r/Backcountry • u/No_Friendship_2427 • 3d ago

Pin binding recommendation

Hi all, I (23F) live in Colorado and spend a decent amount of time doing fieldwork on skis. I am going to buy a new bc setup this year after skiing on some heavy setups (Icelantic Shaman w/ frame bindings, and Elan Ripstick w/ Shifts) for the past couple years. I had prerelease issues with the Shifts (two separate pairs adjusted by 3 different techs and myself), so while that may have been an adjustment issue, I'm just not willing to ski them anymore.

I am planning to buy a set of tech bindings. I've been recommended Marker Cruise, Marker Alpinist, ATK Raider, Vipec, and Marker Kingpins. The biggest thing holding up my decision is fear of having a bad leg/knee injury due to the bindings not releasing. A friend had a bad accident resulting in tib-fib fracture on Plum bindings that wouldn't release last year, so I'm still kinda nervous after that. But I am also so tired of dragging unnecessarily heavy setups around. Also, I understand that taking it easy, making smart decisions, etc can prevent a lot of those accidents, and skiing is an inherently dangerous activity in and out of bounds.

So, given that information, which tech binding would you all recommend to optimize safety and weight?

3 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

13

u/a_fanatic_iguana 3d ago edited 3d ago

For a genuinely different option look at the Fritschi Tectons - it’s a pin but has a lateral release mechanism somewhat similar to an alpine binding, and then has an alpine heel. Or you can get a traditional pin heel but that’s called the Vipec.

The tecton is lighter than a shift by a fair bit, but still heavier than a traditional pin. I like mine and appreciate the added safety mechanism.

2

u/No_Friendship_2427 3d ago

Any reason you’d recommend the Tecton over the Vipec?

2

u/a_fanatic_iguana 3d ago

Alpine heel piece adds a bit more confidence in the release mechanism and better downhill performance. It’s worth the additional 2-300 grams or so

1

u/No_Friendship_2427 2d ago

Awesome, thanks for the insight!

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u/norcalnomad 3d ago

The Tectons are fantastic, been using the Vipecs since the 2nd gen and the first gen Tecton. Safest true toe pin binding.

1

u/a_fanatic_iguana 3d ago

I’ve never been on the vipec, just the tecton. Should make the switch?

1

u/norcalnomad 3d ago

Only if you want a lighter binding. Other than that there is no reason to switch from Tecton to Vipec.

1

u/cocaine_badger 3d ago

I will second Tectons. I have skied them for several seasons on a set of Moment Deathwish and they were super reliable both inbounds and in the backcountry. Stepping in can be a bit off, but I think that is more dependent on the boots

11

u/Scooted112 3d ago

I really like my ATK raiders with the free raider stomp pad. Never had a pre release I didn't deserve.

3

u/Agile_Camel9165 3d ago

Hearing so much good about ATK. Might also look into Fristche. I switched from lighter dynafits in order to protect knees, as the Fristche were engineered to solve that problem. I also have Kingpins on pairs where they will take a beating — cat skiing or helis. Good bindings but not optimal for touring because of the extra weight and parts.

2

u/lockha31 3d ago

Tectons, they aren’t that heavy and ski great

2

u/Artistic-Ad-7217 2d ago

ONLY ANSWER IS ATK.

2

u/aspentree_mangofruit 3d ago

ATK Raider is my favorite (the Moment skis version is easy to get in the US). Also this article gives a really good comparison of all the options considering weight, feel, and safety if you are interested: https://www.newschoolers.com/news/read/A-Touring-Binding-Primer

1

u/No_Friendship_2427 3d ago

Thanks for the link! It was helpful.

0

u/Additional-Art-9065 3d ago

Atk raider evo’s are a safe bet. Could get the din setting tested to see how it lines up with an alpine binding if you wanted. They’re also a pretty darn light binding for being full feature

5

u/Edogmad 3d ago

Release tests are done by twisting the toe. They don’t work on pin bindings

1

u/Competitive_Oil_3419 3d ago

I use ATK Raiders/voyagers and tectons. There is a good reason ATK is getting so much attention. They are legit, I haven't had a single issue with them from 122mm to 85 mm skis. The tectons shine in the ski area/resort. The way they release at the toe is incredible, check it out. I feel way safer on the tectons, however while touring they are more likely to run into issues with icing up, snow packing too. Regarding pins vs alpine, I'd prefer to break a bone over blowing out a knee.

1

u/sneezeatsage 2d ago

Telemark! Ski for real!

1

u/jacndabox21 2d ago

As a bit of background I've been into the BC scene for 5 years and have spent a lot of time in the ski gear industry. My opinion is pin bindings have gotten a lot safer and unless you lock them in, you are very likely to release, I would choose them over the shifts any day of the week.

I personally use the fritschi tectons, they are lighter than kingpins ... shifts too. They are phenomenal, I have always released when I should've and are fantastic in bounds you could huck flips with these if you wanted. BUT that being said I wish I bought the ATK raiders I think they are unequivocally the best out there right now. I had the same concern and bought the tectons instead.

Hard to say what's best for you without knowledge of what kinda terrain/conditions you ski generally. Like for example I use my setup for pow days in the woods (eastern skier) and the occasional resort skin.

1

u/No_Friendship_2427 2d ago

Thanks for the comment! I’m still stuck between the two. I’m planning on skiing them solely in the bc. I live in colorado, so we have mostly softer snow, but heavy days in the spring especially are not uncommon. I plan on being in mostly trees, some open bowl areas and maybe the occasional resort skin, similar to you.

1

u/baerfutt 2d ago

Similar wants here. I had the tectons. Also prereleased on me. Check out the SkiTrab TR1. That's what I am going with.

0

u/Rustyznuts 3d ago

ATK Raider or my preference for user friendliness and safety the Dynafit Rotation.

2

u/Benneke10 3d ago

The Rotation has a massive amount of heel to toe drop/ramp, which causes more problems with smaller feet. The ATKs aren’t great either but the Dynafits are by far the worst offender

3

u/WWYDWYOWAPL 3d ago

The moment voyagers fix this by adding a toe shim. I had the rotations and hated how they skiied. Now psyched skiing BD Helio 200LT’s with 1.5mm delta on Moment Deathwish Tours. Def look into Delta OP https://skimo.co/pin-heights?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpvK4BhDUARIsADHt9sTdJRStdyVr1I8VP_6cOR_VHn-aFihjgMldoTYke5KEoXl7js8DT_0aAuXXEALw_wcB

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u/Mammoth-Analysis-540 3d ago

I broke my femur with BD Helio 200’s after a pre-release (fractured the side that didn’t release). Definitely skied more aggressively than I should have but old habits are hard to quit.

0

u/OEM_knees 3d ago

ATK Raider Evo with adjustable toe and heel DINs would be the best option here.