Shift or CAST Binding Systems?

XCI have the Shifts and use them for a setup like you're describing. And they do awesome. I can hit jumps too and not worry. They, for me, really are the perfect hybrid side-country binding. I've even done a day with a total ascent of 5000ft and yes they're heavy but it was totally doable. I also just did 3 freeride resort days with rocks, bumps, cliffs, and powder in the past week. I never felt they were compromised. I'm 5'7" and weigh 160lbs.

I've always wanted to try out the Cast setup. Such a cool concept. They would be awesome for someone that hits GNARLY big mountain lines (e.g. Sam Anthamatten)...also a cool and reliable setup for intermediates and above. But so are the Shift bindings.

If cost is your main driver then I think the Shift bindings will get you everywhere you need to go. Have you looked into the weight difference overall? I've gotten more and more picky with an AT bindings weight as I get older (I also have a tech setup and they are lightyears better for touring). Conserving energy is for real

shred14Thanks for the input! The total weight for Shifts is 1,730 grams and the weight for the CAST system is 1,990. It’s good to know that both would be a great option. I’ve heard some complaints about a “pre-release” and a brake issue with Shifts? This ever happen or anything gone wrong with them?

XCI haven't had these issues. I did have a buddy that hit a park jump and lost the cap of the walk ski part. We found it and he fixed it.

The release issue, I think, is partially due to people not knowing how to set the vertical on the toe riser. You have to adjust this the right way when switching AT and freeride boots in and out.

Skimo also suggests the binding is for lighter skiers pushing their limits. I am definitely light and ride smooth. So maybe why I don't have these issues.

I did talk to Cody Townsend about them and I know he's sponsored by the company but he was stoked on hucking cliffs with them. And he's WAY bigger than I am.

djdiggidydaveI've been skiing on the atomic shifts for approximately 25 days. 10 in bounds/15 tours in various locations. Mounted on atomic backlands 107's. They ski great and I've never had a ski release unintentionally in bounds or out of bounds post transitioning from tour to alpine. Just carrying a little multi-tool to clean out the cavity in the heel will definitely be a good idea. My buddy has a CAST system and he had issues with ice build-up on the screws. one day but used a multi tool to clear up the issue. The transition time is faster with shift but not by much. Overall, based on pro's like magnus using the shift to do his wacky sh*t in bound with confidence, I'd suggest them over CAST.

soupI have the cast and ski it every single day. I can not say enough good things about the setup it truly is a solid product that works. You do feel the weight after a big day but it's worth it on the downhill. The tech toe delivers, the risers are super functional, and did I mention how worth it is to have a trustworthy downhill binding on your feet while touring?

Price is the biggest setback they are expensive, and if you don't already have pivots then you're looking at an investment. But if your looking at cast I can only assume you rock pivots. Also order them in July if you want them in December, the boys at cast don't have the most reliable ordering systems but they are getting better.

The transition is as slow as a good split boarders transition so don't worry about slowing down the group either.

shred14Thanks for the reply! I currently don’t own pivots, but my friends do and say a lot of good things about them. I’d buy the pivots now and then buy the cast system later in the season. I like how with the cast I don’t have to deal with the pin system on the way down. It’s a tough gamble but I’m seeing suggestions and options through different threads, reviews, and people like you who are willing enough to write a post for me to decide on.

soupYou don't have to ride the pin setup with the shift as well. I've heard all of the prerelease issues were from people not properly adjusting them after a couple of rides. Both setups work it's just what you feel good with. Max 13 din on the shift as well not sure your weight and size but that can be a negative for some.

Trefinthere is an issue on some where the toe riser can strip and repeatedly step down even when set properly. i am bigger, 6'2 200+lbs so that probably is a big reason. Only happened to one of my toes and the other is fine and works well. I probably get 2-5 days skiing before a random stepdown happens and have to readjust, now i only ski mellow on the shifts due to the issue.

Trefinthere is an issue on some where the toe riser can strip and repeatedly step down even when set properly. i am bigger, 6'2 200+lbs so that probably is a big reason. Only happened to one of my toes and the other is fine and works well. I probably get 2-5 days skiing before a random stepdown happens and have to readjust, now i only ski mellow on the shifts due to the issue.

XCI can totally see that happening. I think the toe riser is one of the weakest aspects of the Shift.

bigwhite.steezethe cast setup is a much better resort binding. after many years of searching for the ideal setup, the cast is the ideal setup for me (although not perfect. Here in BC i've known many people to get on the shift train as it seemed like the best thing out there, but after the first season, and even more so after the second season of them being released, more and more heavy shredders had broken pairs, or pre-released enough times to sell them.

They seem great for the right rider, but for if your sending big and putting alot of force into them (and you dont get a new pair each season) then i would slight away.

The cast is a lifetime setup with it being very simple with almost nothing the break. Its a bit heavier, but its alot stronger, and its modular so pieces could be replaced if needed be (if you lost a toe, if your brake retainer broke ect) The downsides are the changeovers arent that fast, the upside is the strength on the down, whether touring or on the resort, your riding the most dfependable binding in the industry. Its not perfect, but its close to it.

TreewellMagnetIf you get shifts, definitely make sure they are set up correctly. Mine weren't the first time (fwd pressure and afd height) and I had an unwanted ejection into a tree with several broken ribs.

shred14That sounds horrible! Hope you’re all good!

Dashiell69All I'll say is that I know a bunch of people with both bindings and I've heard many reports of shifts breaking (even with my less hard charging friends) and I have never heard of CAST breaking. Definitely not real evidence either way but metal is definitely better than plastic and the pivot 18/15 is basically the best resort binding money can buy.

bigwhite.steezeThe cast is a lifetime setup with it being very simple with almost nothing the break. Its a bit heavier, but its alot stronger, and its modular so pieces could be replaced if needed be (if you lost a toe, if your brake retainer broke ect) The downsides are the changeovers arent that fast, the upside is the strength on the down, whether touring or on the resort, your riding the most dfependable binding in the industry. Its not perfect, but its close to it.

voyzeyYeah this nails it. I love the simplicity of CAST and it definitely feels like a lifetime setup. My AFD broke this year and they sent me a new one, was back on my skis within a week. I have CAST+15's and yeah it's a little slower on the transitions but if your setup is as heavy as pivots you're probably not stressing too much about a super speedy transition anyways. My biggest fear is forgetting my pivot toes on a tour, always triple checking before hitting the skintrack haha

shred14Lol that’d be the worst to forget the toe pieces! How hard was it to convert the pieces or did CAST do it?

abar.Its extremely easy to convert the toes, though if you have a shop mounting your bindings they'll probably do it unless they have a stick up their ass about violating the look warranty. If you are mounting the pivots yourself and have never done it before know that the heels are an absolute pain in the ass, the toes are easy tho. If the shop just mounts the unmodified pivots or they're already on your skis you can just take the toes off and modify them, I recommend not taking the heel off and just mounting the heel riser without the template as screwing the heels in is a nightmare and you'll probably get a spinner.

A note from someone who was in your position last year- unless you have friends that are experienced to go with often you will most likely not send near as hard as you do in the resort. Its not easy to just pull up and go crazy when you have no experience, no partners, and don't know the zones. You will most likely not find that you need the beef of CAST in the bc, but I'd still say its 100% the right move if you plan on using it in the resort as its the only touring binding that I would trust to stand up to years of hard sending in the resort. If I had a dedicated backcountry ski I would absolutely get pin bindings as most of my touring this year has been super mellow and on hard snow, but that might change if I lived somewhere with easier access to the good stuff