Gear Review
Voile Hardwire CRB Telemark Binding
Voile release system sucks
By Ben Lyman
Ranked #145 - Telemark Bindings
February 10, 2009
In all honesty, I haven't skied this particular model of Voile, so my review is strictly on their release system, which blows. Oh, it'll release all right, don't worry about that--your legs are safe in these bindings. The problem is that unless you're on hardpack (and who wants to tele on hardpack?), you'll NEVER get back into them. I once had to traverse, on one ski, a half mile BACK INTO A SKI AREA in order to get the F*#$!ers back on. In order to keep from pre-releasing, you have to tighten the screw way down, and then you have to exert the same force to get back in that you had to exert to get out--creating those forces is hard to do when you're not jumping off a cliff or skiing 60 mph, which are both tough while putting your ski back on. What a stupid design.
Update: I find it interesting that this review has gotten negative feedback from others. I'd appreciate a comment explaining what the problem is. I honestly hate the Voile release system, and I've had it on several pairs of skis in every condition over a period of many years (I still have a pair of rock skis with Voile releaseables on them). In any case, I'm standing by my review no matter how many Voile fans give it a thumbs down, because potential buyers deserve to know what they're getting into. On a completely different note, I lived in Salt Lake City for years, and found Voile to be a fantastic company to deal with--I could walk into their shop with broken gear and they'd hand me replacement parts over the counter, no questions asked. Most of their stuff is incredible and innovative, and their customer service rocks. I just hate this release system.
View Details: Voile Hardwire CRB Telemark Binding
Helpful Votes: 2 Yes
Change me.
6 Comments Last Reply: January 12, 2011 By: Dave van Dresser
I've been using the Voile release system for over 20 years. I'm 6'5", 215 lbs, and I use the extra stiff springs cranked all the way down. Even then the system does pre-release occasionally. It can be a pain and may take a few tries in powder conditions, but I've never been unable to get the binding back in with the binding still on my boot. Here's my technique: step the the heel of the plate into its slot and line up the toe notch. Place a pole tip in the area on the plate ahead of the boot, and lean hard into the top of the pole with your chest. If the ski doesn't wobble the plate should pop back in. In soft or steep conditions you may have to stomp out a level spot to support the ski, and be careful with collapsible poles!
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
Maybe if you explained why they're hard to put back will help in not getting so may negative reviews. I have used their 3 pin cable releasable on my older set and this CRB model on my current ones since 2006. I agree completely with what you wrote. The only way I've been able to get back into the binding on powder is to take the mounting plate off the boot, unload the binding pin and press the plate back in by hand - takes a coule of minutes. But then again, if I crashed hard enough for the skis to come off taking a few minutes to catch my breath (or scream at that idoit just crashed into me) doesn't hurt.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
Fair enough, Steve--I hope that they did indeed fix this design, because their failure to do so for year after year has sent me packing, with no interest in returning to a Voile binding. I hope they can keep their other customers longer than they kept me--like I said, overall a very inovative, customer-service oriented company. I just never had a good experience with Voile releasables.
Helpful Votes: 1 Yes
I think generally, a review that begins with "I haven't ever used this model" is going to get a thumbs down. From what I've read, they've changed the design so that it no longer takes as much tension to step into the binding after it had released.
Helpful Votes: 1 Yes
I have skied these bindings for years and have been saved by the release numerous times. Resetting them in deep snow and on steeps is rough. I have had good sucess taking the released binding plate of of my boot and then useing my hands pressed the plate back onto the ski and then stepping back into them. What a tough problem to have, steep deep snow......
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
"In order to keep from pre-releasing, you have to tighten the screw way down, and then you have to exert the same force to get back in that you had to exert to get out--creating those forces is hard to do when you're not jumping off a cliff or skiing 60 mph, which are both tough while putting your ski back on. What a stupid design" mine hardly ever release. when they do you just loosen the screw a bit, pop the plate back in and then tighten it back to the original din...only takes a minute or so.
Helpful Votes: 4 Yes