SI&I System vs Salomon Guardian/Atomic Tracker

[fromthelake12]

I am starting my backcountry career this year, and am super stoked! However I need to get some touring equipment. I'm probably only going to be doing small excursions around the Sea to Sky Corridor (2-4 hours) to start off. I am have a pair of 192 Bent Chetlers, and was wondering how the SI&I System compares to Frame touring bindings like the Guardian/Tracker. Ill be using this ski steup for 70% resort, 30% backcountry.

 

[Dirty.Harry.]

Independent of cost, the SI&I is much better than the Guardian in my opinion. I was initially interested in the Guardians when they came out a few years ago, but after seeing them in action on friend's skis and using them myself for a couple days I do not like them any more.

SI&I:

Pros - Better downhill binding (Pivot/FKS, or whatever other binder you want), MUCH better touring with Dynafit toes, durable as whatever alpine binding you use.

Cons - Insanely expensive(see below), heavier than Dynafit/tech or alpine bindings only, need touring boots or toe conversion, have to carry extra toe in backpack to switch modes

Guardian:

Pros - Simple design (no switching toes), cheap (especially on used market)

Cons - Not designed for rubber touring sole block, no flat touring mode (gets uncomfortable and tiring on long flats), high riser has a tendency to fall and cause binding to lock into ski mode (this happens way too often), heavy for both touring and skiing, durability issues in early models

Here's a cost breakdown of the CAST Touring setup. Prices are from their website, so you may be able to find some parts cheaper:

275 - CAST plates

150 - Boot conversion

180 - Dynafit toepieces

150-250 - Alpine binding (depends on model)

755-905 estimated total (for JUST a binding setup...WTF)

Obviously you could eliminate some costs: already owning compatible alpine bindings, owning boots with swappy soles (i.e. Cochise boots), finding cheaper Dynafiddle Rad toes (hard to do...extra Dynafit parts are usually hoarded by people like me). That could easily cut your costs to below the 500 mark, but that's still pretty expensive compared to most framed touring bindings.

Instead of all of this, I recommend looking at the Tyrolia Adrenalin or Ambition. The former comes in DIN 13/16 and the latter in 10/12 options. It's a lot like the Marker Tour/Baron/Duke lineup. I've skied all the framed options in the past few years and the Tyrolia choices seem like the best option at the moment. They're also marketed by 4FRNT, Head, and Fischer. They are all identical.

I hope that all helped.

 

[fromthelake12]

Independent of cost, the SI&I is much better than the Guardian in my opinion. I was initially interested in the Guardians when they came out a few years ago, but after seeing them in action on friend's skis and using them myself for a couple days I do not like them any more.

SI&I:

Pros - Better downhill binding (Pivot/FKS, or whatever other binder you want), MUCH better touring with Dynafit toes, durable as whatever alpine binding you use.

Cons - Insanely expensive(see below), heavier than Dynafit/tech or alpine bindings only, need touring boots or toe conversion, have to carry extra toe in backpack to switch modes

Guardian:

Pros - Simple design (no switching toes), cheap (especially on used market)

Cons - Not designed for rubber touring sole block, no flat touring mode (gets uncomfortable and tiring on long flats), high riser has a tendency to fall and cause binding to lock into ski mode (this happens way too often), heavy for both touring and skiing, durability issues in early models

Here's a cost breakdown of the CAST Touring setup. Prices are from their website, so you may be able to find some parts cheaper:

275 - CAST plates

150 - Boot conversion

180 - Dynafit toepieces

150-250 - Alpine binding (depends on model)

755-905 estimated total (for JUST a binding setup...WTF)

Obviously you could eliminate some costs: already owning compatible alpine bindings, owning boots with swappy soles (i.e. Cochise boots), finding cheaper Dynafiddle Rad toes (hard to do...extra Dynafit parts are usually hoarded by people like me). That could easily cut your costs to below the 500 mark, but that's still pretty expensive compared to most framed touring bindings.

Instead of all of this, I recommend looking at the Tyrolia Adrenalin or Ambition. The former comes in DIN 13/16 and the latter in 10/12 options. It's a lot like the Marker Tour/Baron/Duke lineup. I've skied all the framed options in the past few years and the Tyrolia choices seem like the best option at the moment. They're also marketed by 4FRNT, Head, and Fischer. They are all identical.

I hope that all helped.

Jesus, Thank you!

I rock the Pivot 18's right now, but I am a little strapped for cash and found a cheap 2015 Guardian 16 at my local shop that I may pick up. How did you find the weight of the guardian? I'm thinking that Ill be able to handle it no problem cause I am around 210lbs, 6'6.

 

[Dirty.Harry.]

Jesus, Thank you!

I rock the Pivot 18's right now, but I am a little strapped for cash and found a cheap 2015 Guardian 16 at my local shop that I may pick up. How did you find the weight of the guardian? I'm thinking that Ill be able to handle it no problem cause I am around 210lbs, 6'6.

I have a list of binding weights for purposes like this. The Guardian 13 and 16 weigh the same, and that monstrous number is 2920g per pair, which translates to roughly 3.2 pounds per binding. Dynafit Radical bindings weigh about 1.3 pounds each, and it all stays on the ski because only your boot pivots.

I don't want to turn you off of a chance to score a cheap touring setup and the chance to get into that part of our sport. If that's your option then go for it and expand the capability of your setup. I started with an MFD/FKS touring setup...which is almost comical to me now. We all gotta start somewhere.

I think the SI&I system is a better all-around binding than the Guardian independent of cost. After I factor in the price difference though, it's just not worth it anymore.

 

[cydwhit]

Jesus, Thank you!

I rock the Pivot 18's right now, but I am a little strapped for cash and found a cheap 2015 Guardian 16 at my local shop that I may pick up. How did you find the weight of the guardian? I'm thinking that Ill be able to handle it no problem cause I am around 210lbs, 6'6.

You're just starting, you'll be fine with the gaurdian. Yeah switching to a tech binding is life changing but I put plenty of time on my gaurdians last year and they did the job fine. And you can ski em like an inbounds binder.

 

[soup]

You're just starting, you'll be fine with the gaurdian. Yeah switching to a tech binding is life changing but I put plenty of time on my gaurdians last year and they did the job fine. And you can ski em like an inbounds binder.

price and ease of installation are key here. the CAST system is super sick and a great idea but you have to pay a ton of money and get your boots drilled.

ive ridden it all the duke, marker tour, dynafits, and the guardians. they will get you up there wherever you need to go. guardian will do you well for a season until you figure out if you really like touring or not.

 

[ThaLorax]

price and ease of installation are key here. the CAST system is super sick and a great idea but you have to pay a ton of money and get your boots drilled.

ive ridden it all the duke, marker tour, dynafits, and the guardians. they will get you up there wherever you need to go. guardian will do you well for a season until you figure out if you really like touring or not.

Nowadays a lot of boots come with tech inserts that you can buy (or even come with), so no drilling needed. I'd love to try a CAST system some time.

Been touring on the Guardians the past 2 seasons. They ski well, but they're just so damn heavy. My friend went from Fritchi bindings where we would keep the same pace all the way up the ascent, to dynafits, and now she's almost always waiting for me.

 

[fromthelake12]

Nowadays a lot of boots come with tech inserts that you can buy (or even come with), so no drilling needed. I'd love to try a CAST system some time.

Been touring on the Guardians the past 2 seasons. They ski well, but they're just so damn heavy. My friend went from Fritchi bindings where we would keep the same pace all the way up the ascent, to dynafits, and now she's almost always waiting for me.

Just picked up some barons! Got a deal on them at my local shop. I think I can last a season or two on them before I upgrade.