Category: Bindings

Bindings for backcountry skiing and snowboarding

Preview: G3 Enzo

Enzo appears to be a synthesis of numerous bindings already on the market. … it looks like the G3’s Enzo has a lot to like about it. Easy mode switching, adjustable power and lots of it, plus leagues of theoretical improvement over the Targa Icent for immunity to icing up.

Preview: Marker Duke upgrade for 12/13

…the Duke’s new Extended Power Frame Chassis is a stunning 28% wider. Refinements to the heel and toe dimensions not only make the binding sleeker, but lighter too.

Review: A closer look at Hammerhead (beta)

The Hammerhead increases control for 21st century plastic boots to the same degree that the SuperLoop or Voile 3-pin cable did for leather boots back in the day. Which means the Hammerhead must be doing something dramatically different than other bindings. It is.

Tinkering with Tech Toes + Axl Springs

…not only did it work, but it worked incredibly well. It was as smooth as any binding I’d ever skied, it had a modicum of release, brake potential (available with La Sportiva and ATK tech bindings), it was lightweight, it had three effective levels of activity, and because there’s no toe box, there was no toe crunch or bellows collapse. I skied for three hours that day, made hundreds of turns, and it felt great!

Review: Voile’s Switchback X2 (2011)

Voile’s Switchback X2 is just what it sounds like, a Switchback on steroids. It expands the range of performance at both ends of the spectrum – turning and touring.

BC Update: Salomon/Atomic AT Binding

Since being sent photos from Darren Rhalves garage of the new Alpine Touring binding coming from Salomon and Atomic some details could be immediately understood, and a few assumed, but some were missing. When presented with the evidence already made public the Salomon PR folks graciously put me in touch with Cody Townsend, one of …

Keep making backcountry turns

Review: 22 Designs’ Axl

When it comes to heavy metal rocking with a free heel there is no more powerful binding on planet tele than 22 Designs Axl. It is possible to make the TTS or NTN binding more powerful but actually I shudder that you should need any more tele-resistänçe than Axl delivers. Put another way, if you …

Keep making backcountry turns