TOUR-READY
Marker took its success with wide-ride, slackcountry-specific bindings (read Baron and
Duke) and optimized their weight-to-performance ratio for touring in this season’s Tour F10 and F12 (the numbers relate to maximum DIN settings). The Tour series uses a wide-ride toe
stance, successfully delivering turn energy to today’s bigger boards, and cuts out all extra
weight – Marker has hollowed out axels, opted for composites over heavier metals and used
carbon inserts where possible. These bindings come with a two-position climbing aid (7 and 13
degrees) and a removable brake, fits a Marker-made crampon and weighs in at as little as 1685
grams/pair. marker-tour.com
Wider, lighter, stronger than before
Diamir’s Swiss-made Freeride Pro perfectly
matches the need to control powerful fatties
in the steeps. Newest in its line, the binding
is wide underfoot – it’s designed for optimal
power transmission to skis above 80 mm. Yet at
2190 grams/pair it’s also light. The Freeride Pro
comes with a four-position heel elevator and is
pre-fitted for the innovative Axion crampons,
which clip onto the binding itself and engage
with the touch of a ski pole during tricky
ascents. The binding fulfills both alpine and
touring ISO safety norms.
Low riders
Simply put by the mucky-mucks at Fischer: Skis
are getting wider so we need to get skiers closer
to their skis. The company’s Rail Flex binding
does just this, and comes 30 per cent wider and
20 per cent lower, improving skier balance and
increasing terrain feedback.
More with less
Rossignol’s FKS has shaved off height and
added features, including a widened underfoot
base. The binding now boasts seven points of
contact between binding and boot (three at
the toe and four at the heel), promising better
coupling and power transmission. Rossi says
the FKS also has the longest elastic travel on
the market (40/45 mm lateral at the toe and 25
mm vertical at the heel), critical in preventing
pre-release on a quick jolt like landing big air.
Its shorter mounting zone – reduced 30 per
cent – assures more consistent ski flex.
Two-in-one
The first of its kind, the IQ system creates
a homogenous union between Blizzard skis
and Marker bindings. The binding slips under
a receptacle in the ski, resulting in weight
reduction, direct power transfer, freer flex
and improved edge pressure. Best of all, it
upgrades the integrity and flex by mitigating
ski fatigue and lessening the need for screws.
Blizzard incorporates the revolutionary system
in every model of its new collection: IQ Power
for the high-performance skier; Max for all-mountain
and freeride skis 80 mm and wider;
lightweight Centremove, which is easy to
adjust; and in Junior.
