The 300g Touring Binding Thread

Questions about the new Dynafit superlite 150+ ..is the only difference with this year's model the addition of a brake and an adjustable mounting plate? Have improvements been made to the durability of the toe piece? The wider mount pattern was addressed last year, is that right, so are people still going to be swapping out the new Superlite toes for Radical toes?

Going to be building up a lighter weight mid-fat setup this year. Zero G 105 with the Zero G peak carbon boot and the Superlite 150+. All in, will be about 830g lighter per side than my current Zero G 108 setup with pro tour boots and Tectons.

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Originally Posted by Solesides

Questions about the new Dynafit superlite 150+ ..is the only difference with this year's model the addition of a brake and an adjustable mounting plate? Have improvements been made to the durability of the toe piece? The wider mount pattern was addressed last year, is that right, so are people still going to be swapping out the new Superlite toes for Radical toes?

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Is this what you're looking at? https://www.dynafit.com/en-us/superl...IaAph8EALw_wcB

It looks like they haven't made any changes for this year. I haven't skied them but it looks like the tiny toe mounting pattern remains unchanged and the toe lever is still plastic which gives me pause. I had a friend break a Superlite 150 toe piece last year, I know that's just one data point but I have never skied with anyone else who has broken a toe piece in the backcountry before.

With the heel plate and brake the weight is pushing 300g per binding. In that weight class you will probably be better served by the Trab Vario.2 with brake (best touring brake on the market IMO) or something like the Crest or Kuluar from ATK, both of which provide heel elasticity and much easier adjustment for different boot sizes.

Yeah, that's the one. Curious what broke on your friend's toe piece and what caused the issue? Important information, even though it's just one case like you said.

I have heard great things about those two ATK options as well as the Trab. Another factor for me is boot/binding ramp/delta. I don't want to shim anything with the mount and if I have it right, the Dynafits offer the flatter skiing and smaller heel/toe delta of the three. I'm sure the exact numbers are somewhere in this thread.

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Originally Posted by Solesides

Yeah, that's the one. Curious what broke on your friend's toe piece and what caused the issue? Important information, even though it's just one case like you said.

I have heard great things about those two ATK options as well as the Trab. Another factor for me is boot/binding ramp/delta. I don't want to shim anything with the mount and if I have it right, the Dynafits offer the flatter skiing and smaller heel/toe delta of the three. I'm sure the exact numbers are somewhere in this thread.

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I don't remember exactly how it broke, I know the toepiece cracked somehow while he was skiing. He isn't that big but he was skiing Ravens with Zero G Tour Pro boots and is a pretty aggressive skier, so he was probably pushing them harder than most would.

The Superlite 150 has a 6mm delta and heel adjustment plates are usually around 5mm thick (I can't find a spec for the Dynafit heel plate thickness, but ATK/Trab/Plum heel plates are around 5mm), so in the "plus" configuration the Superlite 150 would be around 11mm of delta, same as the Crest and steeper than the Trab. If ramp angle is a concern, check out the Marker Alpinist. With brakes it doesn't weigh much more than the Superlite Plus setup, and many nerds say its the best skiing full-tech binding due to the carbon infused toepiece and heel elasticity (I haven't skied them myself). Their brakes look a little funky but they are the flattest ramp binding with heel adjustment built in and brake compatibility.

I had very good luck with MTN s


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I got my first set of plum guides I’m trying this year. They seem pretty sweet fondling them. Here’s that delta angle chart.

https://www.wildsnow.com/10733/get-u...for-your-ramp/

Skimo has a better ramp angle chart for light weight bindings

https://skimo.co/pin-heights?gclid=C...IaAhVfEALw_wcB

I slightly botched my vario2 install on my BMT 94. I just got the bindings and rainier had a good weather window. I was set on taking the varios so I rushed the install. The heel does not land perfectly on the heel pins. I could fix them with inserts or I could fill and redrill the toes. I am confident in both methods when it comes to not ripping out. Is it worth using inserts with the varios? The other skis I could use them with are lhasa, lotus or BMT 120. Are those skis too much for the vario2?

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Originally Posted by Cocximus

I slightly botched my vario2 install on my BMT 94. I just got the bindings and rainier had a good weather window. I was set on taking the varios so I rushed the install. The heel does not land perfectly on the heel pins. I could fix them with inserts or I could fill and redrill the toes. I am confident in both methods when it comes to not ripping out. Is it worth using inserts with the varios? The other skis I could use them with are lhasa, lotus or BMT 120. Are those skis too much for the vario2?

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How bad is it? There's a good chance you can loosen the screws, align the binding with your boot (with the boot in place) then tighten the screws back down. I usually mount my bindings doing that just because a little float can get it way off.

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Originally Posted by bean

How bad is it? There's a good chance you can loosen the screws, align the binding with your boot (with the boot in place) then tighten the screws back down. I usually mount my bindings doing that just because a little float can get it way off.

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That won’t correct as much as you think. Much better to use inserts, but you’ll have to be really slow and deliberate with your drilling to make it work

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Originally Posted by bean

How bad is it? There's a good chance you can loosen the screws, align the binding with your boot (with the boot in place) then tighten the screws back down. I usually mount my bindings doing that just because a little float can get it way off.

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That's the first thing to try. Click your boot in, lock the toe and you'll likely have enough leverage to get things where they need. I'm not familiar with the Vario but hopefully there are some exposed screws you can tighten first before you remove the boot.

Nope, loosening the screws is not enough. I plan to tap and plug the old holes with nylon screws. Then re-drill using the toe as a guide. I got this. Basically the only question is if it's stupid to set up the vario2 so they can be used with bigger skis

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Originally Posted by Cocximus

Nope, loosening the screws is not enough. I plan to tap and plug the old holes with nylon screws. Then re-drill using the toe as a guide. I got this. Basically the only question is if it's stupid to set up the vario2 so they can be used with bigger skis

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Should be just fine on wide skis. Unless you are a huge dude who skis like a drunken jackhammer. The ski trab might be the best light binding on a big ski actually.

Sweet sweet validation.

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Has anyone played with or skied a Dynafit Blacklight binding yet? It looks like a potentially interesting option in the category - light and cheap, with decent features, so something must be wrong...right? I'm curious to hear what y'all think about it.

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Originally Posted by TheArbez

Has anyone played with or skied a Dynafit Blacklight binding yet? It looks like a potentially interesting option in the category - light and cheap, with decent features, so something must be wrong...right? I'm curious to hear what y'all think about it.

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Looks like they are pretty much the same thing as the TLT Speed Z12 binding that has been out for a few years.

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Originally Posted by Benneke10

Looks like they are pretty much the same thing as the TLT Speed Z12 binding that has been out for a few years.

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Totally didn't know those existed - thanks for pointing them out. Per my cursory research, seems like these bindings don't offer much besides price to compete with ATK and Trab.

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Blister posted a very thorough review of them a couple years ago. They just seem a bit behind ATK, Trab, and even Marker.

has anybody tried matching Vario toes with ATK heels?

The idea would be to get a fully featured ATK heel together with the smoother Vario toe, adjust both to get the ideal delta (same as Pivots - replace toe spacer with something thinner or remove it all together). Ideally I would do it with Raider heels, but as I have Crests those are the more likely candidate. The Vario.2 heels just seem like a bother to tour with, no brakes and turning it to use the different riser heights.

Finally got my hands on a pair of Kuluar 12s. Sexy little things, very nicely built, won't be skiing them as they're for a buddy though. Was a bit surprised to see an all plastic heel mounting plate. I'm sure we've come a long ways in terms of material science but not seeing any metal anywhere around the holes always makes me a bit nervous.,,

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Originally Posted by kid-kapow

has anybody tried matching Vario toes with ATK heels?

The idea would be to get a fully featured ATK heel together with the smoother Vario toe, adjust both to get the ideal delta (same as Pivots - replace toe spacer with something thinner or remove it all together). Ideally I would do it with Raider heels, but as I have Crests those are the more likely candidate. The Vario.2 heels just seem like a bother to tour with, no brakes and turning it to use the different riser heights.

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I have come across two (2) separate people using a Trab toe with a Raider heel for the reasons you describe, and both said they were satisfied with the setup. That is a level of particular-ness with gear that I respect and they would probably enjoy posting here. I would feel a bit hesitant with that setup, as the toe has a bit of built-in elasticity that is designed to work with the very elastic heels (for tech bindings) that Trab makes. I don't understand the point of doing that with a Crest heel as the Vario.2 has all the same features except it does not come with a wide brake. I will say that while the Vario.2 brakes are heavier than ATK they function much better. If you need a fat brake I would recommend running the Vario.2 with Kreuzspitze Tech Brakes.

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Originally Posted by Benneke10

I don't understand the point of doing that with a Crest heel as the Vario.2 has all the same features except it does not come with a wide brake. I will say that while the Vario.2 brakes are heavier than ATK they function much better. If you need a fat brake I would recommend running the Vario.2 with Kreuzspitze Tech Brakes.

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the Vario brakes are too narrow for the widest pair. And yes, Crest makes a lot less sense than Raiders, but I have Crest heels whereas I would have to buy Raiders.

I am not concerned about the elasticty in the toes matching poorly with ATK heels.

The idea was to get a heel that does not need to be turned during the ascent / has easy to use risers, and adjustable release settings (the Vario is a U spring no?).

That being said, Vario's delta seem to be the same as that of Pivots - based on measuring it - so I'll try them as is and take it from there. Thanks for your input - much appreciated :)

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Originally Posted by kid-kapow

The idea was to get a heel that does not need to be turned during the ascent / has easy to use risers, and adjustable release settings (the Vario is a U spring no?).

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Vario.2 heel does not need to be turned during the ascent, its a similar riser system to the crest - riser that flips over the pins, flat mode and higher riser available if you turn the heel. The riser on the Trab is easier to use than the Crest but not quite as nice as the Raider magnetic system. Its a U-spring so you can't dial in the retention as specifically as an ATK.

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Originally Posted by Benneke10

its a similar riser system to the crest - riser that flips over the pins, flat mode and higher riser available if you turn the heel.

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So what you are saying is that you need to turn them to use the different modes?

;)

That is one of the things that I love with Vipecs and Raiders - you have flat, mid and high all in the same setting, just through flipping risers, not turning and shit - I am not flexible enough to bend down :)

I have a vario setup on a BD/ATK adjustment plate for the heel, and a B&D shim under the toes to level the delta.

I don’t see the need for brakes, or any fancy adjustability on the heel. The 10 release titan heel has everything I want and need, and even with the plates added in the bindings are astoundingly light.

I’d love to snag one of the Trab toe shims, as they seem much lighter than the B&D, but not a big deal.

If it weren’t for future ski boot changes I’d rather just run the titan without any plates. Somebody needs to make a worm screw plate with a lower tower height on the heel so the delta isn’t wonky.

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Originally Posted by Climber Joe

I have a vario setup on a BD/ATK adjustment plate for the heel, and a B&D shim under the toes to level the delta.

I don’t see the need for brakes, or any fancy adjustability on the heel. The 10 release titan heel has everything I want and need, and even with the plates added in the bindings are astoundingly light.

I’d love to snag one of the Trab toe shims, as they seem much lighter than the B&D, but not a big deal.

If it weren’t for future ski boot changes I’d rather just run the titan without any plates. Somebody needs to make a worm screw plate with a lower tower height on the heel so the delta isn’t wonky.

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That's the end-game setup, I have all my touring skis with that binding configuration except no toe shims. The Trab toe shim is 4.5mm thick and ~10g, as opposed to the ~30g B&D shims. You have to request the Trab toe shims specifically at skimo co but if I remember right they are cheaper than B&D.

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Originally Posted by Climber Joe

I have a vario setup on a BD/ATK adjustment plate for the heel, and a B&D shim under the toes to level the delta.

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interesting.

The way I measure delta is to put the same boot in all my bindings and then measure from the top of the lugs (from the same spot, needs to be a bit in due to different bindings covering different parts of the lugs - I put a bit of tape on the boot and mark a straight line running from the front lug to the aft, level to the surface of the lugs) and down to the surface of a metal plate laid level on the ski. Varios and Pivots both yield a 12-13mm measurement. 1mm = 2.7 or so degrees at my boot sole length - 293mm, measured at 249. I've used xt3s for the measurements, different boots can yield very different findings.

The other benefit to the Trabs shims is they probably don’t look this stupid

Attachment 432782

I think my dream frankenbinding is gonna be Kreuzspitze SCTT heels on the Kreuspitze adjustment plate that fits the dynafit mount pattern, then the trab toe and shim, for flat delta, and compatibility with my dynafit Jig.

I've got a pair of 191 voile chargers (140-114-128 @ 1950g/ski) I'm planning to use for touring. My tour boots are Roxa RX tour 28.5 (~1400 g?). I want to use as light of a binding as reasonably possible without creating too much of a mismatch having too minimal binder on a big ski.

My current setup is backland 100s 180cm and ski trab titan varios. I'm 6' 210 lbs. From others experience, what binding should I look into to match the ski? I have a buddy with BD discount, and I have a pair of speed turns I could use on them, but don't really like the fully rotational heel piece and would like to go lighter if it doesn't badly sacrifice performance.

MTN/Backland? That's what I'd use, but I'm a simple man

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Originally Posted by paj

I've got a pair of 191 voile chargers (140-114-128 @ 1950g/ski) I'm planning to use for touring. My tour boots are Roxa RX tour 28.5 (~1400 g?). I want to use as light of a binding as reasonably possible without creating too much of a mismatch having too minimal binder on a big ski.

My current setup is backland 100s 180cm and ski trab titan varios. I'm 6' 210 lbs. From others experience, what binding should I look into to match the ski? I have a buddy with BD discount, and I have a pair of speed turns I could use on them, but don't really like the fully rotational heel piece and would like to go lighter if it doesn't badly sacrifice performance.

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For pow skis I feel like just about anything will perform fine. I have trofeos on my BG108 and have been happy with the combo, except for having to turn the heel for flat mode.

Telemark pyranees sells them for pretty cheap, or get your friend with the BD hookup to get the BD version. I think they max out at RV 10 though.

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Any experience with the brakes on the Plum Oazo or Pika? I don't care for the side toggle on the ATK and do like brakes when transitioning on firm snow.
Reason I don't like the ATK brakes is they tend to ice up and are finicky.

So I actually was planning to do what kid-kapow suggested earlier: Raider heels and Trab toes.

Does anyone know where to get Trab toes? skimo.co is out and isn't sure when they're getting more. I kind of hate to cannibalize my existing skis.

I'm heading to the Monashees for a hut trip in early Dec and I've got some new ON3P Woodsman 110 tours rearing for some binders.

I have an extra pair of Trab Vario.2 7-9 heels but not extra toes

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Originally Posted by auvgeek

So I actually was planning to do what kid-kapow suggested earlier: Raider heels and Trab toes.

Does anyone know where to get Trab toes? skimo.co is out and isn't sure when they're getting more. I kind of hate to cannibalize my existing skis.

I'm heading to the Monashees for a hut trip in early Dec and I've got some new ON3P Woodsman 110 tours rearing for some binders.

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I feel like I check once a week at a minimum to see if they get trab toes in… that factory should be pumping out toes only 24/7 365.

They’re seriously the best tech toe

I am looking at crampons for the vario 2. They accept Dynafit, Kingpin and ATK. Any insight into which works better? The KPs look beefy, weigh as much as the Dynafit, and the shape at the end gives me the unfounded belief they might help on the way up. The ATK which are the same as skitrab are almost half the weight, but are they stiff enough?

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Originally Posted by kid-kapow

has anybody tried matching Vario toes with ATK heels?

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I have now.

Attachment 434582

Skied em yet?

Yep. Ski great. Best touring setup I've ever skied.

Attachment 434718

auv

Fucking badass setup dude. Would like to hear more details on the whole setup when you made a few more laps on them. The collective needs to know