After being teased all week on their social channels, Salomon has finally announced a game changer of a touring binding that is likely to interest many here on Newschoolers. The new S/LAB SHIFT MNC combines the major uphill benefits of a tech-pin setup with the downhill performance of a traditional alpine binding.
The idea for the binding originated seven years ago, but because the concept is so unique, the Salomon team was tasked with designing, prototyping, testing, and refining the product from the ground up. Many of Salomon's top athletes have been involved with the project for over five years.
"It was an engineering feat to even get to where they did," says Salomon athlete Cody Townsend in the product announcement video "...there was absolutely no blueprint, no thought that something like this could actually be achieved."
With just the flip of a switch, the S/LAB SHIFT MNC's toe piece transforms from a pin setup to what looks, and skis, like a normal alpine toe piece. This combination means no compromises for both the uphill climb or the downhill shred. At just 865 grams per binding, it won't weight you down, either.
The typical pin binding design has seen improvements in recent years, but no company has yet to overcome some of the inherent flaws associated with the system. While lightweight and efficient for climbing thanks to the pivot point's location directly on the toepiece of the boot, this connection often lacks the drivability and performance during decent. And, in some models, the pin does not release to traditional DIN specifications, which raises safety concerns for many skiers, especially hard charging pros. There are other touring binding options on the market, such as frame bindings, but they have their own downsides - fragile, cumbersome, and extremely heavy.
The S/LAB SHIFT MNC will no doubt be a game changer for those looking to use a tech toe piece, but still want the ability to charge the lines they climb. The S/LAB SHIFT MNC will be available from Salomon dealers beginning in September 2018 at an MSRP of $650. For more information visit: http://shift-bindings.salomon.com/.
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Full press release can be found below
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ANNECY, FRANCE (Dec. 8, 2017) — Seven years in the making, in close collaboration with some of the best freeskiers on the planet, Salomon unveils the S/LAB SHIFT MNC binding for the 2018/2019 season. The S/LAB SHIFT binding ushers in a new generation of backcountry skiing capability by delivering downhill performance combined with lightweight touring proficiency like never before.
The S/LAB SHIFT MNC is the first-ever binding to utilize the touring efficiency of a free–heel pin binding for ascending, and the power transmission of a standard alpine binding for descending. With just the shift of a lever, the toe piece transforms from a classic alpine binding to a tech toe with pins. On the uphill, the pins enables the skier to move efficiently by placing the rotation point close to the metatarsal of the foot and offering a 90-degree range of motion. On the downhill, the toe piece offers one of the highest elasticity levels of any traditional alpine binding on the market.
“Pins are for climbing, not charging,” says Chris McKearin, the U.S. alpine commercial manger for Salomon. “With the S/LAB SHIFT MNC binding, we have all of the elasticity of Salomon’s famed alpine bindings, combined with the power transmission to drive a big a ski and a lightweight, touring-capable package. With in-depth involvement by athletes including Cody Townsend, Salomon’s binding team has finally solved the puzzle of combining efficient uphill capability with true alpine performance.”
The S/LAB SHIFT utilizes a combination of carbon-infused PA, steel and aluminum to deliver a strong and reliable, yet lightweight construction. The S/LAB SHIFT weighs 865 grams per binding including screws, creating a massive strength-to-weight ratio with a DIN setting that ranges from 6 to 13. With the use of an adjustable toe pedal, the SHIFT is Multi Norm Certified (MNC), permitting compatibility with all adult norm boots, from traditional alpine boots to touring boots.
“I’ve been really impressed with the design, testing, feedback and approval process that has gone into the creation of the S/LAB SHIFT,” says professional skier Cody Townsend, who has been involved in the testing and development process since the beginning. “This binding is an engineering feat. By creating a binding that tours like a pin binding and skis like an alpine binding, Salomon has crafted the holy grail, the dream.”
The S/LAB SHIFT binding was designed under Salomon’s athlete-driven S/LAB program with longtime Salomon freeski athletes Cody Townsend, Chris Rubens, Greg Hill and many others. According to Solene Chappaz, the global product line manager for alpine bindings, the athlete-driven design process has yielded a product that has been tested to the limits.
“Our global athlete team is very demanding. There has been a large level of feedback and many tweaks from the team during the development process,” Chappaz says. “Having such an excellent endorsement from our athletes will have a huge impact on the success in the marketplace.”
The S/LAB SHIFT will debut at the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show in Denver, January 26-29, and will be available from Salomon dealers beginning in September 2018. For more information visit: http://shift-bindings.salomon.com/.
The idea for the binding originated seven years ago, but because the concept is so unique, the Salomon team was tasked with designing, prototyping, testing, and refining the product from the ground up. Many of Salomon's top athletes have been involved with the project for over five years.
"It was an engineering feat to even get to where they did," says Salomon athlete Cody Townsend in the product announcement video "...there was absolutely no blueprint, no thought that something like this could actually be achieved."
With just the flip of a switch, the S/LAB SHIFT MNC's toe piece transforms from a pin setup to what looks, and skis, like a normal alpine toe piece. This combination means no compromises for both the uphill climb or the downhill shred. At just 865 grams per binding, it won't weight you down, either.
The typical pin binding design has seen improvements in recent years, but no company has yet to overcome some of the inherent flaws associated with the system. While lightweight and efficient for climbing thanks to the pivot point's location directly on the toepiece of the boot, this connection often lacks the drivability and performance during decent. And, in some models, the pin does not release to traditional DIN specifications, which raises safety concerns for many skiers, especially hard charging pros. There are other touring binding options on the market, such as frame bindings, but they have their own downsides - fragile, cumbersome, and extremely heavy.
Cody Townsend said:
Photos: Cam Mcleod
The S/LAB SHIFT MNC in ski mode (left) and in walk mode (right)
The S/LAB SHIFT MNC will no doubt be a game changer for those looking to use a tech toe piece, but still want the ability to charge the lines they climb. The S/LAB SHIFT MNC will be available from Salomon dealers beginning in September 2018 at an MSRP of $650. For more information visit: http://shift-bindings.salomon.com/.
------------
Full press release can be found below
------------
ANNECY, FRANCE (Dec. 8, 2017) — Seven years in the making, in close collaboration with some of the best freeskiers on the planet, Salomon unveils the S/LAB SHIFT MNC binding for the 2018/2019 season. The S/LAB SHIFT binding ushers in a new generation of backcountry skiing capability by delivering downhill performance combined with lightweight touring proficiency like never before.
The S/LAB SHIFT MNC is the first-ever binding to utilize the touring efficiency of a free–heel pin binding for ascending, and the power transmission of a standard alpine binding for descending. With just the shift of a lever, the toe piece transforms from a classic alpine binding to a tech toe with pins. On the uphill, the pins enables the skier to move efficiently by placing the rotation point close to the metatarsal of the foot and offering a 90-degree range of motion. On the downhill, the toe piece offers one of the highest elasticity levels of any traditional alpine binding on the market.
“Pins are for climbing, not charging,” says Chris McKearin, the U.S. alpine commercial manger for Salomon. “With the S/LAB SHIFT MNC binding, we have all of the elasticity of Salomon’s famed alpine bindings, combined with the power transmission to drive a big a ski and a lightweight, touring-capable package. With in-depth involvement by athletes including Cody Townsend, Salomon’s binding team has finally solved the puzzle of combining efficient uphill capability with true alpine performance.”
The S/LAB SHIFT utilizes a combination of carbon-infused PA, steel and aluminum to deliver a strong and reliable, yet lightweight construction. The S/LAB SHIFT weighs 865 grams per binding including screws, creating a massive strength-to-weight ratio with a DIN setting that ranges from 6 to 13. With the use of an adjustable toe pedal, the SHIFT is Multi Norm Certified (MNC), permitting compatibility with all adult norm boots, from traditional alpine boots to touring boots.
“I’ve been really impressed with the design, testing, feedback and approval process that has gone into the creation of the S/LAB SHIFT,” says professional skier Cody Townsend, who has been involved in the testing and development process since the beginning. “This binding is an engineering feat. By creating a binding that tours like a pin binding and skis like an alpine binding, Salomon has crafted the holy grail, the dream.”
The S/LAB SHIFT binding was designed under Salomon’s athlete-driven S/LAB program with longtime Salomon freeski athletes Cody Townsend, Chris Rubens, Greg Hill and many others. According to Solene Chappaz, the global product line manager for alpine bindings, the athlete-driven design process has yielded a product that has been tested to the limits.
“Our global athlete team is very demanding. There has been a large level of feedback and many tweaks from the team during the development process,” Chappaz says. “Having such an excellent endorsement from our athletes will have a huge impact on the success in the marketplace.”
The S/LAB SHIFT will debut at the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show in Denver, January 26-29, and will be available from Salomon dealers beginning in September 2018. For more information visit: http://shift-bindings.salomon.com/.
