Images courtesy of Teton Gravity Research.
Once again, the internet proves to be a very small place and updates on new gear from our friends across the pond at ISPO are starting to role in. The latest looks to be a new alpine touring binding from SkiTrab called the TR-1. The Tr-1 looks to be a sort of hybrid design of a Dynafit style toe-piece and a stripped down alpine heal piece. Besides weight, a few big differences separate it from a Dynafit binding…which seem to be at the center of everyone’s crosshairs these days. One being that the pins in the toe-piece (instead of the heal) will allow for lateral release ability. Next, is that the TR-1 will have a DIN setting adjustable to 14. Important if you’re hucking cliffs or have extra girth around the mid section which can warrant higher DIN settings. The next big difference, and like the ONYX from G3, the TR-1 will be easily adjustable from tour to ski mode, and visa-versa…without removing your skis. At 560 grams, the TR-1 is pretty light for a binding with a DIN to 14 and quite impressive.
Honestly, by the look of the size of this binding, it’s hard to believe that it will only weigh 560 grams. Especially if it has a DIN of 14 and questions about durability could arise. Also, I’m not completely sure how high your boot is off the ski, but if I recall when I started AT skiing in Alpine Trekkers, skinning was harder at times due to being so high (off the ski). Maybe it won’t be a problem…or maybe your boot doesn’t really sit very high off the ski in the TR-1…I’m really just thinking out loud. No word on pricing yet. Any guesses? I’m saying $549.
Word is the TR-1 won’t be available until 2010/11.
Ive been hearing about these for a while from Mark, I think they are going to be pretty darn awesome. Now Trab has to make a fatter ski than the Stelvio.
Comforts are 12mm. The Trab binding doesn’t look like it’s that much higher than 12. Actually, it looks like it has a bit of ramp to it, which might not be such a bad thing.
Other than being able to get them dirt cheap (like I did), any reason they are using new (with stickers) 05/06 Matrices? Did they find them under a rock?
It’s just odd to see a future binding with a past boot.
The weight is probably 560g per binding – 1120g total. That’s how Trab lists their ski weights, and how dynafit lists their binding weights on their european website.
This binding looks really cool. I thought the G3 binding appeared to be a big improvement upon the Dynafit concept, and this one even more so. It looks pretty bomber for being 560 grams (per binding I presume). I’m curious to learn how the brake works in tour mode, any idea?
I agree Todd! The TR-1 seems over kill for the SkiTrab line. Kinda like the new Dynafit Titan for next year. What Dynafit ski goes with that??
Yeah Sam. they must have gotten the Matrix’s on closeout!
Scott. Yeah…I think it’s per binding. The Dynafit FT12 is listed at 500 grams. Don’t know if that is with or without brakes.
I’m still trying to figure out the ski/tour/heel riser modes.
I am with you randosteve…I dont totally understand the heel riser mode. My guess is that either: the heel catch can be set lower and the heel would then rest on this (which would seem problematic since there would likely be only a few height settings and repeated steps would inevitably bend the “ears” and kill the catch), or the lever used to get in and out could rotate towards the heel and provide a riser somewhat akin to the fritsches. Either way, looks pretty cool.
It also seems to me that having the boot that high would lead to massive snow buildup under the foot in deeper snow.
Sam and Steve, the Scarpa Matrix sells new as an 08-09 model (complete with Intuition liner) in euroland, so it may only seem strange to those in North America.
Glad to see TRAB’s concept! Hope those aluminum pincers hold up under pressure.
Competition among manufacturers is almost always good for the consumer.
Like Lou D. mentioned in a prior WildSnow blog, I can easily see this leading to some franken-binding combinations in the very near future.
Looks cool. I think the “don’t have to get out of ski mode to touring mode” is a moot point though. 99% of the skiers out there need to step out of their skis to put their skins on. I only know two who don’t and they only nail it 50% of the time. Likely a good design for rando racers though. What’s the cost?
No word on cost yet AT Blaster.
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EP 1 907 078 B1
(European patent issued to Trab) has some nice details about the invention. The later embodiments as in fig 11 most closely correspond to what appeared as the TR-1 at the show.
I hope this gets into production, it looks like a clean design, should have lateral release in touring mode.
thanks doug. i can’t seem to find that patent to see what you are referring to…any help??
EP 1 907 078 B1
(European patent issued to Trab) has some nice details about the invention. The later embodiments as in fig 11 most closely correspond to what appeared as the TR-1 at the show.
I hope this gets into production, it looks like a clean design, should have lateral release in touring mode.
It’s an EU patent,
FreePatents can list it, or I can email you a pdf. Covers the Toe section, heel is not covered in this patent. was published recently (in July 2009)
[…] user, but it’s always cool to see new innovations in concept and design being developed. I first heard about the SkiTrab TR1/2 binding about a year ago and this latest video shows a version that looks a […]
Nice post. Thanks for the info……. First impression: kinda heavy. Maybe not to the hucking crowd, but when Dynafits (verts, comforts, classics) come in at 350g….and now 117g for race binding, you think 2x. DIN 14? I’d blow my knees out. In the bc (and for racing) I set them at 6. Better chance of skiing out under my own power. However, it is good to break the Dynafit monopoly, or head in that direction.
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