2022-2024 Union Falcor Review

The Union Falcor offers a lot of easy flex underfoot for buttering but also has a lot of response and since 2022, a much better highback.

Update 2024: The Union Falcor hasn’t changed since we reviewed it. 

Here is a detailed breakdown of the Union Falcor and a comparison to many other bindings in the Union line.

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

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

Days:
Riders:  James (Size 9, 5’10”, 185-190lbs)
Boots: Burton Kendo,
Boards: Korua Transition Finder 2022, Ride Superpig

Jacket: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Tusk Jacket
Pant: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant
Helmet: Smith Maze, Smith Vantage
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt,

Similar (but not the same) Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Strata, Union Force, Salomon Highlander, Nitro Phantom Carver, Now O-Drive

Approximate Weight

The Union Falcor is 1.8 lbs with screws and discs in, which is pretty light. Compare that to the Atlas at 2.2 lbs, and you really feel that extra .4 lbs for sure. It isn’t as damp as the Atlas, but it is pretty damp for being this light.

Highback Flex

The Union Falcor’s high back looks the same but was completely redesigned. It is not quite as snappy but not as easy to snap, either. In addition to extra durability, the high back can be rotated so it doesn’t bite into medium-sized to larger calves. This is great to see.

Turn Initiation/Response

The Union Falcor is pretty responsive. I put this along with the Atlas the Korua Transition Finder. Falcor on the front foot, Atlas on the back, and then I switched them. I would say that the response is just a tiny bit better than the Atlas, but it’s a good bit away from matching the Atlas FC or other super responsive bindings like the Flux XF. Overall, it has a great response throughout the turn.

Flex Under Foot/Buttering

The Union Falcor gives you some pretty easy flex underfoot. It’s just a little bit behind the Contact Pro and the Burton Re:Flex bindings, but right there with the Strata and way ahead of the Atlas. You don’t often get a combo of this much response and adjustability. sd

Shock Absorption/Dampness

So when it comes to shock absorption, the Atlas does better being heavier, and it also has what seems like thicker/damper rubber throughout the base. That being said, the Falcor is great for having this much adjustability.

Boot Support

The ankle straps are a good bit more supportive than the Strata and more so with the Contact Pro but about right there with the Atlas. That means the Union Falcor is pretty supportive, and it can handle uneven terrain really well. The toe strap is one of our favorites in the industry as well as the Union Line. I would say the only brand that we like better is Flux, but unfortunately, Flux has no shock absorption.

Ratchet System

Excellent and very reliable. You can crank it down hard.

Adjustability

Again, being able to rotate the highback with the 2022 Union Falcor really changes up the game. Now, you can use the heel loop for fitting this to your boots like it’s intended to be. That is pretty great to have as well because it is pretty easy to center your boot in the binding for more even turn initiation. On top of that you can now turn your discs to slide tip to tail to get the stance width you want. This is what I love about Union and more so with the Falcor for 2022. The forward lean adjuster needs a screwdriver. Saving a little weight is not worth it, and this should be topless. Straps have toolless adjustability too.

Conclusion

Again, being able to rotate the highback with the 2022 Union Falcor really ups the recommendation factor. Now you have a lighter, more buttery alternative to the Atlas, so that is a great thing.

2021 Review

Turn Ons: Fast Response, Great Butterability, Pretty Damp

The 2021 Union Falcor has the same overall design but they changed up the ankle strap to make it a little more freestyle friendly. Even though it’s marketed as more freestyle oriented it is still a very responsive aggressive binding that pairs up well with boards that need a little extra to get it to turn.

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.

Union Falcor 2021 Snowboard Binding Review

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

Days:  3+
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 180-190lbs), Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs)
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV
Insoles: Footprint Insole Technology Gamechangers
Boards: Jones Hovercraft, Prior Fissle

Similar (but not the same) Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Strata, Burton Genesis X, Burton Cartel X,  Salomon Quantum, Salomon Highlander

Approximate Weight: 1.8 lbs per binding with the discs and screws. 

Highback Flex

The Union Falcor has almost zero give pulling it back but it does have some good twist to it making it overall medium/stiff.

Binding to Boot Adjustability

Speaking of that twist. You need it because the Union Falcor has limited high back rotation. What I mean by this is if you aren’t at the top or bottom of the recommended boot size then you can use the adjustable heel loop to rotate the high backs. If you are then you are S.O.L. and you can’t line up your highbacks to your heel edge to get more symmetrical turn initiation and calf bite relief. If you want to rotate your high back and have a similar ride then I would get the Strata or Atlas.

The rest of the boot to binding adjustability is really good though. Other than the forward lean, it’s all tooless. The adjustable heel loop allows you to center your boot better than fixed heel loop bindings out there. One thing about Union Bindings and especially so with the Falcor and Strata is they can fit a little bigger than the recommended sizing so if you are right in between sizes it’s best to size down. For example if you are a size 10 US or a 10.5 US with a really reduced footprint boot then a size medium will be best for you.

Stance Width Adjustability

Because you can center your boot easily you can turn the Union Falcor disc tip to tail and get the stance you want.

Boot Support

The 2021 Union Falcor ankle strap has a little less support than the bigger one they had in 2020. It doesn’t support quite as well as it used to but it is still really supportive while giving more freedom of movement. It is really comfortable and fit well around our boots. The toe straps are still exceptional and grip soo well around our boots. They really lock in the boot to the heel cup/high back so we don’t have to crank down the ankle strap too hard to feel secure.

Ratchet System

Union’s ratchet system is really smooth and reliable. It is just a touch off from the 2020 model though because the ratchet ladders aren’t as thick/stiff as they used to be. So it was a little bit easier on and off compared to last seasons.

Turn Initiation/Response

Even with the slightly less supportive/responsive ankle strap the Falcor really powers a board quickly edge to edge. It is made to go with Travis Rice’s boards and all but the Orca are far from being quick turners. The Union Falcor helps them turn quicker but you still need to be Travis to make em turn. The Union Atlas is pretty close to the Falcor and both power a board almost equally well but just in different ways. The Falcor allows most boards to twist/flex easier underfoot so they feel softer and therefore turn easier. The Atlas stiffens up the board underfoot and feels like it is powering the board edge to edge with the sheer strength of it’s base plate.

Flex Under Foot/Buttering

The Union Falcor has a very similar response to the 2021 Atlas but butters soo much easier.  The mini-disc with all that rubbery foam really minimizes the contact with the board allowing it to flex and twist easier.

Shock Absorption/Dampness

The dense rubbery like foam really does a great job at shock absorption. The Union Falcor and the Strata are pretty close. However, what makes the board butter easier also makes it less damp. In comparison to the 2021 Atlas, the Falcor just didn’t feel as damp when picking up speed. The  2021 Union Atlas’ larger disc and minimal rubbery foam near the heel really stiffens up the board. Last year the nod would go to the Falcor by just a bit but now the Atlas is better.

Conclusion

So overall the Falcor is still a great binding but we find that lately the Strata and Atlas seem to match up better with most boards out there. That being said if you want a lot of response but still want a board that’s easy to butter then the Falcor is a great call.

The Union Falcor is a very responsive but still easy to butter binding in Unions Line. For 2020 it got a new more supportive ankle strap and also has a damper material at the base plate than 2019.  It is a nice balance between response and butterabilty that we feel a lot of people looking for a responsive binding will enjoy.

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.  We borrowed this for a day and then returned it. We had a couple of laps at a frantic manic demo day. We liked it so much we asked to keep it (we only do this with our favorites).  After a demo, we liked it so much we bought it.  We spent our precious Good Ride dollars to buy this and review it.

Days: 30+
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-195lbs), Jimbo (Size 11, 5’11” 160lbs), Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs), Steph, Jack, Kyle, Stephen, Ginger, Mary, Grant (Size 11 6’ 160lbs), Zobel (Size 11.5, 6’ 180lbs),
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles, Footprint Insole Technology Gamechangers, Footprint Insole Technology Gamechangers Lite, Footprint Insole Technology Gameghangers Low Profile
Boards: Gentemstick Mantaray 156, Korua Pencil, Korua Dart, Korua Otto, Lib Tech Lost Rocket, Yes Optimistic, Yes Greats, Yes Pick Your Line, Jones Mountain Twin, Jones Ultra Mountain Twin, Jones Flagship, Jones Hovercraft, Loaded Algernon, Burton Flight Attendant, Gnu Mulair, Capita Mercury, Rome Powder Division 153 and a ton of other boards.

Highback Flex: Pretty stiff pulling it straight back but more twist than you would think.

Binding to Boot Adjustability: So there is one complaint with the Falcor for those who have a size right on the border. For example if you are on the border between medium and large you might have to push the heel loop all the way in or out. If so, you won’t be able to rotate your high backs. If you are right in the middle of the recommended sizing then all you have to do is push in the heel loop on one side to get some high back rotation. Some won’t mind if you don’t have it but some with medium to bigger calves might feel some calf bite. It twists pretty well for a stiffer flexing high back but not enough to completely eliminate calf bite.

Stance Width Adjustability: The mini-discs that the Union Falcor can get the right stance width for most riders if you can center your boot in the binding.

Comfort: Very comfortable every year we tried it.

Boot Support: The toe strap has always been great at pulling the boot into the heel cup but the real talking point for 2020 is the new ankle strap. It’s bigger than last year and makes the Union Falcor just as supportive as Burton and Flux bindings. I really liked the 2019 ankle strap a lot but this steps it up a good bit. Union does give you the option to play around with different straps and you can buy others at C3 here. 

Turn Initiation: Very fast edge to edge and it’s not recommended to partner up with quicker turning boards. It could overpower them a bit.

Buttering: The new more rubbery denser material underfoot makes it little less easy to butter this year compared to the 2019 Union Falcor but it still has a lot of flex underfoot.

Ratchet System: Smooth and easy. Very reliable and really comes on and off very well.

Shock Absorption: So the new more rubbery like dampening material at the bottom of the Union Falcor 2020 makes it a little bit less easy to butter but it sure dampens the ride a good bit compared to the 2019 model. Last year it seemed like you could get a damper ride from the Union Strata which didn’t seem right. This year it’s dampness matches the Strata and also is more appropriate for going bigger which is what this binding likes to do.

So all in all the improvement in the more damp base plate and also the more supportive ankle strap really makes the Union Falcor a good call for anyone looking to pair this up with an aggressive board that likes a responsive binding.

The 2019  Union Falcor replaced the T.Rice from last year.  It keeps the same fast response edge to edge but adds more butter ability. It’s a great binding for those that want really upper tier response.

The 2019 Union Falcor has a couple of improvements that make it the call over 2018.

1. The ankle strap is probably my favorite in Unions line.  It’s big, comfortable and super supportive.
2. The screw that holds the heel loop and ankle strap received a new washer that keeps it from coming loose like the older models did.  It’s such a little thing but it makes a really big difference.  I tested one of these washers for a season and the binding never needed tightening where my other union bindings needed them about once every 4-5 days of riding.

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews.  No one is perfect and we do make money from the “Where To Buy” links below, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

Days:  5+ and many more to come
Riders: James
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles
Boards: Jones Ultra Mountain Twin, Capita Mercury, Rome Powder Division 157

Highback Flex: The Union Falcor has a very minimalist high back that looks like it might be soft but it’s pretty stiff when pulling it back.  It twists pretty easy for how much carbon fiber is going on with this so it doesn’t bite as hard into your calves if you don’t rotate the high backs as you think it would.

Boot Adjustability: You can’t adjust the toe ramp but the heel loop is and it’s pretty easy to dial this out to your boot length so you can center your boot on your board.  You can’t rotate the high back without doing it with the heel cup so it does compromise dialing out your boot to fit center if it’s on the bigger or smaller side of the sizing recommendations but it should work for most. The only other issue is you can’t adjust the ankle strap angle without un-centering your boot but this isn’t as big as a deal as centering your boot.

Stance Width Adjustability: These mini-discs can get just about any stance width.  The only issue is they don’t work with those 1×2 inserts that are set back 1.5″ from the rest of the insert pack. A lot of companies have this option these days so it’s the only real drawback.

Comfort: The new ankle strap really makes the Union Falcor such a more comfortable binding and it works well with most boots out there.

Boot Support: Again, the new ankle strap is very supportive and matches the aggressive go big nature of the Union Falcor.

Turn Initiation: Super fast edge to edge and only a few bindings are faster.  It can overpower some easier turning boards so make sure it’s paired up with a board that likes responsive bindings.

Buttering: Super easy to butter with and it makes stiffer boards feel softer underfoot.

Ratchet System: Super smooth and reliable.

Shock Absorption: Not incredible but very good.  They seemed to take some of the Union Falcor’s foam out to improve response so there is a little trade-off here.

So as long as you don’t plan to use these bindings with an easy turning board or a board with setback inserts the Union Falcor is a great choice for those that want a lot of response and butter ability.