Alright, I hate binding comparison threads as much as the last guy, but these two systems have really caught my eye and I'm trying to decide before they release in the fall. I already posted this to AT& Backcountry, but it's dead af over there. If anyone has firsthand knowledge that they want to contribute on either platform, it would be greatly appreciated!
The bindings:
Atomic/Salomon Shift
http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/salomon-atomic-shift-mnc-binding
CAST Freetour System
http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/cast-pivot-freetour-system
About me:
I've done a bit of research, and these two systems seem like the best of both worlds for binding retention on the downhill and weight saving on the uphill. I am using Atomic Hawx Utlra XTD 130 boots that have tech inserts and WTR soles, so both the Shift and new Pivot should be compatible. I typically run my DIN at around 11, and tend to ski more aggressive lines with switch landings and carves mixed in. Planning on mounting whatever I purchase onto a pair of Moment Bibby/Wildcat Tours in a 190.
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CAST vs Atomic/Salomon Shift, someone had to ask...
Well, I'd say if you already have Pivots, then go with CAST, otherwise go with Shift. There is a thread somewhere here with some CAST reviews, my experience was the same. The other thing that comes to mind is CAST production problems due to one of their contractors. Hopefully they solved them. Last year bindings should have been ready in November, but only arrived in March, which was really frustrating.
Shift is new to the market, it was only available for reviewers and atomic/salomon associated guys for previous season but looks solid. You can check blister or wildsnow reviews
**This post was edited on Jul 9th 2018 at 8:52:14pm
Shift is new to the market, it was only available for reviewers and atomic/salomon associated guys for previous season but looks solid. You can check blister or wildsnow reviews
**This post was edited on Jul 9th 2018 at 8:52:14pm
If you have any Shift-specific questions or want more details on it, just let me know!
N41v131355Well, I'd say if you already have Pivots, then go with CAST, otherwise go with Shift. There is a thread somewhere here with some CAST reviews, my experience was the same. The other thing that comes to mind is CAST production problems due to one of their contractors. Hopefully they solved them. Last year bindings should have been ready in November, but only arrived in March, which was really frustrating.
Shift is new to the market, it was only available for reviewers and atomic/salomon associated guys for previous season but looks solid. You can check blister or wildsnow reviews
**This post was edited on Jul 9th 2018 at 8:52:14pm
Thanks for the insight. I will be buying each setup from scratch, and in a perfect world, would like to add a second, skinnier touring ski next year. If I do that, I could use quiver killers with the shift binding across two skis, or purchase a second pair of pivots and the "2nd setup" add-on from CAST.
My quiver includes Moment Bibby 190 (non-tour) w/ pivots, Black Crows Nocta 185 w/ CAST + Pivots, and Moment Meridian Tour 181 w/ Tectons. Not special enough to have any experience with the Shift yet though :(
Bibby 190 is a pretty burly ski, and the tour version is not super light (still 8.5 lbs). When skiing 190 Bibby + Pivots + Lange Freetour 130, the boots felt too light to properly drive that setup, so I usually use my old racing boots when skiing the Bibby 190s. I think the heavier CAST system would likely pair better with your Bibby Tours in terms of how it rides on the downhill.
My 185 Noctas are about the same weight as 190 Bibby Tours, and with the CAST system they feel quite heavy on the uphill--yuuuge difference from my lighter Meridian tour + Tecton setup. I generally use the Noctas + CAST for shorter tours in the winter and the Meridians + Tectons for longer volcano summits in the spring/summer in the PNW.
For your skis and skiing style, my guess is CAST would be better. I just have doubts that the lighter Shift would pair as well with burlier 190 Bibby Tours. Luke from Moment posts on these forums and could probably give you a better idea of what bindings people are using on Bibby Tours. Might be worth posting on TGR too since lots of Bibby fanboys there.
Bibby 190 is a pretty burly ski, and the tour version is not super light (still 8.5 lbs). When skiing 190 Bibby + Pivots + Lange Freetour 130, the boots felt too light to properly drive that setup, so I usually use my old racing boots when skiing the Bibby 190s. I think the heavier CAST system would likely pair better with your Bibby Tours in terms of how it rides on the downhill.
My 185 Noctas are about the same weight as 190 Bibby Tours, and with the CAST system they feel quite heavy on the uphill--yuuuge difference from my lighter Meridian tour + Tecton setup. I generally use the Noctas + CAST for shorter tours in the winter and the Meridians + Tectons for longer volcano summits in the spring/summer in the PNW.
For your skis and skiing style, my guess is CAST would be better. I just have doubts that the lighter Shift would pair as well with burlier 190 Bibby Tours. Luke from Moment posts on these forums and could probably give you a better idea of what bindings people are using on Bibby Tours. Might be worth posting on TGR too since lots of Bibby fanboys there.
RFMIIFor your skis and skiing style, my guess is CAST would be better. I just have doubts that the lighter Shift would pair as well with burlier 190 Bibby Tours.
This is an interesting thing for people to experience. In terms of power transmission, the Shift feels like skiing on an STH 16, and provides more power to the ski than a Baron. I know it sounds like typical marketing blah blah blah, but everyone who has skied it will tell you the same. If I can manage to put them on each applicable ski in my quiver, I'm doing it.
onenerdykidThis is an interesting thing for people to experience. In terms of power transmission, the Shift feels like skiing on an STH 16, and provides more power to the ski than a Baron. I know it sounds like typical marketing blah blah blah, but everyone who has skied it will tell you the same. If I can manage to put them on each applicable ski in my quiver, I'm doing it.
I'm intrigued. Definitely plan on picking up a pair to stick on something. If the Shift lives up to everything the reviews thus far have said...goodbye CAST, goodbye frame bindings, and goodbye to a large chunk of Kingpin and Tecton sales.
onenerdykidThis is an interesting thing for people to experience. In terms of power transmission, the Shift feels like skiing on an STH 16, and provides more power to the ski than a Baron. I know it sounds like typical marketing blah blah blah, but everyone who has skied it will tell you the same. If I can manage to put them on each applicable ski in my quiver, I'm doing it.
Still gathering my thoughts to do a full reply to this thread, but for now, yeah, I totally agree with this. If I could have these on every ski I own, I probably would.
The shift skis better than any touring binding I've been on. To me it felt identical (if not better) than the Warden 13, and better than the Guardian 16. I do feel like I can drive a little harder on my STH 16s but only just... No difference to write home about. I'd go Shift 1000% over cast. Less hassle, less can go wrong when you're out there.
http://blistergearreview.com/at-binding-reviews/cast-freetour-upgrade-kit
Well, this sold it for me. I went CAST
Well, this sold it for me. I went CAST
ALawhttp://blistergearreview.com/at-binding-reviews/cast-freetour-upgrade-kit
Well, this sold it for me. I went CAST
I think thats the right choice for the time being. I'm sure how much I trust the durability on the Shift.
Shift everyday in my opinion. The pivot is great but the cast system is just more to go wrong and more weight. The shift skis so well and works any boots i want to stick in it. For me shift is a no brainer.
tomPietrowskiShift everyday in my opinion. The pivot is great but the cast system is just more to go wrong and more weight. The shift skis so well and works any boots i want to stick in it. For me shift is a no brainer.
I mean the Cast has multiple climbing bails, is made of metal, and is less complex. Why do you think that there is more to go wrong?
CLQI mean the Cast has multiple climbing bails, is made of metal, and is less complex. Why do you think that there is more to go wrong?
Well anytime you are converting a pre existing product there is potential for issues. Between Cast and Salomon/atomic I know who I would trust more. Not saying cast will be bad I would just not trust it as much
My quick and dirty would be: CAST is much more likely to have an issue on the uphills/transitions, but as a pure alpine binding Pivots are damn near impossible to beat. SHIFT is great, it totally does ski like an STH, but an STH doesn't ski like a Pivot. If you're a Pivot person, that matters. I'm not, but many are.
cydwhitMy quick and dirty would be: CAST is much more likely to have an issue on the uphills/transitions, but as a pure alpine binding Pivots are damn near impossible to beat. SHIFT is great, it totally does ski like an STH, but an STH doesn't ski like a Pivot. If you're a Pivot person, that matters. I'm not, but many are.
Cy, what kind of issue do you think CAST will have?
N41v131355Cy, what kind of issue do you think CAST will have?
The CAST tech toe is definitely a little more fiddly than any other tech toe. I had a few times where I really had to fight to get it on, and then locked onto my boots (see my review above) not the end of the world, it's just not as quick and pain free to transition as say, kingpins.
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