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Salomon
S/Lab Shift MNC Alpine Touring Binding

2 out of 5 stars
1 Review

Out of Stock

Don't worry though, we have a lot more Alpine Touring Bindings in stock than that.

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S/Lab Shift MNC Alpine Touring Binding

Get excited, because the Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC Alpine Touring Binding is a completely new touring binding design—the ultimate hybrid—with all the efficiency you need on the uphill and all the capabilities of a traditional alpine binding for high performance on the descent. Besides skiing like a solid alpine binding, the Shift can pretty much accommodate any boot type—even traditional alpine boots—when it's in descent mode. Though it does require a boot with tech toe fittings for hike mode, the toe height adjustment lets you easily switch between different boot norms so you can go for a tour in your lightweight tech boots in the morning, and rip the resort in your stiff alpine boots for the rest of the day. This binding is for the skier who truly wants freedom to travel in the backcountry paired with the versatility to rip terrain in the resort, and since it weighs just over three pounds a pair, you get full skiing and touring performance without compromise or the need to have two different set-ups.


Historically, touring bindings fell into two different categories: tech bindings or frame bindings. Tech, or pin bindings, are extremely lightweight for uphill efficiency but don't have the reliable release values that traditional alpine bindings have because of the lack of elasticity in pins of the toe piece. Frame bindings, on the other hand, have the reliable release values of a true alpine binding, but are extremely heavy, meaning you are sacrificing uphill efficiency for a more dependable, consistent release. Now, there are a few brands that have attempted to solve the issue of weight versus release reliability by designing bindings that have a tech toe coupled with an alpine-style heel so you can still crush the climbs and enjoy more reliable release values on the descents, but the problem still remains that these bindings employ a tech toe.


The Shift has taken this long-standing issue facing the backcountry skiing community and completely revolutionized the touring binding category. It's not a hybrid—it's in a class of its own. On the climb, the toe piece has pins to accommodate a boot with a tech toe, just like a tech binding, so you can kick turn and maneuver easily on the skin track. When it's time to descend, the pins retract with the flick of a lever, and you have a solid alpine toe. The heel, which functions like a traditional alpine heel on the descent, works in hike mode by flicking up the brake lever and stepping your heel down. The brakes will rise into "up" position, and you're free to adjust the independent climb aid based on the steepness of the terrain you're ascending. For the descent, flip the brake lever back down to deploy your brakes so you can switch the toe piece without sending your ski for a ride and simply step into the binding. With DIN TUV-certified release values you'll feel as solid ripping your line as you would in your alpine bindings, which makes the Shift a wonderfully groundbreaking option for the best of both worlds.


Details

  • New touring binding design for the best of both worlds
  • Toe piece has traditional tech pins for efficiency on the uphill
  • Toe piece changes into conventional downhill toe for the descent
  • Heel and toe piece levers allow for easy transition between modes
  • Solid heel with retractable brakes for security on the descent
  • Toe piece is Multi-Norm Certified for use with different boot types
  • Must have boot with tech toe fittings for use in tour mode
  • Item #SAL01IK
Release Rating
6-13
Boot Compatibility
Multi-Norm Certified (ISO 5355 Alpine, ISO 9523 Touring, WTR, GripWalk)
Brake Width
90mm, 100mm, 110mm, 120mm
Brakes Included
yes
Safety Features
TUV certified
Heel Elevators
2 degree and 10 degree
Claimed Weight
3lb 13oz
Recommended Use
backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering
Manufacturer Warranty
5 years

Overall Rating

2 based on 1 ratings

Review Summary

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Fits True To Size

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2 out of 5 stars

August 18, 2020

Good until it got real

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer
Height:
5' 8"
Weight:
130

I?ve skied on these bindings (which were professionally mounted and set) now for 2 years and didn?t have any issues until this season. I initially bought them so I wouldn?t have to lug multiple pairs of skis with me to Japan. I?ve heard a lot of stories and have even seen a lot of people have these infamous ?oh shift? moments where they pre-release. For awhile I thought I was immune to this because I was lighter and skiing on an 8 din (I?m 5?8? 130 lbs.). Fast forward to this season in Japan and I experienced several of these ?oh shift? moments, almost regularly. Conditions were horrible in Japan (comparatively speaking) this year and I found myself skiing more chop and crud than in years past. Anytime I was really driving and powering the ski in crud and even on one occasion in some authentic Japow, I would inevitably pre-release. It became quite frustrating. Ironically, later in the season, back in the US, I was skiing inbounds on them on my favorite pair of 106s and I decided to take a detour through the kiddie terrain park. Made it over 2 of the 3 kickers. On the 3rd kicker I came down weird on my left leg and the binding never released on either ski. I ended up tearing my ACL, MCL and meniscus. When ski patrol showed up, they looked at my skis, laughed and said they?ve seen this a lot with people skiing on shifts. Releasing when you don?t want to, not releasing when you need to. I?ve since sold all of my pairs of shift bindings. I?ll be investing in a separate touring setup. In the event that I travel overseas, I?ll be bringing 2 pairs of skis. I now have the belief that if you?re skiing resort, ski a setup that?s specially designed to handle the demands of resort skiing and if you?re touring, get a binding designed for touring. But if you do decide to go with this binding, word of advice: 1. Have them professionally mounted 2. Don?t send airs (or at least think twice before sending). I think this binding is an overall great multipurpose binding for those who are getting into touring, want a one ski quiver, and aren?t super aggressive skiers. Bummed these didn?t work out for me in the long run. I?m interested to see how Markers new binding in response to the shift skis.

MAH