Flow M9 Snowboard Binding - 2011

I bought a set of the 2010 M9's last year -- I don't love anything more than my bindings.

Can't even tell you how great it is to push off the lift, slide your foot in and lock the backs without even stopping. I love turning around to see all my pals sitting on the ground, or fighting with their straps when I'm just ready to go, and waiting on them.

Their design provides for a little more weight than a traditional strap binding, however, you can counter this by going with a little more expensive model. Both the M11's and the NXT-ATSE's feature aluminum base-plates and siding. Much more durable, and much lighter than their other models. I'm picking up a set of NXT's next week for this exact reason.

As per Chaoz's post: be smart about your purchase. You can obviously tell from the image (when you use your eyes) that the top-strap is not true black. These are high-res images, and easily provide accurate colors. You can tell the strap is a little white-washed.

Closing, these bindings make getting in and starting the run completely effortless; they're quick, innovative and comfortable. Tons of flexibility and response. You'll feel solid, and once more, you'll look solid. Randoms will envy you, and your friends will hate you.

A must buy for any serious rider.

I recently switched from traditional bindings to the Flow M9's. For starters, they're a lot more comfortable because they distribute pressure from the strap across the top of your feet. Once you tune them in, they are A LOT easier to get in and out of. And they are very responsive on the mountain... much better feel than the ratchet bindings I've owned.

However, the M9's are a bit more narrow than any other bindings. I wear a 10.5 boot and usually go with Large size bindings. But when I step-in and make the strap adjustments...I had trouble closing the highbacks...because my boots were a little too wide. I switched out my boots and now the binding fits perfectly.

Also, be patient when trying to adjust them on your first day riding. It took me a couple of runs to figure out that I didn't have to tighten the stap all the way down to get a proper fit.

I'd recommend these to anyone.

Was super easy and fast to strap in after lifts, but was constantly cramping my feet after runs! I wonder if all flows do that?

Anyways was forced to go back to the good ole strap bindings. May take an extra 20 seconds to put on, but my feet weren't dying after every run...

These flows are just sitting in my closet now, collecting dust.

ok guys, I was a Flow fan, and I have m9 and The Five.Bought other bindings at the end, the brand doesn't matter but with classic construction(And i wasn't alone with this move).Probably it's my foot or boot or something in between, but the I-Flex powerstrap doesn't really provide the right feel of the board, especially the upper part, it works fine on a prepared slope, but for serious mountains and rude surfaces it's not the right thing.Just try and compare by yourself, i have friends who love their Flows still and say they're super great for them and they have that "response" etc, me not.Choose what works best for you, my view is just another opinion.

I tried my new Flow M9's out last week in Colorado at Breck, Vain and Copper. No problems adjusting the binding untill they felt perfect. After hitting the sweet spot I did not make any other adjustments all week. It was great to be able to take right off from the lifts and lock in on the fly. My friends that ski appreciated not having to wait on me.

So i gave this review 4 stars because i never actually used the bindings and don't want to discourage people from buying them. This is more of an FYI for anyone looking to get these in the Rat Rod color. In the pictures above and on the FLOW website itself, the 3D toe strap looks black. This is actually not the case, the top of it is black but it looks as though someone spilled a container of bleach on it. I originally thought this was a manufacturing defect, but after receiving a second pair i realized it was intended as even they suffered from the same result. So yeah i get it bindings are about performance and not so much as looks, but personally if i am going to spend 200+ dollars on brand new bindings i want them to at least look nice before i destroy them on the mountain.

Ended up going with the M11's. I'll post a review about their performance after i break them in. I would encourage dogfunk to add more pictures of this binding in Rat Rod so no one has to go through the same experience.