The Secrets of Snowboard Carving Part II - The Interface 

This is so educations, you do not hear a lot about bindings, this information is priceless

Loving the video series! Finally! Thought I was the throwback freak as I've been riding 12/27 for a long time, carve-centric; rode palmer plates 20 years ago. Turns out I'm not the only one. Thanks James; Mica, Alta Snowboard Team.

Really cool info. I will be snowboarding again next season after a 15 years stop. I will be starting again at the age of 70. I want to carve but not at 50 mph. After looking into where the carving snowboards were at these days I found the board I will be using. I was a hard boot person. Now I will be going into the soft boots and finding your channel was a real help. I had decided getting the Flow nx2 carbon and bang your follow up video confirms my choice. I will surely implement a few of your customising tips because I want to be as comfortable in my stance as possible. Keep up the great work. Much appreciated.

This man is my future self realized. Look at all those sweet snowboards......!

James, you're a wizard. Thank you!

Awesome stuff as always, thanks James ! 🙏

You're doing a great job! On a chair lift ride, I mentioned "James cherry video" to a person working on their carves in OHIO, and they knew exactly what video that was! People are getting so much from what you're putting out there! Also... I recently hooked two ankle straps together, like a loop. I can ratchet it around my front highback and top of boot. It no longer feels I have to tighten my laces every 5 runs on that front foot. I don't recommend overly tight boots for people learning, but it's definitely helpful for the more precise carving. I switched to intuition fx race liner but I can tell after a few days riding, it loses integrity. I've edited this 5 times! I never knew about canting modification. Fascinating

Thanks for another great video. I can’t wait to hear you talk about boards now!

James awesome videos. Thanks for sharing your massive experience with us the unenlightened

Awesome video! Thanks James.

this is such a great educational video. Just learning about tech and as an engineer myself, digging this nerding out a lot :-D Keep it coming!

Keep up good working, this is great!

Love your work mate

Glad you discovered.the NX2 Fusion, I ride these NX2 already many years, my favorite binding for carving. Regarding setup, try to set the Highback to the rear holes (you need to unmount 6 screws per binding to do this, und also move the steel rope back one hole position. Also use the discs with their slots 90 degree to the board direction so you can fine adjust the centering. When turning discs to 180 degrees.you get 2 more stance and setback variations. It is a versatile and good adjustable binding. Ryan Knapton was as well missing the trick with the 6 screws, when he tried it first, so he failed in centering.

James, that's priceless! You are the man! I'm a former longboarder (freeride) and advanced surfer, so carving is in my blood. I'm transitioning to snowboarding now and just got an Arbor Bryan Iguchi Pro Camber 23 with Flux XV and TM boots. I'm curious to know your view on boards, and if you can talk a little bit about that. Thank you for your videos, it has been helping me a lot to understand what I need to my next trip in a few weeks to Cortina/Italy.

James, if you know anything about surfing, you are the George Greenough of snowboard carving!👏👍

Did that last week. Looking forward to getting your newsletter etc.

Another master class Thanks James 🤙🏻

I'm just enjoyng the nerdyness.. great info

thanks James. Great information...

awesome video. thank you!

Had a flow nx2 carbon paired to my Amplid UNW8 - it was a nice combo that made the UNW8 feel springy and not so stiff - just recently rode Rome Black Labels on the same board, and it feels a little less binding for the board. Tx for the vid, might go back to the Flows~

James thank you for all the time and dedication you have for the community, there's so much wonderful information in your content. Have you ever tried Burton Step-On bindings+boots? Curious to know your thoughts if you have, I really enjoy the responsiveness personally. You might have a great perspective on any restrictions they might have. Cheers from Broomfield, CO

You may be interested in the Recon binding from Karakoram. They're supposed to be ultra stiff, looks like a low B.O. factor as well. I'm using their Continuums on a powder board and like them so far. Regarding adjusting your bindings towards the toe or heelside to minimize boot-out, I have found that if your boots are nearly too big for your size of binding you'll want to adjust them heelward, and if you are at the bottom of the range for your bindings you probably want to move them toeward. For example, Knapton is like a size 9 and still hits his heels first with his medium bindings adjusted all the way toeward, so he has Donek build his personal boards with the entire insert pack shifted toeside, making them directional, despite having being true twins with no setback.

Thanks!

Reversing the toe strap on the back foot is like a revelation because I can feel mine grazing the snow when I get it on edge. Definitely going to try that.

Thanks for the intel! I've been a hard booter since the 90s. I don't answer questions from soft booters anymore. I just tell them about your videos. Also, I see a pair of UPZ hard boots in your boot rack. I'd like to see what board and stance you ride with them. Keep the wisdom coming.

I got those nx2 carbon fusions👍 going to try the RK soccer shin pad idea. I put decathlon flex ups in my insano boots but look forward to your product release boot stiffner and riser👌

Great channel you are a follower of science which is very much like my journey is boarding also here in North Idaho, so many variables questions and different answers. That is the reason for constant new information or atleast a way to talk about it and educate others. Keep up the stoke: plus could you do a static demo showing the left foot rider I know that it just the opposite line up, but not always easy to convert in my mind/ thanks!

Dude! This video is also amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise. I'd love to buy a lesson from you, it's just ashame there is a huge ocean in between. Will you be making a video on desired snowboard specs at some point too? 🤩

ive been riding stepon X's for 3 seasons now, the bindings FOR ME seem awfully bulletproof (im 6'2 250) , but the boot inserts ,straps, and canting have given me a few more tricks to experiment with. Before anyone jumps in with "engagement will be a problem" indeed it might, but i'll work with it until I find what works. I mod most of my equipment. the weak point right now with the stepon system is probably just boots cant stand up to what im doing. (i mean still plenty good all around, but for what im asking them to do, I need probably those straps and maybe those tongue inserts , those liners are definitely a nice upgrade too) James if you have experience with or opinions about stepons, Id love to see them. Thanks for all the great technical discussions

Hi James, thank you for the videos so far. You've given me the final push to finally try a double posi stance. One question I have is regarding the boot and bindings interface. You seem to have a hard position on bindings with minimal overhang, and boots that are stiff. Both of these issues seem like they would be fixed by moving over to hard booting. What are the advantages of soft boots that keeps you from moving over the hard boots for a carving specific set up. Thanks in advance.

Your videos are fantastic. Really appreciate the way you break everything down. What do you think about the Burton step ons? Beyond the ease getting in ( not out though) I find the stiffness of the boots, and the connection link is way more responsive than my old union carbons in soft boots.

Me beeing a skier who just started snowboarding, I already had injected ski boot liners in my race boots. The snowboard boots I've got are the same size so I tried to see if the injected liners insert well in the snowboard boots. Well, it is perfect, even much better than the original snowboard liners. More confort, more stiffness, higher on the leg.

Thanks for the great video! Any thoughts on mini vs regular discs for carving?

I have been riding the Nidecker version of the NX2 for a few years now and the front binding has developed a twist in the highback and frame. Agree with you on the need to have the high back be able to rotate, but I don't think it would be possible with the rear entry mechanism. Just bought the ride aluminum framed bindings, we shall see how those feel. Really want to try the Flux XV, but the Rides were half the price.

Hey, James, thank you for great video. I wonder how you set forward lean on your highbacks for best carving experience?

Very good video and well explained, but I have a question: why not use hard race type boots?

Nitro makes a carving binding Tanya has a set comes with canting options and designed for trenches......wonder if they woumake the grade

thanks for your sharing,it is a wonderful video. I just wondering that how do you compare flow bindig with sp mountain binding

What a nice video!!! Your e thoughts on the Burton Step-On system combine with Ion boots?

Nice Jacket :)

Wow, thanks a lot man! Super informative! How did you liked the Jones Freecarver? Is it a good "first carving board"? I have an eye on the 6000 :) ?

Awesome video material. I’ve heard the Flow NX2 carbon fusion as a great option for aggressive carvers due to its zero “BO” indeed. Question: how’s the forward lean adjustments on them? Can I get it aggressive as I would normally do with regular bindings or the step in mechanism compromise it a bit?

Hi James, thanks for the great video, What do you think about Burton Step on (Ion) ?

Hey James, I own the A-10s and C-10s, great bindings! If you have a chance to try them out I think you’ll love them provided they don’t make you boot out too early.. Thanks for showing me those straps. I have long wished there was a binding that went all the way up to your calf and actually had a strap that went around your calf and you could ratchet in just like you would around your ankle or toe. That strap looks like it will perform a similar function for the time being I can’t wait to try one out. Can you link the ones youve tried ?

Hi James, thanks for another great video. Do you know where I can buy the “boot hardener inserts” which you put in the front of your boots? Do you have them in both boots? Do you sell these things? If so what do they cost and is it possible to ship them to Europe? Thanks in advance for your answers and input. Much appreciated.

You made a point about the plates adding longitudinal stiffness without adding too much torsional stiffness. Im curious about your thoughts on the snowboards made by the Swiss company SWOARD, which are marketed as extreme-carving snowboards. They are made with a high torsional stiffness and a relatively low longitudinal stiffness. I understand they are generally made for hard boots, but I believe the SWOARD ‘Stoke’ is made more for soft boots. Is this a brand you are aware of and do you think they make good properties for a carving board?

What if you were to put the booster strap on last and wrap it around the high back?

This video is definitely great. I'm going to spread it among my classic boot fitters, who only know how to recommend that I switch to alpine style. When you bring to market anything that helps aggressive driving.... Please keep in mind women with small feet, it is impossible to achieve that strength in sizes 21.5/ 22. And as for the waists of the boards... I better not mention anything about the damn market. @Kijimasnowboards made one for me, it's entering another game.

Great videos James! Thank you for spreading good info! I've been on my own quest for the last +30 years and have come to similar conclusions. I've never taken Flow bindings seriously but you have made me reconsider. Are there any reasons you chose the Fusions over the Hybrids? I saw a review stating that the Fusions don't wrap around as high on your ankle as the Hybrid straps do, and as someone who always uses the ankle strap as high as possible I think they might be a better fit for me. Greetings from Chile!

Hi James , Thank you for videos ! Second season using Combo of carbon A-10 and Insano boots from Ride I find equall to my Deluxe Track 325 :-)) all you mentioned in mods have been done in this binding, the only thing about A-10 carbon fiber backs they indeed solid as steel but shape of the loops where fixing holes is not optimised for turning high backs the corner kinda stick to the boot hill from the side and I can feel it (didn't want to cut them up just yet). I'll Be nice to reach out to Ride about their most expensive model.

Have you ever ridden a Rome binding such as the cleaver? Curious how this would hold up to your riding. Asking because I am looking for an overall generalist binding on a budget. Instead of listing them all I figure I will just ask about specific one. Thanks for the videos.

Had the flow carbon but i'm happy I sold it, wayy too stiff for me and something important you haven't mentioned, you can NOT rotate the highback on a flow binding... Innow ride a Flux CV LTD, which is actually the flux carving binding, no problem with bootout because in the front you can just out the strap over your foot instead of the front of your toes then the limit is just the boot (you could do that with the other bindings as well i guess without losing much performance if any.). Also the Flux CV has a 1.5cm higher C-cup than most other bindings which reduces heelndrag as well and gives you more leverage on the heel edge. Also you van rotate the heelcup and the lateral flex is quite soft but very stiff directly towards the heel if that makes sense. Flux CV LTD is absolutely my go-to binding nowadays. 🤙

Great video , do you testing Union Atlas FC or Atlas Pro. I bought Now Drive Pro, but my boots very little and can' t put center in the bidings, and the toe strap sliding out everytime. I had Flux XV ,great bindings but now change to CV . CV highbacks are little more confortable, and the the heelcup taller. ;) I would like testing Union Atlas pro , but earlier reeading this flow nxt2 is very good for carving.🤔

Thanks for great video! Have you ever try fix binding? Peak + or magnum?

Would you mind sharing if you were able to add heel lift to flow bindings and if so, how? I have fuse carbons. I used to have a heel wedge inside my boot for a similar reason, but that makes my Morton’s neuroma mad.

amazing content. Do you do private lessons?

Hi James! Great content! I'm sorry if it's a dumb question, but why to go through all these modification with soft boot to get it stiffer when you can just use hard boots with appropriate bindings? Is it a personal preference or has something more underneath it? Thanks)

James thanks, another great video. May I ask you some deep dive on diy canting/rising mods? This is something I though for a long time but never found any resource about this critical argument. Thanks! 😅

Hi James, I'm currently riding Salomon Quantum Carbons on my Burton Custom X, have you had a chance to look at those bindings? Cheers and thanks for the great videos. Love your dedication to thorough and detailed explanations.

Love your vidéo... where you find the extension Bolt for your riser? And do you try UNION ATLAS FC bindings ? They are stiff... carbon stuff. Tanks

James what are your thoughts about the Burton Step On? Have you tried these? I am really curious.

what do you think of the Step-on X bindings? the mechanism is a lot like hardboot bindings. And with some modification, it could work tremendously well.

Where can I find the Donek stance article you mentioned in this?

Where do you source heel and toe lift rubber?

Do you have an opinion on Nitro phantom carver bindings? That's the ones I have and I thought they're pretty good.

Some serious stank is in James' Boots.... dropthebody sent me.😆

how wide of the board would you recommand for people with US9.5 boot to avoid toe and heel drag ? thank you

What would be your recommendation for somebody that wants to carve and buy their first binding? Which binding should that be? I think I need the HB rotation tho...

Hello James, I love your videos! Ever since you dropped part 1, I moved my angles to +30/+15, made the drills, and now I'm enjoying snowboarding so much more! I got pretty hooked on improving my carving and laying down as much as possible, and I think I might need a new board to do this. I'm 194 cm tall, 90 kg, 45.5 food size. I have a problem with finding something good for my size. My current board is a Korua Otto 161W (268 waist width). I met with an instructor the other day, he told me that a carving board length should reach somewhere between my chin and nose. The Korua barely reaches the bottom part of my neck. With this in mind, do you think you can recommend me something tall and wide enough, that I can use to really lay down a lot? The last board I found is Nidecker The Gun 174 cm tall, but the width is 257 :(. I have big trouble finding anything online.

What are those shin straps called? I’m trying to find them to add some stiffness to my broken down boot. Any specific brand?

Can you make a video about the snowboard you use?

I’d be interested in your more affordable risers when they become available.

Do you have an opinion on hard boots?

hi , i see you have a never summer proto fr. this board is good for any kind of snow? i meant ice conditions, groomers, soft snow. and this board carve well? i need a board to go all day in any conditions of snow and at the same time to learn how to carve well. thanks

Have you tried the Nitro Team bindings for carving? Any opinions?

Nice episode! Your O-Drive is an old model and with the most shitty toe strap ever. The newer models have different toe straps that can be also put on top of the boot to make it zero overhang or a very low profile one that is similar to Jones’ straps that are also great. Worth to upgrade, even for a better hold only.

Do you have any opinions on Burton Step Ons?

James, new subscriber here. About to contact Bruce V. with a board order. In a previous videos comments section you recommended a measurement to get board width right but I can't seem to find it. Was it Mondopoint size plus 2cm? Appreciate the videos and the selfless, mass dissemination of a lifetimes worth of knowledge!

Hey James! what are you’re favorite board brands? It’s basically impossible to really tell how good a board for carving is when the websites all say that theirs is the best. I’m just getting into the world of carving and only have a couple boards, one of them is too small, and the other is the korua Cafe racer which once again, I can’t compare to any others because i’m not even old enough to get a job ;-;

Hi James, During the video I was constantly waiting for your take on hardboot carving. From my point of view, I see only drawbacks from using soft boots, all those stiffeners and limited longetivity does not make any sense to me. I'm trying to get back to snowboarding after years and years of skiing and after months of research I find soft boots the pinnacle of "thinking inside the box". Since my priority is split, I went with Key Equipment Disruptives and after watching couple of your vids I believe hardboots would solve many of your issues(especially with booting out stiffness) Just for example, my 28 mondo sized boot will add just 2cm in total length and binding will add 0, there's no highback so no calf bites, they should last longer and upgraded stiffer tongue is available on the page. So why boarders still insists on softboots? I don't get it..

Wouldn’t a ride insano solve some of tou boot problems? They are stiffer than driver x

anyone know how much Ski Barn would charge for a liner like this one?

Hi James! can you advise me what size of flow nx2 carbon fasteners to buy for shoe size 8.5, M or L? according to the manufacturer, both sizes are suitable. there is no way to check in the store. I order online.

Do you teach in something like a carving camp?

The portion where you cover the bindings on the pizza box by measuring the binding high back plus the boot- I’m not really understanding how this limits waist width. Isn’t that measurement of the high back wayyy higher than where your edge would actually touch the snow ? Newbie here so just trying to understand

So it’s safe to say my new Nidecker Step in bindings can’t be used for carving?…what a bummer.

James, I now have the fever...trench digger syndrome. I am thinking of buying a carve specific board for soft boots for next season. Probably something used. What characteristics should I look for? What should I steer clear of? Next video?

Drake bindings? I really liked Drake Supersport 2015, their base was like those Podium. They are responsive. They are not so easy to buy, as far as I know, Drake is from Italy and more are sold in Europe. I used these bindings with F2 Eliminator snowboard. You mentioned the F2 Eliminator bindings, but there is also a board. This is a boardcross board. It's responsive, but there's a problem - it's narrow. You need to have crazy angles so as not to touch the snow. I don't use it anymore.

I have to ask why you don't just ride hard boots? Like the 90s carvers did.

Have you ever tried hard boot alpine style?

And everyone calls me crazy, because I change the direction of the ankle strap 😅

How stable is this setup at Mach?

That's what my wife is always telling me 12:34

Just at the beginning but bro why don't you just ride hardboots? 😂 Personally inswitched to super soft vans hinstandard pro this season and i carve them super hard and it's just more comfortable while preserving my freedom of motion. I'm just a softie Inguess 😇

When I saw what DIY modifications you did to your boots, I find it strange that you didn't "glue" some "protective pads" to the FLOW's hibacks :> You know, because they don't have rotating hibacks. I also have FLOW's NX2 and was thinking what material I could use to make some attachements to the hibacks. Something that goes more "around" the boot on one side. And now you give me and idea - "protective pads"! Thanks!