| Summary: New for '06-'07, the 7tm Power Tour combines active downhill performance with an efficient free-hinging touring function. For those struggling to decide between an active, releasable, or free-touring binding, fret no further: the Power Tour is the best of all worlds. |
The 7tm Power Tour brings Alpine Touring efficiency to a Telemark binding.
Stiff flexing Telemark boots make touring on standard Telemark bindings inefficient and problematic. 7tm solved this problem by introducing the first Telemark binding with a free-pivot touring mode. New this year, the 7tm Power Tour combines active downhill performance with the proven DIN-certified release system and the efficient touring function. Freeheel skiers will no longer have to choose between downhill performance, releasable safety, and a free-pivot touring function. With the improved downhill performance and the only DIN-certified releasable binding, there is no reason to compromise your safety in the backcountry by choosing another binding. |
Couloir magazine: "Looking for lots of downhill power, awesome touring freedom and safety release? There is only one choice: the 7tm Power Tour ....Switching from downhill to tour mode is achieved by bending over and swinging the lever under the outside edge of the toe plate. It is perhaps the least convenient switch mode of the touring bindings available, but it's a minor exertion to operate a switch that has the side benefit of being practically immune to icing up....The only real negative of this binding is weight, but it is a small price to pay."
Powder Magazine: "After Karhu joined K2 last year, Garmont took over as NA distributor of the 7tm series, a releasable freeheel binding manufactured by Rezotec GmbH in Germany. The 7tm Power is powerful, smooth and active - an excellent resort binding, and also great for jib sessions. But with the Power Tour, you get all the juice plus a frictionless touring function. While the DIN-release is much safer while traveling in avalanche terrain, bigger, stronger skiers might question its trustworthiness on uber-steep terrain."
Skiing magazine:"The tour-specific hinged toe plate isn't as user-friendly as we'd like: You have to lean sideways and flip a lever near your outside edge to switch modes. But the Power Tour has a nice neutral feel - and it's fully DIN-releasable if you tank on a big, deep line. Ski crampons not included."
Backcountry magazine: "Let's review our criteria for the ultimate tele binding. Lots of downhill power? Check. The Power Tour configuration of the 7tm is more than enough, and it engages right off the deck thanks to a unique power strap routed under-foot. frictionless tour mode? Check. in fact, it was the first tele binding to offer it, and with a full 65° of frictionless motion - more than any other tele touring binding. The pivot is 14mm in front of pin line - not optimal, but hardly noticeable unless you compare it to the 01 side by side. Optional crampons are available (85mm & 105mm), and it has two climbing peg heights (30mm & 50mm). Seems the rotational nature of the switch makes it self-cleaning, thus resisting icing. Releasable? Check. And a reliable release at that. It doesn't release prematurely, and seems to come free when you need it to in combat mode." |
