Last winter, due to COVID, we decided to forgo a centralized testing event and instead set up pods in mountain towns throughout the country. The silver lining: each crew had weeks, not just five days, to tour in all the new models, netting even more time in walk mode. That extended window yielded more detailed feedback on uphill performance than we’ve ever had. These are the bindings that made it through the gauntlet.Ěý

Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC 13 ($600)

Four years ago, the Shift became the first tech binding to provide both resort performance and reliable backcountry utility. We still love it. Its baseline two-degree ramp angle in tour mode means you’re never walking on a flat platform, so testers found it more at home on short missions. 1.9 lbs

Fritschi Xenic 10 ($430)

Competition among tech-binding manufacturers has reduced cost but heightened innovation. The Xenic 10 is proof: it’s the lightest model Fritschi offers, stands up to all-day touring, and is the least expensive binding we tested. Plastic composite toe bumpers make lining up the boot’s tech pins easy and allow the toe to release quickly from tour mode. To keep weight down, the Xenic has one easily actuated 11-degree heel riser in tour mode. Brakes (85, 95, and 105 millimeters) are sold separately for $65. 9.9 oz

Plum Summit 12 ($609)

Forged in the shadow of France’s Mont Blanc, the 7075-aluminum Summit 12 replaces Plum’s Yak binding and with it the old-school twisting heel that doubled as the climbing ascender. Testers found the Summit 12 provided a damper ride than its predecessor thanks to a synthetic pad that makes contact with the boot just beneath the heel. The Summit does not have brakes, but it does fit skis up to 130 millimeters wide. The heel piece has 30 millimeters of adjustability. 15.7 oz

G3 Zed 9 ($478)

Simply twist the Zed 9’s heel 90 degrees to engage a walk mode with two heel risers. We appreciate the 30 millimeters of adjustability. Testers also noted how damp it skied on hard snow. Credit the ten millimeters of forward pressure, which allow the ski to flex more freely underfoot as the heelpiece moves slightly back and forth. Brakes (up to 130 millimeters) are available separately for $84. 12.2 oz

Marker Duke PT 12 ($700)

Marker’s answer to the seminal Salomon Shift is a great option for the skier who rides in-bounds 80 percent of the time but occasionally wants to poke into the backcountry. The Duke relies on a ­removable toe to switch from ­downhill to walk mode, an ­arrangement that’s a little inconvenient but shaves 10.5 ounces per ski for the climb. Even in downhill mode, the 12 is less weighty than the 16 because it uses the lighter-spring heel of the Squire alpine binding rather than the heel from the beefy Jester and Griffon systems. 2.6 lbs (­downhill), 1.9 lbs (uphill)

Dynafit Blacklight+ ($500)

The Blacklight+ may look minimalist, but don’t be fooled. It skis tough, thanks to a forged aluminum toe and stainless-steel heel pins, which offer maximal edging power in ski mode. It’s also the least expensive brake/binding setup in the test, perfect for day-in, day-out touring on narrow to mid-fat skis. The heel simply rotates 180 degrees from ski to tour mode, locking the brakes out in the process. Testers found the two aluminum ascenders (22 and 41 millimeters) easy to operate. 12 oz

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When you can’t bring the people to the gear, bring the gear to the people. Last winter, rather than our usual 60-person gear-test week at Powder Mountain, Utah, we set up six COVID-appropriate test pods in mountain towns across the U.S. Our crew consists of patrollers, guides, editors, and other lifelong skiers. Instead of five bell-to-bell days, we spent two months moving gear from one pod to another. More time meant more touring, which really let us put these backcountry ski boots through their paces.Ěý

Looking for more backcountry ski boots? Check out our newest list for the latest tech in 2023.

Dynafit Radical Pro ($800)

Dynafit’s designers took the brand’s stiff, narrow Hoji Free Tour, lightened it, and used foot-mapping technology to hone the shell’s shape for a broader fit range. Also new: a 120-flex Grilamid shell (for both men and women) that is more reliable in a wider array of temperatures. As a result, testers found it skied with all the power of its predecessor but with better snow feel. Thankfully, the brand’s proprietary transition mechanism remains: simply undo the top buckle to throw the Radical automatically into a 60-degree walk mode. The grippy Pomoca sole is ideal for ridgeline scrambles. 6.1 lbs, ​​25–31.5

La Sportiva Vanguard ($899)

The 130-flex Vanguard (115 for women) is La Sportiva’s first step in the direction of four-buckle boots. It sports a V-shaped cuff to reduce rotational twisting without limiting walk-mode range (63 degrees of it), and the integrated power strap and top buckle boost control in variable conditions. The shell, made from castor-seed based Pebax Rnew, performed consistently in a wide temperature range. 6.0 lbs, 24–31.5

Dalbello Quantum Free Asolo Factory 130 ($950)

A tongueless, ­two-piece cuff allows the Quantum to initiate turns with the power of a four-buckle model but still walk without friction. The bonded, shock-absorbing polyamide shell, with carbon fiber below the foot, means it also skis amazingly damp at speed. That damp feel gets a further boost from the plush liner and reinforced tongue. Flip the simple spring-loaded switch to activate a walk mode with a massive 65-degree range of motion. 5.6 lbs, 24.5-30.5

Scarpa Gea RS ($800)

The update to this ­120-flex boot (and the men’s 125-flex ) now boasts a stiffer material, Grilamid Bio. Otherwise, designers retained our favorite features, including a 101-millimeter last (ideal for wide feet) and a ratcheting heel strap that offers excellent downhill control and climbing security. The boot also features a reinforced Intuition Pro Flex liner that adds power in downhill mode. Articulation near the Achilles in tour mode yields 60 degrees of motion. 5.6 lbs, 22.5–27

Lange XT3 Tour Pro ($950)

A half pound lighter than Lange’s touring-specific XT3 130, the Tour Pro (also a 130 with 53 degrees of range) is for ­backcountry purists who want great downhill performance. “It skis like a Lange but walks like a Scarpa,” one veteran tester quipped. Tourability comes from the ­liner—light EVA foam with a plastic tongue—and from a ­gas-injected polypropylene boot board that’s highly shock absorbent. The XT3 Tour also has the same 53-degree touring range but walks easier than its predecessor thanks to a more rockered sole. 6.7 lbs, 24–29.5

Fischer Transalp Pro ($850)

Environmental cred aside, Pebax’s Rnew shell material is also extremely strong. Translation: the Transalp Pro stands up to the abuse of in-bounds bindings. Its liner also has tough Cordura in abrasion-prone zones around the cuff. We love that ­the walk-mode lever has a jaws-like latch that makes accidental transitions impossible. The boot doesn’t have an official flex rating, but it skis like a 120. Testers liked the ability to adjust the forward lean to 16 or 13 degrees, which you can customize further with the included plastic spoiler.5.6 lbs, 22.5–30.5

More Backcountry Ski Gear

• The Best New Ski Bindings
• The Best Women’s Backcountry Skis
• The Best Men’s Backcountry Skis

Back to the 2023 Winter Gear Guide

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Dynafit Superlite 150 ($550)

At 10.6 ounces per pair, the Superlite is just that. But you can still kit it out with optional brakes ($80) and crampons ($70 and up). It also features an adjustable lateral release from four to thirteen and a vertical release of six. It’s one of the most capable ski-mountaineering clamps on the market, but also surprisingly adept for daily driving. 5.3 ozĚý

Hagan Core 12 Pro ($649)

The new Core 12 is even more functional and elegant than its beloved predecessor. The brake has moved from toe to heel, which looks cleaner, and the adjustable front piece is compatible with different boots’ tech-toe tolerances. Magnets make the five heel-riser settings easy to engage. On the downhill, eight millimeters of heel elasticity provide excellent shock absorption while optional heel spacers ($79) enhance power transmission and snow feel. 11.7 oz

G3 Zed 12 ($499)

Like its forebearers, the new Zed is one of the best tech bindings available. Its rotating heel locks the brakes ($85) for walking and houses two risers that flick up and down fluidly. Thirty millimeters of rearward adjustability accommodates a wide range of boot sizes, and ice-up-reducing spring clearance at the toe offers unrivaled reliability. It also earned praise for its security going downhill. 12.6 oz

Salomon S/lab Shift MNC 10 ($675)

Three years ago, Salomon changed the game with the Shift, a 16-DIN platform designed to go big while still supplying a modicum of backcountry utility. The MNC 10 continues that tradition. It’s a lighter binding for lighter skiers, but the tech remains the same: an alpine heel and combination tech-alpine toe that grant step-in, resort-style reliability in downhill mode. An underfoot lever flips back for climbing and brings the heel to a baseline of two degrees, plus one ten-degree riser for steeps. 1.9 lbs

Fritschi Tecton 12 ($650)

With its resort-style heel and adjustable toe release, the new Tecton retains its unique, ­quiver-killing middle ground between ski-mountaineering lightweights and ­16-DIN power bindings. It weighs 2.4 pounds per pair without brakes and provides both excellent retention and release (DIN five to twelve). It’s “not the lightest, not the heaviest,” one tester said, “but it could be the safest.” Testers found it pairs well with boots up to 110 flex. 1.2 lbs

Marker Duke PT 16 ($825)

Marker set out to transform the Duke into a competitor to the crossover Salomon Shift. Mission accomplished. The binding’s front consists of a traditional tech-pin mechanism under a removable resort-inspired toe piece. Lift a lever to take off that 10.6-ounce top clamp for the climb. Slide it back on to rip down. DINs from six to sixteen and an alpine-style heel meant even hard-charging testers felt confident dropping big hits. 3 lbs

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Atomic Backland Carbon ($950)

Best for Going Deep, Long, and Light

With a Boa closure on the lower shell and a carbon-injected polyamide upper, the new Backland offers a premium ­power-to-weight ratio. It also boasts 74 degrees of range in tour mode and a tall, tough liner that’s both washable and perforated for breathability— ideal for high-mileage athletes. 2.4 lbs

La Sportiva Vega ($679)

Best for Low Weight and High SpeedĚý

A four-buckle daily driver, the ­115-flex Vega has three ­forward-lean options (12, 14, and 16 degrees), so it’s extremely tunable. It’s less stiff than its heavier peers but more tour-friendly, with a 60-degree range of motion in walk mode. The thin polyamide upper, beefed up with a carbon spine, provided a crisp lateral flex even when driving girthy touring skis. 3.2 lbs

Scarpa F1 LT ($799)

Best for Going Fast and Hard

Built for recreational ski mountaineers, the new F1 LT is a­ ­quarter pound heavier than Scarpa’s race-specific Alien and has the same 72 degrees of walking range, with more power on the downhill. A Boa closure system clamps the foot uniformly for strong downhill performance. The carbon-infused cuff offers predictable power for moderately high speeds and variable conditions. 2.2 lbs

Lange XT3 130 ($900)

Best for Big Lines

The all-new XT3 continues Lange’s eight-year progression toward a more useful touring boot that retains full downhill chops. The updated ski-walk transition mechanism now slides up and articulates between the upper and lower shell, generating 53 degrees of touring range of motion—13 more than its predecessor. The new boot also has a liner that fits more precisely than the minimalist thermo foam that came before, and a shell made of dual-density polyurethane with a Lyftran plastic cuff for added power. 1.9 lbs

K2 Mindbender 130 ($850)

Best for Steeps

In a crowded market of four-buckle touring boots designed to crush the downhill, the Mindbender’s edge is an impressive 50-degree range in walk mode, great for both steep pitches and flat approaches. Meanwhile the shell, which is made from three densities of polyurethane, is the stiffest of the four-buckle alpine crossovers yet still neutralizes vibration at dizzying speeds. Plus, the ­98-millimeter last is molded so that it still fits a wide range of feet. 3.8 lbs

Hagan Core Pro ($699)

Best for Speed Tours on a Budget

Engage the Pro’s 65 degrees of walking range by toggling a carbon slide lever built into the back of the boot. A two-piece Pebax tongue adds even more uphill comfort—one tester described it as frictionless in tour mode. Locked down, the Pro has a category-leading 18 degrees of forward lean. It’s among the most capable downhill performers in its weight class. 2.8 lbs

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Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC 13 ($725)

The Shift wowed testers last year by morphing from an uphill tech touring binding into a full-bore alpine stalwart on descent. This year’s iteration is unchanged (except for a $75 price jump). It’s still the only model that blends the confidence to stomp huge lines with the kind of weight savings that lets you skin up and do it again (and again). 1.9 lbs

G3 Zed 12 ($499)

G3 put its 2018 tester-favorite Ion on a diet. The resulting Zed is lighter and retains the category-leading spring-loaded tech jaws for unrivaled hold. At the heel, the stock Zed sheds weight by forgoing brakes (add them for $84; they’re rattly but functional) and allows for 30 millimeters of adjustment to accommodate a range of boot sizes. 1 lb

Black Diamond Helio 145 ($500)

Made in Italy, the Helio 145 is Black Diamond’s second-lightest no-frills aluminum-alloy binding. BD avoided any features that raised the weight, and there’s just a basic climbing mode—the ascender bar flips over the heel posts. And don’t expect brakes. 5 oz

Marker Kingpin M-Werks 12 ($729)

The wizards at Marker brought the toughness of the dependable Kingpin and the low weight of the Alpinist into a clamp for the touring masses. A nice middle ground (save for the price), the M-Werks is “solid in chop, crud, and firm snow,” said one tester. 1.4 lbs

Fritschi Swiss Tecton 12 ($650)

“Tech at its most tech,” a veteran tester quipped of the Tecton. It’s got the industry’s only adjustable toe release. And the step-in, alpine-oriented heel switches from alpine to AT with a simple push or pull of your pole, allowing you to transition from up to down without doffing the ski. 1.4 lbs

Dynafit TLT Speedfit ($450)

Dynafit invented the tech category, and it continues to set the standard for reliability, weight, simplicity, and price. The Speedfit is its least-expensive ultralight binding. With both vertical and lateral release, it’s among the safest, too. 10 oz

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Dynafit TLT8 Expedition ($750)

The TLT7 was so different from its prede­cessor that it bombed on shelves, despite expert accolades and exceptional performance. So the brand took the best parts of versions six and seven and merged them in the new TLT8. With a lighter fiberglass cuff, easy switching between ski and walk mode, 110 flex, and 60 degrees of walking range, the TLT8 does it all. 2.2 lbsĚý

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La Sportiva Skorpius CR ($799)

Drawn up from the Italian brand’s winning skimo-racing line, the Scorpius CR carves out a new sweet spot between price and weight. With its easy-to-operate closure system and a walk-mode lever activated with the brush of a hand, it switches gears in a flash. Testers felt the CR could drive far bigger skis than its svelte looks indicated. 2.2 lbs

Scarpa Gea RS ($795)

Scarpa’s Gea and corresponding men’s Maestrale are the bestselling AT boots on the planet. The Gea RS features Scarpa’s Web Frame, a carbon and Grilamid lower boot for stiffness and low weight. The power strap acts as a fourth buckle and is equipped with Recco technology for avalanche recovery. 2.8 lbsĚý

Tecnica Zero G Tour Scout ($960)

The Scout has downhill chops (115 flex) and what a tester described as “one of the flexiest walk modes I’ve ever experienced.” The polyurethane upper makes it a natural for soaking up any terrain at nearly any speed. But like all four-buckle boots, the Scout can be tricky to get off. 3 lbsĚý

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Dalbello Lupo Pro HD ($950)

Dalbello’s three-piece design is known for its progressive flex. But the Pro HD is lighter than the previous iteration, with a carbon-injected polyamide cuff. One tester noted, “The polyurethane lower shell absorbs terrain no other AT boot can even think about.” 4.4 lbs

Dynafit Hoji Free ($900)

As if last year’s new Hoji Pro Tour wasn’t tough enough, Dynafit went back to the drawing board to create an even stiffer, alpine-inspired power boot. The Free’s Grilamid cuff is infused with fiberglass, boosting flex to 130. And a new insertable spoiler adds six degrees of forward lean. 3.4 lbs

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Dynafit ST Rotation 10 ($600)

Several years ago, the brand that launched the tech revolution in the eighties introduced a turntable heel to prevent pre-release. The new Rotation improves upon that model, with a centering function at the toe that makes lining up the back of your boot with the heelpiece more precise. 2.2 lbs

Salomon Shift MNC ($650)

The Shift, developed in collaboration with Atomic, is like no other binding ever made. It has an alpine-inspired step-in heel and a tech toe for climbing that, with the flip of a lever, morphs into a traditional alpine toe for the ride down. Testers deemed it the most confidence-inspiring tech binding available. 3.8 lbs

Marker Alpinist 12 ($449)

A certain confidence comes with clicking into a binding from a brand known for reliability in the alpine world. Enter the Alpinist, Marker’s foray into high-speed ascending. Unlike many clamps in its weight class, the Alpinist features step-in ease and two ascending positions—five and nine degrees—where other bindings have only one. 1.1 lbs

Black Diamond Helio 145 ($500)

Built for Black Diamond by venerable Italian binding manufacturer ATK, the Helio 145 fits the über-light, skimo-oriented Helio line of planks to a T. Made from machined aluminum and stainless steel, it’s the second lightest of BD’s four Helio bindings and just about as stripped-down as you can get. (Read: no brake option here.) 10.2 oz

Fritschi Tecton 12 ($650)

The Swiss-made Tecton remains one of the few tech bindings with adjustable toe and heel release. While testers deducted points for plastic, the Tecton’s overall retention and ski-pole-actuated simplicity scored well for ease of use and quick transitions. Testers also raved about the dynamic feel of the binding in downhill mode, afforded by built-in dampening at the toe and heel. 2.4 lbs

Atomic Backland Tour ($625)

You can get it brakeless, but testers preferred the extra security in the event of a runner. Both come with an easy ski-to-tour-mode changeover that doesn’t require spinning the heelpiece. Instead, use your pole to flip a lever under your boot that locks the brakes up for climbing. Flip the lever back down, stomp into the pins, and you’re ready to ski. 1.8 lbs

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The season’s backcountry boots demand to be pushed to the limit

Scott Celeste III ($750)

The latest edition of the women’s Celeste is roomier in the lower portion of the shell and in the cuff, making it a tester favorite. Scott kept the smooth forward flex from its previous design, so the Celeste performs more like a ski-mountaineering boot than a four-buckle powerhouse. With 60 degrees of motion, it climbed just as well. 2.7 lbs

Salomon S/Lab MTN ($975)

Updated with Salomon’s Custom Shell HD technology, the new S/Lab MTN is heat moldable, so it accommodates a greater variety of feet than its narrow predecessor the MTN Lab. That made it popular with our testers, who felt that—with its Pebax cuff and stability-boosting carbon spine—it skied like a boot with twice the buckles. 3.5 lbs

Dynafit Hoji Pro Tour ($799)

Pro skier and Dynafit athlete Eric “Hoji” Hjorleifson set out to blend the brawn of a four-buckle alpine boot with the uphill ergo­nomics of a skimo design. He succeeded. The result has a 120 flex rating and an easily activated walk mode. Simply flip a lever to free the power strap and top buckle. 3.2 lbs

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Scarpa Alien RS ($870)

To all but our skimo-racing testers, the no-buckle concept was a bit twilight zone. But the Alien RS’s Boa Speed Lock system quickly won over the doubters with how easy it makes switching from ski to climb mode (where testers enjoyed an astonishing 72-degree range of motion). At fewer than four pounds per pair, the Alien further surprised with its impressive downhill power and ability to drive bigger skis. 1.9 lbs

Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro ($1,080)

The significantly updated Zero G Tour Pro dropped 1.5 pounds per pair and added ten degrees of range for climbing (bringing it to 54 overall), all while maintaining a serious 130 flex rating. How’d Tecnica do it? With a carbon-injected cuff and lightweight but sturdy Grilamid shell, that’s how. 2.9 lbs

Roxa R3W 105 Ti ($750)

Outfitted with a cushy Intuition liner and women-specific cuff, the R3W starts out as an easy-fitting, easy-skiing touring boot. But with a turn of a screw, the flex ramps up to 130, transforming it into a burly performance boot capable of high-speed descents. 3.1 lbs

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AT gear keeps getting better and better at handling the down.

Völkl 100EightĚý($825)

Backcountry-ski makers have spent years pursuing the holy grail of the alpine-touring world: a ski that’s light enough for touring but still rips on the down, no matter the snow conditions. While no one has nailed it yet, the Gear of the Year–winning Völkl 100Eight comes closer than most. You’ll often see this ski in-bounds at the resort because of its downhill prowess, but our out-of-bounds testers have adopted it, too. Its construction keeps the weight manageable for touring, with guts made from twin carbon stringers and a thin fiberglass layer that cups the wood core. Völkl also cut ounces by shaving down the top of the ski, leaving a ridge running along the center for stiffness. There are certainly lighter skis out there (Völkl’s own backcountry-dedicated BMT 109 weighs nearly 20 percent less), but testers who put a premium on the descents (and, let’s be honest, this is pretty much everyone) were happy to take up the extra heft. “It transitions from every condition, task, and speed with ease and confidence,” said one of those speed lovers. 141/108/124; 8.7 lbs

Atomic Backland FR 109 Skis ($725)

Best For: Powder seekers.ĚýĚý

TheĚýTest: With a 109-millimeter waist, this board longs for deep snow. And that’s where it truly excels. But riders were quick to note that even with that extra girth, the Backland FR rode like a narrower ski on hardpack, ripping medium-radius turns on corduroy almost like a GS racer. “An incredibly lively ski with strong ski-to-snow connectivity,” one tester said. Carbon inserts up the ski’s backbone add stiffness, and tip and tail rocker plus some camber underfoot left our testers impressed with its playfulness.

The Verdict: A poppy, responsive ride that’s dreamy in soft snow yet doesn’t blush on hardpack. 132/109/122; 7.5 lbs

G3 Ion 12 Bindings ($579)

Best For: Everyone who tours—or dabbles.Ěý

TheĚýTest: G3’s Ion 12 has a big audience for two reasons: it’s stupid easy to get into, and it will confidently drive most backcountry skis. The newest Ion features an updated toepiece with a redesigned boot bumper that reduces ice buildup and also comes with more snap—and confidence—from the toe arms. The heelpiece keeps its two risers, making uphilling super efficient.

The Verdict: As straightforward as it gets, the Ion 12 delivers reliability in a user-friendly package. 2.6 lbs

Blizzard Rustler 11 Skis ($840)

Best For: Aggressive skiers.

TheĚýTest:ĚýSki the Rustler 11 hard and it will take care of you. Proof: each morning the best skiers in our test used these sticks to shred through manky, iced-over chop during a vicious freeze-thaw cycle that rendered other skis useless. They also spoke highly about the ski’s confidence on steeps. Partial credit for those high marks goes to a Titanal layer atop the mixed-wood core, which adds power and stiffness to what one reviewer called a “chunder-crushing” design. Finally, rocker at the tip and tail keeps the Rustler 11 playful and floaty when things get deep.

The Verdict: Use this ski for big lines and short tours. 139/112/129; 8.6 lbs

Marker Kingpin 13 Bindings ($649)

Best For: Unmatched downhill security.

TheĚýTest: When Marker launched the Kingpin in 2015, it was the first tech binding designed for strength, stability, and a reliable release. This year, the Kingpin remains unchanged, which means it still offers lots of touring efficiency, thanks to the easy-entry pin toe and robust retention from its sturdy alpine-style heel. And it tours smoothly, with an intuitive skinning-to-skiing switchover, while still weighing significantly less than any other backcountry frame binding you can find on the market.

The Verdict: Ski hard? Look here. 3.3 lbs

Voile UltraVectorĚýSkis ($695)

Best For: Your one-ski quiver.

TheĚýTest: As one tester put it, “The UltraVector stacks up with the best out there from a capability perspective, but it’s friendlier, smoother, and more accessible than most of its competitors.” Translation:Ěýit skis pretty much all conditions well, without requiring much work from you. Voile achieves this balance by combining its lightweight carbon-reinforced aspen core with long tip rocker. That plus some camber underfoot and a slightly rockered tail make for predictability and forgiveness.Ěý

The Verdict: Get this to cruise on all but the deepest days. 130/96/114; 6.7 lbs

Salomon MTN Bindings ($575)

Best For:ĚýRocking rando and mid-fat skis with confidence.

TheĚýTest: Unlike tech bindings that come with adjustable and numbered release settings in the heel, the brakeless version of the MTN uses three swappable springs (low, medium, and stiff) instead. We chose the stiffest spring for hard snow, with zero pre-releases over five days of testing. The binding is crampon compatible and, with 30 millimeters of range, can accommodate a large swath of boot-sole sizes.ĚýĚý

The Verdict: An astonishingly reliable retention-and-release system in a very basic and lightweight package. 1.3 lbs

Dynastar Legend X96 Skis ($800)

Best For: Resort-accessed backcountry.Ěý

TheĚýTest: We’d gladly ski these boards on resort groomers, then throw them over a shoulder for an out-of-bounds powder hike. The Legend received high marks on packed and crummy snow, thanks to features like sturdy sidewalls that increase edge hold and a layer of Titanal in the core to lend power. That core combines the metal with lightweight paulownia wood, which boosts uphill fun and downhill playfulness. Ample tip and tail rocker help with the latter, too.ĚýĚý

The Verdict: Perfect for season-passĚýholders in places like Jackson Hole. 133/96/113; 7.7 lbsĚý

Fritschi Vipec Evo 12 Bindings ($600)

Best For: Better safety in a tech binding.

TheĚýTest: The Vipec has always remained on the periphery of the binding world, for one simple reason: it’s never been easy to step into. Now those woes are gone. This new version has a significantly refined toepiece with larger bumpers for guidance and a broader platform that always snaps the toe pins into place, even when you’re off-kilter. The consensus? “Fritschi finally figured out their toepiece, and now it ranks among the easiest to enter,” one tester said.

The Verdict: The Vipec has finally come into its own. 2.2 lbs

Head Kore 105 Skis ($800)

Best For: Long tours, steep descents.

TheĚýTest: Like the Rustler 11 and the 100Eight, the Kore wants to be skied fast and hard. The big difference is weight: it’s roughly a pound lighter than either of those skis, better for long days in the backcountry. Head kept things airy by building the core from a honeycomb synthetic and karuba wood. The ski also has graphene—a superlight, ultra-stiff carbon—in the tip and tail for addedĚýresponsiveness. This board rewards input in spades: those who had the oomph to wrangle it heaped praise.

The Verdict: Heavyweight in a lightweight frame. 135/105/125; 7.7 lbs

Fritschi Tecton 12 Bindings ($650)

Best For: Downhill prowess.

TheĚýTest: Kingpin comparisons will be made, because this binding, like the one from Marker, employs a stout alpine-like heelpiece that wraps over the back of your boot. What makes it burlier than the Marker is aluminum jaws, which lock into the heel fittings for better power and control. Up front, the Tecton platform offers a DIN-certified reliable release.Ěý

The Verdict:: A binding to drive big skis with confidence. 2.4 lbs

DPS Zelda A106ĚýSkis ($1,299)

Best For: DPS lovers who’ve always wanted a little more giddyup.Ěý

TheĚýTest:ĚýThe Zelda is a women’s version of the carbon-plumbed Wailer that’s earned DPS a loyal following. This year’s version of the Zelda features the company’s Alchemist construction, which places layers of a damping material above and below an aspen core to absorb chatter, making it extra con­fident on hardpack but still playful in pow. One tester called Alchemist “the first carbon construction that truly performs on the downhill.”Ěý

The Verdict: Carbon skis that rip. Finally. 130/106/120; 7.6 lbs

Dynafit ST Rotation 10 Bindings ($649)

Best For:ĚýBalancing ease of use with unmatched reliability.Ěý

TheĚýTest: When Dynafit introduced a DIN-certified safety release into the trusted Radical two seasons back, many skiers found the swiveling toepiece finicky to get into. The new ST Rotation fixes that problem with a centering mechanism that keeps the toe steady while you snap in. Beyond that, the heelpiece is integrated into the baseplate for more confidence-inspiring stability.

The Verdict: Dynafit’s Radical 2.0, just significantly refined. 2.6 lbs

Elan Ibex 84 Carbon XLT Skis ($950)

Best For: Those who count grams and vertical feet.

TheĚýTest: Yeah, we’ll say these are aptly named. All the skis in the five-model Ibex line bound up and down mountains with ease. That’s courtesy of a slew of new lightweight ingredients, including a core composedĚýprimarily of snappy poplar and paulownia wood embedded with carbon rods, which dampen vibrations on fast descents. “Quite reliable underfoot, but packed with pop and energy,” one tester said. “This would be a spring-mission favorite.”

The Verdict: Skimo-light, but back­country ready, too. 120/85/106; 5 lbs

Atomic Backland Tour Bindings ($625)

Best For:: Keeping it simple.

The Test: Atomic’s Backland and Salomon’s MTN bindings (page 42) are identical, minus the paint job. This version, with a brake, adds more weight but has the big benefit of being able to stop a runner. Both come with an easy ski-mode-to-tour-mode changeover that doesn’t require spinning the heelpiece. Instead, you just use your pole to flip a lever under your boot that locks the brakes up for climbing. Flip the lever back, stomp into the pins, and you’re ready to ski.ĚýĚý

The Verdict: The simplest tech binding on the market. 1.4 lbs

Salomon MTN Explore 88 Skis ($725)

Best For: Those who really enjoy the ups.

The Test: For you masochists out there, Salomon makes the MTN Explore 88, the narrowest women’s ski in its Explore backcountry line. It comes with a host of weight-saving features, including a karuba-and-poplar wood core that’s reinforcedĚýwith carbon and flax, a honeycomb tip, and a hybrid cap-sidewall construction. Even though the 88 is a featherweight, testers raved about the stable downhill ride, particularly on hardpack and at high speeds, a feat Salomon managed by putting camber underfoot and giving the tips a slight early rise.Ěý

The Verdict:ĚýA true lightweight touring ski that doesn’t lose composure in the steeps. 121/88/107; 5.2 lbs

G3 Ion LT Bindings ($429)

Best For: Ski mountaineering.

The Test: The LT is basically the Ion 12 [[LINK page 40]], minus the brakes, which saves you nine ounces per pair. Other bindings are more feathery, but we like the LT for fast-and-light pursuits because of its ease of entry and reliability. Almost no boot holder is easier to get into, and you can trust the LT to keep you locked during hop turns down a 45-degree couloir. If it does pop off, G3 throws in a cable leash that attaches to your boot.Ěý

The Verdict: Only rando racers need something lighter. 2 lbs

The post The Best Backcountry Skis and Bindings of 2018 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Backcountry boots are stiffer and more powerful than ever.

Salomon S/Lab X-Alp ($1,000)

The Arc’teryx Procline was the first boot with side-to-side flex in touring mode. Now there’s the X-Alp as well, which gets 23 degrees of inward flex and 13 degrees of outward, to help you skin across angled terrain. The biggest difference between this Salomon and the Arc’teryx is that the X-Alp is stiffer, better for driving a big ski. 2.9 lbs

Lange °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s XT FreetourĚý110 LV ($750)

A 110 flex might sound a little soft, but all of our testers raved about the Freetour’s power. “Zero loss of energy laterally and forward,” one said. That power comes from a light but stiff Grilamid-injected shell. We also love the uphill-specific Dynafit insert and Ultra Grip sole. The gripe: not enough range in the 43-degree walk mode. 3.8 lbsĚý

Scarpa °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s Gea RS ($795)

The Gea, sister of the men’s Maestrale, has long been the bestselling AT boot for women. This year, Scarpa used a carbon-infused plastic closure system to create a stiffer 125 flex, and we dig it. Thankfully, Scarpa also significantly increased the walk-mode range of motion from a pathetic 27 degrees to an easy-striding 60 degrees. 2.8 lbs

Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 ($950)

With the Hawx Ultra XTD 130, Atomic tried to create the perfect mash-up of a strong alpine boot and a flexy backcountry slipper. They came awfully close. Thanks to a 54-degree range of motion and a thinned-out but strategically reinforced polyurethane shell, the boot tours exceptionally well, considering how burly it is on the descents. 3.4 lbs

Tecnica °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s Zero G Guide ($840)

New-boot pain, begone! Tecnica specifically designed the lower back cuff to fit around a woman’s calf, which is often wider and lower than a man’s. And 115 flex got high marks for being just powerful enough. The main downside: the 44-degree range of motion limited this boot’s capability for long tours. 3.3 lbs

Scott Cosmos III ($750)

The 125-flex Cosmos III is the least expensive four-buckle boot for men in this category. Some testers thought its flex might be over­sold, but for 90 percent of our skiers, the Cosmos provided the performance they needed to run mid-width to fat skis, in- and out-of-bounds, with confidence. 3.4 lbs

The post The Best Alpine Touring Ski Boots of 2018 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.