PowderGuide reports live from the product lion's den. At the world's biggest winter sports trade fair, we keep an eye out for new products and developments. In the second part, we introduce you to the interesting developments in the field of ascending bindings: Salomon Guardian, Tyrolia Adrenalin, Marker Duke EPF, Rottefella Freedom and three snowboard models from Karakoram.
Ski bindings
Probably the most eagerly awaited new product by most freeriders, the Salomon Guardian (labeled by other companies such as Scott) has already been unveiled online. The joint production of Salomon and Atomic (marketed here under the name Atomic Tracker) advertises greater stiffness, lower stand height and better usability compared to the Marker Duke. The binding made a good impression at the trade fair and the marketing promises don't seem to be empty. We are already looking forward to the first practical tests of this alpine-oriented ascent option!
Competitor and initiator of the downhill-oriented touring bindings Marker developed the Duke further. Hidden under the product name Marker Duke EPF is a widening of the Duke chassis, which is intended to ensure better power transmission. A wider drill pattern is intended to make the Duke even more potent for very wide freeride skis. The price remains identical to the Marker Duke at 379.95 euros.
Another new development comes from Tyrolia and goes by the name of Tyrolia Adrenalin 16 (also sold by the Fischer and Head brands). Visually, some parts are reminiscent of the Marker Duke and the Fritschi models with a rear jaw from Tyrolia. As with the Duke, the price will be 379.95 euros. Our first impression of the trade fair is still somewhat ambivalent and the willingness of the staff to provide detailed information was rather limited, so we don't want to draw any premature conclusions here.
There is also something new from Fritschi, even if you don't notice it so easily when you walk past. The Scout 11 is the successor to the Experience and is aimed more at all-mountain skiers. A light weight of around 1500 grams and a comparatively low price of 329 euros underpin these ambitions. It is also fully compatible with alpine and touring ski boots.
Telemark and snowboard
Telemarkers can also look forward to a new addition. The Rottefella Freedom, priced at 379.95 euros and weighing just 1500 grams per pair, should delight lovers of the free heel.
Surprisingly, we also spotted a new binding in the "slushy" snowboard halls among the endless number of empty beer cups and bottles. In cooperation with Jones Snowboards, Karakoram developed a new splitboard ascent system. The Prime, SL and Split30 models. The euro prices are not yet fixed, but will be roughly between 350 and 550 euros for the complete set.
