About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the bindings, which I purchased with my own money in December of 2022.

My take

The Union Trilogys are a solid quiver-of-one binding for almost anyone except an absolute beginner out on the slopes. These bindings are a comfortable medium/stiff flex that can help an up-and-coming rider hone their skills while still being able to support an advanced female who is charging the mountain.

About the bindings I own

• Model: Union Trilogy 2023
• Size: Medium
• Burton channel compatible: Yes
• Mini disc: No

About me

• Height: 5’7”
• Weight: 130lbs
• Experience: 23+ years of snowboarding

Test conditions

• When I bought these: December 2022
• Days tested: 5+
• Board: Season Nexus & GNU Barrett
• Boot: Salomon Ivy
• Where I’ve used it: Utah and Oregon
• Terrain: Powder, Groomers, Trees, Park, Icy chop

How they perform

What I was looking for

I was on the hunt for a pair of medium to stiff all-mountain bindings that could accommodate a pretty aggressive riding style while still being flexy enough to go into the park if I so desired. I go through the trees a lot, so I wanted something that would be responsive and quick to maneuver.

Why I chose this gear

Union has a solid reputation, and the Trilogy’s were their medium/stiff all-mountain binding. I owned the Juliet’s previously but was looking for something a little more damp and responsive. I considered the NOW Conda’s and also bought them for my other board. I also looked at the Salomon Highlander bindings, which I really loved too, but they were a little higher in price. I also looked at the Union Legacy but chose to go away from the mini disc.

What I love about them

• Binding adjustability in boots: These are pretty easy to adjust all around. There are two screws (one on each side) of the bottom of the highback and there are three holes on each side to choose from. This helps adjust not only the angle, but also helps to center the boot very easily in the binding. I just need a screwdriver.
• Stance adjustability: The disc can be run horizontally so this accommodates a very wide array of stances. The bindings do not limit my stance in any way—pretty much as wide/narrow as the board allows me to go; these bindings can play along.
• Comfort: There is a fair bit of padding under foot that offers a comfortable fit. Both straps are made from a grippy thermoplastic material that seems to bend quite well laterally and stretch over my boot easily. I don’t get any pressure points from these. I will say, compared to the NOW Conda’s that I bought right around the same time, these do not feel as comfortable.
• Shock absorption: I would say these fall right in the middle as far as dampness and shock absorption. Going over bumpy icy terrain or landing jumps they help dampen a board for sure. They absorb shock way better than the Union Milans, for example, but are not as damp or shock absorbent as the Condas.
• Carving: I had no problems carving. I have gone as fast as I want to and have made big swooping carves or faster smaller carves, and these hold up fine. There is a decent lateral twist to the highbacks while still being fairly stiff and supportive, so it is a nice mix when carving fast.
• Ease of turn initiation: I have had no problem initiating turns with these bindings. I like to turn fast and go through tight trees a lot and they are very supportive. From a high beginner to an advanced rider, I think these bindings can help initiate slow and fast turns fine.
• Buttering: They actually do pretty well while buttering. They could be taken into the park even though they lean towards being a stiffer binding. They do not use the mini disc so they are a bit stiffer underfoot due to that, but I still felt like they buttered okay.
• Straps: The straps are very grippy. I haven’t had any pressure points, and they seem to hold great. They are made of a thermoplastic material like I mentioned, and I find that they conform nicely over my boot and even if I ratchet them down really tight they don’t put uneven pressure anywhere.
• Buckles: The buckles are super smooth, and I haven’t ever had them come undone. They use magnesium buckles, so they’re also really lightweight.
• Durability: I find that so far they have been very durable. The coloring started to wear off after a few uses where the highback meets the baseplate, but otherwise they are still in great condition so far. I also find that Union as a company is exceptional in their warranty/replacement department so if there is ever an issue they seem like they’d take care of it quickly.
• Weight: I find these to be very lightweight and comfortable to use.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Responsiveness: Next to the Skate Tech that NOW and Jones uses, these are not as responsive. But compared to any binding that does not use Skate Tech, they do a great job. I don’t have any problems in this regard, and they are very solid.
• Other: I expected the padding on the baseplate to fold up to install the bindings, but they are the only pair of bindings I have owned that require a screwdriver to remove the padding on the baseplate to get to the disc underfoot. So, there is a small extra step needed to adjust my stance. I have to undo the screw, slide the base padding straight out, and then I can access the disc to adjust my stance. This isn’t a huge problem, but it is one more screw to potentially lose if one’s adjusting their stance up on the mountain.

Favorite moment with this gear

One day stands out that was really enjoyable at Mammoth Mountain. These bindings ripped all day, down steeps, across the mountain and back. It wasn’t an overly snowy day, however, so by the afternoon we were on the hunt for pow stashes. One lift we went to had no lines and tight trees down the side. We weaved in and out of these trees for the last few hours of the day and it was a blast. There was still some pow due to how tight the trees were, and it felt like a little secret adventure inside of a big resort.

Value for the money vs. other options

I would compare these to the Burton Lexas or the Arbor Sequoias. The Lexas fall a bit higher in price, while the Sequoias are a bit cheaper. Overall, I think the Trilogy’s are worth their cost. They are a high-quality binding that does everything pretty well. They seem durable and I think they would be worth the investment.

Final verdict

For an intermediate or advanced female rider, the Trilogys would be a solid choice for someone looking for an all-mountain binding that can do everything well. Whether hitting the park or the backside, these bindings have a medium flex that can keep up. I didn’t find that anything about these bindings really stood out above and beyond. Union doesn’t seem to have any technology that is specific to Union. That being said, nothing stands out as bad about these bindings, either. They’re a safe bet if one wants to go with a widely known brand and they aren’t quite sure what they want.