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Backcountry Bindings

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chicknfriedsteak
Posts: 984 - Karma: 4,691
I could really use some help here so please hear me out. I want to get into backcountry, last year I demoed a pair skis that had Tyrolia Ambitions on them, and liked them. But I had nothing to compare them too and people have since told me that they are not a good binding. I need something that will hold up for about 50% hard all mountain thrashing and 50% side/back country hiking. I've considered Marker Dukes but I've heard they are heavy and clunky. Price is defiantly an issue but I'll pay for whatever it takes.
Sep 6 2015 4:29PM
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.squirrely.
Posts: 7563 - Karma: 7,540
Are you looking to tour on these? Or just a freeride binding
Sep 6 2015 8:30PM
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chicknfriedsteak
Posts: 984 - Karma: 4,691
.squirrely.Are you looking to tour on these? Or just a freeride binding


Tour, hike or whatever you call it.
Sep 7 2015 12:51PM
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henrirn
Posts: 5 - Karma: 10
I have quite similar question in "The answer to "what binding"" thread......
Sep 7 2015 1:01PM
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elm.
Posts: 1474 - Karma: 13,338
Only get dukes if you need the extra din, otherwise get Barons because dukes are just extra weight. This type of AT binding has a lot of negatives including weight and the fact that you're higher off your ski which means less ski control, but I think they're best for if you're spinning or flipping because of safety.

I wouldn't get anything dynafit for free riding because the release system is much less reliable and unsafe.

If you have the money, the Marker kingpin are the best because they have the weight of dynafit's, but the safety of an alpine binding.
Sep 7 2015 6:35PM
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henrirn
Posts: 5 - Karma: 10
Wouldn't the Dynafit Beast 16 (or 14) be preferred to Marker Kingpin, why or why not?
Sep 8 2015 3:17AM
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.squirrely.
Posts: 7563 - Karma: 7,540
henrirnWouldn't the Dynafit Beast 16 (or 14) be preferred to Marker Kingpin, why or why not?


No, unless you want to buy new boots then stick with a frame binding. Kingpins and Dynafits are tech bindings and don't have a normal alpine toepiece so you would have to buy a tech boot also. Take a look at the Salomon Guardian, Atomic Tracker or Tyrolia Adrenalin. Frame bindings don't perform as good on the way up and are heavier, but for your first pair you don't want to go all out with a tech setup.
Sep 8 2015 10:43AM
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henrirn
Posts: 5 - Karma: 10
.squirrely.No, unless you want to buy new boots then stick with a frame binding. Kingpins and Dynafits are tech bindings and don't have a normal alpine toepiece so you would have to buy a tech boot also. Take a look at the Salomon Guardian, Atomic Tracker or Tyrolia Adrenalin. Frame bindings don't perform as good on the way up and are heavier, but for your first pair you don't want to go all out with a tech setup.



Regardless, I need to buy new boots for this season and the choice depends largely on bindings. The options for me are frame bindings e.g. Guardiands or then tech bindings, primarily Marker Kingpin or Dynafit Beasts (note: I don't know much about techbindings). I understand that Kingpin and Beasts should have better downhill performance than normal tech bindings, but still there are some limitations I assume?

I will pair the bindings with Line's Magnum Opus and look for a binding that can cater to a more freestyle/jib oriented powder skiing but I need the ability to do some touring away from lifts and some day trips for touring. Multi-day touring trips are unlikely.
Sep 8 2015 11:22AM
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.squirrely.
Posts: 7563 - Karma: 7,540
henrirnRegardless, I need to buy new boots for this season and the choice depends largely on bindings. The options for me are frame bindings e.g. Guardiands or then tech bindings, primarily Marker Kingpin or Dynafit Beasts (note: I don't know much about techbindings). I understand that Kingpin and Beasts should have better downhill performance than normal tech bindings, but still there are some limitations I assume?

I will pair the bindings with Line's Magnum Opus and look for a binding that can cater to a more freestyle/jib oriented powder skiing but I need the ability to do some touring away from lifts and some day trips for touring. Multi-day touring trips are unlikely.


I think you'll prefer a frame binding if your primary focus isn't touring because you don't reallt want to be riding hard on inbounds terrain on a tech binding too much.
Sep 8 2015 11:57AM
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chicknfriedsteak
Posts: 984 - Karma: 4,691
.squirrely.I think you'll prefer a frame binding if your primary focus isn't touring because you don't reallt want to be riding hard on inbounds terrain on a tech binding too much.


Also though, how much ski control will you be loosing with a frame binding since it's higher up?
Sep 8 2015 2:00PM
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Chaka
Posts: 424 - Karma: 79
chicknfriedsteakAlso though, how much ski control will you be loosing with a frame binding since it's higher up?


None. Some people are more sensitive to a taller stack height but it won't effect performance.
Sep 8 2015 9:32PM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
why do all these threads always have people who have never used a tech binding telling you you cant ski them inbounds and they don't release safely or consistently?
Sep 10 2015 8:44AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7099 - Karma: 17,043
SFBv420.0why do all these threads always have people who have never used a tech binding telling you you cant ski them inbounds and they don't release safely or consistently?


Well sure you can but they suck especially if your skiing hard. Somthing like a kingpin is differnt but if i was doin big MTN stuff and hitting bigger cliffs a frame binding woul be my first choice.
Sep 10 2015 12:57PM
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