O'brien Ion bindings

Has anyone ridden the O'brien ion bindings? How are they? How about the systems or exit 13's?

I have a pair of systems and I really like them. The footbeds are very comfortable and being high backs they have excellent support. There are quite a few different ways to adjust them as well. They are very secure bindings and can be hard to get into, most of the time if I fall and come out I have to relube to get back in but I dont usually come out of them. I took a lesson and the instructor tried my board and had a hard time getting into them and laughed that I actually came out a couple of times. I guess I just crash better than most people.

I have a large pair for sale. There really comfy, but they are to supportive for me. I like a flopping/no support style of binding.

I've used the Ion's for the past 7 months and really like them. Soft footbeds with strong molding overlays that provide just the right amount of support because you choose how tight you lace up. The lace up system has two parts, one for the lower and upper part of the foot which I really like. The only trouble sometimes is when you fall out of them, the laces can get tangled, making them a bit difficult to put back on while you're in the water. But it's not that big a deal.

The laces have an matching outer red material that shreds over time and lot's of use but the under lace holds strong so they don't break. The laces are easy to replace as well.

The carbon looking pieces that are on each side of the plates that hold the overlays together tend to break off very easy, but it's just cosmetic, it doesn't affect the performance of the binding.

Overall, I would give the Ion's a thumbs up. They've been one of the most reliable bindings I've ever owned. And with so many bindings tending to rip, break or snap these days, that's saying a lot.