Expert Review: Salomon Hologram Snowboard Bindings
Butter. All photos courtesy of Clint Hobbs
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard bindings, which I purchased with my own money in November of 2016.
My take
The Salomon Hologram Snowboard Binding is a great all-mountain binding that is soft when I need it but stiffens up when the going gets rough. Intermediate to expert skiers will dig the Hologram if they are looking for a comfy binding that will not hold them back in big mountain riding situations. The 2022 model features a different highback that helps to lower the weight even more but still provides a responsive platform for turning. In addition, the heelstrap is more durable on the newer model and provides a nice ergonomic fit with minimal weight.
The Old Setup
About the bindings I own
- Model: 2016/2017 Salomon Hologram Snowboard Binding
- Size: Large
- Burton channel compatible: Yes
- Mini disc (reduces footprint of the binding on the board to enable more board feel): No
About me
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 200lbs
- Experience: 25 years of snowboarding
Test conditions
- When I bought these: November 2016
- Days tested: 150
- Board: 2015-2016 Salomon Sickstick and 2020-2021 Salomon FirstCall
- Boot: 2018 and 2021 Burton Photon and 2013 Burton Moto
- Where I’ve used it: Northeast (Jay Peak, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Sugarbush, Smugglers Notch, Burke, and Cannon)
- Terrain: Groomers, Glades, Moguls, Wide-Open Bowls, Terrain Park
How they perform
What I was looking for
I was looking for some new bindings that were good in all conditions. I wanted a binding with a strap that could go around my toe and wasn’t super heavy. I was looking for a nice medium-flex to medium-stiff flex.
When I first bought these bindings
Why I chose this gear
I really liked the Hologram because of the Kevlar wire that runs through the heel cup. The soft heel cups are nice for comfort, but the Kevlar helps stiffen the whole binding up when I charge hard.
I considered buying the Burton Cartel and the Union Force bindings, but I ended up going with the Hologram because of the Kevlar wire and soft heel cups. It intrigued me, and no one else was doing anything like it at the time. I am glad I pulled the trigger because this binding is still awesome 5+ years later.
Both Boards that I had these Bindings Mounted To
What I love about them
- Binding adjustability to boots: The straps have notches that are close together and allow for easy adjustability.
- Stance adjustability: I can ride these goofy/regular and up to 30 degrees. I have no complaints here.
- Comfort: The Salomon Hologram is a great binding for all-day comfort. The straps have a comfortable amount of cushion and durable stitching. The leather on the backside of the straps is a nice touch to add even more comfort. The medium flex makes my feet happy for days on end.
- Responsiveness: The Kevlar strap that connects the toes to the highback helps to make the Hologram comfy but snappy.
- Ease of turn initiation: This binding has a good snap and really helps to shift my board into the turns.
- Buttering: The Hologram bindings are a nice medium flex, and they butter pretty well.
- Straps: The straps really wrap around the foot well, and the toe strap helps lock the foot into place.
- Durability: The stitching on the ankle strap, the quality ratchets, the flexible straps, and the overall binding materials have allowed this binding to last. I have had these bindings for 5+ years, and they have held up. Overall the durability is unprecedented.
- Weight: This binding is nice and light and has some cutouts in the highback to help further lower the weight. This really helps to lower the weight of my overall setup and makes the board feel more nimble.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Shock absorption: The foam that the base plate is made of lasts a long time but is not the softest. An air bubble helps cushion large impacts, but I think Salomon could have done a better job using a softer material for the base plate/cushion.
- Carving: These bindings struggle with high-speed chop/chunder because of the medium flex. The binding softens when the chop/chunder is present, but it is harder to dig a good edge in because one has less control. It does make it more comfortable when straight lining through the chop/chunder.
- Buckles: The buckles can stick from time to time, and I had to replace the straps in the third year of ownership.
The Second Board I mounted these to
Favorite moment with this gear
I bought these bindings for a trip to Colorado, and they outperformed the board I mounted them to. I wanted a good all-around binding that could hold up to big mountain lines, and the Holograms performed when I needed them. In addition, the Kevlar string helped me lock my edge in when I was going fast.
Value for the money vs. other options
The Salomon Hologram bindings performed consistently for over five years. For value, I rank the Holograms at a 10 out of 10. For the price, one will get a binding with great engineering that outperforms all its competitors at the same price point. Similar options to the Hologram would be the Burton Cartel Bindings, the Ride C-8, and the Arbor Cyprus. All of these competitor bindings are great, but the Kevlar wire that connects the toe to the heel cup is what sets the Hologram apart. All other bindings around this price point are medium or stiff bindings. The Hologram is unique in that the Kevlar wire and soft heel cups allow the binding to get stiffer and softer as one is riding. No competitor offers a binding like this, which is why the Hologram has incredible value.
Final verdict
If someone is looking for an all-around awesome binding that is both comfortable and responsive, look no further. The Hologram is lightweight, highly adjustable, and lasts the test of time. Salomon knocked it out of the park with this binding, which will always perform, no matter the conditions.
