Dynafit’s Beast 14.
The potential for this new heel insert to not work with boot brands other than Dynafit was a source of early criticism by boot manufacturers. It is possible the number of boots that exhibit problems working correctly with the Beast is larger than this notice indicates, but these incompatiblities can serve as examples of things to look for with other boot models.
Power Insert Incompatibility
All of the new generation of Black Diamond AT boots will not work with the heel plate for the beast. As you can see from the picture below, Black Diamond revised how the standard heel insert for tech bindings is shaped, and thus the alignment pins don’t mate properly. AT boots from Black Diamond made prior to 2013 may work with the Beast heel plate. I have not confirmed this, but they have a standard heel insert pattern, so theoretically they do.
Notice the difference in location of the alignment pins relative to notches in the side.
Affected Black Diamond AT boots:
- Factor with Tech Pad
- Shiva with Tech Pad
- Swift
- Quadrant
- Prime
- Slant
Toe release in “locked” tour mode
Another issue occurs at the toe in touring mode. The Beast toe has a lock out mode, but the jaws can still open if the boot shell contacts the toe unit when the boot pivots beyond approximately 60°. This could happen in a forward fall, or during a kick turn.
It is a known issue with three boot models:
Atomic’s Waymaker 110,
Ooops. Pivot too far the the Atomic Waymaker will cause the Beast toe to open up.
K2’s Pinnacle 130,
Ooops. Pivot too far and the K2 Pinnacle will cause the Beast toe to open up.
and Salomon’s Quest 120.
Ooops. Pivot too far and the Salomon Quest will cause the Beast toe to open up.
Even though the incompatibility is due to the shape of the shell on these boots, Dynafit is modifying the shape of the piece on their toe to minimize this potential pre-release in tour mode.
Beast toe will be modified for the coming season to minimize prerelease in tour mode with some boot models.
This will alleviate the issue with the K2 and Atomic touring boots, but the shape of the Salomon boot may still cause the toe to release in tour mode if the Quest pivots too far forward. As with all new technology, caveat emptor.
© 2014
2 comments
“Beast toe will be modified for the coming season to minimize prerelease in tour mode with some boot models.”
Is it meant the 14/15 season or 15/16?
The Beast toe has been updated for the 14/15 season. The metal plates which cause the release have been re shaped to avoid contact, and are now much flatter in profile. However, the Salomon boots still conflict. Comparing the old/new shape, it may be possible to grind 1mm off the old design to reduce the problem.
The Beast toe has also been update to include a pop up correct pin insertion indicator. Apparently there was an issue with some boots where the pins did not insert fully due to the shape of the boot plastic/sole. This indicator is designed to show correct insertion. I assume this is for liability reasons in the US market, where someone will sue because they did not bother to check their boots fitted the binding properly.