G3 Zed 12 or G3 Ion LT 12 Bindings?!?

[=JP=]

Can't decide which one to buy. I'm contemplating on spending the extra 50$ to get the Zeds which would save .5lb per pair but apparently, the heel piece wears out and slides backwards when using the risers. My Dynafits do that and its annoying. I feel like the Ions are more durable. Does anyone have any insight? I'm not buying any brakes for either of them.

**This thread was edited on Sep 17th 2020 at 2:46:51am

 

[hot.pocket]

Having used both for ~1 season each (both brakeless), I prefer the Zed solely for the ramp angle. I've only ever had the heel piece slide back on me when I was very aggressively stomping cornices, and I haven't had any issues with the heel piece moving while using risers.

If you're heavier, or ski aggressively, get the stomp pads (https://us-store.genuineguidegear.com/products/zed-stomp-pad-kit) to go with the Zeds so your heel isn't floating on the pins.

 

[=JP=]

Having used both for ~1 season each (both brakeless), I prefer the Zed solely for the ramp angle. I've only ever had the heel piece slide back on me when I was very aggressively stomping cornices, and I haven't had any issues with the heel piece moving while using risers.

If you're heavier, or ski aggressively, get the stomp pads (https://us-store.genuineguidegear.com/products/zed-stomp-pad-kit) to go with the Zeds so your heel isn't floating on the pins.

Thanks for the info! I'll probably get the zeds along with the stomp pads. I wish they had a crampon option like the ions.

 

[hot.pocket]

Thanks for the info! I'll probably get the zeds along with the stomp pads. I wish they had a crampon option like the ions.

The Ion crampons are compatible with the Zed.

 

[Literature]

Having used both for ~1 season each (both brakeless), I prefer the Zed solely for the ramp angle. I've only ever had the heel piece slide back on me when I was very aggressively stomping cornices, and I haven't had any issues with the heel piece moving while using risers.

If you're heavier, or ski aggressively, get the stomp pads (https://us-store.genuineguidegear.com/products/zed-stomp-pad-kit) to go with the Zeds so your heel isn't floating on the pins.

Completely agree with this.

My Ion LTs have seen three seasons, and two on my Zeds. The first year Zeds are known to fail in the heel; they've done a lot to clean that up since.

Personally, there are other bindings I'm more into, but between the two the new Zed (with stomp pads) is the better choice.

 

[PacificRimJob]

Personally I absolutely love the zed.

 

[djdiggidydave]

Question about the stomp pads/brakes. Since I've never seen them in person, do the brakes double as the stomp pad so there's less strain on the heel pins? I'm guessing the stomp pads just save weight for the hard charger and/or bigger dude that wants to save weight and stay away from brakes?