Arbor Cypress Binding Review

I’ve been riding since 1989 and am an advanced rider who rides everything and knows how to lay down turns.

I’ve been using his bindings since their first season and if you buy the current version of the Cypress (with their V3 straps) you are seriously getting a no-compromise, and in my opinion, near absolutely perfect snowboard binding for all mountain riding and even advanced freestyle riding.

Also I don’t feel there’s been a change in the sizing because I’ve used the same boot through the three bindings I’ve had?

Anyhow important point to make that was missed in the review above is that they are from my knowledge the only Snowboard binding company that makes a dedicated 9 to 11 M/L size binding that actually STANDS THE EXACT SAME HEIGHT as the L/XL size when side by side. The only difference is the slightly narrower heel cup and binding tray.

Why is this important? I’m 6 foot tall and need the same height/size highback as the 6 foot guy with a 11+ boot as our legs and bodies are no different. Previously I was using the medium Burton Malavita binding but had to really over-crank my forward lean because the high-back wasn’t finishing as far up the back of my boot as I needed it too, and how I liked it on the Burton large bindings. Unfortunately though they had too much play in the heel cup and tray for me. Personally this is something I think all binding company should address their medium Bindings shouldn’t be any shorter in height than the large ones or at least give the option of a version for a taller high back.

This was actually the primary reason for me to give these Bindings a try but when I did try them, my god, that XBASE absolutely works a treat and you can really feel the power transfer toe to heal but also dampening from that EVA foot bed…wow. Now when I look at the base of any other manufacturers Bindings I’m like “meh, prehistoric design by comparison! Also that narrow midpoint truly does allow the board to twist torsionally nicely.

Did the paint flake off on my aluminium heel cup? Yes but who cares lol. Did the ratchet and straps on the first production year were a bit weak and hurt? Yep, but the current V3 one is next level, even the V2 one was fantastic but the one piece strap and mesh of the current version give even better control, comfort and hold.

The highback, to me, is the perfect combination of stiffness vertically but still allowing some nice torsional flex for more feel in your turns and also taking your board into the park. Also the fact that the new forward lean block requires a screwdriver to change it, to me, that’s a good thing because the tool-less flip ones can, overtime, get loose and that’s actually the reason they changed it. Also really once you know you forward lean preference you rarely change it again anyway.

The paint started chipping/flaking off where the heal cup touches my boot after using these once. Its also coming off on the ratchets just from tightening the straps. I emailed Arbor about this twice over the course for three weeks and still haven't heard back. Due to the poor quality and lack of customer service I cant say I'll be getting their products in the future.

I so wanted to leave these a good review because the performance is great but a binding at this price point should have a durable paint finish that doesn't flake off after one use.

V poor build quality.

1- The Heelcup adjustment screws are frozen into place and are impossible to loosen. After exerting some mild force with a screwdriver, the crosshead on the screw completely disintegrated like it was made from putty. Now, it is unadjustable.

2- The screws they supply for the mini disc to be mounted onto the board, are too short. That means they barely turn once in the screw slot on the board, which in turn means that the binding cannot be mounted onto the board securely.

3- It has by far the worst ratchet system I have ever tried (and I've been riding for 20 years). They stick when you try to fasten them and require brute force and risking your fingernail to unfasten them.

4- The so-called "toothless forward lean system" they rave on about is atrocious. It is stuck in place and will not move. And it is not "toothless".

5- The cross-shaped dampening material that sits between the Chassis and the board is not cut or shaped properly so it does not remain in place when the binding is not on a board.

I can go on.

It has been a long time since I was so disappointed in a product that certain online forums recommend so highly.
To think that they can sell this at a premium price is laughable.

I've never used them on the mountain and do not intend to either. These problems were encountered after unboxing them. I'm going to send them back tomorrow.

What a joke.