ISPO News 2020 | Ski touring boots & bindings

This time, however, there were numerous interesting innovations, especially in the area of ski boots and bindings, which we present in this edition of our ISPO News.

In general, there is a certain trend towards "Pin 3.0" in the binding sector. This means that there are more and more options for skiing downhill with an alpine (or at least alpine-style) toe piece that grips the ski boot beak. However, pins and inserts are used for the ascent. This really combines the best of both worlds. In addition to the tried-and-tested Salomon Shift and the CAST system, the B.A.M Pindung and the Marker Duke PT already offer plenty of choice for the 2020/2021 season. It is almost to be expected that Pin 3.0 will develop into the de facto standard for freeriding ski tourers or touring freeriders in the coming years.

When it comes to boots, there are still lightweight and ascent-oriented models on the one hand, while on the other hand there seems to be a certain focus on almost classic four-buckles again. In addition to the new models from Salomon and Atomic (both not represented at ISPO) and Lange, La Sportiva and Tecnica, for example, are also represented here.

We would highlight the Marker Duke PT as a particularly interesting new product this year. In terms of boots, there are numerous interesting models, such as the Scott Freeguide Carbon, the La Sportiva Vega and the Lange XT3 series.

Bindings

ATK
The Italians from ATK have not made any major changes to their downhill-oriented bindings, although the Freeraider 14 is still one of the lightest bindings with a high Z-value. In addition, bindings with a revised stopper construction on the toe piece are being released in the touring segment, which also has a new feature: the stoppers fold up automatically as soon as the binding is locked for the ascent.

B.A.M
As is well known, the Pindung has made it onto the market this season and will of course also be presented by the friendly team from B.A.M at ISPO. The binding makes a solid and trustworthy impression and is also convincing in terms of handling. For the future, they are still considering TÜV certification, as they are convinced they will get it. However, the high costs of the certification process are still being shied away from at the moment.

Fritschi
Fritschi is also relying on its existing range of bindings for next season, with the still quite new Xenic for the more ascent-oriented tourers and the Tecton for the more downhill-oriented ones.

G3
G3 is not introducing any major innovations, but with the ZED9, a variant of the ZED with a lower Z-value, which is logically aimed at lighter skiers.

Marker
With the Duke PT 16 and Duke PT 12, Marker is bringing an answer to the Salomon Shift and B.A.M. Pindung and probably one of the most interesting innovations at ISPO 2020. While you can ski down the Duke PT like with an alpine binding, the toe piece is folded forward and removed for the ascent, which not only allows you to get on with pins but also saves some weight on your feet. The rear jaws are identical to those of the Jester (Duke PT 16) and Squire (Duke PT 12) (apart from the additional locking of the stoppers with climbing aid), although it should be noted that both rear jaws have been slightly revised for the coming season. The Duke PT 16 weighs a total of 1350g, in ascent mode 1050g (each). The Duke PT 12 is around 200g lighter. The Duke PT toe piece makes quite a sophisticated impression on us, the locking mechanism is quite solid and engages at four points.

Almost incidental but still new at Marker: The Kingpins now all have a toe piece similar to the Alpinist or Kingpin M-Werks.

Look
No, there are no touring bindings from Look this year either, but the once so successful P15 is being reissued after a long time. Apart from the Z-value (5 - 15), this is identical to the P18 (8-18) and therefore offers a top binding for skiers who need smaller Z-values. The binding comes in different color variants, including the colorful "Forza", which some may still know from the 90s.

Plum
The French company Plum also relies on its proven range with minor optimizations. Similar to ATK, a wide range is covered here with many bindings, which, apart from details, differ mainly in Z-value and weight.

La Sportiva
With the Vega, La Sportiva is launching a new top model in the field of downhill-oriented touring shoes. The shoe, which will be available in a men's and women's version, replaces the Spectre 2.0. The typical four-buckle shoe is made of carbon-reinforced plastic. Its low weight and further improved downhill characteristics compared to the Spectre 2.0 make it an extremely interesting overall package.

Nordica
Nordica is supplementing the Strider series with the new Strider Elite 130, which adopts a large part of the lower shell of the Speedmachine Alpine models and is therefore intended to further improve downhill performance.

Rossingol
Rossignol continues to rely on the Alltrack series for its ski boots. A rather insignificant innovation here is that there are now sets that are color-coordinated in terms of design, from the boots to the skis to the clothing.

Roxa
Roxa has a new top model in convertible design with the R3. The downhill-oriented boot promises high rigidity with a progressive flex and comes with a customizable liner and the typical Cabrio three buckles.

Scarpa
Scarpa is not bringing anything new to the core PowderGuide.com range this year, i.e. the downhill-oriented ski touring boots, but with the F1 LT it has heavily revised one of the bestsellers of recent years, the F1. The new F1 LT is said to have not only improved on the ascent but also on the descent characteristics compared to the F1 and is therefore certainly an interesting innovation for ski boots in the 1kg class.

Scott
Scott also has a new top boot. At just under 1500g, the Freeguide Carbon weighs only slightly more than the Superguide, but is the more downhill-oriented model despite the smaller number of buckles. With a flex rating of 130, low weight and good walking mode, this is certainly a boot that you could try on next season.

Tecnica
Tecnica continues to rely on the tried-and-tested Cochise and Zero G lines. However, the main change for the coming season will be the color, while the shoes will basically remain the same.