guys - here you are arguing about the safety of the binding. that's what bindings are for, to release you before you mess up your knee. it's not the twisting motion in a twisting fall thát hurts your knee - it's when the binding does not release. when the built-up pressure from a twisting fall does not release within a very short distance, something has to give since the binding isn't, and it's your knee that ends up giving. so, look at the technology a binding has to let you release CONSISTANTLY IN REAL WORLD CONDITIONS - not just in the shop. certain well known french bindings (and a new vermot binding)have no rear-ward release, and those same bindings rely on friction for boot movement in a twisting fall. any time friction is relied upon, how are guaranteed consistant release? all you need is a rock, some ice or other foreign material between your boot and the binding and the actual release point will be much higher. so, go to a local dealer, and ask them about this. there is a certain german designed binding that has a full mechanical twisting release the toe of the boot initiates movement of a frictionless part of the toe - which moves with the boot sideways and outward) in the toe, and rearward release as well. technically, they are the safest binding in real-world release situations. ask them to show you how the different bindings move to let your boot relase. as a throw-in, the german binding company makes a their 'Free' bindings with a rubber stomp pad between the binding and ski to dissipate the shock of flat landing a huge air, just like in the freeride specific boots. no else has that in their binding...just some real technical facts and considerations...
