Durable and Light AT binding?

[rememberscott]

Looking to get a dedicated touring setup and I'm not looking for a duke or guardian. Ideally it'd be a light and durable binding that I can take in bounds if necessary. Currently on a nomad rkr with look pivots as an everyday ski, but Ideally I'd have a bit wider of a ski that I can use for an at setup. What would you guys recommend? Plum? Are Dynafits durable? What do you think?

 

[shredschralp]

I just cracked a toe pin on my Plum guides a couple weeks ago. Spent maybe 15 resort days on them in only soft snow, and around 15-20 days touring on them in mostly soft snow. I ski hard and like to huck, but only weigh 140 lbs...

Prior to this I loved them and was impressed with their retention. That said they ride very differently than an alpine binding. Because the boot to binding interface is metal on metal and the binding has very little elasticity, the ride is very harsh. This is not noticeable in soft snow, but you will feel every little bump through the crud or on hard pack.

I just warrantied my Plums and I won't be riding them at the resort next season at all, it's just too hard on them I think. Plus alpine boots and bindings simply ride a lot better.

Riding fast in hard conditions is especially hard on tech bindings and for that reason I would not recommend them as a binding on an everyday ski.

I have no experience with dynafit bindings, I imagine they would perform very similarly save the beast line. The beast's have more elasticity and tougher heel pins which might mitigate some of the problems.

Tech bindings kick ass for touring though, lightyears better than dukes or guardians. The stride is better due to the pivot point and obviously they weigh a lot less.

 

[shredschralp]

Also, wider skis will have more leverage on the toe pieces, putting more force on the toe wings and pins.

I had my plums on 128mm underfoot skis and that may have been a contributing factor to my toe pin failure.

 

[.MASSHOLE.]

Go search TGR there is a lot more info there.

but more or less Dynafit, Plum, G3, BD, etc. all have good reviews and bad reviews.

 

[elm.]

% of skiing in bounds to out of bounds?

i got a baron and it works well

 

[tomPietrowski]

Are you looking to replace your boots as well for a tech setup or are you wanting to keep your alpine boots? Thi will be the bigger factor in selectin which bindin to go for.

 

[-SnowSnoli-]

Look into the cast system. kind of a win win if you want wide skis to tour on.. all the bonus's of an alpine binding with all the benefits of dynafit toe for going up.

Though if all you really want is tech bindings. the Dynafit TLT radical ST seems pretty solid and we sell a lot of them at the shop i work at.

Or the plum yak which is designed for wider skis...

 

[VD.]

If you're looking at lighter weight frame AT bindings I'd advise having a look at the Marker F12s. In comparison to Fritschi they're lighter, more durable, allow for better ski feel and have better power transmission. On comparison to the Baron, from my personal experience they are on par with them durability wise, so I don't see why you would go for a Baron over an F12.

 

[tomPietrowski]

Look into the cast system. kind of a win win if you want wide skis to tour on.. all the bonus's of an alpine binding with all the benefits of dynafit toe for going up.

Though if all you really want is tech bindings. the Dynafit TLT radical ST seems pretty solid and we sell a lot of them at the shop i work at.

Or the plum yak which is designed for wider skis...

Pretty good advice here. All I would say is go radical 2 ft rather then the St. The added carbon plate really helps with preventing pre releases due to the ski over flexing or counter flexing.

 

[geist]

how much u budgeting. dynafit beast 14 out next season, cheaper, lighter, lower din than the 16 but lookin to be far more burly than the radicals

 

[rememberscott]

Are you looking to replace your boots as well for a tech setup or are you wanting to keep your alpine boots? Thi will be the bigger factor in selectin which bindin to go for.

Ideally I would make the full swap over but at this point in my life I'm too broke and cheap to get a real setup Currently I'm on some FT Konflicts which I absolutely love but they are starting to break apart on me. They will last for another year at least though. My decision would be what binding to put on my pow skis ~115 underfoot. Since I'm not completely dedicated YET, I would be using these skis 50% in bounds 50% out of bounds. What I'm most concerned about is weight, as I don't want to be limited when I do decide to tour.

Do I just get some bca trekkers until I get a dedicated setup? Would the Marker f12 be a good fit? (145lbs) And do I stay away from a tech binding completely If I'll be skiing in bounds with them?

Cheers NS brudders

 

[Pipe_Munky]

If you're looking at lighter weight frame AT bindings I'd advise having a look at the Marker F12s. In comparison to Fritschi they're lighter, more durable, allow for better ski feel and have better power transmission. On comparison to the Baron, from my personal experience they are on par with them durability wise, so I don't see why you would go for a Baron over an F12.

You go with a Baron/Duke over an F12 if you charge. The elasticity of the interpivot heel is much better than the heel used on the Tour/Squire. The Baron/Duke will keep your heel a lot more secure than an F12

 

[tomPietrowski]

Ideally I would make the full swap over but at this point in my life I'm too broke and cheap to get a real setup Currently I'm on some FT Konflicts which I absolutely love but they are starting to break apart on me. They will last for another year at least though. My decision would be what binding to put on my pow skis ~115 underfoot. Since I'm not completely dedicated YET, I would be using these skis 50% in bounds 50% out of bounds. What I'm most concerned about is weight, as I don't want to be limited when I do decide to tour.

Do I just get some bca trekkers until I get a dedicated setup? Would the Marker f12 be a good fit? (145lbs) And do I stay away from a tech binding completely If I'll be skiing in bounds with them?

Cheers NS brudders

Well if you want to stick with your boots that rules out tech bindings. If I were you I would go for an f12 if don't plan on riding super hard but weight is more important. If you want to ride hard and have options I would go guardian or adrenaline. Both those ski really well so you can happily ski them in place of alpine bindings for resort use.