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FKS or STH2 for an all mountain binding?

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Wompuscat
Posts: 818 - Karma: 380
Hey guys, so I've been doing a lot of research between these two bindings and I'm still up in the air on them. These are going on 188 Moment PB & J's as an all mountain setup. I'm 5'10" and 200lbs, and like to ski fairly aggressively. This setup really isn't going into the park, I've got a specific park setup for that. I'm just really torn between the FKS 140 and the STH2 16. I can get whichever, as its going to be a Christmas gift. Mainly, what I'm concerned about is durability. Both bindings will give me the DIN I need, but I'm leaning towards the STH2 because I had read they had a solid metal construction, whereas the FKS 140 had a plastic heel piece that tended to snap. I've also broken my brakes a couple times and I had read they're much cheaper to replace on the STH2's. I suppose I could also throw FKS 180's into the mix as well, which is a definite overkill on the DIN I know, but like I said, my main concern at the moment is durability.

So yeah, I know they're both awesome bindings, but I'm just basically asking peoples opinions to help me make the decision. From what I've read I'm really leaning towards the STH2 over the FKS, but I just want to make sure I'm making a good decision. I have not done much research on Marker Jesters, but if someone thinks I should throw those into the mix too let me know. Thanks for any help guys.
Nov 23 2014 3:45PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7145 - Karma: 17,457
Betwen the sth2 16 and the fks 140 I would say the clear choice is te sth. berween the 180 and the sth woul be a harder choice but the 140 is not at the same level as the sth in my opinion.
Nov 23 2014 3:54PM
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Scotty_Boy
Posts: 777 - Karma: 1,449
Sth2 brake replacement: $20-$30
FKS brake replacement: $100+
Nov 23 2014 5:06PM
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Muggydude
Posts: 701 - Karma: 383
The referenced post has been removed.


^^ The new STH2s are pretty bulletproof. IMO best engineered binding out there right now. Brake design is awesome, Much better than FKS IMO. As said above, very cheap to replace STH2 brakes anyways, but since you are not doing much park that shouldn't even matter.

Like Tom said, between FKS 140 and STH2 16, STH2 wins hands down. Between the FKS 180 and STH2 16 is a matter of personal preference, both are fantastic.

STH2 Pros: Large boot range adjustability = easy to share skis or switch boots. Easy step in, cheap brakes, awesome driver toe. Lower DIN range more appropriate for 95% of us mere mortals.

FKS Pros: Better boot retention on shock type of hits, short mount pattern for natural flex (Note sth2 16's floating rail system in the heel piece does the same thing in theory, probably not as well), awesome driver toe and on snow feel as well. Big Con- replacing brakes sucks
Nov 23 2014 6:14PM
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Park.
Posts: 2480 - Karma: 4,582
From personal experience and witnessing other experiences, I Will say STH2.

I held the STH2 13 and the housing was plastic, but I had heard they were metal on NS (haven't looked into it that much myself). I was surpised to find this since I thought the only difference between the 16 and 13 was the din. I also felt that the binding wasn't nearly as solid as the old STH bindings. Something about them felt cheap. Again, I haven't used the STH2's but I have used the STH and all I will say is that you knew when you clicked in that you were locked onto the skis.

I personally have grown some interest (because of Tom raving about them), so I started to consider them, but after seeing the 13s in person, I am definitely not a fan. I would need to use them to diminish my initial impressions on them.
Nov 23 2014 7:00PM
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Scotty_Boy
Posts: 777 - Karma: 1,449
parkplaygroundFrom personal experience and witnessing other experiences, I Will say STH2.

I held the STH2 13 and the housing was plastic, but I had heard they were metal on NS (haven't looked into it that much myself). I was surpised to find this since I thought the only difference between the 16 and 13 was the din. I also felt that the binding wasn't nearly as solid as the old STH bindings. Something about them felt cheap. Again, I haven't used the STH2's but I have used the STH and all I will say is that you knew when you clicked in that you were locked onto the skis.

I personally have grown some interest (because of Tom raving about them), so I started to consider them, but after seeing the 13s in person, I am definitely not a fan. I would need to use them to diminish my initial impressions on them.


STH2 13s and 16s are the same binding except for the din. Also, the sth2s definitely have metal in both the heel and the toe.
Nov 23 2014 7:31PM
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Park.
Posts: 2480 - Karma: 4,582
Scotty_BoySTH2 13s and 16s are the same binding except for the din. Also, the sth2s definitely have metal in both the heel and the toe.


Oh I didnt add that only the heel was plastic. I looked at the moving pieces and it was clearly plastic. felt chinsy and very breakable. I thought the housing was plastic too... either way the binding as a whole didn't feel as solid as the old STH
Nov 23 2014 7:40PM
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Muggydude
Posts: 701 - Karma: 383
parkplaygroundOh I didnt add that only the heel was plastic. I looked at the moving pieces and it was clearly plastic. felt chinsy and very breakable. I thought the housing was plastic too... either way the binding as a whole didn't feel as solid as the old STH

Bud your whole "feel flimsy" is bullshit honestly. There is nothing about the plastic base plate that would ever come remotely close to braking- a lot of other shit would probably go first, and at that point you would be screwed anyways. Regardless, there is nothing there that should ever come close to brakeing, just not enough force in th required direction.

The 13 does have some extra plastic in the heel (mostly cosmetic). The front toe "pillar" is plastic as well, which is where it'd really be less durable but honestly it's still very sturdy
Nov 23 2014 9:26PM
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Park.
Posts: 2480 - Karma: 4,582
Im just telling you what I think about it. Every performance binding I have used/held have felt more solid than the heel of the STh2. again, I am sure that I will think this way once I use them, but the plastic on the heel looked very cheap and breakable.



In this picture on the side of the heel, there is writing that says Salomon seen clearly. That whole black plastic near that writing is the part that feels chinsy. from the damage I have done to bindings, I would not be surprised if I used STH2's and broke that plastic housing. The toepiece still feels as solid as ever so there is no problem there.

This is just my look on it. If you haven't had this problem, then great.
Nov 23 2014 9:46PM
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Muggydude
Posts: 701 - Karma: 383
Alright, I see what you are saying. Still doubt anyone would ever me able to break that portion either, solid plastic reinforced with metal is pretty tough. IMO plastic gets a bad wrap for being weak, but when you have a thick portion of it, it's pretty darn impact resistant and durable. Never seen a broken STH2 either.
Nov 24 2014 12:33AM
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1337hrvy0sw1d
Posts: 15 - Karma: -2
one of each
Nov 24 2014 12:39AM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
Scotty_BoySth2 brake replacement: $20-$30
FKS brake replacement: $100+


I get my FKS brakes off thrift-store skis. The last pair cost me $2. The pair before that was $10, but they were attached to a set of 17 DIN all-metal Look ZR's so it worked out OK.
Nov 24 2014 7:34PM
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