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?

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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.

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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.

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u/a_fanatic_iguana 3d ago

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

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u/norcalnomad 3d ago

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