Salomon SNS BC X-ADV Raid Binding - 2008 BCS

Great improvement over those bindings I used 20 years ago. Very easy to get in and out of. Problem is an ice build up that makes it virtually impossible to keep the boots in the bindings once I have taken them off for a few minutes, and try to get moving again. It can take 5 to 10 minutes to get out all the ice.

I weigh 200 lbs, and use these backpacking, day skiing and usually a couple of days of alpining each year with my lady friend; to slow me down a little. You will thrash a ski before you thrash the binding. These are excellent b/c ski bindings; they are light, solid, easy to use and dependable. Everyone should enjoy a pair or two!

I have used these bindings for three years and ski on average once a week in the back country and usually off the beaten path. They work flawlessly. I have made some fantastic crashes and have not hurt the bindings or myself, thank goodness. I have not compared these to other similar bindings, so I can't say they are better than other similar back country bindings. The only thing I am a little careful of is not letting snow to freeze into the pivot mechanism. You have to clean it out before you can put your boot into the binding. I highly recommend these bindings. Although this is not the boot section, I will say that the boots are very good as well.

This has been a very reliable binding for me in the backcountry. (I have three pairs on various setups.) Sometimes it can get jammed up with snow when trying to reenter the binding, but this is almost always easily and quickly cleared. Otherwise, it tours almost as well as my track race bindings, but offer enough support for turns on moderate terrain. But definitely buy this "manual" version though and not any "automatic" version, which can have (many) problems.