Union Source Pro TH Snowboard Binding Review

A Breakdown Of How The Union Source Pro TH Rides And Who Its For Review by The Good Ride

• User Reviews
• Product Specs
• Product Images
• Questions?

How The Union Source Pro TH Was Tested:

I rode this 2 with my Nitro Team BOA boots, my Amplid Time Machine, and of course the Matriarch, which is Torstein’s board to match these bindings. It was a rough winter with lots of rain and very little snow so I only got it in 1” of thick wet snow on top of a block of snowment and another day with spring like conditions starting out hard and going to medium-soft.

I/We borrowed the for an extended demo and sent it back.

Days: 2
Conditions:  and an early morning slackountry time with Drift Boards & Union Rovers
Riders:  James (Size 9, 5’10”, 185-190lbs). I’ve tested and compared 800+ boards, over 180 bindings and 100+ boots
Boots: Nitro Team TLS,
Redundancy: Strapins in case boots or bindings break.
Insoles: Footprint Kingfoam Orthotic Elite
Redundancy: Strapins in case boots or bindings break.
Jacket: Skyline Fuse 3L Jacket, Skyline Fuse Light 3L Jacket,  Jones Mtn Surf Anorak,
Pant: Skyline Faze Pant, Jones Mountain Surf Pant
Helmet: Smith Method, Smith Scout
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt,

Boards:
Amplid Time Machine, Capita Matriarch.

Similar (but not the same) Bindings:
Union Source FC, Union Source, Union Falcor

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Weight

The Union Source Pro TH weighs 1 pound, 11 ounces. That is light but not 1lb 4oz light like the Source FC.  It’s still lighter than most split-board bindings and most bindings in the industry.

Highback Flex

The Source Pro TH has a softer flexing high back than the Source FC, but it’s still very stiff. There is a decent amount of twist, but there’s very little give going straight back.

Adjustability

The Union Source Pro FC has very limited adjustability and this is the biggest deal breaker when it comes to this binding for me and all of you like me. You have an adjustable heel loop so you can center your boot in the binding pretty well but it’s not as good as bindings, like my union Force, that have an adjustable gas pedal and heel loop. The straps are toolless, but this forward lean adjuster is proprietary and quite a pain in the ass. In your Source Utility kit there are these proprietary inserts that change the forward lean.

Limited Stance Angles

When it comes to stance angle adjustability, you are severely limited. The Source Pro TH only allows +3 if you want to ride posi and maxes out at +21 on the front foot.  That’s a deal breaker for me and many people who adjust their stance angles to match different boards in their quiver.

No Stance Width Adjustability

Another huge dealbreaker for me, and possibly you, is the lack of stance width adjustability. I switched from Burton bindings to Union because Burton had no stance width adjustability with their standard Re:Flex discs and very limited adjustability with accessory discs you could buy. I expect Union to have top-tier adjustability, so not being able to slide between inserts to get my perfect stance width isn’t what I expect.

Flex Underfoot

The flex underfoot is special and very easy, better than even Burton Re:Flex and their best EST bindings. There is almost no contact with the board except for these two screws and a very thin part of the outer baseplate. It flexes so easily you don’t feel like you have a binding connected to the board, like the high backs just grew out of it. It’s a very special feel unlike any binding I’ve tried before. It makes almost every soft to medium-stiff board feel softer underfoot and super easy to butter or ollie.

Shock Absorption

The Union Source Pro TH has very limited shock absorption, and there is only a little EVA foam between this hard forged carbon base plate and the board. I was really hoping to try the regular Source, as it has a thin layer of closed-cell foam on the footbed, which I would prefer over a hard forged carbon base plate. I wish it had the Regular Source construction.

Then you add this easy flex underfoot, and it makes most boards (especially the very flexy, poppy Capita Boards) feel bucky and bouncy in uneven snow. You do really feel a lot more of what’s happening underfoot when you are riding vs. almost any other binding I’ve tried.

Turn Initiation/Response

So this is a mixed bag when it comes to response. With some boards that have an easier flex, this feels incredibly responsive and much higher than its 7 out of 10 flex/response rating. This is because it allows the board to flex and twist so easily that you can initiate a turn super fast. The stiffer the board gets, the less magic you have with this binding, and that’s when I look to bindings like the Force or Atlas or Atlas Pro, etc to better turn a stiffer board, as they are more consistent from medium to stiff boards.

Boot Support

The Union Source Pro TH has a pretty soft, comfortable ankle strap that does a good job at supporting your ankle if you are off piste, even though there is limited chatter reduction and shock absorption. There is more give in the middle, but it’s not like some of the newer straps that are very soft there.

Ratchets

The Source Pro TH Ratchets are great, like all Union Ratchets. I’m fine with my Union Force, but if you want lighter while still being just as reliable, these can work too.

Final Thoughts

So for me, the Union Source Pro TH is a no-go, and if you value dampness, shock absorption, stance angle, and stance width adjustability, then it is for you as well. However, if you don’t care about any of that and want a binding that creates almost a direct connection with your board, this could work, and I like this better than the Source FC.