"CX" The Next Move Kazunori Hirama is Eyeing.

New Model『CX』

photo: Holy

The new model "CX" will debut in the 2025-2026 season.

Supervised by rider Kazunori Hirama, development focused on the concept of "Carving Cross (X)over" to accommodate all fields and styles, stemming from carving.

Despite the broad concept, the most distinctive feature of this model is its unique highback, which seems to select its users. We interviewed Hirama directly to ask about the development background, differences from the previous CV model, and the suitable riding styles.

You realize you weren't using that part at all.

ー The first thing that catches the eye with the CX is the highback shape. I understand the wings, but the inner part is boldly carved out. What's the intention behind this?

Originally, I had a desire for "more articulation," and I've been trying to achieve that through various settings.

In snowboarding, folding your leg inward is more difficult than leaning outward. You can lean out, but inward, the highback and straps always get in the way, preventing you from moving like you would on a skateboard.

photo: Holy

So I thought, "How can I move more even with my feet fixed?" and tried adjusting the settings. But the movements I wanted to make became bigger and bigger, and I kept hitting the highback.

Even when I maximized rotation, it still hit.

"Then just cut it off."

So I tried cutting off just the inner corner, and it was like, "Oh, it's not in the way, I can move!"

Then I tried cutting even more boldly, and it was like, "Wow, amazing!"

Based on those experiences, and after carefully examining how much it interfered, the conclusion was, "It's better without it."

Moreover, in my own movements, I was hardly using the inner part at all.

ー I'm sure some people see that and wonder, "Can it really handle carving?"

Actually, I want precisely those people to ride it.

It might be a strange way to put it, but you realize you weren't using that part at all.

When carving, you'll understand, "I wasn't using that."

Even if you were using it, you'll feel, "I can do it without it."

photo: Holy

Anyone who feels a need for this kind of movement will definitely empathize.

You genuinely gain a lot more mobility, so I hope you'll experience it, even if it's just for a test ride.

The range of motion truly expands, and the postures you can achieve are completely different.
Yet, it doesn't lose responsiveness.
In fact, it's even stiffer than the XF.

We've achieved both high responsiveness and ultra-mobility.

ー Compared to the previous CV model, this is a significant change.

The CV was all about responsiveness.

The concept was "absolutely no drag," so to maintain range of motion, we widened the rotation range, raised the heel cup for a stronger hold, and ensured minimum mobility while enhancing responsiveness.

I also wanted the highback itself to be stiffer than the CV.

By adopting the box structure that emerged during testing, the response was unexpectedly good, and the strength increased.

As a result, the highback stiffness became greater than the CV, and the CX is now second only to the XV in stiffness.

For my current carving style, this feels the best.

We've achieved both high responsiveness and ultra-mobility.

photo: Holy

ー I heard that the highback can change its range of motion and responsiveness with different settings.

I think some people might feel uneasy without the inner part.

However, since it has the same rotation range as the CV, you can still bring it back inward.

There's a wing on the outside, so the highback is in its conventional position, and you can also create an inner part.

While the CV leaned outward, the CX can also lean outward, but if you lean it inward, it feels like a regular highback.
That's because it has a huge range of inward rotation. The center is the strongest point. It's seriously strong.

The SR base maintained excellent mobility while also being suitable for freeride.

ー The baseplate adopted is the same as the SR.

Yes. After all, the base is the foundation for mobility. If the structure is like the XF or XV, where the stabilizer is rigidly fitted and doesn't roll at all, it ends up relying too much on the highback and rotation, leading to imbalance.

The way it rolls and how your foot comes out becomes unbalanced.

Even if the base moves just one or two degrees, the subsequent range of motion changes significantly.

That's why I absolutely wanted the inner stabilizer to be as soft as the SR.

Choosing the CV base limits mobility.

">The sidewall overwhelmingly stops the foot's roll.

While it offers high responsiveness and stability, what I'm looking for is "ultra-mobility." Other manufacturers also try, but there's always the risk of losing responsiveness. In that regard, Flux had the SR base that could achieve both.

It's been a miscalculation for me, but in a good way.

ー How is the new CLOUD STRAP? Considering responsiveness, I thought the traditional waffle strap might have been an option.

It's been a miscalculation for me, but in a good way.

Because I can move so much more, the traditional waffle strap would cause painful pressure points due to its stiffness.

But with the CLOUD STRAP, it doesn't hurt at all.

Furthermore, by thinning the strap's base and making other subtle improvements, the inward mobility and comfort have dramatically improved. It's the optimal strap for those who want both ultra-mobility and responsiveness.

photo: Holy

ー Even with the Cloud Strap, the frontside responsiveness hasn't dropped?

It hasn't dropped.

We considered the overall balance, and that's why we deliberately kept the traditional toe strap—because we don't want to lose responsiveness, we're using this one.

It's the best option currently available.

ー What about sideways settings instead of forward-leaning settings?

You can definitely ride it.
As proof, for me, my default front foot angle of 36 degrees went back to 27 degrees.

You can move more by turning sideways without having to lean that much, and although the board got wider, you can move sufficiently even without a forward lean. This is the biggest advantage. Furthermore, opening up for powder makes it easier.

I wanted to create a binding that doesn't sacrifice anything to excel at just one thing, but rather makes everything easy.

ー Lastly, who would you like to see ride this?

People who carve, but also want to ride varied terrain, maneuver the board, and strike various poses.

Even with movements like laybacks, where you lean your body far back, your feet won't hit. It's also easy to maintain a low stance while carving. It's a model where your knees naturally move inward with minimal effort, allowing for a smooth ride.

Also, not just people focused solely on carving, but those who want to ride freely according to the terrain.

I personally do ground tricks as an extension of carving, and that requires an immense amount of mobility.

In situations with mixed steep slopes like banked turns and flat sections, you need both "I want to move here" and "I want responsiveness here."

I wanted to create a binding that doesn't sacrifice anything to excel at just one thing, but rather allows you to do everything and makes everything easy, adapting to the situation.

Since previous solutions couldn't achieve that, I decided to go with such a bold shape.

So, I definitely want ambitious people like myself to try it.

photo: Holy