Positives

  • Very Fast Response
  • Very Adjustable

Negatives

  • Not as Damp as the Atlas
  • Ultra Stiff Highback Bites into calves
  • Fatiguing if you ride all day

Summary

The Union Atlas FC is not super light or damp, but it is very responsive. If you ride in great conditions and love a super responsive binding this could work.

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Riding Level Advanced - Expert
Quick Release No
Manufactured in China and Italy
Canted Footbed Yes
Burton Channel Compatible Yes
Mini disc No
Approx. Weight Feels Normal
Flex

Stiff

Boot Support

Firm

Turn Initiation

Fast

Buttering

Medium

Binding Adjustability Great
Stance Adjustability Excellent
Comfort Average
Ratchet System Excellent
Shock Absorption Poor

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Union Atlas FC Written Review Review by The Good Ride

Here is my take as an average rider of the Union Atlas FC Snowboard Binding Review but with exceptional snowboard binding experience.

The 2023 and 2024 Union Atlas FC is very similar to the 2021 model I reviewed but it got a new high back shape like the Atlas did.

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.

A Breakdown of How it rides and who it is for

Union Atlas FC Review - The Good Ride

How This Review Happened: I borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back.

Size: Medium
Days: 2
Conditions: Some wet, soft, windy snow and good but uneven snow.
Rider: James (Size 9, 5’10”, 185-190lbs)  
Boots: Burton Kendo, Ride Fuse
Insoles: F.I.T. Gamechangers
Redundancy: Strapins in case boots or bindings break.
Jacket: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Tusk Jacket, Volcom Guide Jacket
Pant: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt,
Boards: Gnu Gremlin, Nidecker Mellow,

Similar (but not the same) Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Atlas Pro, Salomon Quantum, Nitro Phantom Carver, Now O-Drive, Rome Cleaver, Jones Apollo

How It Was Tested

One day I rode the Atlas FC solo. Then I rode my Atlas first, then Atlas Pro and then Atlas FC. I did these all on the same run with the same boots (Burton Kendos) and same board (Gnu Gremlin)

Weight

2.0lbs. That isn’t super light compared to many other stiff high end bindings. Most are at 1.8lbs but it is lighter than the Atlas Pro and Atlas both at 2.2lbs.

Highback Flex

There is no flex with the Union Atlas FC. I literally couldn’t get the highback to flex. You can’t rotate it very easily either so it isn’t good for those that have big calves.

Flex Underfoot

The Union Atlas FC, like all Atlas models, stiffens up the board but doesn’t make it feel dead. I like the full size disc feel for turning more than buttering.

Turn Initiation/Response

The Union Atlas FC is incredibly fast/responsive. It’s the most responsive Union binding I think I’ve ever tried. I never felt I needed more than what I got from my Atlas but some do. If you do this is the one.

Shock Absorption & Dampness

The regular Atlas isn’t super shock absorbent, the Atlas Pro is less and the Atlas FC is a good bit less than both when it comes to dampness. The Shock absorption is less with the Atlas but not as far back as dampness/chatter absorption as it is vs. the Atlas and Atlas Pro. This is the Achilles heel for this binding. It’s mainly for good condition riding.

Boot Support

There is a lot of boot support with the Union Atlas FC. It does very well making your ankle feel supported in all kinds of terrain. In uneven terrain it isn’t the strap but the construction of the base plate and high back that makes it uncomfortable in uneven snow.

Ratchets

Excellent ratchets as always.

Adjustability

So other than Highback rotation the Union Atlas FC is a very adjustable binding. It matches up with most boot sizes and footprints in the size range. The adjustable heel loop and gas pedal are essential for that. Because you can center the boot in the binding you can then turn the discs sideways to get your perfect stance width.

Conclusion

So the Union Atlas FC is not a very damp binding but it is exceptionally responsive. For me I’m not willing to sacrifice dampness for more response so I’m fine with the Atlas. The Atlas Pro is not a bad option either but it’s

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Union Atlas FC Past Reviews

Union Atlas FC 2021 Snowboard Binding Review

The Union Atlas FC is a super stiff, super-responsive version of the Union Atlas and the only super expensive/ultra techy binding in their line this year.  It’s not for everyone but if you invested heavily in video conferencing before COVID-19 and want an incredibly stiff/responsive binding to power a board that turns slow this might work. For the rest of us, the regular Atlas or Falcor will be more than enough and provide more shock absorption.

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:  2
Riders:  James (Size 9, 5’10” 185 lbs),
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV
Insoles: Footprint Insole Technology Gamechangers
Boards: Jones Ultra Mountain Twin

Similar (but not the same) Bindings: Burton Cartel X, Salomon QuantumNow O-Drive

Approximate Weight

At 2.0 lbs it’s pretty light but not the lightest in the Union line. That goes to the Contact Pro and Falcor at 1.8lbs but it’s 0.2 lbs lighter than the Atlas.

Highback Flex

The Union Atlas FC’s highback is incredibly stiff and just bit hard into my even featured calves. This was a deal-breaker for me after a few turns but if you want a super stiff highback then this might be a deal maker.

Binding to Boot Adjustability

The way the Union Atlas FC can adjust to fit around your boot is pretty well done. Other than high back rotation it has all that the Atlas has and that is one of the best bindings in the industry for getting your boot centered in the binding and therefore on board. It has an adjustable heel loop and gas pedal where most bindings might only have an adjustable gas pedal. Some even have none. The inability to really rotate the highback was a big problem because I could not alleviate all that calf bite from these stiff highbacks. The straps are tooless and so is the forward lean adjuster.

Stance Width Adjustability

Because you can center your boot in the bindings you can turn the discs tip to tail and really dial out your stance width. The discs don’t have a continuous channel as they did in 2020 and below but they still have lots of room to slide each way. They are compatible with Burton Channel system boards too.

Boot Support

The ankle straps of the Union Atlas FC have lot’s of support and surface area but also isn’t super stiff like the rest of the binding. They are really comfortable and seem to work well with a forward flex without biting into the boot. The toe strap is bigger and doesn’t fit around the boot as well as it used to. It sticks up a bit at the top and bottom of the strap but it still grips to my boot really well. These straps are very good but there is always the option to get other straps here if you want to mix it up.

Ratchet System

The ladders this year seem to be a bit thinner and softer than the Unions I own from last year. I liked the thicker straps better but the ratchets are still really smooth and some of the best in the industry.

Turn Initiation/Response

The Jones Ultra Mountain Twin is not a fast turner and the Union Atlas FC made this board turn quickly without even trying.

Flex Under Foot/Buttering

It’s not bad for a binding that is soo stiff but if you want a nice balance of butterability and response, then it’s all about the Union Falcor and it’s mini-disc.

Shock Absorption

Initially in the Union Atlas review I referenced it as pretty good and it’s not bad but after directly comparing it to the Union Atlas the Atlas FC is not even close to being on the same level. The stiff carbon doesn’t absorb what’s going on under foot and it makes riding in uneven snow pretty tough. You at least have some dense rubber like foam to keep it from being seriously painful.

Conclusion

So for me this is just too expensive and too stiff. I’m more than happy with the Atlas. That being said the Union Atlas FC could work for those that feel you can never goo too stiff or have too much response.

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Union Atlas FC Specs

 
Union Atlas FC Images

We try to get as many images of the Union Atlas FC, but forgive us if they're not all there.

2024

2023

2022

2021

Union Atlas FC User Reviews

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