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So I'm a little biased toward the Karakoram bindings, but Spark makes a fantastic product too. You can't really go wrong. For me, the Karakoram Superlights have been the best performing, most durable bindings I've ever used (solid or split), and the touring performance is amazing. Here is last year's Karakoram ISPO video:

http://youtu.be/xH5L8SP2CDc

I wouldn't let a heel lock down option make or break your decision. Karakoram isnt the only binding with heel lock down capability.

What other binding has heel lock down?

So with Karakorum you get a cheaper board? I don't get it.

Voile with Spark (350 Blaze LT or 380 Burner), $100 for universal kit, so $450 or $480. You may also be able to piece out for less without the touring brackets, but I don't care to look that up. Karakorum - $600.

So what is the $100 less coming from? Or am I just missing something?

Triad price just dropped to $199 through the end of the year.

The technology in the karakorams is amazing. There is something like 130 parts to a binding. Being designed and mostly produced in WA state is pretty rad as well. They are however a very complicated binding from the initial setup to the construction. I was helping a friend set his split30's up yesterday and it was a down right pain the the butt. Once they are setup they require no more maintanance than any other binding. For me, I just can't spend the money for a majorly more intricate and complicated setup, I couldn't even imagine plowing a screw or breaking a rivet on a tour. With that said though, guys have hundreds of days on them so there is def a bit of proven reliability.

I just love the sturdy, simple and easy to use sparks. Been riding em for 3 seasons and have never had anything break. You simply bolt on your pucks, slide the bindings on and go. If you have a very good DIY or facotry split, the ride is great. Have taken many groomed runs on my splits and never thought, Damn I wish I spent more on my bindings or wished I had my solid board.

Hey Doug!!

I was just about to mention this^ but Ken beat me too it!!
Seriously good deal

George

Relatively new to splitboarding. earlier in the post there is a comparison of bindings, which cut and paste here:

"
1. Current solid board bindings with Voile Universal kit.
Pros -> Cheap
Cons -> Heavy, Clunky and increased height.

2. Spark R and D with Voile kit.
Pros -> Establish player, burton binding hardware, lighter and more specific than option 1.
Cons -> The cost with the voile kit and binding is almost as expensive as Karakoram. Edison not released until December Spark tell me.

3. Karokoram binders. (I understand they come with the interface needed)
Pros -> Lightest and slickest. New heel lock-down on the horizon
Cons -> Most expensive and reports of breakages.
"

How does the Triad for only $199 compare to these other options?

They kick ass! Buy with confidence.

Sparks are lighter when you include all the hardware for both systems (bindings, pucks, bases, touring components, etc).

Oh, that is interesting. Do you have any precise numbers?

Yes, I would be interested in numbers too. Karakoram touring system looks bit heavier compared to others. And I think Karakoram doesn't include weight of the mounting plate in ride mode in their binding weights. As a owner of Sparks I'd like to think that weight difference isn't that big