Union Cadet One Snowboard Bindings 26/27

Union calls the 26/27 Cadet One its smallest snowboard binding, built for the youngest boot sizes in its chart and a single-strap entry. It uses one Forma One strap across the boot rather than separate ankle and toe straps. Union rates the flex at 3/10 and gives it 5/10 for Performance, All-Mountain, Freestyle and Freeride on Union’s own scorecard. This is first-turn equipment, not a tiny advanced binding.

The fit window is the main decision. On Union’s kids chart, ONE spans US Kids 7C through 11C; the corresponding ranges are EU 24–28 and Mondo 13.5–17.5. The storefront labels the single variant XS. Choose from the actual snowboard boot, never age or rider weight. Once the boot grows past 11C, move to the two-strap Cadet Mini rather than stretching a boot beyond the Cadet One’s range.

The Universal V2 Disk supports Burton 3D and Channel boards as well as 4x2 and 4x4 inserts, so board compatibility is broad. Cadet One Duraflex in the baseplate and highback keeps the chassis soft, and the complete pair weighs 0.82 kg. The single strap reduces the number of buckles a parent has to handle, but it also removes separate ankle- and toe-pressure tuning.

Compared with a two-strap kids binding, the Cadet One asks less of the adult helping at the start of a run. That simplicity is the point; it is not extra performance.

Choose the Cadet One for a very small first-time rider whose boot fits 7C–11C and whose setup benefits from one straightforward strap. Skip it for a larger boot, for a child ready for more support and adjustment, or for anyone expecting a step-in interface. PTO can confirm the boot size, board pattern and stance before mounting.