For years the Union Force has been the default answer in bindings. It is tough, medium-flex and used everywhere. The Union Ultra is the softer, lighter and more playful alternative. This review looks at what owners say about it and who should pick it over the Force.
What It Is
The Ultra is a freestyle binding with a soft flex. Union rates it a 4 out of 10 on its flex scale. It uses Union's exclusive bushing technology and an updated ankle strap design. It mounts to boards with 2x4, 4x4 and channel patterns, and pro riders such as Arthur Longo, Gigi Ruf and Scott Stevens are linked with it.
As far as appearance, its a good looking binding, with a more urban streetwear aesthetic, with more muted almost military style colorways.
One detail to know before you buy: the Ultra does not have a forward lean adjuster. If you ride with forward lean dialed in and like to fine-tune it, this is a real consideration. Many riders call forward lean overrated, but it is a trade you should know about.
How It Rides
Owners agree on the broad picture. The Ultra is surfier, more forgiving and much lighter than the Force. It is cushy underfoot, and it has a loose feel that makes butters, jumps and side hits feel easy. Riders who own both say the Ultra feels about 90 percent as responsive as the Force, with more freedom and noticeably less weight.
The comfort is a big part of the pitch. Owners say nothing beats the comfort of the Ultra for riding all day. The footbed has lots of cushion, which helps in the park and on side hits, and it keeps legs feeling fresh.
The Force is still the damper binding. If you value stability and dampening at speed, the Force is ahead. The Ultra trades some of that for freedom of movement.
Where It Falls Short
Softness is the trade-off. On a stiff, freeride-oriented board, the Ultra can feel like your legs are doing too much of the work. Riders who tried the Ultra on a stiffer all-mountain board often disliked it, and some switched to the Atlas and loved it. Others rarely use their Ultras on a bigger board for the same reason.
Carving is the other limit. Some riders who tried them for carving found them too soft and moved to a stiffer binding. Others found they worked fine for carving on a carve-oriented board. The truth depends on how hard you ride and how stiff your board is.
Finally, the lack of a forward lean adjuster means you cannot tune the highback angle. That will bother riders who like a lot of control over their setup.
Pro tip: If you are unsure, think about the board you will mount it on. A soft binding is happiest on a playful, medium or softer board. On a stiff freeride board it can leave your legs working overtime.
The Debate: Park Binding or Real All-Mountain Option?
You will see some riders dismiss the Ultra as a park binding, and that is half true. It is more freestyle-oriented, and that is where it shines. But owners push back on the label. Some say the Ultra is their most-used binding, and they like it for all-mountain freestyle, side hits and easy cruising because of the cushion in the footbed.
There is also a middle option. Some riders pair the Ultra with the Force or Atlas highback and ankle straps. That combination gives a surfy feel with more control. It is worth knowing about if you like the base of the Ultra but want a little more response.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Ultra if you like to butter, jump around and ride with a surfy feel. It suits riders who value light weight and comfort and want a binding that feels playful. It is a strong pick for all-mountain freestyle on a medium or soft board.
Look elsewhere if your board is stiff and aimed at freeride or hard carving, or if you need to adjust forward lean. In those cases the Force or Atlas is the safer pick.
Alternatives
The Union Force is the stiffer, damper do-it-all binding, and the safe choice for most riders. The Union Atlas is stiffer still, for hard chargers. The Union Strata sits close to the Ultra in feel; owners describe the Ultra as a beefed up and more responsive Strata.
The Verdict
The Ultra has a smaller audience than the Force, and that is why you do not hear about it as often. Owners who ride it love it. It is a light, cushy, surfy binding that gives up only a little to the Force in response. The missing forward lean adjuster and the soft flex rule it out for stiff boards and hard chargers.
If you want to play more than you want to charge, the Ultra is easy to recommend.
