I have 5 days in so far on my '09 NTN bindings and Scarpa TX Pro boots and I couldn't be happier. The combination is a good predictable, stiff set-up with great control. It's a smooth progression between the flex of the binding and the flex of the boot. I love the step-in set-up and wow is it nice not to have to deal with a leash for once. While I haven't released from them yet, I think I will love the release function when I crash hard enough to pop out. On first glance, the tour mode looks great, but I'll update my comments after I take them uphill for a full day or two in the backcountry. So far, I'm very happy. I've skied them on hard-pack, Sierra cement, and a foot of WY powder, and they were great in all 3.

I'm sorry to say that I've switched back to Scarpa T1's and BD 01 bindings. My scarpa TX Pro boots cracked, and the Crispi's were stiffer than I like, so I switched back to T1's and BD 01's and couldn't be happier. They're lighter and they tour better than the NTN system. I really like the concept of the NTN (step in, releasable, ski brake, torsional stiffness, tour mode), but I just don't think it's there yet. The binding skied downhill incredibly well, and uphill ok, but if the boots crack or are too stiff, then the complete system doesn't work yet. I'm hopeful that Garmont will add an NTN boot next year and that Scarpa will fix their TX Pro plastic issues and that it will all be ready for primetime next year. In the mean time, it's back to 75mm for me.

I took 'em out for a day of skinning, and the NTN binding were good uphill, but not amazing. It's a heavy binding, and the tour mode doesn't pivot as freely/effortlessly as I would like, nor does it have the range of motion/pivot that I would desire. That said, they're much better than a binding without a tour mode, but I've found that others with a tour mode like the G3 Targa Ascent do go uphill better. However the downhill performance of the NTN is 2nd to none, and you couldn't pay me to switch back to my G3 Targa Ascents now that I've skied NTN's.

Pulling up the tour mode level takes some doing, and in cold, heavy CA snow I had to stomp on it with my boot to get it to go back down. But I think that will soften up over time. As a side note, my TX Pro boots broke (crack around the toe/bellows) on day 6 and are on their way back to Scarpa, and my new Crispi NTN EVO boots should arrive today. :) So although isn't not perfect yet, there's no way I'm going back to traditional tele boots & bindings.

If you like spending more money for a heavier binding and stiffer boot that cracks at the flex point than this system is for you!

Love that the top review is from someone that hasn't even skied the binding...

My biggest gripe with the system so far is the range of motion in tour mode, which is considerably less than that of the 01 I was on before. That said, NTN skis down way better than the 01s in terms of lateral control and smoothness of spring engagement. The extra features really are the icing on this cake, not having to bend down to engage a heel throw, not needing to use leashes when at a resort, and releasability are all very nice features to have. Skiing them with Crispi Shivers, which I am also loving.

Haven't used em'

I'll be honest. But they look crappy. Honestly ain't no way I'm using a ski day on these. With the Scarpas cracking this year, Heck no am I using these. How would I use my BD customs with these? not gonna happen. I'm really not a fan of gear that is totally limited to one brand of boots, not to mention like 2 boots in that brand.

The star I chose says "straight up sucks". But I would like to change it to "will straight up suck". Couple more years in the hopper, in the mean time I'll be ripping on my 01's.