The best releasable tele binding out there

By Dominick Layfield Ranked #19 - Telemark Bindings March 9, 2005

I love them. They excel as a pure Tele binding. For those who like bindings with extra beefy springs and rear pivot point (which really stiffen up when you flex the boot), these are not for you. Instead, the 7tm has a very nice, neutral feel. I have G3 bindings on another pair of skis, and prefer the 7tm. The G3's seem slightly too stiff, and I prefer the slight ramp in the baseplate of the 7tm to the flat plate of the G3, which makes me feel like I'm always tipping forward ("rocker launch"). I don't notice any less control with the 7tm: there's absolutely no slop or looseness.

The release mechanism is unobtrusive and works flawlessly. I haven't experienced any undesirable or unexpected releases, and reattaching the binding plate to the base couldn't be easier.

Complaints? Price, firstly. Although I bought mine last year on sale from Backcountry.com, so the price was comparable to the regular price of most other Tele bindings. Secondly, the climbing bails aren't included. This is unforgivable, as they'll cost you another $25. Brakes aren't included either, but I've never felt the need for those myself.

One last point: if you want a releasable binding and like a stiffer binding -- at the 2005 OR show, Karhu were demoing a 7tm variant ("7tm Power") with a removable underfoot pivot pin which makes the binding more 'active'.

View Details: Karhu 7tm All Mountain Telemark Binding

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes