Spark R&D Pro Surge Splitboard Bindings – Lighter and Stronger!
The Spark R&D team examined the already solid Surge and Arc splitboard bindings to see how they could improve them. From a higher grade metal frame and aluminum hardware to the carbon infused high back and lighter pillow staps. The Spark R&D Pro Bindings are really incredible. The Pro line up of bindings from Spark R&D truly is a step in the right (light) direction.
In this review, we will focus on the Surge Pro splitboard binding. I have been riding the Surge bindings for the last few years and was very excited to see the new Pro line at the OR 18/19 winter show in Denver. The moment I picked up the bindings I could feel the difference form the regular Surge.
NOTE – In this video, I go over a Pre-Production version of the Pro Surge Bindings – they will not have the nylon “Fusion Molded” touring brackets. Spark is tweaking the design to be even better for the following season. The version of Pro Surges offered for the 18/19 season will have hollow stainless steel pivot pins instead of aluminum pins (the main gripe I had with the old pins as the aluminum on aluminum could wear down) so they fixed that issue. Excellent work Spark R&D!
Comparison of Surge Pro and Surge Splitboard Bindings
Lighter and Stronger
The Surge Pro weighs in at 610 grams for a size large. Very impressive! The regular Surge binding weighs in at 704 grams. That makes the Surge Pro the lightest splitboard binding that we have tested. For comparison, the Karakoram Carbon X weighs in at 690 grams.
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- Spark Surge
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- Spark Pro Surge
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- Karakoram Carbon X
How did they save all that weight?
Everything went on a diet. The Pillow Straps are 20% lighter, thanks to the Pebax material. The heel loop is a heat treated 7075 aluminum. Screws are swapped out for aluminum as well. The highback is now carbon infused and very responsive. All that adds up to almost 100 grams of weight savings.
Made in Montana, by splitboarders, for splitboarders
Spark makes great bindings that work when you need them too. Personally, I find the bindings to be a very nice combination of performance and reliability. Most of the bindings and equipment is made in-house at the Montana headquarters. Always nice to support a company in the US. Check out the Mens and Womens Pro bindings below – Surge and Arc.
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- Womens Pro Arc
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- Mens Pro Surge
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- Mens Pro Arc
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- Womens Pro Surge
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- Ibex Pro Crampon
Conclusion
If you are looking for a reliable, strong and lightweight splitboard binding – the Spark R&D Pro Surge is going to be a great choice. It takes everything I love about the Surge and makes it better. Better, lighter, stronger!
Men’s Spark R&D Surge Pro Binding $575
Men’s Spark R&D Arc Pro Bindings $540
Women’s Spark R&D Pro Surge Bindings $575
Women’s Spark R&D Pro Arc Bindings $540
See also –
Splitboard Binding Comparo Redux – Spark vs Karakoram 2016-2017
Karakoram Prime X Carbon Splitboard Bindings – The Peak of Touring
[…] Spark R&D Pro Surge Splitboard Bindings – Lighter and Stronger! […]
[…] Spark R&D make reliable splitboard bindings that use the tried and true puck system. They slide onto the pucks (there are now canted ones!) then lock into place. People love this system as it is self-cleaning and reliable. Spark also has fewer pieces on the bindings and risers, therefore, having fewer things to potentially break. In the backcountry, you don’t want things to break! If so, you better have tools and parts to repair it. Which is something I talk about in the video above. All things can break, you must be able to fix it or deal with it. See the detailed review for the Spark Surge Pro here – https://engearment.com/gear-review/spark-rd-pro-surge-splitboard-bindings-lighter-and-stronger/ […]