Lets talk about vertical release in bindings.

[Powforbreakfast.]

There's always been a lot of talk of "what bindings should i get" based on having vertical release in the toes or not. Quite frankly, it's one more axis to come out on, but in how many circumstances do you actually use that specific one? I can provide one easy one; you slap the hell out of your tails landing way backseat. I've personally never come out in a fall like that, but I am an advocate of safety, and most of my bindings have vertical release. I think myself as being relatively knowledgeable in ski and binding tech, but i was thinking about it and i can't quite place it myself. Please enlighten me, as well as a bunch of others that are probably wondering.

Thanks.

 

[buchanan.]

theres 2 times that i thank god that i had an upwards toe release. one time i landed way too backseat on a fronflip off like an 18-20 foot drop and as soon as i hit snow i could feel the strain on my legs and knees, and then i felt one of my toes come out. definately saved some type of muscle/tendin/cartalige (sp?). as soon as i got up i paid respect to them. the other i was coming off a wallride backseat and came down hard on the tails, both came out. haha my knees thank you rossignol.

 

[Happy.]

Im pretty sure you're asking if its worth having vertical release, so if your not stop earding now and i apologize, its late and i need sleep.
IF i am right, then I say why not? I think any time you go inverted and land you run the risk of landing a little too far back and eating shit. And it may not be directly back, it could be a kind of mix between 2 axis(plural?) that could cause this, I think the less chance of me destroying my acl/achilles/whatever, the better. Landing switch probably puts a strain on your toe bikings too.
Just my 2cents