Replying to Some hard binding facts

i posted the following message elsewhere in the forums, but this is where it really belongs.
it's in response to discussion of bindings and how they look. now that the jib/park scence has it's own binding, here's some stuff to think about when you consider which binding to drape on your new twinners.

here you are arguing about the safety of the binding. that's what bindings are for, to release you before you mess up your knee. it's not the twisting motion in a twisting fall thát hurts your knee - it's when the binding does not release. when the built-up pressure from a twisting fall does not release within a very short distance, something has to give since the binding isn't, and it's your knee that ends up giving. so, look at the technology a binding has to let you release CONSISTANTLY IN REAL WORLD CONDITIONS - not just in the shop. certain well known french bindings (and a new vermot binding)have no rear-ward release, and those same bindings rely on friction for boot movement in a twisting fall. any time friction is relied upon, how are guaranteed consistant release? all you need is a rock, some ice or other foreign material between your boot and the binding and the actual release point will be much higher. so, go to a local dealer, and ask them about this. there is a certain german designed binding that has a full mechanical twisting release the toe of the boot initiates movement of a frictionless part of the toe - which moves with the boot sideways and outward) in the toe, and rearward release as well. technically, they are the safest binding in real-world release situations. ask them to show you how the different bindings move to let your boot relase. as a throw-in, the german binding company makes a their 'Free' bindings with a rubber stomp pad between the binding and ski to dissipate the shock of flat landing a huge air, just like the freeride specific boots have in their bootboards. no else has that in their binding...just some real technical facts and considerations...