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Spark R&D Arc ST Bindings
The Spark R&D Arc ST is the medium-flex binding in the Spark line, built for riders who tour into trees and powder rather than chase the stiffest platform available. A cutout baseplate and medium-flex Asym Rip 'N' Flip highbacks put it at 628 g per binding in a Medium, and the flatter upper highback section leaves superior lateral mobility for a surfy ride down. Smooth Touring brackets overmold a thermoplastic blend through the aluminum base to form bushings Spark rates at four times the life of the brass version they replaced, which is the part that decides whether a binding still tours quietly in its fourth season.
Is This the Right Binding for You?
CCBB Binding Ratings
CCBB Binding Profile
Why We Like It
- Smooth Touring brackets overmold a thermoplastic blend through the holes in the aluminum base, forming bushings Spark rates at four times the life of the brass bushings they replaced. That is the wear point that decides how a touring binding ages.
- The ST Whammy Bar climbing wire is built into the baseplate and switches from stowed to 12 degrees to 18 degrees with a pole tip, so the riser changes without stopping or taking a glove off.
- Individual left and right highbacks with a flatter upper section give genuine lateral mobility, and the ankle strap is cut smaller around the boot than the Surge ST with a flex window, which is what makes the Arc the surfier of the two.
- Every wear part is sold separately, from baseplates and heel loops to buckles, ladders and adjusters, and the Spark Pocket Tool ships in the box. A binding that can be rebuilt beats one that has to be replaced.
Best Uses
- Splitboard touring in trees and powder
- Long tours and multi-day objectives
- All-mountain backcountry riding on a medium-flex setup
- Riders who want to service and rebuild their own hardware
- Soft boot splitboarders across XS to Large
Mounting and Setup Advice
Spark runs one unisex size line rather than men's and women's versions, in XS, Small, Medium and Large, so size on boot size alone. Weight is quoted at the Medium, and the other sizes differ. The board side of the setup is the part to plan: the Arc ST needs a set of Spark Flat Pucks or Spark Canted Pucks, sold separately, and the binding then works with any puck-compatible splitboard. Canted pucks add a few degrees of inward tilt at the feet, which some riders find easier on the knees over a long tour.
Two compatibility details matter if you are mixing generations of hardware. ST bindings work only with ST Whammy Bars, and 2021/22 or older T1 bindings need the standard Whammy Bar instead. Going the other way is fine: ST bindings run on older Tesla brackets with brass bushings, and older T1 bindings run on ST brackets. Check which generation your existing parts are before ordering spares, because the whammy bar is the one part that does not cross over.
Technical Specifications Full spec table · Click to expand
Fit and Setup
Construction and Compatibility
Compare the Spark R&D Arc ST
Arc ST vs. Spark R&D Surge ST
Same Tesla T1 system, different flex. The Spark R&D Surge ST runs stiffer highbacks and a larger ankle strap for riders driving a stiff board hard on the descent. The Arc ST is the lighter, surfier one, with a smaller ankle strap and a flex window. Riding style decides, not quality, and the touring hardware is identical.
Shop the Spark R&D Surge STArc ST vs. Spark R&D Arc ST Pro
The Spark R&D Arc ST Pro is the same geometry with premium materials: carbon reinforced nylon highbacks, Pebax straps and ladders, 7075 aluminum heel loops and aluminum hardware. Spark rates the saving at 72 g per binding. Riders shaving weight for big objectives take the Pro; everyone else gets the same ride and the same touring system for less on the Arc ST.
Shop the Spark R&D Arc ST ProArc ST vs. Nitro Vertical ST Splitbindings
Both are soft boot splitboard bindings that need pucks. The Arc ST runs Spark's Tesla T1 system with a pole-operated climbing wire and a full spare parts catalogue behind it. Compare on interface and on how serviceable you want the binding to be over several seasons, since the two systems are not cross-compatible.
Shop the Nitro Vertical ST Splitbindings