hey, i am not used to comment under yt vids, but lot of videos talking about ski touring shows tech binding like a scary thing and exclusive to people who focus on uphill, i have done really good runs using tech biding, and i never experienced a pre-release in these bindings. but where you're definitely right is that I wouldn't recommend a tech binding to someone who only has one pair of skis. but i think the hybrids bindings are overhyped, they don't optimally feet everyone needs. great video as usual! Cheers Adrian.
Most of the people online who makes this kind of videos they barely go ski touring. And by ski touring I do not refer here to an outbound tour where you leave the ski resort after using the lifts and just go skinning to an area near by. For a true ski tour you start directly from the parking lot where you leave your car and depending by elevation and snow conditions you either boot up the trail with the skis on your backpack up to the point where you can put the skins on and go further. Or one goes directly on skis with skins on from the start point if there is enough snow. Also depending on the relief there are multiple traverses in a tour, one needs to deal with climbing a steep rocky section on their tour and having a more downhill oriented ski plus a heavy hybrid biding (Kingpin included in the heavy category as well) will just not work due to weight and lack of practicality. Steep skiers who need to boot up a section of the mountain and make some traverses never use a hybrid binding because on one side they need as little weight to have with them in such terrain and also due to their experience they can ski well enough on a lighter touring binding where others can only dream to ski even with a freeride setup.
To echo some of what others have said, I think the tech bindings have come a long way since the early days. They are getting better and better and now I basically only ski on tech bindings - in or out of bounds. I get not trusting the opinion of some rando online, but guys like Nikolai Schirmer more or less only skis on tech bindings and that guy shreds harder than almost anyone else. If they are good enough for him, they are good enough for anyone. And this includes his multiple serious crashes - his injuries are never attributable to his bindings. His injuries are usually a combination of speed and slope angle. He doesn't experience pre-release or failure to release in a crash. I think we can start to disseminate the knowledge that tech bindings released in the last few years, in most cases, are safe enough for the average person.
Got 4 different boots on the go right now. 3 AT and my favorite downhill 1987 Dachstein V4 Foam injected molded with Kant forward lean and forward compression springs that to adjust forward tension. Awesome boots that smell well...better than my hockey bag. Last time I bought was Scott Superguides and i made a mistake with them . I tested them extensively but in store where they were warm. I am 100kg and need a stiffer boot. I recommend trying the boots flex in the cold as they will be significantly stiffer at -20 than 20C.,,,no stores I have seen do this. Generally I recommend that if you are not sure just go with the slightly easier flex as they will stiffen up in the cold. My Dachsteins with the spring do not suffer from this though because the forward tension spring force constant is more consistent across the temperature range. The Scotts are not adjustable forward lean which is a feature I like when ripping pow I can be more forward. I rip a lot of pow in tight trees so being forward is impt for tight turns. However whatever I ride I get used to them in a few runs like riding a bike. Generally different boot for different skis. SuperGs, vs tight trees need a different tool for the job. My boot fit tip. Take out the stock footbed and check to see if the overall shape fits your foot....then throw em away and get custom footbeds!!! Marry your boots(4?) date your skis.
I just went through this exercise this past year without benefit of this video….FWIW I ended up going with the full lightweight tech binding/boot after a frame and trying the hybrid setup. Nothing wrong with either, found performance and light weight of the tech systems won out!
great video!! Just a beginnet fot this coming season for backcountry. Can you give me advice which boots are better for me as I dont want to buy different boots for touring and resort skiing. I am looking for a boots that i can use in both. Also which binding should i match with the boots you will recommend. Thanks a lot
I use the Tecnica Cochise, mainly because they fit my feet well. There are other options out there (k2 mindbender, Salomon Shift Pro). It all depends on what fits you. But these boots will do what you're asking for. As for bindings, the only true hybrid bindings on the market are the Marker Duke PT, Cast Free Tour, and the Salomon Shift. Each have their pros and cons.
I've never seen them in person before. The specs say they're quite heavy. If you're doing quick skin-ups, you may be fine. I suggest searching for a shop, or forms where people have used them, and get advice from there.
Note: Some souls are rockered and rubberized (ISO 9523) but still fit in some traditional alpine MNC bindings. You can have the best of both worlds. Just do your homework first.
Hello, I recently got K2 Apache Recon 167cm skis from my uncle. I researched about them a little bit and I saw they are a bit old model but good. I am 181cm 79kg beginner and I just want to make sure I will stay safe while skiing so I have a few questions to ask. Do I need to change ski bindings? Are the skis long enough for my height? Do I need ski poles? I would be glad to hear any advice from you all. Thanks! After that I will start buying other ski equipment. Very good video!!
To start, I highly recommend you take the skis to a ski shop (not a big sports store) to have them looked over. They will most likely recommend you get a tune to make sure the edges are sharp, and that the bases are in good condition. Second, the shop will tell you if you need new bindings or not. Based on the age of the skis, there is a high probability the bindings will need to be replaced. You can get a binding for $130 to make the skis useable. Poles will make your life easier for getting around and help with balance, but many beginners don't really use them. That's up to you... The length of the skis will be a good learning set, but may feel too short as you become a better skier. Optional, I suggest you get a proper ski lesson. Good luck!
@@MountainVibes Guess my 727 green springs need to chucked then too! PS skis dont know how tall you are but they do feel your weight. Height is just code to make the inertially challenged comfortable? Physics is phun.
Pretty late, but not all skis can take new bindings. If the ski has a mounting system like my Apache Raiders, you could be out of luck for keeping the skis with new bindings.
Hey got a question! I have two pairs of boots both Lange’s one is the Rx alpine boot and also the Xt 4 buckle touring/hybrid boot. I have a new set of pow skis that need bindings. Leaning towards the Salomon shift. These pow skis will be 95% inbounds with random 30-40 minute skins into side country. I’d like them to work with both boots. I have had frame bindings before but they’re heavy I wouldn’t mind them again but the shifts seem pretty neat if they can compare inbounds. Thanks! I guess the question is frame or shift bindings? Haha
Hey Brandon, Well, I’m going to suggest the Shifts. Depending on which frame binding you have, you’ll save between 250- 500 grams per ski. Skinning up will be much better with the use of the pin setup. You can use both boots with them as well. You may have to adjust the AFD to accommodate the soles on the different boots, and make sure the forward pressure is correct too.
Thank you for a very clear explanation of the options. I’m new to touring so this video has given me a perfect start to explore further.
hey, i am not used to comment under yt vids, but lot of videos talking about ski touring shows tech binding like a scary thing and exclusive to people who focus on uphill, i have done really good runs using tech biding, and i never experienced a pre-release in these bindings. but where you're definitely right is that I wouldn't recommend a tech binding to someone who only has one pair of skis. but i think the hybrids bindings are overhyped, they don't optimally feet everyone needs.
great video as usual!
Cheers Adrian.
Most of the people online who makes this kind of videos they barely go ski touring. And by ski touring I do not refer here to an outbound tour where you leave the ski resort after using the lifts and just go skinning to an area near by.
For a true ski tour you start directly from the parking lot where you leave your car and depending by elevation and snow conditions you either boot up the trail with the skis on your backpack up to the point where you can put the skins on and go further. Or one goes directly on skis with skins on from the start point if there is enough snow.
Also depending on the relief there are multiple traverses in a tour, one needs to deal with climbing a steep rocky section on their tour and having a more downhill oriented ski plus a heavy hybrid biding (Kingpin included in the heavy category as well) will just not work due to weight and lack of practicality.
Steep skiers who need to boot up a section of the mountain and make some traverses never use a hybrid binding because on one side they need as little weight to have with them in such terrain and also due to their experience they can ski well enough on a lighter touring binding where others can only dream to ski even with a freeride setup.
To echo some of what others have said, I think the tech bindings have come a long way since the early days. They are getting better and better and now I basically only ski on tech bindings - in or out of bounds. I get not trusting the opinion of some rando online, but guys like Nikolai Schirmer more or less only skis on tech bindings and that guy shreds harder than almost anyone else. If they are good enough for him, they are good enough for anyone. And this includes his multiple serious crashes - his injuries are never attributable to his bindings. His injuries are usually a combination of speed and slope angle. He doesn't experience pre-release or failure to release in a crash. I think we can start to disseminate the knowledge that tech bindings released in the last few years, in most cases, are safe enough for the average person.
Got 4 different boots on the go right now. 3 AT and my favorite downhill 1987 Dachstein V4 Foam injected molded with Kant forward lean and forward compression springs that to adjust forward tension. Awesome boots that smell well...better than my hockey bag.
Last time I bought was Scott Superguides and i made a mistake with them . I tested them extensively but in store where they were warm. I am 100kg and need a stiffer boot. I recommend trying the boots flex in the cold as they will be significantly stiffer at -20 than 20C.,,,no stores I have seen do this. Generally I recommend that if you are not sure just go with the slightly easier flex as they will stiffen up in the cold. My Dachsteins with the spring do not suffer from this though because the forward tension spring force constant is more consistent across the temperature range. The Scotts are not adjustable forward lean which is a feature I like when ripping pow I can be more forward. I rip a lot of pow in tight trees so being forward is impt for tight turns. However whatever I ride I get used to them in a few runs like riding a bike. Generally different boot for different skis. SuperGs, vs tight trees need a different tool for the job.
My boot fit tip. Take out the stock footbed and check to see if the overall shape fits your foot....then throw em away and get custom footbeds!!! Marry your boots(4?) date your skis.
wow...really good explanation of something incredibly complicated for a noob.
Lots of good info!
I just went through this exercise this past year without benefit of this video….FWIW I ended up going with the full lightweight tech binding/boot after a frame and trying the hybrid setup. Nothing wrong with either, found performance and light weight of the tech systems won out!
Marker Duke PT 16 vs Cast Freetour Look Pivot 15
What are peoples opinions?
great video!! Just a beginnet fot this coming season for backcountry. Can you give me advice which boots are better for me as I dont want to buy different boots for touring and resort skiing. I am looking for a boots that i can use in both. Also which binding should i match with the boots you will recommend. Thanks a lot
I use the Tecnica Cochise, mainly because they fit my feet well. There are other options out there (k2 mindbender, Salomon Shift Pro). It all depends on what fits you. But these boots will do what you're asking for. As for bindings, the only true hybrid bindings on the market are the Marker Duke PT, Cast Free Tour, and the Salomon Shift.
Each have their pros and cons.
What do you think about adapters like Daymakers? How do they work on the uphill? Are the weight/stack height tradeoffs worth the price decrease?
I've never seen them in person before. The specs say they're quite heavy. If you're doing quick skin-ups, you may be fine. I suggest searching for a shop, or forms where people have used them, and get advice from there.
Note: Some souls are rockered and rubberized (ISO 9523) but still fit in some traditional alpine MNC bindings. You can have the best of both worlds. Just do your homework first.
Hello, I recently got K2 Apache Recon 167cm skis from my uncle. I researched about them a little bit and I saw they are a bit old model but good. I am 181cm 79kg beginner and I just want to make sure I will stay safe while skiing so I have a few questions to ask. Do I need to change ski bindings? Are the skis long enough for my height? Do I need ski poles? I would be glad to hear any advice from you all. Thanks!
After that I will start buying other ski equipment.
Very good video!!
To start, I highly recommend you take the skis to a ski shop (not a big sports store) to have them looked over. They will most likely recommend you get a tune to make sure the edges are sharp, and that the bases are in good condition. Second, the shop will tell you if you need new bindings or not. Based on the age of the skis, there is a high probability the bindings will need to be replaced. You can get a binding for $130 to make the skis useable. Poles will make your life easier for getting around and help with balance, but many beginners don't really use them. That's up to you... The length of the skis will be a good learning set, but may feel too short as you become a better skier. Optional, I suggest you get a proper ski lesson.
Good luck!
@@MountainVibes Thank you, I will look on those things and make sure everything is safe. Thanks for your reply !!
@@MountainVibes Guess my 727 green springs need to chucked then too! PS skis dont know how tall you are but they do feel your weight. Height is just code to make the inertially challenged comfortable? Physics is phun.
Pretty late, but not all skis can take new bindings. If the ski has a mounting system like my Apache Raiders, you could be out of luck for keeping the skis with new bindings.
Hey got a question! I have two pairs of boots both Lange’s one is the Rx alpine boot and also the Xt 4 buckle touring/hybrid boot. I have a new set of pow skis that need bindings. Leaning towards the Salomon shift. These pow skis will be 95% inbounds with random 30-40 minute skins into side country. I’d like them to work with both boots. I have had frame bindings before but they’re heavy I wouldn’t mind them again but the shifts seem pretty neat if they can compare inbounds. Thanks! I guess the question is frame or shift bindings? Haha
Hey Brandon,
Well, I’m going to suggest the Shifts.
Depending on which frame binding you have, you’ll save between 250- 500 grams per ski. Skinning up will be much better with the use of the pin setup.
You can use both boots with them as well. You may have to adjust the AFD to accommodate the soles on the different boots, and make sure the forward pressure is correct too.
My son has the Salomon shifts and one prereleases on the uphill when they torque on a sideslope. Pain in the butt. Dynafit pin has never let me down.