Ski Trab TR1 ? Better Shift/Tecton/Duke PT/ Kingpin

I'm looking for a binding sturdier than the Vario2 to use on my BMT109. They will be used for a lot of bootpacking, couloir skiing, and fast winter travel. I'm a bit clumsy and fumble during transitions, so I prefer a simple binding. I love the Vario2, but the heels aren't up to the level I need. I've had a good overall experience with the Vipec over the years, especially the first-gen Vipec. I'm not a fan of Kingpins or Shift-type bindings. So, how do these TR1s compare to fast and light bindings when it comes to their use and fiddle factor? Are they worth the extra 100g over the Vipecs?

I think the mtn is the best binding for what you're looking for.

Certainly the safest, because the super strong toe springs prevent pre releases.

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I wish that I could tell you… I’ve only mounted mine and bench fiddled with them. I’ve got high hopes, but haven’t skied them.

Sturdy was the wrong word to use. The vario 2 are plenty sturdy and have good retention. The problem is more with their lack of elasticity. But that's thing across all bindings in that class.

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Originally Posted by singlecross

I wish that I could tell you… I’ve only mounted mine and bench fiddled with them. I’ve got high hopes, but haven’t skied them.

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So how do they fiddle?

Im curious if you could mount the TR1 s and then BF insert heels for an ATK heel and the TR1 heel. Light for real up days, full heel for when needed.

Lateral release in heel and toe? Besides being quite a franken combo it might be a bit too floatey. I think it more reasonable to go to the ATK toe too when switching. Most time taken when switching bindings is spent adjusting the forward pressure.

@singlecross or any other adopter - any updates ?

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Originally Posted by Cocximus

I'm looking for a binding sturdier than the Vario2 to use on my BMT109. They will be used for a lot of bootpacking, couloir skiing, and fast winter travel. I'm a bit clumsy and fumble during transitions, so I prefer a simple binding. I love the Vario2, but the heels aren't up to the level I need. I've had a good overall experience with the Vipec over the years, especially the first-gen Vipec. I'm not a fan of Kingpins or Shift-type bindings. So, how do these TR1s compare to fast and light bindings when it comes to their use and fiddle factor? Are they worth the extra 100g over the Vipecs?

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Originally Posted by Cocximus

Sturdy was the wrong word to use. The vario 2 are plenty sturdy and have good retention. The problem is more with their lack of elasticity. But that's thing across all bindings in that class.

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I'm kind of shocked that the vario.2 isn't elastic enough. I'm assuming you mean lateral elasticity? Or what direction is it not elastic enough for you? And what makes you think you need more elasticity specifically?

I have had very good luck with the speed superlight 2.0 heel and Trab Vario toe combo, skiing fast and dropping cliffs. I was going to suggest that combo, but I doubt it's more elastic than the vario.2 heel.

I could be wrong, but if I had to guess, I'd guess it's actual a matter of *damping* the vibrations, not elasticity per say. In which case, a heavier binding might provide more of that naturally.

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Originally Posted by TripleT

@singlecross or any other adopter - any updates ?

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No updates as of yet… I have them mounted on VWerks Katanas and live on the East coast. You see the problem there.

They will be my travel ski and I’ll be skiing them for a month in Europe come March. I will report back.

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Originally Posted by auvgeek

I'm kind of shocked that the vario.2 isn't elastic enough. I'm assuming you mean lateral elasticity? Or what direction is it not elastic enough for you? And what makes you think you need more elasticity specifically?

I have had very good luck with the speed superlight 2.0 heel and Trab Vario toe combo, skiing fast and dropping cliffs. I was going to suggest that combo, but I doubt it's more elastic than the vario.2 heel.

I could be wrong, but if I had to guess, I'd guess it's actual a matter of *damping* the vibrations, not elasticity per say. In which case, a heavier binding might provide more of that naturally.

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You are right. I want my BMT with varios to ski like my katanas with shifts ski. I guess there are limits with lightweight gear.

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Wife is looking for a binding and I think the tr1 would suit her needs. Unfortunately she is a din 5 with lots of knee issues. TR1 min DIN is 6. Does anyone know if there is a lower din spring?

Initial impressions of my TR-1 is that they ski really well but are somewhat fiddly to get in and out of and transition in. I skied them a couple of afternoons on East Coast groomers on good firm, but not icy, conditions.

They skied very solidly and had no real problems getting my 112mm underfoot skis up on edge to carve and they don’t feel rattly or inelastic.The rear heel shelf that captures the boot seems much more robust than pins. I am excited by their ski performance and think it will only feel better in softer ungroomed snow.I pretty much forgot about them once skiing.

They are a bit fiddly to get in and out of and to operate the locking brake mechanism for touring. Having to depress the toe lever to get into the toes takes some attention and balance. Once in at the toe, stepping into the heel is no problem. To get out, depressing the heel is fiddly to keep the heel piece cocked in alpine mode to step into again. It wants to default to touring mode dropping the rear boot “shelf” down to tour unless you hold your boot there to engage the mechanism to keep the heel shelf up in alpine mode. And then you need to depress the toe lever to get your toes out. This process also requires good attention and balance. I did not skin on them but only got in/out on firm groomed snow. I imagine that deeper, soft snow would increase these challenges. Also, reaching under your boot heel with your pole tip to depress and lock the brake up for touring is a bit of a thing because your pole basket can get in the way of getting under you boot. Flipping your pole around to use the grip is better but the grip can slip on the brake platform that you are trying to press down on.Transitions will require some practice and getting used to.

Did I mention that once on, they ski really well?

Thats it for now. I’ll report back after some time touring in soft snow.

That’s enough fiddle factor that I don’t see any advantage over Tectons.


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Thx for the review. Tectons are on my 107 waist Blizzards that live in a tiny storage locker in Yurp and have worked surprisingly well. But I’m been considering the TR1 for my next ski purchase there. Hmmm. Interested to hear how well they tour for you.

+1 thanks for the review. The toes sound like what I am used to from the Vario. I wonder how the fiddle factor increases in the wet coastal snowpack. The vipecs and tectons are relatively easy, until wet snow or icing comes into play. The tr1 can be had for almost half of tectons so there's that.

Haven’t bought a set of Tectons in a while but was pretty easy to find them for 400 euros, and euro is only $1.05. I saw the TR1 at a euro retailer for that price with free shipping to US.

Quick search shows new Tecton 13s for $400-440 if you look around.

Yea, I did look too hard. Olliunid does not have tectons.

I’m back from my month in Switzerland skiing on the TR-1 exclusively in a variety of conditions and terrain, both lift served and touring. Heres the promised follow up.They ski really well. At no time did I feel compromised by being on a tech hybrid binding, whether skiing arc to arc on groomers or fall line powder skiing. They felt much more elastic and solid than my other tech bindings, Dynafit FT12 and ATK Kuluar 11.Getting in and out of the TR-1 is somewhat fiddly, but adapted to quite easily. I found it easiest to depress the toe lever and place one side of my boot toe tech fitting fully into the binding pin on one side and then focus on just lining up the opposite side pin. This gives the best clearance to get the boot toe locked in and greatly improves locating the boot tech fittings correctly. Holding the heel of the boot in place for a moment to engage the cocking mechanism to remain in ski mode also becomes quite intuitive. I can post a video at some point if that functionality ever returns to the forums here. They toured without drama as well. Locking the brakes up is no more involved than other similar systems and they never unintentionally released and dragged. I actually never locked the toes out for the skintrack and was fine on release setting 11 toe and heel. It was really nice on a few occasions to be able to quickly lock down my heel for some sketchy traverses in the skintrack which you can do without releasing the toe pins, a nice option.All in all, I have no real complaints at this point and would buy them again. I think at around $420 they are a good value for this type of hybrid binding. Especially compared to ATK Hy pricing. YMMV.

Who's going to be the first to insert heels to use an ATK heel for mellower touring with TR1 toe and use TR1 heel for more serious endeavors?

You mean try to create your own Knee binding? And hope it doesnt pre release on every turn?
Anyway came here to ask Singlecross whether he got a paper mount template. I doubt any shops here have a jig. Ordered the bindings last night.

I did not get a paper mount template. I mounted to a 2x4 first to check myself and then went freehand on my skis. Measure twice, drill once.