Buying Flow snowboard bindings - or about today's "step-in" snowboard bindings

I am in an exciting situation when they are looking for "step-in" snowboard bindings.

The production of real "click" entry snowboard bindings - similar to click-in ski bindings - ended in 2003. I know it's amazing that it hasn't been produced for 13 years, but it's true - this pioneering era ended then. It is also unbelievable to me that e.g. it is still sold in Király utca recommended as new, in unopened packaging. These bandages could pull the ankles and knees properly, and the soles were uncomfortable, hard, and thick. They were late to the plate and were not compatible with each other. Their place was taken by the so-called Flow bindings.

It's funny, but we are to Flow what Thailand is to Honda. It was the first scooter in the country and since then every scooter has been called a Honda - it can be a Suzuki or anything else. So, Flow was the first soft snowboard binding with a back opening in Hungary, and of course also in several other countries. This is the ancestor of today's modern "Step-in" bindings, and the newer, more modern "quick-entry" snowboard bindings also all chose this development path. The huge advantage of this solution is that it can be used with any classic, traditional, soft snowboard boot, and it won't tear your ankles and/or knees during unfortunate falls - unlike its click-on predecessors.
Flow bindings had no opponents for a long time, and their sizing was also extremely simple: they were sold in S/M and L/XL sizes, and that's it!

Since this is the oldest type of "backrest-opening" and "quick-entry" binding, it is also the only used "Step-in" system available on domestic forums.
With all due respect, it is worth knowing that several comments have arisen during the use of Flow:

1. If the straps are not pushed hard enough from the back, it will be very difficult or impossible to close the backrest at all.
2. The accuracy and tightness of the closure depends only on the kick.
3. The span of the straps holding the shoe is small, so the shoe wobbles in it, which is why the snowboard reacts late to tilting.
4. It is not possible to enter the binding in the traditional, ratcheting way, so a situation may arise where we cannot pick it up - for example, in deep snow or on very steep walls.
5. The support of the sole is rather poorly developed, there is no right or left foot shape, and the support of the toes is not successful either. Basically, it can be used well on a roughly flat, gently sloping, paved track - I recommend it mostly to beginners.

There are several companies that set out to correct the basic defects of Flow bindings, and they succeeded in doing so.

Today, it is expected for a modern binding to have two straps: the first one holds the toe of the shoe, and the upper one pulls the heel towards the heel. (The Flow binding does not know this, nor does it lift the upper strap before slipping in, making it easier to get into the binding.). The SP factory, which produces products from numerous brands (e.g. Nidecker, Trans, Bent Metal, Lib Tech, Salomon, APO, Stuff, etc.) has solved the problem that when opening the top strap - with the help of a spring switch - rises significantly, making access easier into the bond. With this, you hold the toe of the boot, which gives you a really good, precise hold. The support of the shoe is also good, the big toes can also participate in controlling the board, but after clicking on the backrest, we also have to click the spring switch. The price of the binding has become more favorable compared to Flow products, and their sizing has expanded: they are now available in S, M, L, XL sizes. However, there are not many used bindings for sale, because they are rarely replaced due to their flawless operation.

There are two companies, APO and K2, which were not satisfied with these developments either! They built a "two-in-one" quick-access, rear-opening system that remains a classic, top-entry, "look-in" snowboard binding. Although oral tradition in this country mostly calls them Flow bindings, their Western name is Dual Entry, i.e. snowboard bindings offering two entry options.
Knowing the following facts, it can be stated that the above two brands represent the pinnacle of the development of quick-entry snowboard bindings:

1. "Nosecap" bandages - less tiring on the ankles and faster heel-toeing.
2. The upper strap rises high, making it easier for us to enter, and then it closes by itself - no special movement is required, as with the products of the SP company.
3. We can also enter the joint in the traditional way and fix it with a high-quality metal ratchet. So the hold can be adjusted to perfection, we can put on the binding in deep snow, on a steep mountainside, or even while sitting.
4. These bindings also have a back bridge, so the support of the backrest is more solid.
5. The shape of the right and left feet has been worked out, so the toes are well supported, and our entire sole is involved in the control.
6. The stiffness of the binding frames has improved a lot, the difference compared to Flow bindings is noticeable. Their reaction time is better, they tip the board faster. For this reason, I recommend them for freeride use as well. (When the board is tilted, the sole of the Flow bindings rises up to one centimeter from the surface of the board.)
7. They are available in S, M, L, XL sizes.

Important info: Any back-opening, quick-entry binding can be used with any soft snowboard shoe. All other information is wrong!

It turns out from my description that I don't think Flow is a precise binding. But this is the only type of which there is a significant amount of used bandages. At least 50 used bindings are currently available in our shop, while almost none of its more modern counterparts are available. Worthy of its reputation as the founder of the system, it is the highest priced snowboard binding on the fast-entry market. According to my experience, on a managed track, it primarily makes life easier for beginners. 

New prices for quick-access or Step-in bindings (information):

• FLOW: HUF 40,000 - 120,000. I recommend it for foot size 36-45. Prices of used bandages: around HUF 20,000.
• SP FASTEC (Nidecker, Trans, Stuff, Libtech, etc.): HUF 35,000 - 60,000. I recommend between 32-45 foot sizes.
• APO Dual Entry: HUF 45,000 - 60,000. I recommend it for foot size 37-45.
• K2 Chinch: HUF 50,000 - 60,000. I recommend it for foot sizes 38-47.

I do not recommend any back-entry bindings for people with a foot size larger than 48.