I was in a similar position as you. I lift ski 90% of the time, and I'm very glad I got Guardians. Weight does matter quite a bit, but it's more about getting your muscles tuned up to touring.

MTPOWI was in a similar position as you. I lift ski 90% of the time, and I'm very glad I got Guardians. Weight does matter quite a bit, but it's more about getting your muscles tuned up to touring.

yeah i think'll i'll go with the guardians then or something similar. because i'll go hike every once in a while but i think i'll still mainly use these skis for resort

If you're using your setup at the resort tech bindings aren't even an option. Even Beasts aren't ideal.

Weight matters especially on long tours, though, for sure. Having to lift your heelpiece 1000 times makes a difference. I did two days this weekend, first with Tour F12s (the lightest frame binding possible) and once with Radicals and it's not comparable.

also lets not forget that the pivot point of frame bindings is sooo freaking unnatural.

There are also binding inserts which allow you to have holes for both a touring binding and a regular alpine binding on the same ski so you can swap between the two. Here's a link to the quiver killer site

http://quiverkiller.com/

J.D.If you're using your setup at the resort tech bindings aren't even an option. Even Beasts aren't ideal.

Weight matters especially on long tours, though, for sure. Having to lift your heelpiece 1000 times makes a difference. I did two days this weekend, first with Tour F12s (the lightest frame binding possible) and once with Radicals and it's not comparable.

ChasingFlakesalso lets not forget that the pivot point of frame bindings is sooo freaking unnatural.

so what are you saying? don't get frame, get tech and don't ski them in resort? i really want to ski them in the resort though, are frame bindings actually that bad in resort too?

stinky_peteso what are you saying? don't get frame, get tech and don't ski them in resort? i really want to ski them in the resort though, are frame bindings actually that bad in resort too?

Frame is fine ive skied my guardians for 3 seasons and competed in freeride comps on them. they just walk like shit. Get them for for though

ChasingFlakesalso lets not forget that the pivot point of frame bindings is sooo freaking unnatural.

On the better ones, yeah. It's a compromise that had to be made to make them less riser-y and more durable. Fritschis have a pivot point that's much farther back.

stinky_peteso what are you saying? don't get frame, get tech and don't ski them in resort? i really want to ski them in the resort though, are frame bindings actually that bad in resort too?

Get frames and just deal with the fact that they're much worse on the up than tech bindings. If you're skiing them in the resort you have no choice in the matter. And they're still totally usable, it's not like they're Alpine Trekker level bad, they're just not as good as other options at it.

I'd poke my eyeballs out if I had to do big ascents on frame bindings. That's why you get two set ups.

TheBigAppleI'd poke my eyeballs out if I had to do big ascents on frame bindings. That's why you get two set ups.

On the flip side i skied my bc set up on the resort after a few slack laps., dfits and khions and it was god awful. those boots do not ski well inbounds.

Frame bindings are 50/50 for me. I love my Guardians, but they are very prone to breaking (all in the same way, metal bars snapped)

I had the unfortunate mishap of having mine break 6 miles away from my car and had to ski back on one ski on flat ground. It sucked ball sack, but hey I made it.

What I didn't realize when first getting into tech setups is they DO NOT ski at all like a traditional alpine set up. It takes some time to get used to, boots aren't as stiff, bindings aren't as forgiving, but they are amazing on the uphill.

Get frame style bindings first and find out if you really like the BC and touring. Then, like said above, invest in a second tech set up. I use my frame bindings if I want to build a booter or ski aggressively (jump cliffs/mini golf lines/short days) and use my tech set up if I'm trying to bag peaks or going on multi day missions.

Just to reiterate OP (and anyone else considering these), this is what I'm talking about:

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/260930-Salomon-Guardian-BREAKING-needs-a-recall

I might add this is 100% avoidable. You have to be very mindful of snow build up under the top piece right where it pivots or always tour with rear riser up.

check out this system. I plan on trying it out this season. http://casttouring.com/

Jaybrtncheck out this system. I plan on trying it out this season. http://casttouring.com/

those look super cool. have you heard anything about them?

stinky_petethose look super cool. have you heard anything about them?

I've read a few reviews, and spoken with a couple friends who use it and they all love the system. It has its drawbacks, but for me it seems like the best of both worlds. According to a guy at a local ski shop, they are going to be mainstream in the next few years.

JaybrtnI've read a few reviews, and spoken with a couple friends who use it and they all love the system. It has its drawbacks, but for me it seems like the best of both worlds. According to a guy at a local ski shop, they are going to be mainstream in the next few years.

what have you heard are the drawbacks of them?

stinky_petewhat have you heard are the drawbacks of them?

The slight increase in weight over a full dynafit system, ice sometimes getting stuck in the plate, easily removed though, time to swap toe pieces (a few seconds as opposed to flipping a switch). Mostly minor things.