Nothing Else Even Makes Sense for 100% Touring

By NickW Ranked #23 - Alpine Touring Bindings April 10, 2009

Let me expand on the scope of my subject line: If you are assembling a 100% backcountry rig for your quiver, nothing else remotely makes sense other than Dynafits. FFR+, Dukes, Naxos, Silverettas - they are are completly outperformed by Dynafits on a variety of factors. (1) Weight - the Dynafits are simply the lightest AT binding you can get in the BC. It is amazing how much better it feels when you setup looses a couple of pounds (note: I went from FFR+ for a couple of years to Dynafit Vertical STs). (2) Touring Ease - the stride on the Dynafits is more natural than any other AT binding. The pivit is found in a natural position next to your toe, while Dukes and FFR+ are in front of your foot. (3) Lateral Stiffness/Ridigity - despite the simplistic look, these frankly ski more like an alpine binding than any other AT binding. The biggest issue is that you are connected to the skis by the pins (toe and heal), and your rubber-soled AT boots do not contact the ski. With the FFR+ and Duke, you loose some lateral stifness merely in the interplay between the rubber and bottom of the binding. Also, comming from FFR+ to a Vertical ST, it was night and day as far as skiing response - there is just not any play in the binding that is found in the FFR+'s plastic. Lou Dawson, from wildsnow, ran extensive tests and found that Dynafits are as torsionally stiff as Marker Dukes. (4) Ramp Angle - all alpine bindings have ramp angle. This means your heal is slightly above your toes, putting you in a natural forward-lean position. Dynafits have this as well. Dukes, Naxo, Silveretta and FFR+ DO NOT.
I purchased the Vertical ST because it is going to be Dynafit's replacement for the old Comforts. If you need something above a 10 DIN, then I would recommend the FT12s. For those new to Dynafits, you cannot go wrong with the Vertical STs. While they take some getting used to, just go to wildsnow and Lou Dawson has some great How-To-Videos on use of Dynafits (including care, entry and exit).
IF YOU ARE TOURING 100%, NOTHING ELSE MAKES SENSE!!

View Details: Dynafit TLT Vertical ST Alpine Touring Binding

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