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January, 2025

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Line Sakana or SFB for the backcountry.

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phatlip
Posts: 56 - Karma: 136
Hi, I currently own both the 19/20 Line Sakana and SFB. I am going to set one of them up with some Atomic Shifts and plan to do an occasional trip up the backcountry. As I am new to this, which ski do you reckon will be the best?
Feb 4 2020 12:58AM
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xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,176
Either really are a good option......
Feb 4 2020 3:27AM
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phatlip
Posts: 56 - Karma: 136
Ha ha, that is really good to know. I have marker griffon on the SFB now, so maybe i will keep them there and put the Shifts on the Sakana.
Feb 4 2020 6:31AM
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5158 - Karma: 52,812
Which one do you like to shred harder on inbounds? From what I've heard shifts work great but can't take the same type of abuse a regular alpine binding can so you have to be a little more gentle on them, I def know some guys who have destroyed pairs by trying to ski them every day like a regs alpine binding.
Feb 4 2020 7:17AM
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phatlip
Posts: 56 - Karma: 136
I have not tried the sakanas yet, picking them up next week, but thats definitely worth thinking about. Thanks!
pinkcamo1000Which one do you like to shred harder on inbounds? From what I've heard shifts work great but can't take the same type of abuse a regular alpine binding can so you have to be a little more gentle on them, I def know some guys who have destroyed pairs by trying to ski them every day like a regs alpine binding.
Feb 4 2020 7:49AM
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Twig
Posts: 6432 - Karma: 60,534
For what it's worth, I'm not a huge fan of the Sakana as a pow ski, because I find the tails don't like to go sideways in soft snow. So I would personally keep those as a fun resort ripper (which I love the Sakana for) and use the SFB for backcountry days. But that's just my $0.02.
Feb 4 2020 9:26AM
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phatlip
Posts: 56 - Karma: 136
I have read that also, so my initial thought was switching the griffons for the Shifts on the SFBs and use those for a little bit of touring.
TwigFor what it's worth, I'm not a huge fan of the Sakana as a pow ski, because I find the tails don't like to go sideways in soft snow. So I would personally keep those as a fun resort ripper (which I love the Sakana for) and use the SFB for backcountry days. But that's just my $0.02.
Feb 4 2020 9:30AM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5075 - Karma: 43,050
Agreed with Twig, the SFB is just a little more versatile, especially if you're skiing challenging snow when you're tired, you don't have to be as on top of your game.

That said, I have a buddy who skis the Sakana with Kingpins as his big mission / couloir ski, and it's really sick for that. Pretty awesome watching him charge steep lines as that swallowtail throws snow everywhere.
Feb 4 2020 10:39AM
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phatlip
Posts: 56 - Karma: 136
That sounds really great! But I guess it will be best to put the Shifts on the SFBs for now and maybe getting another pair for the sakanas in the future.

But have others here experienced the Shifts breaking? Or are we takling really hard charging for that?
Feb 4 2020 10:50AM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5075 - Karma: 43,050
phatlipThat sounds really great! But I guess it will be best to put the Shifts on the SFBs for now and maybe getting another pair for the sakanas in the future.

But have others here experienced the Shifts breaking? Or are we takling really hard charging for that?


The internet has people who say they've had problems. Personally, I've been on a pair for about two years and haven't had issues, have a bunch of friends with them that don't have any complaints either. So basically it comes down to who's anecdotal evidence you want to listen to.
Feb 4 2020 10:52AM
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phatlip
Posts: 56 - Karma: 136
Ok, good to hear!
cydwhitThe internet has people who say they've had problems. Personally, I've been on a pair for about two years and haven't had issues, have a bunch of friends with them that don't have any complaints either. So basically it comes down to who's anecdotal evidence you want to listen to.
Feb 4 2020 11:09AM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,790
cydwhitThe internet has people who say they've had problems. Personally, I've been on a pair for about two years and haven't had issues, have a bunch of friends with them that don't have any complaints either. So basically it comes down to who's anecdotal evidence you want to listen to.


Seems that when people break something they tell the internet. And when they get stoked about something they tell their friends.
My shifts are well into their second season, riding lots of resort and not holding back. No issues.
Feb 5 2020 1:25AM
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