Salomon Quantum 2020 - 2014 Review by The Good Ride

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The Salomon Quantum is a binding we have tried at the demo for years now but this year we had it for a good while and compared it to many bindings we know well. It isn’t the call for those like me that need a lot of adjustability but for those that like a semi plug and play ride with a shit ton of response this could work.

The 2020 Salomon Quantum got a new footbed similar to the Hologram that has more shock absorption and the highback has a different compound making it more durable and maybe even stiffer/meaner than before.

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews.  We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

How This Review Happened:  We borrowed this for an extended demo and then returned it.

Days: 10+
Riders:  James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-195lbs), Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs),Grant (Size 11 6’ 160lbs),  Nick (Size 10, 160lbs, 5’8”) 
Boots: Adidas Tactical 
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles, Footprint Insole Technology Gameghangers Low Profile
Boards: Gentemstick Mantaray 156, Korua Dart, Korua Pencil, Yes Optimistic, Korua Otto, Salomon Taka,

Similar (but not the same) Bindings we compared it to- Union Atlas, Union Strata, Union Falcor, Salomon Highlander, Burton Genesis X, Salomon Hologram,

About Salomon Shadow Tech we’ll be referencing throughout this written review: So this is a soft heel loop that has some kevlar ropes that start from the center of the base plate to give you a lot of edge to edge response. It’s the only soft heel loop we know of in the industry and it’s been around for a while now. It freaked us out before we tried it but after one turn all concerns went out the door. Now I often forget to mention it like in the review above.

Highback Flex: Soo stiff. I couldn’t twist it or pull it back at all. This is not really my type of highback but many in our crew loved it. The one saving grace for me was it didn’t bite much or at all into my calves. Also, the soft heel loop in the Shadow Tech has flex so even though the highback doesn’t twist or flex the heel loop does a little so maybe that’s why it didn’t bite.

Binding to Boot Adjustability: So because of this Shadow Tech forward lean and highback rotation share the same adjustment area on the Salomon Quantum. The strap adjustability is top-notch and there is an adjustable gas pedal so you can get your toes lined up correctly on it so you can get the response you should. Having an adjustable gas pedal is good but it doesn’t help you center the boot on a binding as an adjustable heel loop does. You will have to rely on the disc for that.

Stance Width Adjustability: If you can center the binding/boot on board there is decent stance width adjustability. Not the best but middle to upper-middle on the adjustability spectrum. What is cool about the Salomon discs is the little plastic attachment that keeps the screws on the binding. It’s really great unless you want to mount these on an EST board. Then it takes a lot of extra work to get the screws out. Overall it’s a plus though for those that have traditional inserts.

Comfort: Usually super-stiff highbacks with no rotation like the Salomon Quantum has are a deal-breaker for me. It wasn’t a season maker either but I didn’t come home with a sore calf from it biting into me either so that was a good surprise. The straps and the overall binding is comfortable for most.

Boot Support: You would think the soft heel loop with Shadow tech would leave your ankle exposed to things our bodies aren’t made for but I don’t know how or why but they felt just as supported on the Salomon Quantums as they did with normal heel loops. The ankle strap isn’t super big and pretty similar to the Highlanders and we thought it would be bigger/more supportive for this model. It gives good support but also lets you move. Also, the ability to lean easy tip to tail with the soft heel loop is a really cool thing and that doesn’t happen with super responsive bindings like this. So for most having this response and freedom of movement combined together could really work but for those that want to be really locked in, might not like this feel.

Turn Initiation/Response: Comparing the Salomon Quantum to my Union Falcor really showed what it could do. It really powered all the different boards well and was right on par response wise with some of the most responsive bindings I’ve tried. I don’t think it’s a good match for an easier turning board. It likes boards that take some work to turn.

Feel Under Foot/Buttering: Usually, a binding like this isn’t a good butter binding. It was just a touch behind the Falcor but that’s debatable depending on the rider and a little bit behind softer foam mini-disc Union bindings and Burton Re:Flex but way way closer than I initially thought it would be before straight-up comparing them ont he same board with the same boots and bindings. I think it’s because of the minimal contact the binding has with the board thanks to all the milled out areas with EVA foam in it but my theory is it’s mainly because of the soft heel-loop allows you to lean much more tip to tail and give you more leverage than the average binding. The boards didn’t feel softer or stiffer underfoot either so the overall board’s personality wasn’t altered much by putting the Salomon Quantum’s on.

Ratchet System: Pretty smooth and easy. They never brought any attention to us in a bad way and that’s all you want from ratchets/straps.  They seem reliable and should last a long time. They were easy to slap off at the end of a run too.

Shock Absorption: These aren’t like NOW bindings which to us are at the top of the industry but they were near the top. The heels have a good bit of damp EVA foam and so does the toe. It can handle uneven terrain very well and the canted footbed aligns most joints better to reduce fatigue/stress on em. The new footbed has more EVA foam so it’s better than past year models.

I personally felt the Highlander would be all I ever need response wise and I don’t need a high back this stiff without highback rotation. That being said, some of our crew was super into this binding when they rode it…..even though they all weren’t around when I reviewed the binding. Apparently they need to earn a living or something like that instead of fuck around every day with me.