Expert Review: Bent Metal Joint Snowboard Bindings · 2022

About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard bindings, which I purchased with my own money in February of 2023.

My take

The Bent Metal Joint is a great binding and can be used for many different terrains and conditions. With a unique high back design and allows a much more flex feel while boarding. This binding is great for a rider looking for more forgiving and playful binding,

About the gear

• Model: 2022 Bent Metal Joint
• Size: Large
• Burton channel compatible: No
• Mini disc (reduces footprint of the binding on the board to enable more board feel): Regular disc

About me

• Height: 6’2”
• Weight: 175lbs
• Experience: 10 years of snowboarding

Test conditions

• When I demoed these: February 2023
• Days tested: 13
• Board: 2022 SIMS Bowl Squad
• Boot: 2022 Ride Fuse
• Where I’ve used it: Brighton Resort, Woodward Park City
• Terrain: Park, resort groomers, powder, side country

How they perform

What I was looking for

I wanted to see what kind of difference the Bent Metal binding had to offer ride feel and tech-wise. I have always been interested in the highback design and wanted to see how it flexes and reacts while riding on it. I also wanted something with a medium-soft flex rating.

Why I chose to test this gear

I had a great offer to test and use the bindings for a 13-day period with great weather. I was stoked and took the offer up. I also really wanted to test this model for a good while. There are multiple other Bent Metals that are also top-tier choices from the line, like the Axtion binding, which is a solid high back and very different from the Joint binding. But I chose the Joint over it because the flex rating was more inviting. I might consider buying these next winter for my park setup because of how much I liked the flex rating feel on snow.

What I love about them

• Stance Adjustability/Adjustability: This binding has good adjustment with the cube lean forward adjuster on the high back. It uses a large axis disc when it comes to stance and angle.
• Comfort: Very comfy binding for my lower leg and feet. When straps tighten down, everything pushes at the correct points.
• Responsiveness: Very responsive binding. It adjusts to where my weight is placed over the board very quickly, allowing me to flick the board around in any direction I please.
• Carving: These bindings are great while turning the deck in any condition. Just hug the boot in the right way to allow full use of toe to heel motion, making turning feel better.
• Buttering: Joint is one of the best bindings I have ever used for buttering. It helps big time with flexing the deck out to the max.
• Straps: I love the feel of the power ankle strap, and it is very light. The perfect-fitting toe strap locks me into the binding.
• Buckles: The buckles on this binding are forged aluminum, very strong, and light as well.
• Weight: This is a very lightweight binding by design and one of the lightest in the lineup with the hollow high back, allowing better flex and lighter weight overall.
• Other: The cool colorway choices work with many different deck designs and colors.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Shock Absorption: The padding is lacking on this binding overall, in my opinion. The high back is nice and light but does not provide enough padding. Same with the baseplate as well.
• Durability: During the time I was testing, some of the ankle strap adjustment on the binding got damaged and was unusable, making it impossible to adjust or change the ankle strap size. Also, with how light this binding is, I don’t see it holding up to a super big impact very well at all.

Favorite moment with this gear

My favorite moment while riding on the 2022 Joint binding was a warmer overcast day at Woodward Park City. They had just set up some new rail features, like the big double kink rail, which I back 50-50ed with the Bent Metals. It felt amazing and was the highlight of using the Joint bindings.

Value for the money vs. other options

The value of this binding and its price point are very fair for what one gets. It’s a binding with an amazing board feel for a mid-range price. Another model binding with a similar feel would be the Union Strata, which is also a great binding but a bit more expensive. The 2022 Bent Metal Joint binding is a quality deal with great value.

Final verdict

I really enjoyed my time on the Bent Metal Joint binding. It was super playful and easy to get used to while riding different terrain. It is a great binding for any level rider as well. Overall I enjoyed buttering with these the most over anything else. The 2022 Bent Metal Joint is a quality mid-range binding.