Backcountry Access Naxo nx22 Black Alpine Touring Binding - 2008 BCS

So I until about a week ago I have been completely unwilling to even try a touring binding based upon my suspicion that there is no way that they could put up with the beating of real skiing, outside of mellow powder turns across the street from Alta. Well, I ended up with a pair of these (actually the Rossignol version, but it's the same thing) and gave them the good ol' flex test. Going uphill I was very satisfied, and they are light and have a smooth kick with the heels unlocked. On the way down I was already a bit tentative, and didn't really want to hit any airs for fear of walking back down what I had just walked up, so I kept it mellow. I was in fresh pow the whole way down, which made them pretty easy to handle, but when I hit hard snow at the bottom I could really feel what I heard about them. They have quite a bit of torsional play due to being so high up, so the ski is not at nearly as aggressive an angulation as your foot is trying to put it, which leads to a bunch of sliding... SO: It works, it gets the job done. It will get you up there, and probably back down. If you want to go fast, ski something gnarly, I would recommend you explore your other options.

I use these for resort and backcountry skiing. When I first had them mounted, I felt like I had to relearn how to ski. You stand a lot higher off the ski than you do with regular alpine bindings, and the length of the binding from the front to the back is very long so it completely changes the flexibility of your skis. It took me about a day to re-adjust my skiing to these bindings, but after that, the performance of the binding and my skis felt fine.

As for skinning...I am pigeon-toed. So, my natural stride has my toes pointed inward. I feel like I have to self-correct my stride while skinning to keep my skis going straight uphill. But despite consciously trying to keep my feet straight, I must still be torqueing the hinges on the front of the binding when in walk mode because the screws keep loosening and I end up with loose bindings in the front. I have to carry a heavy duty screw driver with me to re-tighten my bindings when I get to the top.

I do like the heel release and the adjustable risers. They are easy to adjust with your ski pole.

I used the Naxo21 for three seasons before I gave them to a family member. This year I bought the Naxo22 and put them onto some fat skis (114mm underfoot). They definitely made these burlier than the 21's. The VRS arms are beefier and there is an added point of contact under the heel that makes them more stable than before. I use them daily for aggressive inbounds and slackcountry. After fours years on Naxo's I can attest to their durability. These bindings are great. Very nice touring stride, easy to operate heel release and climbings ladders using a ski pole, and plenty burly for all my needs. BTW-I'm 6'2" 215lbs.