

2 жыл бұрын

@@lukasvrana6388 you don’t feel difference in a spark binding compared to your regulars? That’s a first, they are great going up and for the switchover but I think most people will agree they aren’t a great downhill binding. They are a great touring binding, no denying, but nobody is just riding sparks on their everyday rider, where the unions are very similar in feel to a regular binding.

@drewnicholson5928

2 жыл бұрын

@@lukasvrana6388 but saying “shit” was a little bit of a reach in my first comment. They are a great binding, just I feel that if you are looking for downhill feel the unions are better

Well, two of my buddies ride karakoram, and i ride spark. They have a lot if issues with karakoram, loosing bolts all the time, broken raiser 2 times - i mean that bindind raiser for steeper climbs, plastic is not so good in cold mountain conditions it gets hard and break very easily. And when you're on the top converting from touring to ride mode, all that little pieces of ice will get in the way to mount your binding - a lot of time and nerves to clean all ice to get perfect fit. With spark bindings, just slide'em into pucks, no need for ice or snow removing. And imagine your second or third transition, when you go on touring mode again, and your karakoram toe piece is in solid ice, all that springs and mechanism is just blocked and you struggle again 😃. Spark is soo much better, just simple design that works perfect anytime in cold mountain conditions, works for me about 7th season now.

@SearchofSnowboarding

Жыл бұрын

I would say that ice and snow build up occur the same amount on both bindings, I've never had my Karakorams blocked up with ice that made my transition more difficult from when I had used Sparks.

@joekelley6253

Жыл бұрын

100% agree, I wanted to throw my Karakoram's off the mountain because so much snow got in the mechanism it wouldn't latch. I've actually had the Karakoram's rip off the board as well even after getting a what at least felt/looked/sounded like a lock (presumably due to the snow). Not only a Karakoram binding issue, but all 4 of my original clips also broke on them. After switching to spark bindings I've had minimal issues. I also know of multiple people that have had their Karakoram's fail on the mountain as well. On average my transition time has dropped drastically as well.

Great review! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Neither brand seem to be available on your site or I would have bought from you!

@SearchofSnowboarding

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! They will be coming available this Fall once our orders arrive

Great vid! So informative!!

Good review, thanks you’ve helped me decide what binding to get for my Jones solution split. 100% agree the Karakoram is the way to go as it can be used on my normal board as well!

@SearchofSnowboarding

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers, thanks man. You'll love them!

@Chaugar

2 жыл бұрын

Hope you love your KK. For me they are much heavier than the Sparks. You can also mount Sparks on regular boards btw.

@Mmoran64

2 жыл бұрын

you can do the same with Spark they sell a plate to mount to your solid board that's what I do for traveling with split & Solid

@hermeneut

2 жыл бұрын

Splitbindungs are a completely other thing than regular bindings! Very, very stiff baseplate. Not enjoyable in resortriding!

Excellent comparison - thanks!

@SearchofSnowboarding

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

A lot of splitboards come with the voile style puck system which sparks work on do not need to have spark pucks. I bought the spark surge bindings lot lees $$ than Karakoram worked with my existing Voile pucks and since I have 2 splitboards with pucks was much cheaper option. Also bought solid board plate system Spark has so I can use the surge bindings on my solid board as well good when traveling. Spark offers padded base plate kit for surge & Arc. I don't notice any discomfort with out padding riding mostly powder anyway & boots offer pretty good cushioning. I like the simplicity of the sparks really solid well designed binding which (quick easy change overs) can be used on any voile puck system split. I believe the binding came with a tour bracket & tour plate it is a little different than standard voile system. climbing bar is built into the binding you can buy additional tour hardware pretty cheaply to convert all your splits to same system. Something to think about if you own several splitboards.

I wish you would have compared heel lifter systems as well as crampons, thx

looks like the spark get a more negative high back angle in tour mode. Also, can get cantered pucks if thats a more comfortable set up.

Great video compare on these 2 brands! What are your thoughts on the SP Multientry Split 20/21?

@SearchofSnowboarding

3 жыл бұрын

Spilt board bindings that use a pin system, like that one where a pin clips the toe, can cause more issues than its worth

Thanks for the video bro! One thought: can't one just get another pair of voile plugs and put them on a solid board? Which would make it a quiver, just like Karakoram's optional quiver plates.

@SearchofSnowboarding

2 жыл бұрын

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the inserts are too close on a solid board to be able to fit the top and bottom pucks. Thanks, Raphael!

Hrm, regarding your comment about the Karakoram system pulling the two halves together, which is true… but the spark binding does that too. At the heel end, there's a stopper, so when you close the toe latch, it also locks the halves together. There's no play. :)

@SearchofSnowboarding

Жыл бұрын

I have ridden both and know this, I was trying to explain that the Karakoram's mechanism pulls/holds the two skis together much better

@bopuc

Жыл бұрын

@@SearchofSnowboarding fair enough! keep it up 👍

What would you recc for a first pair of Karakorams? I'm primarily out east but make a couple westerly rips each season for sure. Definitely hunting for the soft snow!

@SearchofSnowboarding

Жыл бұрын

I would check out the Freerangers

@matiasgibbs251

6 ай бұрын

@@SearchofSnowboarding Are the Grizzly model any good? Or worth to save some more and go with their higher end stuff

Great review! Do you have two cents on the Spark crampons? I'm considering making the switch from Karakoram to Spark just because of the (imho) terrible crampons from Karakoram.

@SearchofSnowboarding

3 жыл бұрын

The Spark Ibex crampons are awesome, could be worth switching over for you. Thanks, and don't forget to subscribe!

@gavinhalm3016

Жыл бұрын

If it's getting more icy, and/or you're getting into more steep of terrain, than your skins can handle, why not just use traditional crampons on your boots (and, yes, attach your split to your backpack), like with some Grivel G12's? I personally wouldn't trust those rather flimsy looking crampons from either brand for that kind of technical work...(Caveat: not being a skier, I've never 'side-stepped' skis, so I have zero experience with that)

@tobiascarlberg2204

Жыл бұрын

@@gavinhalm3016 that's a great idea, thanks!

Hi, thanks for your work and passion. But what means a splitbinding review without talking about the crampons and its functionality? A fundamental safety aspect. Friend of mine felt in a steep gully and broke his hip because he uses Plum-Bindings which has a horrible crampon-System: if you use riser, there is no more pressure on the crampons. On the same tour I use Spark and had no problems, because there you always have preasure on the crampons, with or without risers. So how does it work in the Karakorumn-System? Cheers from Germany, Tim

@SearchofSnowboarding

2 жыл бұрын

Great question. I didn't include talking about crampons because they are relatively the same for both bindings. The mount similarly to each binding and they are used the same way. Thanks, Tim!

How have the Karakoram bindings been on your solid board? I'm thinking about doing the same but was wondering how the ride and comfort is and if I'll be making too big of a sacrifice

@SearchofSnowboarding

3 ай бұрын

I never ended up riding them on my solid that much

very helpful! what about the new union expedition?

@SearchofSnowboarding

3 жыл бұрын

Any binding that has a pin system, where a pin locks the toe of the binding in, like the Union Expedition, is going to give you a lot more trouble than it's worth.

@lolipoppornbitch

Жыл бұрын

Hey man any thoughts on new union charger split binds? Not too much info out just yet but looks promissing

4:08 one time I have used Karakoram bindings, when we start uphill it was warm weather, but in the end of uphill it is stay very!!! windy and much more colder, and it was a big problem to make a Karakoram to a “snowboard” mode, because wet snow frozen on connectors on board and two pins on bindings could not to fix in connectors, and at the same time the beginner guy , who used Spark change mode to “snowboard “ quickly, simply slides by rail, it is self clean. Also, it is easier to change hiback incline on spark, especially if cold and you’re using mitts. Harder ankle on spark straps give more control. Take solid plate and use spark on regular snowboard). In deep snow I don’t need a EVA pad on my bindings, it is in the sole off my boots, and usually snow is soft….

Almost all splitboard or any outdoor product review these days is just not good enough. they miss so many crucial real-life issues that only people who have used them over the years know. Just for the appetizer here the reviewer is not aware that one can buy pads for both arc and surge spark bindings and also there are pucks for using them in solid board. These are crucial points that one cannot miss from the get go. But more important than that it is the ride feel, board flex feel, chatter, turn initiation, parts moving over time, will they withstand a cliff drop or 720 etc. that makes lot more difference than what the straps are made of. These things are usually not discussed in product review these days. My advice is go buy any one of these and use the hell out of it to see for yourself what it's missing based on your riding style. Just know that if you're just an intermediate rider just making turns in moderate speed than any binding will do the job. You gotta be an aggressive rider yourself to know the limits of these bindings and figuring out what you don't like about them. Now go and ride hard.

can't the sparks ✨ use the regular plastic pucks? i just bought a 2019 endeavour split which came with the voile pucks.

@jimmysingh6240

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, they can but they work better with spark pucks for few reasons.

I have been riding on the Karakoram bindings now for 2 years and really cannot recommend them. The quality of the materials used considering the high-end price (Highest on market?) is bad. So far the heel risers already broke three times and one time I lost the front jaw. (All three screws came loose) All this with probably 25-30 tours in 2 years only. After closer inspection back at home then I also found lots of screws missing and loose from both the base plates. 3 screws missing, some of the rest already loose to last thread pitch only. I believe the biggest con's for the Karakoram heel risers are: First they are mounted on the board itself where other bindings systems have the heel risers mounted on the bindings. Second they are made of obviously cheap plastics only where all others are made of a metal bracket. (The characteristics of plastics at low temperatures minus 15 to 20 and lower should be known...) I will change to the Union system now and only step back to the Karakoram as 2nd bindings system as reserve. For the Karakoram I will mount the heel risers from Voile and do not use the original ones from Karakoram any more.

@SearchofSnowboarding

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry you had such a bad experience. One thing to keep in mind with any splitboard binding is that since you put a lot more force on them than regular bindings, because of touring, the hardware can tend to loosen. This makes it necessary to always check that your screws are tight no matter which brand of binding you have. I sell a decent amount of splitboard bindings and this is the biggest thing I tell customers.

@gunterniederwieser2238

2 жыл бұрын

Ok many thanks for your answer and advice. I fully understand and agree on the fact that screws can come loose due to the much higher force we put on the splitboard bindings. No doubt for all the screws fixing the hardware onto the board, but for screws from the base plate/bindings themselves? Anyhow, I will check them much more frequently in future, that's for sure. BTW: Do you know if there are crampons available for the Union Explorer bindings? And 2nd question: Do you have any tricks or advice for splitboard touring with extremely icy and gravelly conditions? Reality is that all issues I had so far with splitboard bindings always came up with conditions being extremely gravelly and icy. (Walking sideways in serpentines) This of course substantiate with your statement that we put much more and higher forces onto the bindings. Touring skies I guess are much in advantage here because of being slimmer. (80-90 mm width compared to ~ 140 mm in my case with the Jones Frontier) So far unfortunately I have not been able to figure out any way to improve this or at least how to reduce the force we put on the splitboards with the wider splits and thus, the higher lever on the board and bindings.

@SearchofSnowboarding

2 жыл бұрын

@@gunterniederwieser2238 I'm planning on coming out with a video explaining techniques that make touring easier, but whatever the conditions if you're having a hard time focus on keeping the weight on your heels if you're going straight up a climb. Sidehilling can be difficult and is something that comes with practice, but for that focus on keeping more of your weight on the uphill edge of the ski

@drewnicholson5928

2 жыл бұрын

@@gunterniederwieser2238 union explorers dont have any extra screws. its just a regular binding with a pin. not like the 100 pieces of the spark or KKM. carry an extra pin just in case(come with an extra) but ive never had issue with the pin coming out

Hard to say that the Sparks win on weight if you’re comparing the highest tier Spark with the middle tier Karakoram. It would be better to see the Arc/Surge Pro v. the Alpine Primes

If you really wanted to compare apples to apples you would have compared the sparks against the karakoram nomad .

Too many components on the karakoram. Sparks are simpler, more reliable deep in the mountains imo, less snow issues too

Neither. The voile speed rail beats them both. Less expensive, fewer moving parts= better durability and fewer issues on the mountain.

If you want a puck kit hit up your local shop. They run them cheaper and if your getting a bunch of stuff together it’s always discounted. If it’s not tell ‘em to get f****d.

neither the original is still what i use VOILE!!!!

This is such a lip sided review. Sparks have all the same ability. It just cost more money. And they are made in the USA. Really strange you didn’t bring any of this up.

@SearchofSnowboarding

3 жыл бұрын

Don't know what you mean by lip sided. I explained that both bindings are great and which components of each are better. I may have forgotten to mention it, but both bindings are made in the USA, so not sure why you think this is an unsatisfactory review. Thanks though

@sigve6165

3 жыл бұрын

What are you talking about? Both bindings are made in the usa, and if you compare the top bindings of each of the brands, karakoram bindings are more expensive. What do you mean they have the same abilities? Of course they have the same abilitys they are both made for splitboard.

Woow woow 😍💋 💝💖❤️

So, I was disappointed when you’re telling people about getting into the backcountry, and ya don’t mention getting your avy equipment and education. Anyone with a platform talking about tools for backcountry have a responsibility to talk about this. Just saying.

@SearchofSnowboarding

3 жыл бұрын

I don't disagree with you, but in this video I was just focusing on giving an in depth comparison about the bindings. I plan on making a detailed video on backcountry risk and responsibility when I am able to give the proper attention and amount of work making a video like that needs. Thank you

@bimfred

3 жыл бұрын

This is the most American comment I've ever read. It could only be born out of the most litigious country in the world. A country where people need to have their hand held at every step...."Mind your head!". When you watch a bike tyre comparison review you don't expect to be warned about traffic or about the dangers of riding your bike into stationary objects at speed do you? Give humans/people a little credit you miserable git.

@BigMtnRyder

3 жыл бұрын

​@@bimfred First.. Yes, I don't disagree with you in regards to litigious country. Understand, if this KZreadr were based out of another country, that would make a difference. However, this is made and filmed here in the United States and as an avalanche educator here in America I feel it needs to be highlighted. We have a increasingly persistent problem of people using the term "Sidecountry" and not understanding that it is not "Side" at all, it is out of bounds. Lastly.. LMAO.. "Miserable Git".. WoW. Ya got me there. Enjoy your keyboard life.

@bimfred

3 жыл бұрын

@@BigMtnRyder It just sounds like you are projecting the world of avalanche education on other things you see in your life. For example, the reviewer never mentioned 'sidecountry'. You brought it up because you wanted to talk about it. Some suggestions: a) go find another reviewer, perhaps someone who has reviewed some touring gloves without mentioning the dangers of avalanches, and go teach them a lesson too. b) go vent your fears and knowledge in videos where people are celebrated for their risk heavy decision making. c) if you really want to make a difference, try becoming a dietician or motorcycle safety educator or something. Avalanches kill about 28 people on average annually in the US. Routinely a third to a half are snow mobilers. Please correct me if I am wrong. I'm not trying to demean what you do, or the dangers that snow sports entail. I just feel that binding comparisons (which may indirectly encourage people to stop smoking, eating crap or riding a motorcycle) may already be doing enough to make the world a better place, and they don't need a PSA along with them.

@drewnicholson5928

2 жыл бұрын

its a binding review.