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First touring set up

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croto31
Posts: 12 - Karma: 46
Been skiing resort pow and side country stuff for a couple years now and want to take the next step and start touring. Recently got some 2015 volkl gotamas (mounted with griffons currently) and pinnacle 110s that im stoked to use but the last question i have regarding my set up is what bindings. Will definitely be skiing more resort but am looking to get into a decent amount of touring this year for someone starting out. I was thinking a frame binding is probably the way to go for what im doing. Im balling on a budget (student loans are a bitch) but was looking into some input on the best bang for my buck as far as AT bindings go.

**This thread was edited on Oct 6th 2018 at 3:22:59pm
Oct 6 2018 3:11PM
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1627 - Karma: 8,686
If you're going to be mostly skiing the resort — and you have boots with tech fittings — then I'd highly recommend the Salomon / Atomic Shift. If you have boots with tech fittings, that is currently the best option for resort + backcountry use if you like to ski hard and/or ski a lot in the resort.

If you don't have boots with tech fittings, then Daymakers or any frame binding will work. If you're only doing short tours and are not skinning all that frequently, I'd recommend Daymakers. They're a bit more efficient on the up, don't require you to remount your skis, and then you get full alpine bindings on the downhill.

Most frame bindings perform similarly to each other, but my favorite is the Tyrolia Adrenalin. They all kinda suck in terms of skinning performance, and I know some people that don't like their higher stack height vs. alpine bindings. So I think the only case where frame bindings would be the best choice is if you (1) don't have boots with tech fittings, and (2) want to tour a lot or do long tours.

All that said, if you're serious about touring a lot, I think investing in a boot with tech fittings and the Shift will make your life a whole lot better. Touring on tech toes is worlds better than frame bindings, and there are so many good boots out there now that ski really well and have tech fittings. But for just getting into touring and seeing if you like it, Daymakers or frame bindings might be the better choice budget-wise.
Oct 6 2018 3:50PM
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-eREKTion-
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 10,950
Might not be the long-term option but I have a minty pair of Adrenaline 16's that I'd sell for cheap.
Oct 6 2018 4:25PM
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SKIINGPARK
Posts: 18 - Karma: 191
Im in the same situation was going to go the frame binding route but after talking to people that have been touring for a while they said skip the frame binding, you will end up saving more money in the long run because you won't want to switch set ups once you realize how much you dislike the frame bindings. I ended up biting the bullet and just got some shifts and I'm happy with the decision.
Oct 9 2018 3:01PM
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