You make a good point. I was, as I said, speaking generally, but perhaps this subject isn't something we especially should not generalize about (for the sake of all knees and tip/fibs out there). I hadn't thought about Tyrolia, and I think what I said about TRUE vertical not being featured in high-DIN bindings still stands, perhaps with one slight exception. I'm not sure....
Tyrolia's Peak series -with the Diagonal/180* toe piece - is a good example of a binding series with design elements that both APPLY and CONSIDER some kind of vertical release mechanism, however the more detailed design specs are interesting. Allow me to clarify.
The lower end of the peak series (Peak 7 AC, Peak 11, and Peak 12) all have "Full Diagonal" toe pieces, which means that they, in Tyrolia's words, "release both horizontally and vertically of the Diagonal Toe and therefore ensure maximum safety in backward twisting-fall situations"
In this case, with a lower din binding, apparently we do find an actual vertical release mechanism (as with something like the Salomon Z series).
However, take a look at the Peak 15 and Peak 18X bindings (what I would consider high DIN bindings in line with a FKS 180/Look Pivot 18, Jester Pro, STH 16, Jester Pro, etc.)
While the Peak 15 and 18X are also listed as having a "Diaginal toe", the more specific vertical release design points with these models isn't quite the same as with the lower DIN ones in the series.
The 18X and 15 Diagonal toe is tuned a little differently, so that "it holds up to the high backward lean forces in racing due to higher [required] release force vertically (compared with horizontally)"
So, it's hard to tell really, but it seems like the upper end bindings in the Peak series do have a vert. release mechanism of some kind. However, if the vertical retention is so strong so that the toe will hold up to "race level" forces (or big mountain charging level ones)...it's hard to say whether the feature is even relevant. As I've stated before, an expert/pro skier skiing a binding with true vert. release risks experiencing pre-release at a very inappropriate time (ie hauling ass in the back seat trying to recover after a big hit, or god forbid in a no fall zone.) For that reason, among others, many other high DIN bindings don't feature vertical release - like the ones mentioned above.
IF Tyrolia has managed to create a true vertical release in a high DIN binding (without compromising high retention performance) that a hard charging skier can trust, then sweet! They've created a superior system...and we should all be buying that over every other high DIN binding out there for the sake of safety. (as you can see it's actually hard to tell from the wording in their shop guide if that is in fact the case with the Peak 15 and 18X)
My thinking is...if you have the Peak 18X or 15 cranked, and you find yourself in a "high backward lean force" situation, what's to say your knee won't "release" before binding/toe does? I don't know. I'm still not sure I see how a vertical release is relevant in a high-DIN binding. Apparently every other manufacturer, except maybe Tyrolia?, thinks the same way.
If the OP is looking for a Jester-level binding, but with vertical release MAYBE the Peak 15 or 18X is it....but I honestly can't be sure (would need to get on the phone with Tyrolia and ask more about the "Race Diagonal" system). Apart from that possibility, I don't know of any other high DIN binding out there that features, or claims to feature vert. release.
