JEREMY JONES - NEPAL / PHOTO: ANDREW MILLER COVER: JEREMY JONES - ALASKA / PHOTO: JEFF CURLEY
Started by backcountry enthusiasts who wanted more from their gear.
Karakoram was founded in 2008 with the mantra: Innovate. Ride. Explore. We’ve built a company that aligns with our passions, which drives us to never be satisfied with the status quo. We live this every day, starting with the 2010-11 release of our revolutionary Split30 Splitboard System and four short years later with our Prime Splitboard System. We constantly strive to improve and evolve through countless hours of designing, prototyping and testing – we at Karakoram truly use what we make. For us, Innovation is Forever.
Bryce Kloster Tyler Kloster
THE KARAKORAM GUARANTEE
BINDING JEDIS: PAUL STANLEY / TYLER KLOSTER - WASHINGTON / PHOTO: PAUL BAGELS
2-Year Warranty:
Karakoram warrants its products to be free of defects in material or workmanship for a period of two years.
Lifetime Crash Replacement:
If you destroy your binding system in any way we will replace the broken parts for a nominal fee and the return of the broken part(s).
Forever Ride Support:
We Believe in sustainability and want your gear to last as long as you want to ride it. If anything wears down over time, we will always support our product with replacement parts and service for a nominal fee to the original owner.
PRIME SYSTEM KARAKORAM PERFORMANCE Karakoram bindings are designed with the philosophy that riding performance is king. We are snowboarders first; the ride down will never be compromised. With our Active Joining Technology, Karakoram bindings attach to the board (split or solid) in a way unmatched by any other snowboard binding. The four wide contact points spring load to the board with the Solid-Ride interface (Quiver-Connector on solid board) giving the rider instant response through direct power transfer to the edges. The open chassis of the bindings allows the binding to flex and twist naturally with the snowboard, giving riders unrivalled feel. Karakoram bindings allow you to feel the snow under your feet and respond immediately with power or finesse.
TOUR MODE INTERFACE Patented US8469372B2 and Patents Pending
ACTIVE JOINING TECHNOLOGY Splitboard performance begins with Active Joining Technology. Pre-loading every interface delivers seamless transmission of rider input for the ultimate backcountry experience.
RIDE-STRIDE SOLID-RIDE INTERFACE POWERLINK
SPLITBOARD CLIPS
FLIPSPEED RISER WITH HEEL LOCK RIDER: JEREMY JONES - SVALBARD, NORWAY / PHOTO: DAN MILNER
PRIME SYSTEM
SOLID-RIDE INTERFACE When you work your tail off to climb up the hill, you want to know that your ride down will be a reward and not a compromise. You want your splitboard to ride just like a regular snowboard. Active Joining Technology spring loads your bindings to the board resulting in zero energy loss and instant response. • Zero seam movement for the ultimate solid board performance • 4 wide pre-loaded contact points for direct power transfer to the edges • Stance angles: -30° to 30° • Stance width: ½” increments • Board insert width: 3¼”–3½”
RIDER: BLAIR HABENICHT - JAPAN/ PHOTO: ANDREW MILLER
TOUR-MODE INTERFACE The climb up is all about efficiency. With a precision sleeved pivot on the binding and Active Joining Technology on the Tour Mode you get the ultimate in edge control and the smoothest stride.
PRECISION SLEEVED PIVOTS RIDERS: KARAKORAM CREW - WASHINGTON / PHOTO: TYLER KLOSTER
PRIME SYSTEM
PRIME QUIVER-CONNECTOR* Compatible with all Prime System bindings, Quiver-Connectors allow you to quickly and effortlessly swap your Karakoram bindings from board to board. Now your split, your park board, your pow stick, your groomer rocket, and anything else in your quiver can enter the world of durable, no-compromise, lightweight Karakoram performance. No turning screws, no fumbling trying to remember your stance, and no wasting time when you want to switch boards.
*Available only as an accessory
RIDER: BRYCE KLOSTER - MT. BACHELOR / PHOTO: KYLE HANSEN
Karakoram’s Active Joining Technology keeps your feet spring-loaded to the board, giving you direct power transfer to the edge and instant response. Ultra high quality aluminum keeps your setup significantly lighter than traditional top-tier snowboard bindings.
Bringing your board or boards to the hill just got easier as well—the easy release and attachment of the prime system allows you to eliminate a dimension of bulk for efficient storage and transport. Buy fewer bindings; have more room for boards. Welcome to the future of Quivering. • Fits standard 4x4 insert pattern • Stance angles: -30° to 30°
PRIME SYSTEM
POWER-LINK IT DOESN’T GET ANY EASIER THAN THIS. Getting your binding out of ride mode has never been easier than with Power Link— an ergonomic activation lever that allows you to remove your binding or engage with one simple and fluid motion. Pull up to lock, push down to unlock. • Ergonomic Activation • Over-center lock
locked
unlocked
KYLE MILLER - WASHINGTON / PHOTO: JASONTYLER HUMMEL RIDER: MATTIA BOSCOLO - MT. BAKER, WA / PHOTO: KLOSTER
AIR-FORM STRAP* Tired of foot pain and numb feet from your straps? The AirForm ankle strap conforms to your boot with independent compression pods eliminating pressure points and allowing for pinch-point free flex. Keep your feet happy and boots snug in your bindings while touring and riding. • Made from Dupont Hytrel • 30% lighter than standard straps • Made in USA
INDEPENDENT PRESSURE PODS
*Comes standard on Carbon and SL models RIDER: MATT EDGERS - WASHINGTON / PHOTO: ENDO TSUTOMU
PRIME SYSTEM
FLIP-SPEED RISER with heel lock
tall riser
short riser
GO WIRELESS
We have all been there, standing before a steep approach trying to engage your climbing wires with your pole handle, well the solution is here. Our new FlipSpeed risers allow you to use only your pole basket to engage, it’s fast and on the fly, you can engage or adjust while you are ascending— it’s that easy. The wider platform allows for better edge control, and the Lockdown feature is perfect for skating those long flat sections. • Activate with pole basket; simple and easy • Dual height • Heel lockdown
RIDE-STRIDE patents pending RIDE
TURN
TOUR-STEP STEP IN
STRIDE 0° TO 22°
-8°
STEP OUT
Saving energy in the backcountry can be the difference between going for a second lap, going for a longer tour, or going home because you’re wiped out. All Karakoram splitboard bindings come standard with Ride-Stride forward lean. With a -8° forward lean setting, Stride Mode allows you to stride and glide further with every step. Ride Mode consists of a preset forward lean – between 0° and 22° (in 2° increments) – to allow better leverage on your heelside turn and make your ride down more powerful and enjoyable. Simply rotate the forward lean adjuster 90° between Stride Mode and your preset Ride Mode – set and forget. Ride-Stride is the fastest and easiest forward lean adjustment available.
Whether you’re running powder laps or on a tour with lots of change overs, the Tour-Step is the ultimate in convenience. Simply keep your binding fastened to your boot while you change over. No matter what the weather conditions are, this will significantly cut down on your transition times and have you shralping pow in no time.
PRIME BINDINGS
PRIME CARBON
PRIME STRAIGHTLINE
The ultimate go to binding for the most elite snowboarders in the world. Whether you ride spines in AK, couloirs in the Arctic Circle, or your favorite powder stash in your backyard, the Prime Carbon will keep you grinnin’ from ear to ear. Weighing in at less than 700 grams you will be cruising up with ease while slaying everything in front of you on the way down!
If you like to point and destroy lines, this is the binding for you, our stiffest and most responsive binding with a carbon fiber highback and carbon fiber chassis stiffeners.
Straps: Air-Form Ankle/Air Strap Toe Weight: 675 g (per binding) Materials: Carbon Fiber, Titanium, High Strength Alloy Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Dupont Zytel
Straps: PU Leather Ankle/Air-form Toe Weight: 785g (per binding) Materials: Carbon Fiber, Titanium, Alloy Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Dupont Zytel
The New Icon in Splitboarding Technology
The Ultimate Peak Seeker
Mountings: All bindings use production splitboard hole pattern (ride mode insert spacing - 3 3/8�) or come with a DIY mounting template. RIDER: FORREST SHEARER - UTAH / PHOTO: ANDREW MILLER
MADE IN THE USA, North Bend, Washington
PRIME SL
PRIME1
The Prime SL is a tried and true high performance backcountry tool designed to minimize weight while improving riding and touring performance of your splitboard. Combining some of the best materials and features – the Prime SL delivers some of our best technology and will deliver unmatched performance while you jet up the skin track and destroy lines on your way down.
If you are seeking the latest in Splitboarding tech then look no further, the Prime One is the one binding you need. Using our new Prime interface the One is sure to pack in a punch for your splitboard exploration dreams, with the improved interface and taking cues from our proven Split30 System, the One will deliver ease of use in transitions and top performance on your descents.
Straps: Air-Form Ankle/Air Strap Toe Weight: 695 g (per binding) Materials: Titanium, Alloy Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Dupont Zytel and Hytrel
Straps: PU Leather Ankle/Air-Form Toe Weight: 800 g (per binding) Materials: Alloy Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Dupont Zytel
Innovation to Conquer Elevation
Chase Your Dreamlines
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RIDER: BRYAN IGUCHI - WYOMING / PHOTO: ANDREW MILLER
PRIME BINDINGS
PRIME WOMEN’S The first of its kind
Ladies, are you tired of using your husband’s or boyfriend’s hand-medown splitboard bindings? We feel your pain, that’s why we’ve created the first Women’s specific splitboard binding. We’ve sized the heelcup for a women’s US6-8 boot – no more pivot point one inch in front of your toe. We’ve dropped the highback height 1 inch – no more highbacks that are taller than you boots. Oh, and these also have the same performance as all the other Karakoram splitboard bindings. These are your new best friend in the backcountry! Weight: 750 g (per binding) Materials: High Strength Alloy Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Dupont Zytel
IN LOVING MEMORY OF LIZ DALEY / PHOTO: JASON HUMMEL
SPLIT30 SYSTEM The original standard for splitboard bindings, the Split30 firmly joins your splitboard together while allowing the board to flex naturally underfoot, providing you unmatched riding performance and amazing board feel. Quickly convert over from riding to touring (and vice versa) with the simple flip of a lever. Weight: 800 g (per binding) Materials: Alloy Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Dupont Zytel
RIDE-STRIDE • • •
RIDE MODE INTERFACE
TOUR MODE INTERFACE
• 5-points of spring loaded contact • Spring Loaded Zero Play Interface provides immediate board response • Open Binding Structure allows natural board flex with no icing • Quick Release for fastest change-over
• Precision Sleeved Pivot for ultimate edge control and smoothest stride • Step-in Capability with Quick Release for the fastest change-over • Self Contained with no loose parts to lose in the snow • Self Cleaning for hassle-free transition
Patented US8469372B2 and Patents Pending
90° rotation between stride mode and forward lean -8° stride mode 0-22° forward lean
SPLITBOARD CLIPS Pre-loaded inner edge transfers tortional flex through splitboard, offering unparalleled board feel
ACCESSORIES
RIDER: MIIKKA HAST - SWITZERLAND / PHOTO: DAVID BIRRI
SPLITBOARD CLIPS
AIR STRAP
Karakoram Splitboard Clips optimize the performance of your splitboard, firmly securing the splitboard halves together, eliminating slop in the seam.
Lighten and simplify any Karakoram binding with the Air Strap. (Shaves 70 grams off your bindings.)
Patented US20130214512 A1 and Patents Pending
AIR-FORM ANKLE
Tired of foot pain and numb feet from your straps? The AirForm ankle strap conforms to your boot with independent compression pods eliminating pressure points and allowing for pinch-point free flex. Keep your feet happy and boots snug in your bindings while touring and riding.
AIR-FORM TOE
Remove the unneccesary bling and weight from your toe straps with the Air-Form toe straps (30 grams lighter). Made from Dupont Hytrel and designed to be used as cap or over the top strap.
TIP/TAIL CLIPS
CRAMPONS*
VERT ADAPTERS*
Karakoram Tip/Tail Clips are made from Dupont Zytel ST and are designed to be stiff and tough. Combine these with Karakoram Splitboard Clips to eliminate tip and tail slop forever.
Karakoram Splitboard Crampons’ unique design gives you the grip of a fixed ski crampon with the ease of touring from a floating crampon.
For attaching your Karakoram splitboard bindings to Verts. Vert Adapters attach to existing mounting holes.
*PRIME and SPLIT30 models available
APPAREL* FREE-RANGE
NOMAD
* More styles to come!
MOUTAIN SHADOW
LOGO T
PATCH HAT
ZIP HOODIE
SUPPLY CHAIN
AMBASSADORS
Karakoram is proud to build bindings in the USA. Every binding is built by a backcountry enthusiast at our factory in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in North Bend, Washington. The people that build your bindings are people that use the bindings. We source our parts from the following locations:
Jeremy Jones Lucas Debari Forrest Shearer Bryan Iguchi Blair Habenicht Mitch Toelderer Ralph Backstrom Bibi Pekarek Yuta Watanabe Maria Debari Ryan Hudson Miikka Hast Kyle Miller Ian Wood
WASHINGTON • CNC Machining (Heelstays, Toestays, Heel Levers, Tour Levers, Solid-Ride) • Injection Molding (Highbacks, Tour Modes, Heelstay Tops, Lock Blocks, Tip Clips, Heel Riser Bases, Air Straps, Flex Locks, Air-Form Straps) • Sheet Metal (Heelcups, Crampons, Vert Adapters) • Carbon Fiber (Highbacks) • Custom Turning (Custom Hardware, Pins, Custom T-nuts) • Powder Coating (Heelcups) • Anodizing (Pins) • EVA Foam (Highback Pads, Heel Pad) • Packaging (Bindings Boxes, Shippers) • Apparel Printing
OREGON • Sheet Metal (Heel attachments) • Carbon Fiber CALIFORNIA • Wire Bending (Climbing Wires) • Rivets • Patch Lock • Apparel (American Apparel Cotton)
ASIA • Straps • Screws and some small sheet metal
COMPANY
Bryce Kloster
Owner/Engineerer of all things fun
bryce@karakorambc.com
Tyler Kloster
Owner/Engineer/ Workaholic
tyler@karakorambc.com
Russell Cunningham
Rob Timmerman
Mike Davies
Paul Stanley
Kyle Hansen
Chad Perrin
russell@karakorambc.com
rob@karakorambc.com
mike@karakorambc.com
paul@karakorambc.com
kyle@karakorambc.com
chad@karakorambc.com
Engineer/Operations Yoda
Communications Wizard/ Sultan of Stoke
Engineer/Procurement Extrordinaire
Media Guy/ Binding Jedi Master
Handsome Business Dude
Marketing PR Guru
BACK COVER PHOTO: ZACH CLANTON