ISPO time is cat-out-of-the-bag time for the manufacturers. Here they show which products they hope to win the favor of buyers in the 2013/14 season. The PowderGuide crew was out and about for you at ISPO and took a look into the future. In several articles, we show you what news awaits you, especially in the areas of safety, skis, boots and bindings, but also take a look at the booming splitboards. We continue today in the second part with the latest innovations in boots and bindings.
Freeride boots
In the area of strongly downhill-oriented touring boots and hard freeride boots with a walking function, similar trends can be seen for the coming season as in recent years. More and more models have tech inserts, and it is now fair to say that models without the option of using tech bindings are clearly in the minority. In addition, the number of stiff boots with pronounced touring suitability, i.e. very good walking mode and light weight, continues to increase. Of course, there are also some innovations in the area of more ascent-oriented touring boots.
Here is an overview of the most important innovations in the boot sector:
Atomic
In addition to the tried and tested Tracker models, Atomic will be expanding its range of touring boots next year with the Waymaker series. This will include four models, whereby the top model with carbon shaft in particular could not only offer good ascent properties but also great downhill performance.
Dalbello
In addition to minimal model updates to the Sherpa range, Dalbello is launching the Lupo, an extremely interesting boot with ascent function based on Krypton. Only prototypes were presented at Ispo, but the stated weight for the promised performance is really interesting. Unfortunately, no tech inserts.
La Sportiva
From La Sportiva, the new 4 lacers are particularly interesting. The Spectre (men) and Sparkle (women) are extremely lightweight shoes with a very flexible shaft for excellent ascent performance. The downhill performance should also be interesting, at least in relation to the weight. However, the unusual design of the buckles must first prove itself...
Salomon
The most important news from Salomon is that soles with tech inserts will finally be available for the Quest range of boots from next season. This will make the boots even more interesting for ski tourers.
Scarpa
Scarpa is also introducing 4-buckle boots with interchangeable soles and tech inserts in the Freedom series. The Freedom SL in particular is very lightweight. All models have high-quality insoles from Intuition.
Bindings
The changes in the binding sector are traditionally clear. On the one hand, there are plenty of excellent bindings and on the other hand, it often takes years to develop a binding. Nevertheless, there are some changes and two or three really interesting new developments.
Dynafit
The headlines have already made the rounds and the innovative new development of a freeride low-TECH binding with a high maximum Z-value of 16 and a weight of just under one kilo has already attracted a lot of attention. And rightly so, because with a focus on elasticity and reliable release, the aim is to eliminate some of the biggest shortcomings of previous TECH bindings. The use of a coil spring for the vertical release at the rear and a freely rotating toe piece at the front are extremely interesting innovations that are really shaking up the TECH binding market.
Diamir
The Zenith 12 is another remarkable development from Fritschi: They have taken up the low-TECH concept and, in typical Diamir fashion, continued to work on it until they have developed a solution suitable for a wide range of users with a high level of operating comfort. Safety Pin Tech is the name given to this in-house development. The big highlight here is that the alpine and low-TECH binding concepts have been skillfully combined. The side release on the rear jaw has been dispensed with and is instead handled by the front jaw, as with a normal alpine binding. Instead, the pin arms simply fold to the side. The result: high elasticity for horizontal and vertical release and a defined, adjustable Z-value on the toe piece. The problem of the flex influence of the ski on the release has also been addressed and so, as with an alpine binding, the toe piece lies against the boot and is mounted on a floating bearing. This is best seen in this video:
Please note: This video (and all trade fair photos) is a demo binding. Materials, especially the plastic. The look and release forces of the final series binding will be different.
The associated crampon is also an intelligent solution that enables efficient penetration depths for all levels of walking aids. With this, Diamir is really shaking up the touring binding market.
Marker
In addition to the Tour, which also comes with an extended hole pattern as the Tour EPF, Marker is introducing an interesting innovation with the Lord. The toe piece of this alpine binding is designed in such a way that the toe piece height can be adapted to alpine or touring soles in just a few simple steps.
Salomon
The STH2 is coming. A combination of a further developed driver toe piece and Guardian rear toe piece should once again surpass the notoriously good performance of the S and STH series.
Tyrolia
After the AAAdrenalin, the freeride binding from Tyrolia (also labeled Head, Elan, etc.) now comes the next logical step in two forms. With the AAAtack 13 (unfortunately we don't know which other max. Z-values will be available) comes an alpine binding that uses the front and rear jaws of the AAAdrenalin. Furthermore, the AAAmbition is a significantly slimmed-down touring version and hopes to follow on from the successful touring bindings from the 80s with this comeback.
