Nitro Phantom Plus Highback: A Redesigned Highback Built for Power

Introduction

The Phantom Plus Highback is Nitro’s stiffest highback, and it is a completely new design for this season. It steps in to replace the Phantom Carver, and the change is more than a name swap: this is an asymmetrical, carbon-reinforced highback aimed squarely at riders who want maximum power transfer and response.

What the Phantom Plus Highback Actually Is

The defining feature is the asymmetrical shape. The profile dips down on one side and sits higher on the other, with carbon built into the construction to add stiffness and response. A raised spine runs up and across the highback, giving the whole structure a more directional character than a conventional symmetric design.

This is a fully redesigned aggressive highback, not a mild refresh. Every element of the shape exists to push power from the upper part of the binding down into the board, which is fundamentally a power transmission exercise.

How It Rides: Power and Response

The practical payoff shows up in edge control. With the stiffer carbon-reinforced structure and that central spine, the Phantom Plus delivers more aggressive power transfer, particularly when you are on the heel-side edge. Riders who drive hard turns from the back foot will notice the difference in how directly their input reaches the board.

There is real power in this binding setup, and that is not in question. The more useful question is whether your riding actually demands that level of response.

The Inside Matters Too: Damping and Boot Fit

Flip the highback around and you find foam padding shaped to cup the spine of your boot. This detail does two things at once: it adds damping at the bottom of the highback, and it keeps your boot locked in place against the structure.

That combination matters. A stiff highback with no boot contact just feels harsh, but the foam lining lets this design stay connected and controlled rather than simply rigid.

Should You Buy It?

The honest answer depends on your riding. If you genuinely need a binding this powerful and a highback this responsive, the Phantom Plus is exactly what it claims to be, and it works. If you do not need that level of stiffness and drive, there are almost certainly more forgiving options out there that will suit you better.

Aggressive riders, hard carvers, and anyone pushing heel-side performance should feel confident here. Mellow cruisers and freestyle-focused riders may find more value elsewhere.

Conclusion

The Phantom Plus Highback is a serious piece of engineering: asymmetrical shaping, carbon reinforcement, a power-transmission spine, and boot-cupping foam damping. It delivers exactly the aggressive response it was designed for, so the buying decision comes down to one thing: whether your riding style actually needs a highback this powerful.