Frame bindings, tech bindings...here we will explain all you need to know to be able to select your ski touring bindings.
Ski touring allows you to freely access the mountains, without any restrictions other than those imposed by the snow conditions, the environment, the weather and – more importantly - your level of technique and experience.
The mountains are where we play...an immense, wild habitat, that is far from what is found at a ski resort.
This activity is an essential part of winter mountaineering and alpine climbing; skis are either used as an end in themselves to ascend and descend a mountain, or they are used as a means of transport to move quickly through the mountains to reach the base of a climb. Either way, enjoyment is guaranteed.
Above all, the choice of boots is fundamental, as they work together with the bindings, and due to the numerous problems of compatibility, the choice of one almost necessarily conditions the other. Although we will talk about this later, we explain in depth all these incompatibilities in our article on Compatibilities and incompatibilities between ski touring boots and bindings.
Since touring skis are used for both the ascent and descent, the bindings must allow the heel to separate from the board, pivoting at the toe to facilitate the walking action while the skis remain parallel to the snow on all gradients.
When facing the descent, the heel is fixed to the board so that it converts into a binding similar to that used for alpine skiing.
A frame binding can be described as an alpine binding mounted on a plastic or metal chassis that joins the toe and rear, allowing it to pivot.
Until not so long ago this was the most popular type of binding for ski touring. Many frame models were manufactured from the late 60's to the present day. Some of them deserve to be considered ski touring icons: From the Silvretta 300 in the 70's to the Silvretta 402 and 404, Tyrolia TRB and Marker M Tour in the 80's. In the 90s came the Diamir Fritschi Titanal (and many others after), the Baron/Duke by Marker in the last decade and, now, the Salomon/Atomic muscular Guardian/Tracker, which is undoubtedly the last great effort to revitalise a category in decline; at least in our Pyrenean mountains.
Shortly afterwards, due to its success, Dynafit decided to buy the patent and hire Fritz, who is still working for the Austrian brand.
In recent years, as the various patents protecting the Dynafit binding expired, multiple brands jumped on the tech bandwagon. First small, almost artisan brands like Plum and ATK. Then the frame binding giants Marker and Fritschi Diamir, and more recently the Salomon/Atomic group. All have contributed to the pin system, which has evolved enormously, creating new options. Perhaps, the end of the patents and the commitment of big brands to the Tech system partly explains the decline of frame bindings.
The boots he used complied with ISO 9538, which indicated the exact measurements that the sole, toe and heel needed to have for use with frame bindings. These were the only ones that existed and Barthel reused them but there was no need for them to meet ISO requirements.
The fact that tech binding boots did not have to comply with the ISO 9538 and there was no other standard regulating them, meant that over time, this led to numerous incompatibilities, not only between boots for tech and frame bindings, but also between boots for tech bindings themselves.
The issue of incompatibilities is so complex that a separate article could be dedicated to this subject: between the different brands, up to 7 types of bindings and 8 types of boots were manufactured.
And so we recommend you consult the article on Compatibilities and incompatibilities of ski touring boots and bindings before choosing your equipment, in order to avoid problems.
This said, there are certain subtleties:
Many tech bindings sacrifice some safety-related mechanical aspects to reduce weight. But don't panic: they ARE SAFE. You just have to choose wisely, and consider factors that are not usually taken into account when choosing a frame binding:
And what is the reason for this lack of elasticity?
If you are a heavy skier or aggressive freerider, if you use reactive skis and powerful boots or enjoy reaching high speeds on-piste, an inelastic binding can lead to unwanted boot release, unless you raise the preload of the release mechanisms above your normal values.
But that is not a solution. It's better to opt for an elastic binding. And fortunately there are already several Tech models on the market focused on solving this issue.
If you are not the king of aggressive skier, mentioned above, you can opt for any multi-purpose, slightly lighter tech binding (at the cost of sacrificing the range of elasticity).
How do you adapt this lack of elasticity?
It's easy; if you are used to alpine, or frame bindings, it simply requires a little adaptation.
Familiarise yourself with the settings by starting with a low setting and ride on easy terrain where a fall caused by early release is acceptable. This way you and the binding will gradually get to know each other.
What about the more minimalist tech bindings with fixed settings?
Ultralight and race bindings usually have a fixed vertical release value (a metal "U-shaped pin"), with no possibility of adjustment. Some models, such as Salomon MTN, are supplied with 3 replaceable U-pins that can be swapped depending your weight and ability, but others have only one.
A binding with a fixed release value of say, 7, is safe, if this is the value that suits your weight and ski level. It’s as simple as that. If it's not your value, it will be less suitable.
If you do not have much experience with tech bindings or are unfamiliar with their settings, you will inevitably have to find a technician to set up your ultralight or race bindings.
Fortunately, horizontal release mechanisms are starting to become standard, although they tend to be so minimalist that they sometimes lack an adjustment dial.
And if you are going to use brakes, rather than a leash... check first that they fit the ski width!
Most tourers prefer the brake to the leash, even though it is more expensive, adds weight, is often the weak point of the assembly and, on top of that, is not infallible.
You also run the risk of getting injured by the ski edges in the event of a fall.
If you have a leash, always wear a helmet.
And, of course, whether you use a leash or brakes, always beware of avalanches.
Most bindings on the market have three positions:
A binding with heel lifters that are easy to use is the best option if you are a newcomer to ski mountaineering.
The heel lifter is flipped over with your ski pole to facilitate skinning up steep slopes. This allows the boot to rest in a more horizontal position on the ski.
It depends on you. You may not need it for competition, but for most of us, it is useful to be able to have some degree of adjustment, to have the option of using different boot lengths, if necessary.
On-line store: www.barrabes.com
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