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July, 2025

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STH vs. Jester for Hellbents

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naterizzle
Posts: 123 - Karma: 41
I have a pair of 2012 K2 Hellbent 189's that I'm mounting up for this season and I am buying the bindings this week. I am leaning towards the 2013 Salomon STH 16 ($239), but also considering the 2014 STH2 16 ($299) or Marker Jester ($359). The Pivot/FKS 18's are a bit more than I want to spend and the 14's are not something I am considering. Whatever I get needs to have 130mm brakes, as the waist of the HB's is 132.

I am a very aggressive III+ skier, 180 pounds, BSL is 325, usually run my DIN around 12-13. I want a binding that is durable, reliable, and not TOO heavy. I know that weight isn't a major factor, but my current 179 Hellbents with Axial2 180s weight like a thousand pounds and the Axial2 is even heavy on my ARV's..... Sooo, 2013 STH or.....?

Thanks guys and LET IT SNOW!!!

12 years ago
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Spiri7o
Posts: 2163 - Karma: 1,100
Jester
12 years ago
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Session
Posts: 5408 - Karma: 22,549
You run your DIN way too high.
12 years ago
2 2
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clive_bixby
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 499
sth dawg
12 years ago
1 0
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naterizzle
Posts: 123 - Karma: 41
I disagree. I run my DIN right where I like it. I ski in the PNW where the snow can be a bit heavy sometimes and when charging big mountain, my DIN is perfect. My skis come off when they really need to, but when I'm smashing hard they stay on my feet.
12 years ago
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The_RaginAsian
Posts: 688 - Karma: 3,066
iv gone through 2 pairs of jesters on my park skis somehow, wouldn't recommend them
12 years ago
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naterizzle
Posts: 123 - Karma: 41
Ugh, got the STH and found out that the Hellbents are too wide for the mounting template thing to fit around if you mount them near center. Back to shopping.

Side note - what's the benefit of the Jester Pro and can the Jester 130 brakes fit the Pro?
12 years ago
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
Fuck I'm in the same boat, new pettitors and not sure if I should pull my jesters off of my beat up bibbys or put on an unused pair of 180 axial that are sitting on the bench
12 years ago
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japanada
Posts: 13785 - Karma: 1,959
Find a new shop? Its not hard for a good tech to freehand/modify the jig to fit. I had to do it with my EPs.

Ive all of those and they all are great. I feel like the STHs are lighter on my feet, but thats just me. They do tend to clip in easier in deep snow. My jesters would get snow/ice buildup around the heel more often. Not a huge deal, but something I noticed.

The new STH has a different heel, same as the guardian if memory serves me. The original STH heel has been tried and tested for 20+ years, bomber for sure!

Jester pro gets you an 18 din binding, different color, cool little 'torsion' bar, and an extra what, $100? Save your money.

Go with the cheapest option!
12 years ago
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
I got my hellbents mounted with sths the other day and the tech had to take the little rubber things off the jig so it would fit, and then he free drilled it.
it can be done
12 years ago
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Valhalla.
Posts: 587 - Karma: 154
Yup. It's that simple.

Had to do it on my EPs, Boomerangs, and I'll probably have to do it with my New Lifes.


I'd go with whatever is cheaper, they're both great bindings.
12 years ago
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TimRiley
Posts: 1873 - Karma: 1,327
Sth's are a great binding. ^agree. DIN seems high for your weight
12 years ago
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