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Salomon Guardian 16 Question

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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,704
I've been told that these ski as well as a comparable alpine counterpart, but honestly I have a hard time believing that. Are they as durable? Do they ski noticeably better or worse than something like an FKS or one of the STH 16 models? I'm considering throwing them on my next daily all mountain ski because there is a reasonable chance I may start trekking occasionally this next year.

If my priority is alpine style performance and secondary is keeping an AT option open, would I be ridiculous to put these on?
Jan 1 2014 9:41PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
They work well. Look in the gear review area.

If youre touring enough, go for em. If its 1-5 times a year, use the Trekker.
Jan 1 2014 11:47PM
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,704
Completely forgot about Trekkers. Thanks man. I'm not concerned about the cost though, if they are just as good as another 16 DIN counterpart I'd be happy to go for them.
Jan 2 2014 2:00AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6679 - Karma: 11,016
For what it's worth, I have a pair of Automatics with Trackers (Atomic's colorway) and a pair of Automatics with an STH 16 and the skiing performance is on par. Definitely more alpine feeling than my old Dukes- less wobble and being closer to the ski is very noticeable.
Jan 2 2014 4:10AM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,631
I love my guardians. As solid as an STH (been skiing those since their debut).
Tour well, charge well, feel solid.
Just watch snow buildup underneath before locking back up after your tour. They're known for snapping from snow and ice buildup underneath the toe. Nothing to worry about though. Salomon has a good warranty when it comes to replacing them if it happens.
Jan 2 2014 8:57AM
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Johnson.Show
Posts: 75 - Karma: 12
I only have one day on my trackers but didn't feel any noticeable difference between them and my FFG 16's
Jan 4 2014 10:54PM
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doyle.
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 596
I have em and they ski just as well as my griffons
Jan 5 2014 2:43AM
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Dr.Dickless
Posts: 2620 - Karma: 1,392
Continue forgetting about the Trekkers, they're complete garbage
Jan 5 2014 3:39AM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
Just did a couple light easy tours in Red BC, and they are 100% solid. Hit a few patches of wind buff on low angle woods, pitched forward, and they stayed on when they should have. Felt just like a race binding in regards to strength.
Jan 5 2014 10:47AM
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,704
Big thanks to all of you for you're input, this is exactly what I needed help with.
Jan 5 2014 12:06PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
No problem. It worked out perfectly for what I wanted. A few laps inbounds, then some slack country runs, then back to inbounds. Dynafits/tech bindings would have been a little more hairy in certain situations.

Not sure how they will hold up in the park, but i imagine this will be on an allmountain/bc ski
Jan 5 2014 12:30PM
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,704
Yep, I have a park setup so these wouldn't see much more than maybe an occasional straight air if anything. It seems like the only downside for me is the extra price and weight. Is the weight noticeable skiing around? I have FKS 155's on my current big setup so I imagine I won't mind much.
Jan 5 2014 12:33PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7180 - Karma: 17,717
I would doubt you will notice them being heavy. I usually ride sth16's or sth16 steels. The guardian feel the same as the sth16 and lighter then the steels. I would second what other people have said about them being solid. They really do feel solid when skiing them. Good all round choice I think.
Jan 5 2014 12:53PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
The weight is only noticeable when carrying your skis in my opinion. I was pleasantly surprised when I first toured on my Guardians that they didn't feel heavier during the skin up.

As far as the downhill performance is concerned; they feel great, I really don't notice that I'm on anything other than a standard alpine binding.

I only use FKS bindings on my skis and I don't notice any play or anything that would make me lose confidence in the Guardians' ability to get me down solidly and safely.
Jan 5 2014 1:31PM
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,704
Sweet, I'm sold.
Jan 5 2014 1:46PM
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minihef
Posts: 813 - Karma: 781
If I was you I would strongly consider the Adrenalin. It skis like an alpine binding but is lighter than the Guardian, tours better, and doesn't seem to have the same snapping in half issue that the Guardian has.
Jan 5 2014 4:41PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
That snapping issue is more physics-based, not build. The snow building under the toe piece puts pressure on the heel when you try to snap it in, which in return, breaks at the weakest point.
Jan 5 2014 6:13PM
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MarkieR
Posts: 5337 - Karma: 98
They're heavy and they make the ski feel really dead underfoot. Compared to STH binding, they're definitely not as good for resort skiing/general use. That being said, they're great for their intended application. They feel very solid when descending and are super easy to use, switching back and forth between climb and descend modes. I love mine. They're no Dynafits, but they're a great middleground between a full-on touring binding and something like the STH/Trekker combo.
Jan 5 2014 6:29PM
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minihef
Posts: 813 - Karma: 781
Partly but not entirely. It has happened due to snow build up in a lot of cases but I also know people who have snapped their Guardians in the same spot just when doing kick turns and the like even though they were aware of the snow build up issue and checking regularly.

There is definitely a weakness in the build that is simply not there to the same degree with Dukes or Adrenalins. Personally I'd rather not worry about suffering catastrophic binding failure because of snow build up or any other reason when out touring.
Jan 6 2014 2:14AM
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Labattski
Posts: 201 - Karma: 74
I have guardians on my rocker 2s and they're awesome. They feel as solid as my sth 16s. I can't talk about their durability cause I've only skinned with them a few times but there doesn't seem to be any issues just be sure to check ice build up under the toe piece. They are really fucking heavy tho be warned. I would give them 10/10 so far
Jan 7 2014 5:00PM
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steezeninja
Posts: 1271 - Karma: 731
I just got a pair of the Guardian 16s mountain onto a brand new pair of Salomon Rocker 2 122 and broke the binding in one day. I was so pissed. Definitely not as durable as some people claim them to be. I did one Misty 7 on them and overrated the spin, causing the heel-piece to somehow slide off the track on one ski. I am flabbergasted at how such a thing could happen, because the binding feels really solid. I guess it can't take too much torque if you fall spinning. Be weary if you plan to go big on these.
Mar 6 2014 5:27PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
Was the mount correct? If the mount is even slightly off, the heel pins will not engage properly and that can cause the heel to become disengaged.
Mar 6 2014 7:00PM
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.squirrely.
Posts: 7563 - Karma: 7,546
tell me about the alpine trekkers, ill only be touring a handful of times per season, so i really dont want to spend the big bucks on a guardian or duke. heard they dont play nice with fks, is it a problem with other bindings? probably would get jesters, px 15 or attack 16
Mar 6 2014 8:10PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
This is really ironic
Mar 6 2014 8:12PM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
i've put my guardians through the ringer, and they've held up great. i would definitely prefer an FKS or STH setup but for bindings that you can walk in they ski great.

with that said, IMO, they tour like shit and are heavy, but if you're not planning on doing longer tours or touring very often they will be just fine.
Mar 6 2014 8:25PM
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