Awesome bindings, solid as a rock, laterally stiff, good universal (inlcluding touring)

By Andre Shoumatoff Ranked #368 - Telemark Skiing November 28, 2008

I'm reading the other reviews and my jaw is on the floor because the bindings rule. I have owned a lot of pairs of Tele Bindings including the Targa G9s (which I had mixed feelings on), the old school Rainey Superloops (a couple pairs since 1997) and then the Hammerheads, and I love these so much I bought two pair. I am also really hard on my gear, I have blown several bindings and probably snapped three skis in the last 8 years or so. These are super laterally stiff and these are my go-to universal bindings. I ride them on everything including touring and back country (but I also use big boots always) and I think they're great. My only complaint, ever, was on steep ascents where the bindings with the touring release (new technology anyway) would beat these out. My first pair I probably had 100+ days on. The cartridges still felt great but all of that tele-style chafing (boot rubbing boot) finally wore them through and one cartridge exploded. I sent to BCA in Colorado, three days later I had new cartridge/cables, no questions asked, I didn't even send a receipt! Over the G3, I would take these any day of the week because of the lateral stiffness that the hardwire adds. Otherwise they are a very similar binding. These are also "active" in that you hit a certain spot in the binding and they help out in the tele turn, sort of a "sweet spot." As a result I get real low and absolutely crank on these things, long arching turns (as desired) that more than keep up with the downhillers, or they rip in the bumps too...

Anyway I would recommend and recommend again.

View Details: Backcountry Access Cobra R8 Telemark Ski Binding

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