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| The ever-evolving world
of telemark bindings is keeping us on our toes, so-to-speak.
New for this season is the arrival of the much-anticipated NTN (New
Telemark Norm). Last season, telemark binding technology
saw a major advancement with the introduction of free-pivoting
touring bindings for even freer heeled, more efficient
ascents. These great new innovations join the ranks of a
wide selection of telemark bindings from the tried and true neutral compression
bindings and the active underfoot cable
routing bindings to the newer-school plate bindings.
In addition, options are available for those looking for releasable, women's
specific, and kid's telemark bindings. |
| Neutral Cable |
| This is where telemark
bindings began. Traditional cable bindings secure the "duckbill" of
a telemark boot into the toe piece by tensioning a cable
wire that runs around perimeter of the boot with the upward
flick of a heel lever. The cables in this category of binding
generally exit from the toe piece alongside or in front of
the ball of the foot, which largely give these bindings their
characteristically "neutral" flex, where the heel
more freely raises off the ski. The cable is allowed to tighten
through the activation springs attached to the cables toward
the rear of the loop. Earlier versions of these springs were
exposed tension springs as with the Black Diamond Riva 1
and 2 bindings and the Voile
3-Pin Cable. |
| Most current cable bindings use a compression spring enclosed within a steel cartridge. The compression spring reduces the chance of the spring s needing replacing, and the enclosed cartridge prevents snow and ice from building up and interfering with the function of the spring. Some of the best-selling bindings fit in this category such as the G3 Targa, Rottefella Cobra, Black Diamond O3, and Voile Hardwire bindings. G3 and Black Diamond telemark bindings are available in different cartridge stiffnesses to suit the skier's preference. |
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| Active Cable |
| In a more "active" cable
binding, there is more tension in the system; i.e. the heel
of the boot is more strongly pulled back down toward the
ski. This is achieved mainly by repositioning the point-of-exit
of the cable from the toe piece. For example, the cables
of the Black
Diamond O2 bindings leave the toe piece at the very back
end of it, underneath the foot. The 22
Designs Hammerhead, most active in positions 4 and 5,
illustrates this with its pop-pin adjustability of the cable
exit point to accommodate the skier's preference. |
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| Free-Pivoting Touring |
| G3, Black Diamond, 7tm, and Voile are all making binding with a pivot system that allows the binding to pivot at the front of the toe instead of at the ball of the foot. This acts more like an AT binding, and if you are spending more than 50% of your ski time in the backcountry, you should seriously consider the extra expense. The difference it makes in hiking efficiency is huge, and your legs will appreciate it on the way down. Check out the G3 Targa Ascent, Black Diamond O1, 7tm Power Tour, and the Voile Switchback. |
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| Releasable |
| Many of you who spend time in the backcountry know
that releasable telemark bindings can quite literally save
your life in the event of an avalanche. Nobody wants their
skis working like an anchor if they're caught in a slide.
For those folks, releasable tele bindings are required equipment.
We currently carry releasable tele bindings from Voile and 7tm, manufacturers who have made advancements in downhill performance and release functionality of releasable telemark bindings. For a more
detailed look at releasable bindings, including specific
pros and cons of each, check out our Releasable
Telemark Bindings page. |
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| NTN |
| The long-awaited NTN (New Telemark Norm) binding/boot system is available for the first time in Fall 2007. These bindings are designed with increased lateral stability and better edging in mind and must be used with an "duckbill-less" NTN compatible boots such as the Scarpa T2X NTN and the Crispi Evo NTN. Benefits include a free-pivoting touring mode, easy entry and exit, integrated brakes, and better contact between ski and ball-of-foot. Of course the main drawback is the initial financial investment since both binding and a new boot will need to be purchased. But the really good news for those who split their time between tele and AT is that Scarpa's TX NTN boot will work in Dynafit AT bindings! We do not recommend using NTN boots in Fritschi or other step-in AT bindings, however. |
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| Plate |
| Currently there's only one manufacturer of plate telemark bindings with product on the market, Bomber Industries. Other examples of this type which have fallen by the wayside are the Black Diamond Skyhoy, Voile VP-II and the Linken. The Bomber Bishop is exactly as its name implies, ultra durable and extremely well-engineered. It is designed to complement the ultra-stiff plastic tele boots now available. With a plate system, the uphill ski is made much more active than with a traditional cable telemark binding. Any of you who have felt your uphill or back ski fluttering around without decent edge hold can relate. That said, the Bomber does seem most suited for aggressive, expert tele skiers. These bindings will work skiers with a more casual style. |
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| Women's Specific |
| Are women's specific bindings really necessary? How could they be any different? Well, tele bindings designed for women have one major difference from most "unisex" bindings - the ability to fit the smallest women's boot sizes. Women who wear a 21.5-23.0 Mondo size boot can relate; some models out there just don't adjust small enough for these boot sizes, or if they do, the cartridge spring ends up practically running the length of the boot. Granted, not all women's bindings will fit a 21.5 (the G3 Targa RX, Black Diamond O3, and Black Diamond O1 and O2 in sizes Freeflex Small or Midstiff Small will), the Voile Women's Hardwire and Rottefella Cobra R6 fit down to a 23. As for other differences, some claim for have softer cartridges (Rottefella Cobra R6) while others stand by the fact that the cartridge is the same as the men's version (as is the case with the G3 Targa RX). One or two have a resized heel bail to accommodate for the narrower shell of some women's boots (Voile Women's Hardwire). |
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| Kid's |
| If your little shredder
is using any of the kid's specific tele boots (Garmont Teledactyl,
Telesaurus, or G-Rex, Scarpa TJ), going with a kid's specific
telemark binding is a must. Reason: the duckbill of a kid's
boot is thinner (therefore easier for a flyweight to flex),
and won't fit securely into an adult binding. Try the Rottefella
Junior Softwire. |
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