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CAST vs Atomic/Salomon Shift, someone had to ask...

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ALaw
Posts: 2616 - Karma: 1,556
Alright, I hate binding comparison threads as much as the last guy, but these two systems have really caught my eye and I'm trying to decide before they release in the fall. If anyone has firsthand knowledge that they want to contribute on either platform, it would be greatly appreciated!

The bindings:
Atomic/Salomon Shift
http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/salomon-atomic-shift-mnc-binding

CAST Freetour System
http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/cast-pivot-freetour-system

About me:
I've done a bit of research, and these two systems seem like the best of both worlds for binding retention on the downhill and weight saving on the uphill. I am using Atomic Hawx Utlra XTD 130 boots that have tech inserts and WTR soles, so both the Shift and new Pivot should be compatible. I typically run my DIN at around 11, and tend to ski more aggressive lines with switch landings and carves mixed in. Planning on mounting whatever I purchase onto a pair of Moment Bibby/Wildcat Tours in a 190.
Jul 8 2018 11:34AM
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SEABURN
Posts: 4859 - Karma: 2,762
Cast = better downhill
Shift = better uphill

prioritise. If you're hucking, I'd say go for the Cast.
Jul 9 2018 7:52PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6940 - Karma: 25,017
I took a class with a guy that used the cast system and I was able to transition faster with my daymakers. Shift looks cool because you don't have to carry part of your bindings in your bag on the way down. Seems like a pretty cool idea and
Cody Townsend claims to be hucking on the shift for a little while now. Cody has to risk his life for salomon to get paid but deep down he also doesn't want to die so hard to really trust or disbelieve what he says.
Jul 9 2018 8:46PM
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Casey
Posts: 7889 - Karma: 24,894
I realized once I got out into the middle of nowhere hours from any cell service or other people that a broken binding would probably be the least of my worries.
Jul 11 2018 4:30PM
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gundo
Posts: 46 - Karma: 86
I feel like it depends on the type of touring you want to do. Are you going to be doing trips that have several transitions with good downhill in between? If so the shift seems like a solid option. Are you going to bedoing to be doing trips with one up and one down, or up and then boot packing a jump? If so the cast system seems ideal.

Have you looked at the Fritschi Tecton 12? They don't have as beefy of a toe piece as either option you mention but I have a buddy who has a pair and likes them. I'm in the same dilemma right now, trying to decide what to mount on my new moment deathwish tours.
Jul 13 2018 2:28PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,998
Honestly the CAST is sweet if you're using a setup in-bounds the grand majority of the time, but if you do a good amount of touring, you should get a more specialized setup like the Shift.

The one thing I dislike about the shift is the weight. It is nearly 900 grams per side... that isn't to say its heavy, but it certainly isn't in the lightweight territory.

Decide based on how much weight you really intend on worrying about and if you can specialize your setups or not.

If conditions call for longer ascents and getting more long laps over lapping some cliff I plan to huck.. having a binding like the Vipec on a pair of really light skis that work fine in powder works great for that sort of application.. but if I plan on hucking some big shit or sending it fast down some treacherous late season conditions, I may say I have more trust in my Kingpins (or if I had them, the Shift) in that kind of situation...
Aug 23 2018 4:26AM
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ALaw
Posts: 2616 - Karma: 1,556
http://blistergearreview.com/at-binding-reviews/cast-freetour-upgrade-kit

Well, this sold it for me. I went CAST
Sep 4 2018 10:31AM
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BrawnTrends
Posts: 1102 - Karma: 2,439
DingoSeanThe one thing I dislike about the shift is the weight. It is nearly 900 grams per side... that isn't to say its heavy, but it certainly isn't in the lightweight territory.


Which is still 100ish grams lighter than the CAST with the touring toe...
Sep 8 2018 8:21AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,998
BrawnTrendsWhich is still 100ish grams lighter than the CAST with the touring toe...


Yes, but at least with CAST, you get a binding with more elasticity and performance going down...

I'm sure the shift is adequate and all, but if you're a big dude, or just stomp the shit out of shit, you are bound to find the limit on an all plastic binding going through its first season of public trial... no matter how much Cody Townshend raves about it...
Sep 8 2018 7:07PM
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BrawnTrends
Posts: 1102 - Karma: 2,439
Oh yea, absolutely. But in this case, weight isn't the issue.
Sep 9 2018 5:34AM
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Gnor
Posts: 37 - Karma: 42
I was under the impression that XTDs weren’t compatible (without mods) with the CAST system. Could easily be wrong
Sep 17 2018 6:34AM
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brogoldenhair
Posts: 177 - Karma: 690
GnorI was under the impression that XTDs weren’t compatible (without mods) with the CAST system. Could easily be wrong


i might be wrong too, but i think xtd's are what they use in the demonstration video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-ZBMK8VMO0
Sep 17 2018 7:34PM
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Gnor
Posts: 37 - Karma: 42
brogoldenhairi might be wrong too, but i think xtd's are what they use in the demonstration video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-ZBMK8VMO0


I saw that too. But I know that P18 toe piece isn’t WTR.

In the video watch the toe piece at the end when he shoves the boot in it. The whole thing tilts forward like it’s being forced

Surely they thought about this when designing the system but there are still alarm bells going off in my head
Sep 17 2018 7:42PM
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mtbakerpow
Posts: 1105 - Karma: 927
Shift hands down winner,easy pick.
Oct 4 2018 9:28PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10585 - Karma: 11,205
GnorI saw that too. But I know that P18 toe piece isn’t WTR.

In the video watch the toe piece at the end when he shoves the boot in it. The whole thing tilts forward like it’s being forced

Surely they thought about this when designing the system but there are still alarm bells going off in my head

That's the huge flaw in CAST, only certain boots with a alpine tech sole like the FT ascendant, K2 pinnacle, etc. will work safely with it. The key word there is safely, sure you can jam a gripwalk/WTR sole in there but it sure as hell isn't supposed to be in there.
Oct 5 2018 1:05PM
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1627 - Karma: 8,686
.nastyThat's the huge flaw in CAST, only certain boots with a alpine tech sole like the FT ascendant, K2 pinnacle, etc. will work safely with it. The key word there is safely, sure you can jam a gripwalk/WTR sole in there but it sure as hell isn't supposed to be in there.


CAST includes AFD's for both Alpine and WTR soles, so you can use WTR boots like the Hawx Ultra XTD in them. But as of right now, they don't offer GripWalk-compatible AFD's so that's still worth noting.
Oct 9 2018 10:40AM
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