For the past two years, Union Binding Company has been working with Austrian pro snowboarder Gigi Rüf to create his dream binding. With an emphasis on strength and structure only where necessary, Union engineers designed a binding for Rüf to match his signature riding style. Union designed more than 20 different prototype stages for Rüf to test, allowing him to shred icy Austrian groomers, Japanese powder, and steep Alaskan spines. The outcome of this experiment is the new Union Contact Pro.

From the ground up, the Contact Pro is a complete redesign of its former self. With a minimalist, surfy, and fluid design in mind, the base features a full multi-layer, multi-density EVA foam cushioning system for impact absorption on hard landings and vibration damping for a more comfortable ride. Based off of a running shoe (Gigi is sponsored by Nike, after all), the EVA foam provides support where needed while still remaining loose and fluid for a more natural board feel. With this full EVA system, the only direct contact between the board and binding is a small five percent ring where the bindings attach. Don’t doubt this new minimal contact base, because Union has your back with a lifetime warranty on all binding bases.

The Contact Pro base also features a first from Union—the new Universal Minidisk. The Minidisk and the small ring around it are the only binding-to-board contact points. With this smaller footprint, there is a minimal dead spot and allows for a more natural board flex. The Minidisk is also compatible with the traditional 4×4 mounting system and Burton boards featuring The Channel.

Equipped with Union’s latest straps, the Contact Pro features a secure and comfortable fit. The new toe strap cuts down on material, while still remaining strong and form-fitting. The 3D Direct-Connect ankle strap offers an asymmetrical design for an ergonomic fit and increased range of motion. Both straps feature Union’s magnesium ratchets that are feather-light, yet can take a beating and keep going strong.

The Contact Pro’s cored-out highbacks follow Union’s mantra of “Strength and structure only where necessary.” The multizone highbacks are tapered toward the top to give you a soft flex where you want it and support where you need it. Featuring a softer flex and a flat design, these highbacks play to Gigi’s freestyle influence. This design is optimal for poking out grabs and buttering pillow lines.

I was lucky enough to test the Union Contact Pros last spring at Mount Hood, Oregon. Upon strapping in, I was glad to find that they fixed the issue with too much material on the toe strap. It now wrapped perfectly around the toebox of my boot, pushing the boot securely into the binding. The Contact Pros felt soft and surfy. I enjoyed slashing slush and poking out grabs. I felt as though I could really tweak and flex the tray of the binding because of the full EVA foam base. The Contact Pros are great for all-mountain freestyle finesse. I did feel that at times I could overpower the binding. For instance, if I was powering it through a turn, I could feel the binding flex and compress, buckling under my weight instead of providing support through a heavy turn. Since the Contact Pro is designed by little guy Gigi Rüf, it caters more toward his freestyle finesse and not my Sasquatch demeanor. I enjoy boosting big tweaked-out airs in the park and taking my freestyle finesse out to natural terrain for my best Gigi impression.

The Union Contact Pros are a great binding for riders looking to take their freestyle riding to the next level. From backcountry booters to slushy park laps, poke out long grabs and stomp rough landings. Gigi said it best in his recent Snowboard magazine interview, “Style is a message.”

Images by Stewart Langner