Skip to content

Cookies 🍪

This site uses cookies that need consent.

Learn more

Zur Powderguide-Startseite Zur Powderguide-Startseite
gear reviews

Gear reviews | Dynafit TLT Radical 2.0 FT

The new standard Dynafit

by Lorenzo Rieg 02/25/2017
After a number of new ideas have been implemented in the world of ski touring bindings in recent years, it is hardly surprising that Dynafit has also revised the "standard" binding and added a few new features.

The TLT Radical 2.0 FT combines several new features, all of which are already known from other binding models, but have not yet been combined in this way and are certainly not available in a similarly lightweight package. The toe piece is slightly pivoted (like the Dynafit Beast 14), the rear piece now sits with a certain amount of contact pressure on the boot (like the G3 Ion) and the stoppers only fold up when you step on them in touring mode (like the Fritschi Vipec, for example). As with the first Radical (and before that the Vertical), in addition to the "FT" version tested here with release values of 5-12, there is also an "ST" version with values of 4-10.

First impression

At first glance, the binding hardly differs from a "normal" Radical. On closer inspection, you will of course notice the rotating toe piece and the new stoppers. The binding also looks a little "bulkier" and a little higher. When mounted on the ski, the stand height is slightly higher than with the Radical.

Tester and test conditions

I am 183cm tall and weigh around 75kg. I go on a lot of ski tours, sometimes longer ones, but the focus is always on the descent. I'm less of a summiteer and am actually always on the lookout for untracked powder snow. I mounted the binding on a DOWNSKIS LD102 in 186cm and tested it with various boots, namely the Dynafit TLT7 Performance, the Scarpa F1 and the Scarpa Maestrale RS. I've been using them since this season and have used them on most of my tours so far. I estimate that I have used them on 20 days so far.

In recent years, I have mainly used the Fritschi Vipec, Dynafit Beast 14 and 16 as well as several models from the Dynafit Vertical range for touring.

Test report

Getting into the binding takes a little getting used to. With classic Dynafit pin bindings, you are used to the fact that as soon as the boot is locked into the pins on the front jaw, you can simply push it firmly into the back jaw with your heel. Not so with the Radical 2.0! The rotating toe piece means you have to be much more careful here. If the toe piece is slightly twisted, you just hit your ski boot hard on the pins without really having a chance to lock in. I quickly got used to it. In difficult terrain, it helps to briefly lock the toe piece, which locks it in the middle, then press the boot into the rear toe piece and then release the lock on the toe piece again.

gear reviews
presented by

Locking the toe piece on the ascent is also a little more difficult than with the previous models. You need a little more force, especially if the toe piece is not already positioned straight, which is particularly noticeable if you use the ski pole handle to lock it, as I do. Here the toe piece has to be positioned exactly straight, otherwise you have to bend down to lock it... One advantage is that the stoppers remain folded out until you step on them for the first time. This helps to keep the ski in position.

Other than that, there's not much to say about the ascent. Of course, the binding is relatively light, but if you are used to pin bindings this hardly has any effect, as the Radical 2.0 doesn't break any weight records. As usual with the Radical, changing the climbing aids is quick and easy with the pole plate. When tracking, especially in rather damp fresh snow, some ice occasionally collects in the area behind the folded stopper (if you go without a climbing aid), but this effect is very limited and is practically not annoying, but was unknown to me from my loyal Dynafit Verticals.

Turning the rear jaw from the ascent to the descent position is relatively difficult (especially when the binding is brand new) and has the potential to scratch your hands. I therefore only do this with gloves on.

On the descent, the binding then does its job reliably and unobtrusively. I always skied with classic Dynafits locked, as I was constantly losing my skis without locking them. I was initially skeptical about the Radical 2.0, but I've never locked it and haven't had a single false release so far. The contact pressure and the rotating toe piece seem to work well here. I also have nothing but positive things to say about the handling. While classic pin bindings were very direct and inelastic, especially in hard snow, the Radical 2.0 at least offers a certain elasticity. It is not comparable with an alpine binding or the Dynafit Beast models, but lies more between these and a "normal" Dynafit Radical. Nevertheless, the power transmission is very good and allows even wide skis to be placed powerfully on the edge. The biggest advantage for me on the descent is that I can ski with the binding unlocked without hesitation.

Conclusion

Good all-round touring binding that can handle a lot of action. Holds the skis on the feet and has good power transmission without being too heavy. Not necessarily for hard freeride use or skiing in the ski area, but on tour you are well positioned with it everywhere.

Advantages & disadvantages

+Good release (or non-release) behavior
+lightweight
+surprisingly suitable for action
-Entry takes some getting used to

Details

RRP €530.- (€470.- in the ST version)
Weight: Just under 1.2kg (pair)
Z-value
Stopper widths: 90, 105, 120, 135
Side stops for easier entry
Simple brake lock
Rotating toe piece to prevent false releases on impacts
10mm contact pressure

Here is the Dynafit website with further information. Here you can order the binding from our partner store Bergzeit.de.

This product was made available to PowderGuide at a discounted price by the manufacturer. You can find out how we test it in our test statement.

Photo gallery

This article has been automatically translated by DeepL with subsequent editing. If you notice any spelling or grammatical errors or if the translation has lost its meaning, please write an e-mail to the editors.

Show original (German)

Related articles

Comments

gear reviews
presented by