ISPO 2015 | Part 2: Freeride boots & bindings

The term "diversification" or "diversification" describes an expansion of the product range and refers to new products for new markets, according to a popular online reference book in economics. And this is exactly what the manufacturers of freeride boots and bindings seem to have done. Manufacturers of classic touring equipment are venturing further into the freeride sector (Dynafit), and classic Alpine companies such as Atomic are launching lightweight touring boots and bindings. Some companies such as Black Diamond have not even changed the colors of the individual models in their existing boot collections. Due to a lack of really new products this year, we will also introduce you to some products that are actually part of the classic touring range.

Dynafit
The saying goes "save the best for last", but that doesn't matter to us here, and we will start with the highlight from the ski boot range. Dynafit, the touring specialist of the Oberalp Group, is launching the Khion freeride boot, another ski boot with the weight of a touring boot and many features of a freeride boot, after the Vulcan. In addition to the entry-level Khion MS model, there will also be a top model, the Khion Carbon. Both are equally light at 1530 grams per boot and differ in terms of stiffness and therefore downhill performance. On the ascent, the boots will offer a shaft inclination of 90° when the buckles are open thanks to a modified walking mechanism compared to the predecessors Vulcan and TLT6. The Khion Carbon also features a Boa lacing system on the inner boot. As a result, it will also be around 200 euros more expensive than the MS, coming in at a hefty 700 euros. Both shoes are 4-laces and equipped with a new buckle system that can be opened completely with a single movement. There are also some nice features in the design of the rest of the boot: the sole is said to be particularly snow-repellent and the shape of the boot has been designed to offer as little resistance as possible when climbing in the snow.

There are no new features in the bindings: The Beast 14 received TÜV certification shortly before ISPO and the prematurely and already diligently advertised Radical 2 will only be available in stores everywhere from winter 2015/16, also in the FT and ST variants.

Salomon
In the MTN series, the French manufacturer presents a two-buckle touring ski boot with balanced ascent and descent characteristics. With 1576 grams per boot and a 47° shaft angle, even longer ascents should be manageable. And with a flex index of 120 specified by the manufacturer and a power strap, fun on the descent should not be neglected, even with slightly wider skis. Salomon's experience in trail running has been incorporated into the design of the inner boot.

Scarpa
The Freedom freeride boot has already been available for several seasons in the basic and SL versions. From the 15/16 season, it will now also be available in stores in the RS version. At 1985 grams per boot, the RS, like the SL, remains under 2 kg. With significantly improved downhill performance, you only have to make minor compromises with 2° less shaft rotation on the ascent (25° instead of 27° for the SL). In addition to interchangeable soles between alpine and techsole, the RS also offers many other adjustment options familiar from alpine boots: such as adjustable template, customizable spoiler and adjustable canting angle.

Atomic
The Altenmarkt-based racing specialists from Atomic are expanding their Backland series (skis and accessories are already available to buy) with the Backland touring boot and the Backland binding. With a weight of less than one kilogram (light version, in ascent mode without a pull) and a shaft angle of 74°, the Backland is a genuine touring boot. A new type of buckle system combined with lacing is designed to provide support. The shell and liner are individually adjustable with Atomic's Thermofit technology. The inner boot is also completely waterproof but breathable and can be completely washed. The Backland binding is also a genuine touring binding. At 592 grams, it is quite light. With its 30 mm adjustment range, the binding allows the use of different boots. Thanks to the wide mounting plate, it enables good power transmission and three climbing aid positions on the ascent, meaning that the Backland binding offers some important features that are often missing from ultra-light bindings.

Dalbello The Italian ski boot specialist has expanded its Lupo series with the Lupo T.I.. This gives the big mountain boots tech inserts and enables them to be used with pin bindings. The Lupo T.I. is partly based on the tried-and-tested Krypton Pro and also comes with the same flex. Due to the walking function, the adjustment options are somewhat less than with the Krypton Pro. The fact that the rubber sole can also be used with normal alpine bindings is also very interesting. The black "knobs" are responsible for power transmission and securing the lateral release. According to Dalbello employees, they are currently developing a sole for the Lupo T.I similar to the normal Lupo to enable even better power transmission. Perhaps an attractive combination for climbing really big lines? Or for people who have their eye on the CAST, for example, but are still struggling with the ski boot issue...

Roxa

The ROXA Clifnotes 120 is also aimed at a similar target group to the Lupo T.I.: Dynafit certified tech inserts, interchangeable sole, suitable for alpine bindings, 3-piece design, replaceable tongue, downhill-oriented. We hope to be able to take a closer look at both shoes soon!

The other manufacturers have been busy with product maintenance. Apart from colors and small improvements, hardly any changes were made to the existing models. Any changes are listed in the description of the images in the gallery below.

Diamir
The tech binding with release function on the toe piece, which won the ISPO Gold Award last year, has been revised for the 2015/16 season. They listened to user feedback and worked on the toe piece in particular. Many users of the Vipec 12 complained about the difficult entry at the front and false releases at the front too. With a longer front section, a stop at the front and the elimination of the metal bar in the area of the pins, it should now be much easier to get on. Reinforced springs should prevent false releases. Unfortunately, a prototype was not yet available at ISPO and the manufacturer refused to provide images of the modified model. It was expressly forbidden to take photos of the sketches shown.

Fischer
In the 2015/16 season, the ski company from Upper Austria will be selling Dynafit bindings with the Fischer logo. In addition to various Dynafit models, this also includes the two freeride models Beast 14 and Beast 16.