What Hybrid Ski Bindings to buy

topic:EliasLeo6 said:
So I have the Dynaster MFree 99's 179cm https://www.dynastar.com/product/mfree-99

and the K2 Fl3x diverge lt 28.5 https://k2snow.com/en-lu/p/k2-diverge-lt-mens-ski-boots-2023

and I need some hybrid bindings so I can both tour and do some all mountain skiing, maybe park.

Any suggestions on what binding I should buy or differences between options etc?

(what NOT to buy)

Thank you in advance!
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Either cast 15/18 or duke pt 16

dont even try the shift, if you’re ever trying to ski park, stay away.

the duke pt 12 uses a squire heel, so i’d stay away as well.

Honestly just go the CAST route, I swear it’s worth the high price tag. skis the same as the normal 15 and is only like 100g heavier than than a shift in uphill mode.
 
My kingpins have been super awesome but definitely air to the touring side. They rip but def beat the shit out of you on hardpack, but I can speak on the ease of transition in comparison to other options like shift, duke pt, cast etc. which is a consideration if you're gonna be touring a lot
 
Cast is the best option for a resort mostly tour sometimes rig, literally bullet proof and get to ski a pivot. Dont buy shift if you want it to last more than a season (ive killed two pairs). Duke is ok but heavy and imo ugly. Kingpin great but defiantly only for a more touring over resort setup.
 
Agree with the suggestions for CAST, as its the only hybrid binding I would feel comfortable hitting park with. Id stay away form kingpins and other burly pin bindings, as they arent as safe for battering in bounds as an alpine binding. Daymakers are another option if you know you wont be touring very often- they are adapters you put in your bindings and then step into so it allows you to have a free heel to walk up, then at the top you take the inserts out and put them in your bag and ski down in a normal binding. I know some people really like them but I personally dont. Plus if you have pivots then you might as well upgrade to CAST for the same price. Also agree with staying away from Shifts.

Going to flip the question back to you- are you dead set on having a one ski quiver? If you are in the backcountry more than 4 or 5 times a year, it may be worth getting a dedicated touring setup. Hybrid setups always compromise on things- for CAST, its the weight on the up and fiddly transitions. For pins, its alpine safety. For shifts, its the weight and the prereleases. If you have a dedicated touring setup and a dedicated alpine setup, you dont have to compromise at all.

Check out the "Bindings" section of this article by [tag=195966]@cydwhit[/tag] . I did a short write up on CAST in this thread, and there are tons of other threads on CAST on NS as well.
 
14556912:hamsauce said:
Agree with the suggestions for CAST, as its the only hybrid binding I would feel comfortable hitting park with. Id stay away form kingpins and other burly pin bindings, as they arent as safe for battering in bounds as an alpine binding. Daymakers are another option if you know you wont be touring very often- they are adapters you put in your bindings and then step into so it allows you to have a free heel to walk up, then at the top you take the inserts out and put them in your bag and ski down in a normal binding. I know some people really like them but I personally dont. Plus if you have pivots then you might as well upgrade to CAST for the same price. Also agree with staying away from Shifts.

Going to flip the question back to you- are you dead set on having a one ski quiver? If you are in the backcountry more than 4 or 5 times a year, it may be worth getting a dedicated touring setup. Hybrid setups always compromise on things- for CAST, its the weight on the up and fiddly transitions. For pins, its alpine safety. For shifts, its the weight and the prereleases. If you have a dedicated touring setup and a dedicated alpine setup, you dont have to compromise at all.

Check out the "Bindings" section of this article by [tag=195966]@cydwhit[/tag] . I did a short write up on CAST in this thread, and there are tons of other threads on CAST on NS as well.
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I was going to recommend a second set up as well. Anywhere with a touring scene usually has a Facebook marketplace flooded with dentists old setups selling for pennies on the dollar. You will have far less compromise with 2 sets. And a second set + alpine bindings for the M frees isnt really going to be any different in price from CAST.

Cast: 684 on sale from their website rn + 15 for an AFD= $700

Second Ski + Alpine bindings off Facebook: 5-600ish for a solid setup w/pin bindings + 100-150ish for attacks= $600-750ish

Ive often found touring skis in great condition for half that price as well. So it just depends on your patience.

**This post was edited on Oct 11th 2023 at 1:14:15pm
 
If you're even considering skiing park on them, CAST is the way to go. I don't think any hybrid binding will hold up to that abuse. I have loved my shifts, I got them the year Salomon and Atomic released them, and have used them the past 5 seasons. I only use them for touring though and have still needed to put 3 heelie coils in over time due to the terrible hole pattern - basically puts all the strain on the toe piece on 2 screws even though there are 5. I don't think anyone has really nailed the "hybrid" binding yet - but I do think that Duke PT is a little closer than the shift.
 
14556912:hamsauce said:
Agree with the suggestions for CAST, as its the only hybrid binding I would feel comfortable hitting park with. Id stay away form kingpins and other burly pin bindings, as they arent as safe for battering in bounds as an alpine binding. Daymakers are another option if you know you wont be touring very often- they are adapters you put in your bindings and then step into so it allows you to have a free heel to walk up, then at the top you take the inserts out and put them in your bag and ski down in a normal binding. I know some people really like them but I personally dont. Plus if you have pivots then you might as well upgrade to CAST for the same price. Also agree with staying away from Shifts.

Going to flip the question back to you- are you dead set on having a one ski quiver? If you are in the backcountry more than 4 or 5 times a year, it may be worth getting a dedicated touring setup. Hybrid setups always compromise on things- for CAST, its the weight on the up and fiddly transitions. For pins, its alpine safety. For shifts, its the weight and the prereleases. If you have a dedicated touring setup and a dedicated alpine setup, you dont have to compromise at all.

Check out the "Bindings" section of this article by [tag=195966]@cydwhit[/tag] . I did a short write up on CAST in this thread, and there are tons of other threads on CAST on NS as well.
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Yeah since I live in Belgium, one of the flattest countries in the world, i go on a skiing holliday 1-2 a year.

So in those weeks try to do different things that i enjoy, but I know I wont go hardcore in any specific area.

So basically, something that can do everything kind of OK, but it doesn't need to be really good at anything
 
14557086:EliasLeo6 said:
Id probably do 20% touring, 60% just on pistes and 20% trying to stay alive in the park
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If you're touring 1 out of every 5 times you ski I'd just get the second setup
 
14556918:profa_212 said:
I was going to recommend a second set up as well. Anywhere with a touring scene usually has a Facebook marketplace flooded with dentists old setups selling for pennies on the dollar. You will have far less compromise with 2 sets. And a second set + alpine bindings for the M frees isnt really going to be any different in price from CAST.

Cast: 684 on sale from their website rn + 15 for an AFD= $700

Second Ski + Alpine bindings off Facebook: 5-600ish for a solid setup w/pin bindings + 100-150ish for attacks= $600-750ish

Ive often found touring skis in great condition for half that price as well. So it just depends on your patience.

**This post was edited on Oct 11th 2023 at 1:14:15pm
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not planning to do anything hardcore, just everything very mediocre ^^ instead of having to buy 2 pairs of skis and 2 pairs of bindings, would it be possible to just buy 1 pair of skis and 2 pairs of bindings and swap them out?
 
14557105:EliasLeo6 said:
not planning to do anything hardcore, just everything very mediocre ^^ instead of having to buy 2 pairs of skis and 2 pairs of bindings, would it be possible to just buy 1 pair of skis and 2 pairs of bindings and swap them out?
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No.

I mean, maybe, but it’s stupid.
 
14557104:EliasLeo6 said:
second setup like new ski's boots and bindings? or just like a second pair of bindings?
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Second setup as in a second pair of skis and bindings. Your boots have pin inserts, which means they are compatible with pin bindings. What people in this thread are suggesting is you have 2 options:

Option 1- hybrid setup. (~$450-$750)

- Boots- K2 Fl3x diverge lt boots

- Skis- Dynastar MFree 99s

- Bindings- CAST touring ($700) OR Salomon Shift ($600, maybe $400 used) OR Daymakers + Attacks (300+ 150 = 450) OR Marker Duke PT (600)

Option 2- two setups (~$350-$750)

- Boots- K2 Fl3x diverge lt boots

- In bounds Skis- Dynastar MFree 99s with Attacks (150)

- Touring Skis- Starter setup on marketplace. You can get frame bindings setups for < 200, and pin setups for < 600. Your boots will work for either type of bindings on these skis as well assuming the frame bindings are gripwalk compatible.

Id be happy to elaborate. I think either option would work for you. CAST is definitely a burlier setup. Frame bindings SUCK but at least they get you uphill super cheap. If I were in your shoes, based off your other replies, I would probably pick Option 2- get attacks on Dynastars and find a secondhand pin setup on marketplace for $500-$600. However, Probably half of NS would recommend option 1- put CAST on your dynastars and be able to do both. (Or Attacks + Daymakers if youre on a budget). Other thing you could do is put attacks on, get daymakers, and if you find yourself touring more than you thought, then buy a pin setup and sell the daymakers.
 
14557143:hamsauce said:
Second setup as in a second pair of skis and bindings. Your boots have pin inserts, which means they are compatible with pin bindings. What people in this thread are suggesting is you have 2 options:

Option 1- hybrid setup. (~$450-$750)

- Boots- K2 Fl3x diverge lt boots

- Skis- Dynastar MFree 99s

- Bindings- CAST touring ($700) OR Salomon Shift ($600, maybe $400 used) OR Daymakers + Attacks (300+ 150 = 450) OR Marker Duke PT (600)

Option 2- two setups (~$350-$750)

- Boots- K2 Fl3x diverge lt boots

- In bounds Skis- Dynastar MFree 99s with Attacks (150)

- Touring Skis- Starter setup on marketplace. You can get frame bindings setups for < 200, and pin setups for < 600. Your boots will work for either type of bindings on these skis as well assuming the frame bindings are gripwalk compatible.

Id be happy to elaborate. I think either option would work for you. CAST is definitely a burlier setup. Frame bindings SUCK but at least they get you uphill super cheap. If I were in your shoes, based off your other replies, I would probably pick Option 2- get attacks on Dynastars and find a secondhand pin setup on marketplace for $500-$600. However, Probably half of NS would recommend option 1- put CAST on your dynastars and be able to do both. (Or Attacks + Daymakers if youre on a budget). Other thing you could do is put attacks on, get daymakers, and if you find yourself touring more than you thought, then buy a pin setup and sell the daymakers.
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Just saw you are in Belgium- Still some great deals on Marketplace for touring stuff.
 
A couple quick thoughts here-

-IMO the nice thing about hybrid setups is that you can ski super hard in the BC with them bc they aren't lightweight touring gear. But on the flipside, for most people skiing super hard in the BC simply doesn't make sense- no patrol to get you if you're hurt, concerns of avalanche safety, you'll have a pack that makes tricks harder to throw, lots of BC days are one and done descents so a very different vibe than sending like crazy hot lapping with your friends

-I have a couple setups including Duke PT's on normal skis and a dedicated lightweight pin/light ski setup. 95% of the time I ski BC the lightweight setup is good enough on the descent, I'll sometimes do cliffs/flips/spins in the BC but I never really go as crazy as I would in a resort so its fine, and its wayyyyy more enjoyable on the up hills to not lug all that extra weight around.

-In my experience, Duke PT's ski exactly the same as Jesters on the downhill, and feel kinda like a pin binding on the uphill but there is a weight & cost penalty. I haven't tried CAST personally, but my understanding is this is pretty much the same story but with Pivots.

-I've had daymakers in the past and I think they are pretty niche because they add sooo much weigh and bulk. That being said if you wanted to tour 1-2 miles in with friends to built and session a booter this is actually the perfect tool for that, DukePT/CAST would be great for this too. Some people have no problems sessioning booters on pin bindings but personally I wouldn't

So the TL;DR for me is I agree with most people here, def check for a cheap second setup (especially if you can find a crazy used deal), for most people on most touring days its simply better
 
14557143:hamsauce said:
Second setup as in a second pair of skis and bindings. Your boots have pin inserts, which means they are compatible with pin bindings. What people in this thread are suggesting is you have 2 options:

Option 1- hybrid setup. (~$450-$750)

- Boots- K2 Fl3x diverge lt boots

- Skis- Dynastar MFree 99s

- Bindings- CAST touring ($700) OR Salomon Shift ($600, maybe $400 used) OR Daymakers + Attacks (300+ 150 = 450) OR Marker Duke PT (600)

Option 2- two setups (~$350-$750)

- Boots- K2 Fl3x diverge lt boots

- In bounds Skis- Dynastar MFree 99s with Attacks (150)

- Touring Skis- Starter setup on marketplace. You can get frame bindings setups for < 200, and pin setups for < 600. Your boots will work for either type of bindings on these skis as well assuming the frame bindings are gripwalk compatible.

Id be happy to elaborate. I think either option would work for you. CAST is definitely a burlier setup. Frame bindings SUCK but at least they get you uphill super cheap. If I were in your shoes, based off your other replies, I would probably pick Option 2- get attacks on Dynastars and find a secondhand pin setup on marketplace for $500-$600. However, Probably half of NS would recommend option 1- put CAST on your dynastars and be able to do both. (Or Attacks + Daymakers if youre on a budget). Other thing you could do is put attacks on, get daymakers, and if you find yourself touring more than you thought, then buy a pin setup and sell the daymakers.
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Thanks a lot, I'm considering just a cheap second setup especially when i see it's not another 1200 euros but I can find one for about 400'ish.

I'll also have a talk with my local ski shop.

This was very helpful, thanks!
 
14557193:IsaacNW82 said:
A couple quick thoughts here-

-IMO the nice thing about hybrid setups is that you can ski super hard in the BC with them bc they aren't lightweight touring gear. But on the flipside, for most people skiing super hard in the BC simply doesn't make sense- no patrol to get you if you're hurt, concerns of avalanche safety, you'll have a pack that makes tricks harder to throw, lots of BC days are one and done descents so a very different vibe than sending like crazy hot lapping with your friends

-I have a couple setups including Duke PT's on normal skis and a dedicated lightweight pin/light ski setup. 95% of the time I ski BC the lightweight setup is good enough on the descent, I'll sometimes do cliffs/flips/spins in the BC but I never really go as crazy as I would in a resort so its fine, and its wayyyyy more enjoyable on the up hills to not lug all that extra weight around.

-In my experience, Duke PT's ski exactly the same as Jesters on the downhill, and feel kinda like a pin binding on the uphill but there is a weight & cost penalty. I haven't tried CAST personally, but my understanding is this is pretty much the same story but with Pivots.

-I've had daymakers in the past and I think they are pretty niche because they add sooo much weigh and bulk. That being said if you wanted to tour 1-2 miles in with friends to built and session a booter this is actually the perfect tool for that, DukePT/CAST would be great for this too. Some people have no problems sessioning booters on pin bindings but personally I wouldn't

So the TL;DR for me is I agree with most people here, def check for a cheap second setup (especially if you can find a crazy used deal), for most people on most touring days its simply better
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Thanks,

A second setup might indeed be a good plan since a used one is quite "affordable".

Especially if it's a pain in the *ss when I decide to go touring with one setup to rule them all that ends up being heavy
 
Just get the daymakers so once you realize you're not actually gonna tour you can easily sell them.
 
14557193:IsaacNW82 said:
A couple quick thoughts here-

-IMO the nice thing about hybrid setups is that you can ski super hard in the BC with them bc they aren't lightweight touring gear. But on the flipside, for most people skiing super hard in the BC simply doesn't make sense- no patrol to get you if you're hurt, concerns of avalanche safety, you'll have a pack that makes tricks harder to throw, lots of BC days are one and done descents so a very different vibe than sending like crazy hot lapping with your friends

-I have a couple setups including Duke PT's on normal skis and a dedicated lightweight pin/light ski setup. 95% of the time I ski BC the lightweight setup is good enough on the descent, I'll sometimes do cliffs/flips/spins in the BC but I never really go as crazy as I would in a resort so its fine, and its wayyyyy more enjoyable on the up hills to not lug all that extra weight around.

-In my experience, Duke PT's ski exactly the same as Jesters on the downhill, and feel kinda like a pin binding on the uphill but there is a weight & cost penalty. I haven't tried CAST personally, but my understanding is this is pretty much the same story but with Pivots.

-I've had daymakers in the past and I think they are pretty niche because they add sooo much weigh and bulk. That being said if you wanted to tour 1-2 miles in with friends to built and session a booter this is actually the perfect tool for that, DukePT/CAST would be great for this too. Some people have no problems sessioning booters on pin bindings but personally I wouldn't

So the TL;DR for me is I agree with most people here, def check for a cheap second setup (especially if you can find a crazy used deal), for most people on most touring days its simply better
Click to expand...

thanks, I'll be looking for a set of bindings without the tour option because of the overwhelming advice basically not to do it and get a seperate set.

any suggestions for good bindings that can do a bit of everything except tour is always welcome :D
 
14558586:EliasLeo6 said:
thanks, I'll be looking for a set of bindings without the tour option because of the overwhelming advice basically not to do it and get a seperate set.

any suggestions for good bindings that can do a bit of everything except tour is always welcome :D
Click to expand...

Great idea. So youre just looking for alpine bindings (downhill only)? Theres no specific “park” or “big mountain” binding- Pretty much any modern downhill binding will work- look pivots have a cult following for a reason, but have a hefty price tag. Tyrolia Attacks are ol’ reliable- inexpensive, light, simple, and work well. Salomon STHs have some of the most satisfying “click” ever. Strives will also work. One of the best skiers I know only skis Marker Jesters. Griffons will work too.

unless you are super light or super broke, id stay away from a binding under 11 din- not because you need all 11 din, but because the bindings break way easier. I broke Marker squires all the time in high school, and Attack 11s also arent as good as the Attack 13/14s.

happy to help you pick out a touring setup too- the new Daymaker Tekdapters look like they would he great for a first setup, then if you like it, you can always sell and a used pin setup.
 
14558610:hamsauce said:
Great idea. So youre just looking for alpine bindings (downhill only)? Theres no specific “park” or “big mountain” binding- Pretty much any modern downhill binding will work- look pivots have a cult following for a reason, but have a hefty price tag. Tyrolia Attacks are ol’ reliable- inexpensive, light, simple, and work well. Salomon STHs have some of the most satisfying “click” ever. Strives will also work. One of the best skiers I know only skis Marker Jesters. Griffons will work too.

unless you are super light or super broke, id stay away from a binding under 11 din- not because you need all 11 din, but because the bindings break way easier. I broke Marker squires all the time in high school, and Attack 11s also arent as good as the Attack 13/14s.

happy to help you pick out a touring setup too- the new Daymaker Tekdapters look like they would he great for a first setup, then if you like it, you can always sell and a used pin setup.
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"ol’ reliable- inexpensive, light, simple, and work well" sounds perfect! They pretty much need to be reliable and sturdy, nothing fancy :)

Thanks for the info, very helpful!
 
14558586:EliasLeo6 said:
thanks, I'll be looking for a set of bindings without the tour option because of the overwhelming advice basically not to do it and get a seperate set.

any suggestions for good bindings that can do a bit of everything except tour is always welcome :D
Click to expand...

IMO bindings are more about what to avoid than what to get. Look NX, Marker squires, most DIN11 and below bindings are pretty much crap, too easy to break. Tyrolia Attacks, Look Pivots, Marker Jesters are all solid, I'd probably just get the cheapest of those three that you can find (which will probably be Attacks)
 
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