For all those of you still wishing for that ‘holy grail’ binding that allows one to telemark…AND lock the heel down for alpine turns …AND have a free pivot for climbing…AND releaseability…your dream may be one step closer to coming true. Rumor has it a certain US company has recently put in a patent application for such a binding…and if you recognize some of the listed inventors…it’s pretty obvious who that company is.
BINDING CLAIMS
- 1 Step-in
- 2 Lightweight
- 3 Easily adjustable heel retention
- 4 Much better edging due to direct transfer of forces to the edges from the point where the forces are initiated
- 5 Heel lock-down option (for Downhill skiing )
- 6 Much more robust due to elimination of cables/plates
- 7 Toe pressure-release for climbing—no compression of bellows
- 8 Bio-mechanically tuned safety release system (pivots under foot, not at either end)
- 9 Adjustable toe pressure
- 10 “Tune-able” all the way from neutral to active feel
If the claims are actuate, then this could really be the next big innovation in backcountry skiing bindings. Only time will tell though and we will have to wait to see if it goes into production.
The reality is that the traditional model silveretta, has always basically permitted one to use a telemark boot, in lock down mode. Granted you can’t make a telemark turn, and if you fell all the way forward while in tour mode you might reef the binding, but otherwise, I have used that set up for years in the spring with my scarpa boot, when I wanted the ability to lock down. obviously the “holy grail” binding offers much more. But i question what the demand would be for such a binding.
Thanks for posting that Steve. Will be interesting to see the reaction at ttips!
I think a binding like this could be popular…but it would take many years to fully catch on.
if you recognize some of the listed inventors…it’s pretty obvious who that company is.
Well, steve, who is it?
Yes!!!
My holy grail is Dyanfit. I have no need for a tele turn. 😉
Well Anguish…considering they are all from Utah…
Is it Backcountry.com? Or the LDS church?
Dave Mellon works (head of product development for?) for Black Diamond.
If Voile made the ‘holy grail’ legitimately releasable in fixed heel mode, with Merican hands and Merican real estate, I’d sign up. Love the switchback! There are different strokes for different folks! Backcountry skiing has many unpredictable occasions and conditions where fixed heels, or splitboards, or ice skates, would be better tools. but, at the end of the day, I rip on telemark skis and like to have positive and enthusiastic (trail breaking) splitboard, AT, and telemark friends on a powder day. It is part of the fun to be called a telemark qeer and read bumper stickers that proclaim “nobody cares that you telemark!” At least I’m not a knuckle dragging brobra.
Enjoy, doing your thang, cause you are fortunate, and you can