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

My take

The Union Airblaster Inverter 1260s are fantastic all-mountain bindings that hold up in powder, in the park, and rip on groomers. They’re geared toward riders who want to hit all parts of the mountain.

About the bindings I own

• Model: 2023 Union Inverter 1260s
• 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: 185 lbs
• Experience: 15+ years of snowboarding

Test conditions

• When I bought these: January 2023
• Days tested: 20
• Board: GNU Riders Choice
• Boot: ThirtyTwo Lights
• Where I’ve used it: Snowbird, Solitude, Brighton, Stratton, Windham, Mountain Creek
• Terrain: Powder, glades, groomers, park

How they perform

What I was looking for

I was looking for a new pair of all-mountain bindings so I would not have to keep switching bindings between my boards. I needed a binding that could handle anything the mountain would throw my way.

Why I chose this gear

I chose these bindings because I love the limited-edition collaboration with Airblaster. I enjoy the bright colors and the fact that they are very unique. The Inverters are based off of the Force, so I knew I would be getting a quality binding that would be very well rounded.

What I love about it

• Binding adjustability in boots: The toe straps, ankle straps, and footpad have multiple points of adjustment to ensure the boot fits snugly.
• Stance adjustability: The Inverter has a full-angle adjustment on the base, as well as high-back adjustability to ensure I find my perfect stance and lean.
• Comfort: The premium straps and cushioned footbed really give a comfortable and luxurious feel. They really help me with foot fatigue during a full day on the slopes.
• Shock absorption: The Inverters do a fantastic job of absorbing shock with medium-sized jumps, side hits, and on medium-sized rails and boxes. The canted footbeds also help with shock distribution and comfort.
• Responsiveness: These bindings are medium to stiff and are very responsive. They give me a true-to-board feel. This helps greatly with executing deeper carves and when more precise movements and adjustments are needed in the park.
• Carving: The Inverters allow the user to execute deeper carves than they may be able to do with a more beginner-friendly binding. This is due to the medium stiffness, as well as the precise feel the straps give the user.
• Ease of turn initiation: The stiffness of the Inverters gives a very responsive feel, and provides the rider with easy turn initiation.
• Buttering: The Inverters are fantastic for buttering, allowing the rider to lean in and flex presses and butters.
• Straps: The straps used for the Inverters are premium options that give a true locked-in feel. They are of great quality, and I do not foresee any issues.
• Buckles: The buckles are heavy-duty and have not provided any issues with loosening mid-run. They are very easy to latch down and also release.
• Other: The detail in the footpads and high backs is unlike any other I’ve seen. The footpad has the Airblaster pterodactyl engraved in them, which really pop when snow fills in their outline.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Durability: These bindings are not the most durable and already show signs of graphic wear and color chipping. Though other than aesthetic signs of wear, there is no structural damage.
• Weight: These bindings are average weight and do not stand out as overly heavy or light.

Favorite moment with this gear

My favorite moment with these bindings was when I fully realized the added responsiveness they offer compared to my old pair. It was in knee-deep flakes at Snowbird. They really allowed me to surf all that powder with dialed-in precision.

Value for the money vs. other options

The Inverter 1260s are a premium binding with a premium price tag. For those looking to purchase a premium binding and save some money, The Union Force or the Bent Metal Transfers may be better options. These options are cheaper, as they are not limited-edition collabs. The Union Force and Bent Metal Transfers are also not as bright and vibrant, which will offer a more toned-down appearance.

Final verdict

The Union Inverter 1260s are perfect for the rider looking for a bright, unique binding that can handle all aspects of the mountain.