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Description

The legendary performance of the Hammerhead, plus a new level of versatility and durability.

Snap into the Twenty-Two Designs Axl Bindings and carve with confidence at the resort and in the backcountry. The Axl gives you the legendary stiffness and adjustability of the Hammerhead and adds a free-pivot backcountry touring mode that allows you to tour longer and with less fatigue.
  • 2000-lb test cables, a one-piece molded scratch plate, and one-piece stainless-steel latch mechanism boost durability
  • Flexes at the boot bellows unlike other designs that give you a feeling of tip-toeing
  • Three cable-guide positions allow you adjust how active the binding is for a customized feel
  • Six-hole mounting pattern is wider and longer than a standard four-hole pattern, which transmits power more efficiently and offers extra-secure attachment to the ski
  • 2.4-inches of smooth compression spring travel mean you won't bottom out, even with hefty boots
  • HammerHeel climbing bars are easy flip up and down with ski pole

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22 Designs Axl Telemark Binding

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Here's what others have to say...

5 5

bob2925821

Member since 

Third season on the axles for more backcountry than resort. Love the binding's power in third position with spiffy springs. why not? You can free pivot on the way up. Do have to say I really loved borrowing my friends vector BC's mounted with Switchback two's the other day. I felt the switchback 2's had very similar power and feel, but the switch over was easier ( from tour to ski), and of course it's a lighter binding. Both american made which I like.
I will say I've got a pretty big repair kit for my axles that I never leave home with out. First off though, I never switch back into ski mode with out taking off the ski and cleaning out the ice or snow build up under the lock mechanism. Locked in, it's bomber, but if you force the bar forward into locked mode with ice present you are risking bending or breaking the attachment point to the lock bar. Not good on a 3-4 day trip...
So. I've broken a heel piece, I've lost the main pivot screw in front of the toe, and the rear transverse bar, the one I think the new crampon will be attached to, broke a spot weld at one end: I've replaced the pivot allen headed bolt with a regular 5/16" hex head bolt, with threads twice as long as the standard cap bolt. I did reassemble with a dot of epoxy, but I also watch it like a hawk.
I've also seen the power pin almost work itself out in use. I bought an extra pin, for that 1,2, or 3rd setting, but because that aforementioned rear most transverse bar which broke spot welds ( happening on both skis, I found), I use 1/4" bolts in the third setting, with double nuts on to keep from loosening and falling off. So I have the bolt tightened down enough to mitigate the transverse bar failure, and I keep the supplied power pin stored in the first hole just in case I need it. I'm using B&D crampons with a lock feature so I don't have to hear any clicking while climbing. The axle changed up my skiing. I love it, but would buy the switchbacks for the next boards.

4 5

Sully

Member since 
Groups:

This binding has been great so far. Stiffer and more responsive then my current binding. Also has some great features for backcountry skiing.

5 5

gom2490453

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

Just picked up my second pair for another pair of skis. They did a great job of building a bomber binding for charging on any ski then releasing for easy skinning. Makes the bd's laughable...... Have a pair on Rossi s-6 and this new pair on substance skis Sherpa burns....

Nailed it again
4 5

Ron

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

I don't like to give 5 stars unless everything is perfect. However this binding sure comes close. Having skied the HH for years I knew what I was in for power wise.. this binding is even more powerful than the HH!
I just spent 8 days straight of burly touring the Tetons with this mounted via Quiver Killer inserts to some Volkyl Nanatuq's. Much of this trip was sub zero touring in dry powder. I love the free pivot tour mode which makes the binding just like an AT tourer. I didn't like the engagement/disengagement of this mode. Build-up of ice under the toe piece is something you need to stay on top of our the switch becomes jacked up. Not a big deal but something you need to be aware of. All in all a great binding that can use some tweaks to make it even better. Thankfully I don't have to switch to AT like all my buddy geezer skiers have all done!

5 5

Gunnar

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

These are amazing for touring, and inbounds as well. I personally don't feel they are as burly as the Hammerheads but they are very close. I've had BD's and G3's and these are miles ahead of either.

Just bought 188 Megawatts, have Scarpa ECO...

d.mp227933

Member since 
Posted on

Just bought 188 Megawatts, have Scarpa ECO T2 and was thinking of putting 22 Design AXL onboard.... will they be enough ? Should be for the money !

Gee  Alsenz

Member since 
Responded on

Axl's will be great. Consider a pr of T1s or T-races or a stiff spring to maximize the Megawatt.

5 5

Weston D

Member since 
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

These bindings do it all, plain and simple. They tour well, ski even better and are BURLY. They have a small ramp angle which helps eliminate rocker launch, made in the US and can also be outfitted with stiffy springs. The stiffy springs help drive larger, fatter skis and make the already active binding, that much more active. I have never broken a pair even weighing 250lbs with gear skinning and skiing on them. If your worried about the price, you shouldn't be, because they will be the last binding you buy.

Wes Wylie

Member since 
Responded on

Hard to break, yes but i did manage to rip the whole binding off the ski this fall down in Patagonia. No reason why, talked with the crew at 22 Design and they could not offer a good explanation. Mounted to spec.
Also make sure you carry a spare heel bale, had one break at the top of a run in AK last April.

Weston D

Member since 
Responded on

Gotta say Wes I have never seen that happen. I have mounted hundreds of these and if done correctly it is not possible when done correctly. Was your glue good and did you allow it to dry completely? Also using a jig ensures proper screw retention, not going too far, but far enough etc. etc. The heel bail is difficult to properly install, but if done correctly and used normally I have never broken one.

5 5

sam l

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

Such the perfect cable binding. More power than the hammerhead plus incredible up hill as well.

5 5

qtrpound3r

Member since 

So, I've skied on a pair of the axls for 3 seasons now, and I can say that they perform just like the HH and are far more powerful than any other binding on the market. They are well worth their weight during the walk back up.

Trying to decide on hammerhead v axl for...

slackcountry

Member since 
Posted on

Trying to decide on hammerhead v axl for a new pair of 102mm under foot skis. I must admit, most of my skiing is lift-access. I do some yo-yo out of bounds (typically boot-pack hikes) with roughly 6 days of true touring-for-turns in a season. With daughter age 3, I don't see hut trips in my near future. I will use these bindings on wider skis leaving me a narrow ski & hammerhead for not-so-fluffy days. Worth getting the axl, or stick with the hammerhead?

John Duke

Member since 
Responded on

Well, for years before the Axl debuted, pinheads looking for performance always toured on their HHs, usually moving their position to 1 or taking the adjusters out completely for easier touring. Combine that with a soft boot and touring isnt that bad.

But with the Axl, you have the performance of the HH with a free pivot. Even if you dont use the tour function all the time, its not like you are going to give up performance.

ske

Member since 
Responded on

Axls feel smoother and more powerful. Fiddling with HH positions in the cold sucks. Axls are so much nicer to tour in, maybe you'll yo-yo more.

Axl Telemark Binding, power and control.

Wes Wylie

Member since 
Posted on

Tordrillo Mountains Alaska, July 2012-

Ron

Member since 
Responded on

Dang I'm stoked to get a pair.. I've been on HH's for years but touring is brutal especially when I have them mounted on Mantra's... but what a battleship setup. Looking to go to Voile Charger/Axl setup.. if only they would go on sale!

How do the 3 positions of the Axl compare...

chall99

Member since 
Posted on

How do the 3 positions of the Axl compare to the 5 of the Hammerhead? I've only ever skied the Hammerhead and liked position 2 for powder / softer boots and position 3 for the firmer stuff. Is slot 2 on the HH analogous to 1 on the Axl? Or do they not compare at all?

Noah Howell

Member since 
Groups:
Responded on

I'm not sure on the exact comparison. I like position #3 for hard pack and #2 in softer snow.

5 5

Andy Jacobsen

Member since 
Groups:

After years on the O1, this year I switched to the Axl this year and have really liked them. The adjustable flex point makes them a versatile binding that works with all different types of boots and styles. I like the powerful and smooth feel of this binding. The tour mode switch took some getting used to and does ice up occasionally but it is easy to de ice it with your pole.

Unanswered Question

i have skied these for 2 full seasons now...

bill

Member since 
Posted on

i have skied these for 2 full seasons now and i love them. i ski them with scarp a t race boots and k 2 side stash skis. they are the best downhill telemark bindings ever made. they are okay for hiking in and up but they are great for coming down.

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