Category: Snowjam

Snowjam X-II Bindings

This is my second season on the SnowJam X-II bindings, (known to some, as AX-1) and I figured I probably know them well enough to give you guys/gals a decent review.

Probably the best feature of these is what I call the “v-plate” feature thing. This is what houses the mounting screws. It is separate from the base plate, this gives you 1 inch of play to adjust your bindings forward or backwards. This is awesome because you don’t actually have to completely take out the screws to adjust them, just loosen those suckas up, and slide the binding forward or back. No handling of screws that you might drop in the snow, no need to take your gloves/mitts off! 1 inch doesn’t sound like much, but it really makes a noticeable difference when you are riding shorter boards in powder.

The “v-plate” and bail plates adjust in 2.5 mm increments, and it’s easy to get and quick to get them adjusted to the right size. There are even numbers you can match to your boot’s sole length to make it super easy and user friendly.

The board interface is a rubber sheet thing that matches the base plate. This won’t give you as much precise edge control as the Bomber Elites (those have metal board interface) but on the plus side, it does dampen some vibrations and allows for pretty decent edge control.

I’ve heard of some people having problems with the mounting screws loosening up, personally I haven’t had this problem, but the screw holding the back bail plate get loose frequently. If this happens to you, just get some lock-tite and put a drop on the screws! Not much of a problem!

There is one thing that I really dislike and is annoying about these bindings. The front clip gets caught in the bail if it slides to much to one side, and pretty much locks it in the open position. The more you try to force it, the more is gets caught. What you have to do, is slide it back to the center be able to close it. I never had this problem with any other binding.

So to wrap it up, these binders are pretty damn decent for the price! If you don’t want to spend a lot of dough for Bomber bindings, these will sacrifice a bit of performance due in part to the rubber interface, but you’ll save 75 + dollars!

Rider – Jason Roussel – Expert Skiboarder Co-Founder Skiboardmagazine.com

Extreme II bindings held up to lots of abuse…

My friend picked up these bindings along with a pair of 90cm Snowjam boards around 2004. He was around 200 lbs and rode them very hard for a long time, after that I rode them for several years. They held up very, very well against both our riding. They seemed somewhat heavy but were very strong. After several years of abuse they started to slightly strip in some areas. They’re still usable 6 years later. The Snowjam boards that came along with the bindings lasted less than a year after my friend cracked the base of one of them.

(Rider/Webmaster Skiboardmagazine.com) Courtney – Expert Skiboarder

Extreme II bindings didn’t hold tight…

This was my first non-release binding. At first it was fine, because I had nothing else to compare.

When I was coming down the hill, I just fell. Didn’t know what was the problem. Next thing I noticed was that one of my skiboards was gone. Back then I didn’t have a leash so I had to spend a good hour finding my skiboard. Binding came loose while riding. I had to make sure it was all tight before riding. After that, I got another pair of bindings (Bomber Elite 2) and I could totally tell the difference between these two bindings.

The Extreme II binding was out of my sight. I don’t think it is was very good for hard-carving, ice riders. or in the park…

I don’t feel like it was holding as tight as the Elite 2s.

(Rider) Jeaho Park – Intermediate Skiboarder

Extreme II offers good price, but one issue…

Okay so I’ve ridden these bindings very hard about 8 or 9 days this season, and overall I’m fairly pleased. I really like the metal that Snowjam made them with because it makes them feel extremely sturdy which they are. The only thing I don’t like is how they are mounted onto the skiboard itself. In the center of the binding they have like a crossing V thing going on. On the end of each V is 2 screws, and that’s how the binding is mounted. Ive been having problems with one of my bindings. After about 3 or 4 runs, I would have to tighten my left binding because it constantly kept wiggling loose. After a while it really started to piss me off. Other than that these bindings are a good first pair of bindings for someone who wants to spend a little less money. From what I hear Bomber Elites are probably the best ever made so next season ill pick up a pair of those.

(Rider) Dylan – Intermediate Skiboarder

Extreme II offer great value…

Snowjam Extreme II bindings are a great pair of bindings. At a relatively low price, they provide great value for their dollar. These bindings are all aluminum and have a relatively thin rubber riser. They aren’t the most pretty bindings in the world, but they get the job done. The are easy to adjust, and hold the boot in well. They have also been extremely durable in the time that I have used them, especially in the park.. I have never had a problem with these bindings, except from stripping the nuts.

(Rider) Ty Bereskie – Expert Skiboarder

Snow Jam Quick Adjust bindings do the trick…

The Snow Jam Quick Adjust bindings are a simple yet effective binding for the lighter rider. It’s not intended to be used in the park, rather on groomers by a lighter rider.

The bindings themselves are made of composite plastic and do exactly what they are called, adjust very quickly on the fly. There is a lever both at the toe and heal of the binding, on the bails, that flip up to adjust and back down to lock the bail back into place. This makes it super easy to adjust on the hill if need be. But this also can pose a problem.

If you are riding these bindings hard or in the park, they have a tendency to come lose and release at an undesired time. They also are not made from strong metal material like Line FF Pro’s or Bombers, or even SnowJam’s ExtremeII bindings. This makes it very difficult for the heavier rider to feel comfortable with these strapped to their feet.

I have used these in the past as ‘rental’ bindings for friends who are lighter and want to try out some of my skiboards. I don’t actively use them myself as I am over 6 feet tall and weight over 200lbs.

They are what they are, simple, easy to adjust bindings for lighter riders who aren’t going to be hitting the park.

(Rider/Webmaster Skiboardreview.com) Andrew Deehr – Intermediate Skiboarder