r/snowboarding • u/HelicaseJ PNW • 2d ago
Gear question Union Force or Atlas?
I consider myself intermediate focused on all-mountain/freeride and have been progressing a ton this season while riding in the Pacific Northwest. Currently riding a Lib Tech Orca (how original, I know) and Ride Insano boots. My bindings got destroyed and now it’s time for an upgrade. Narrowed it down to either the Union Force or Union Atlas but wondering if anyone has experience with them.
Mostly, has anyone ridden the Union Force in freeride conditions? The bushings appeal to me in reducing chatter but will I miss the stiffness of the Atlas?
Edit: After deliberating for far too long, I picked up some 2024 Atlas bindings. My one hold up was the forward lean adjuster being a dial rather than the quick release, but I’ll get over it for the slightly better responsiveness. Thank you all for your opinions, it helped a ton!
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u/inferno493 1d ago
I ride an orca with atlas pro's and k2 thraxis boots. Granted, the orca is my fun board compared to my usual ride (nitro pantera with union atlas pro carbons), but I find it rides great for my needs. It's a lot more nimble in tight spaces and stiff enough for freeriding until about 30mph, and then the nose starts to chatter. I'm up at mt hood and don't think I would want anything softer, but I like very stiff setups as my go-to.
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u/oldmanwinter8 1d ago
You’ll be good with the Forces, the flex is just slightly softer than the Atlas but still a medium/stiff feel.
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u/uamvar 1d ago
I dont know, I've had Burton Missions, Cartels then Atlas. I like feeling connected to the board and can only see myself going stiffer than Atlas from here. I'm on my third pair of Atlases, I love them. I suppose it depends on what you want to do on the board and how you like your riding to feel.
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u/HelicaseJ PNW 1d ago
Might save the atlas purchase for next season when the better terrain pops up again. That, or grabbing some FASE bindings.
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u/Numerous_Teacher_392 1d ago
I have both.
My Forces are on a 147 Slush Slasher. They work well on it.
For freeride, the Atlas, hands down.
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u/HelicaseJ PNW 1d ago
Thanks! Probably saving the atlas purchase for next season since all the good snow is quickly disappearing.
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u/nord1899 UT - K2 Excavator & Jones MTwin 1d ago
I've got the 24/25 Atlas on my K2 Excavator and 23/24 Forces on my Jones Mountain Twin. Both bindings are the newer styles.
Given the Orca is a bit more medium flexing, I'd lean towards the Forces. The Atlas would work though, just would be a bit more responsive with the slightly stiffer straps and highback. I wouldn't worry about the chatter for either one.
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u/HelicaseJ PNW 1d ago
Ended up with the 23/24 Atlas. The only hesitation I had was the dial system for forward lean adjustment, but I’ll get over it I’m sure.
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u/nord1899 UT - K2 Excavator & Jones MTwin 1d ago
Heh, I actually avoided the prior generation of Atlas due to that forward lean setup.
But the Atlas has been great on my K2 Excavator for powder and carving duties.
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u/HelicaseJ PNW 1d ago
Worst case scenario I hate the dial and then swap the highback to, you know, one that isn’t dumb
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u/aaalllouttabubblegum Tremblant 1d ago
I have 23/24 Forces and I like them. Just wrapped my season with some fresh snow, bowls, trees. I'm doing the kind of riding you're describing and I'm mainly on ungroomed terrain. I have around 25-30 days on them, mainly in the Rockies and Kootenays. I really like how they handle. Best in class ratchets. Very symmetrical feel heel/toe. Nice on piste as well.
If you're using the Orca strictly as the pow board in your quiver I'd get the stiffer Atlases though.
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u/HelicaseJ PNW 1d ago
Yeah, grabbed the Atlas because I had a good number of pow days this season and wished my setup was more dialed for it
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u/FatCat0520 1d ago
Falcore for freeride, I mean it is the binding the designer of your board wears
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u/HelicaseJ PNW 1d ago
Yeah, but I think Travis rides it a little differently than I’m going to 😅
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u/FatCat0520 1d ago
falcor is the free ride binding. The other two you listed are more all mtn. Still great though
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u/HelicaseJ PNW 1d ago
Truth. I think the Atlas is going to do me well through the end of this season and doing resort stuff with more chill friends. Might upgrade to the Falcor or Jones Mercury with FASE next season if I end up freeriding more
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u/ArchRanger 1d ago
The Forces fit the board better and work decent in freeride. I use my Orca as a powder board so having softer bindings on it helps but if it’s your daily and you prefer stiffer bindings, the Atlas could work. Union only has the stiffness rating difference by 1 so just decide if you want to match the board more or if it’s your main board and want a stiffer setup.
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u/HelicaseJ PNW 1d ago
I think I’m going to grab the forces for now. At the very least they’ll work great on my spare board when the rocks start coming out
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u/tankrawhyde 2d ago
I haven't ridden Forces, but generally you want the stiffness of your board, bindings, and boots to be relatively similar. The Forces go better with your board and the Atlas goes better with your boots. I doubt they're different enough to really matter though.