Inbounds Touring Binding

[XtrPickels]

I’m likely going to have a bit more free-time this winter and I’m looking to add a little fitness to my weekday ski days, so I’m thinking about a little inbounds uphill action.

I’m planning on using a ~99mm ski from my quiver and starting off with Cochise’s in my closet for boots. What I’m lacking right now, are bindings.

Do I go with a full-on pin-binding setup or run a convertible binding like a Shift that might have a bit more weight, but be better for a few inbounds laps following the skin up?

[kokomas]

Opinions vary on the shifts, I'm 6-4 190# and like mine a lot for that purpose, no issues on steeps, bumps, etc

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[rudy]

I'd definitely go shift/duke if your going to ski them inbounds after the uphill laps. I'd rather ski that then deal with an AT binding in the resort but either will be a trade off. Depends on which way you want to sacrifice.

[waxloaf]

Unless you are racing uphill, the shift sounds like the perfect binding for your use case. Like Kokomas, I haven't had any issues with my shifts, but I'm only 165lbs so YMMV. I've found that as long as you make sure your AFD or Fwd Pressure haven't migrated, they work great both up and down.

[fleaches]

I know someone on here summed up the 50/50 binding debate with

> 50% in bounds = shift (or Duke)
> 50% touring = tecton

I don't think that has changed

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[Dantheman]

Do not use a pin binding for real inbounds skiing, period.

[doebedoe]

I'd choose a Duke PT all things being equal. But they are far harder to find a good deal on than the Shift these days.

[kc_7777]

I don’t tour enough to have a dedicated touring set up.

For 50/50….Duke PT 16. They have a “feel” of sturdiness when raging inbounds that the Shift just doesn’t have. Hard to explain. The Duke just feels sturdier.

That being said, I never had an issue with my Shifts. But if you’re skiing inbounds I’d go the Duke PT. I got a CAST setup mounted up at the end of last year. Haven’t tried it yet but from standing in my living room the CAST/Duke PT 16 set-ups will be similar.


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[Mofro261]

OP, really just boot up it with one ski in each hand, that way you can look like a real skier who is ready for real inbounds skiing, like all the real core bro brahs.

[ExPowderSnob]

WHy the Duke over the Shift? I'm in the same conundrum as OP, very curious to see which of these come out ahead... especially for heavier guys like myself..

[doebedoe]

WHy the Duke over the Shift? I'm in the same conundrum as OP, very curious to see which of these come out ahead... especially for heavier guys like myself..

just skis/holds up a touch better. I've had a pair of shifts and wife has pair. They are fine. My AFD stays reasonably well adjusted but hers (earlier model) seems to need a tweak every 3-4 days.)

[XXX-er]

Duke or baron are pretty fucking heavy but they do work well for a binding that will tour, I aquired 2 pair of Barons on slightly used skis and i've toured them out of bounds exactly once, I'm only 165

[jacob_dbu]

If you don't want to compromise on the uphill part or want to use the skis for longer backcountry days I'd go Tecton. They will ski marvelously inbounds and I would feel confident on them if my skis are staying on the snow and I'm not jumping off stuff.

[Stuntmonkey]

PT12/16 is on sale at Level 9 for like $400. It's a freaking steal.

[kc_7777]

Skis and Bikes (in Ontario) has the Duke PT 16 100 mm for $449 CDN.


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[singlesline]

I thought my Vipecs on ZeroG 95s skied really well on inbounds terrain. I didn't like the ski itself off piste in weird/sticky/cruddy resort conditions, but it was great on the groomers (and ok in spring slush after closing day). The bindings felt fine--that little bit of toe elasticity was just the ticket.

I suspect the tectons would feel even better at a not-huge weight penalty. I'd like to try them out in a future setup if I don't go with ATK.

If the Duke is in consideration, why not also look at a Cast setup? Especially if you happen to be already running pivots.

[TCNROMPER]

For after work uphill laps I have been really happy with the hagen core 12 which is similar to a host of bindings from atk/moment/BD. I typically would not advocate for pin bindings in bounds but have had zero issues over the last couple of seasons using them for after work fitness laps. If were to be doing any lift riding I would maybe go a different route.

[SoVT Joey]

The duke pt is far better then the shi(f)t. The problem rate is huge with that junk ass binding. Some are good, some are janky. The duke pt I have been skiing since they came out and they are amazing. They are a regular alpine binding that can tour. And they will take a pounding. I have them on my noctas. A buddy has them on his Atris and we both have probably 150 days on them each. No problems at all.

[buildakicker]

Opinions vary on the shifts, I'm 6-4 190# and like mine a lot for that purpose, no issues on steeps, bumps, etc

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I agree here I'm about your size, little heavier. They definitely kept me locked in but I didn't like how they felt compared to the downhill clamps.

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[PeachesNCream]

Out of my group of friends that use shifts, people ~170lbs don’t seem to have problems. Myself and my friend who are ~200lbs have had prerelease issues. Also us heavy folk seem to me more “power skiers” and the 170 lb folk seem to be more “finesse skiers” so just more force on the binding in general from the heavy folk

[XXX-er]

the 13 DIN Baron is 160 grams lighter than the Baron if you don't need the DIN 16 of the barons and I imagine they are probably cheaper

The Marker brakes take a lot to step into so while i was recovering from ACL surgery I couldn't step into the Barons on both my go to skis so i had to step-in from as high above the heelpiece as i could get my heel to take a run at stepping in

[PeachesNCream]

the 13 DIN Baron is 160 grams lighter than the Baron if you don't need the DIN 16 of the barons and I imagine they are probably cheaper

The brakes take a lot to step into so while i was recovering from ACL surgery I couldn't step into the Baron which was on both my go to skis so i had to step-in from as high above the heelpiece as i could get my heel to take a run at stepping in

Are you talking about the frame bindings? I didn’t know people still skied those (unless they’re going for a cheap beater setup, no offense)


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[brutah]

I use a CAST set up for the OPÂ’s exact needs and am very happy with it. IMO the pivot is the best inbounds binding so you get the best downhill binding with the capability to go uphill. Sure, itÂ’s heavy but thatÂ’s less of a concern for me when touring inbounds which is strictly for exercise and the added weight makes for a better workout. I typically tour on pin bindings but really like having the cast for travel where IÂ’ll likely only be skiing in bounds with some side country skiing

[Buster Highmen]

OP, really just boot up it with one ski in each hand, that way you can look like a real skier who is ready for real inbounds skiing, like all the real core bro brahs.

All my inbounds tech binding skiing is exclusively surreal.

[ktoor]

As someone who mostly tours with only 10-15 days inbounds a year i think theres other factors to consider for sure.

how many laps are you doing? do you plan on doing more touring in future? how hard do you charge? whats the rest of your quiver like?

with some resort sticks alrdy, my vote is for tech bindings. youll enjoy the up and the transition way more, especially for multiple laps. you could even throw the resort skis in the car and just switch if youre really concerned about pins inbounds.

everyone wants the ATKs and vipecs are great but what kind of DIN do you realistically need? schirmer and hoji ski dynafits pretty hard. g3s have release in multiple directions and ive used ions in the resort for a couple years without issues.

boots will obviously hold you back but i think with shifts *and* cochises, you run the risk of never wanting to get the exercise because its just not fun. my 0.02!


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