Incredible binding

By Sam Reese Ranked #257 - Alpine Touring Bindings November 17, 2009

Quick review: These bindings rule. Once you get to trust them (which takes a while, they are SMALL), it's hard going back to anything else.

Long review:
Because you have metal-on-metal connection from boot-to-ski, these can drive more directly than anything you've ever had. Those old race bindings that went to 16? nothing on solid connection. That said, they can feel skiddish and chattery on hard stuff at first because there is almost no binding to absorb all that crap. Learn to trust them, and absorb more with your feet.

People talk about them coming out earlier than a traditional binding. I really think this is a function of not trusting them to release and dialing down or up because of that. Dynafits release very predictably in almost all situations. There are two pre-release conditions that I've come across: Flexing the ski hard (in moguls), and your boot pops out because the rear prongs aren't long enough. Also, coming out forward when bombing a hard packed run and hit chatter. They do absorb less viabration, so when things get hellatiously rough, you have to back off some, or take a beater of a fall. That said, bombing chattery hardpack isn't that much of a thrill...

Also, the leashes are chincy, and people ask you dumb questions at resorts.

I really nit-pick in this review because I was dubious. I'd been skiing nearly 10 years, 3 really serious years, and had BIG Bomber bindings. Crap that went to 14 or 16, and thought I needed that to stay on. I didn't trust dynafits, and thought they would be a lot of work. They work, and they aren't too much work, they are just a little different.

If you want click-and-go, these aren't them. If you want resort beaters, these aren't them. If you want a backcountry setup that will steal your heart and displace the rest of your quiver over time, well, step right up.

View Details: Dynafit TLT Vertical ST Alpine Touring Binding

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes