Big Mountain

The Freeride has been the go-to AT binding for years. Why? It’s an all-around performance-driven binding that accepts alpine and AT boots. Switching between ski and walk mode, as well as adjusting the heel riser, happens with the flick of a pole. Taking a cue from its little brother, the Eagle, the Pro also moved its pivot point back under the ball of the foot for a more natural stride. One more plus is the wider chassis (80mm minimum ski width) for better power transfer from boot to ski. 4.8 lbs;
Tourability: 4
Power: 4

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All Mountain

With a lower cuff, a super-comfortable walk mode, and a grippy sole, the intermediate, all-mountain Delight was a tester favorite. While it’s not quite as stiff as the Inferno (above), it delivers an impressive balance of power transfer and all-day comfort. Plus, quilted down in the lower liner combined with a fleece-lined cuff makes it toasty. As one tester put it, “This boot is going to be the game changer in the women’s all-mountain category.”
TAGS: great walk mode, intermediate

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All Mountain

“Gobs of power and stability and no speed limit,” said one tester. The rockered Alias floats through powder like a much larger ski and cuts through crud like a GS racer, with just enough camber in the aspen-and-poplar core for snappy rebounds. Warning: This ski is not for the meek. Note: Also available in a traditionally cambered version. 132/102/112, 9.3 lbs;
Versatility: 4
Power: 4.5

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Alpine Touring

The Starlet lived up to its name and was the center of many testers’ attention. “It’s superlight, but surfy and incredibly fun in pow and snappy on groomers,” said one. It’s also touring-friendly, with an aluminum skin clip and flat tail. 134/100/121, 6.2 lbs.
TAGS: all mountain

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All Mountain

A few years ago, Marker wowed side-country fans with the burliest (and heaviest) AT binding in history, the Duke. And two years ago the company came out with a lighter version, the Baron. The weight-loss trend continues with the Tour F10 and F12, which both come in at just over four pounds. The Tour maintains the beefy, widebody design, which gives the binding impressive torsional rigidity—and helps efficiently transfer power to the ski. There is one price to pay, however: You still have to remove your ski to switch modes. 3.7/3.9 lbs;
Tourability: 3
Power: 4.5

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Alpine Touring

The Eagle’s wider mounting platform is sturdier than its predecessors’ and better at transferring power to the ski for increased edge-to-edge responsiveness. Accepts most alpine and all AT boots, and the smartly designed heelpiece makes switching from touring to downhill a cinch. 4.3 lbs.
TAGS: smooth, sturdy

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Fast and Light

With its paulownia-wood-and-carbon-reinforced core, the Aspect’s surface-area-to-weight ratio is tough to match, so it’s a natural choice for longer tours. And with a bit of tip rocker, the Aspect planes quickly and smoothly without affecting hard-snow edge hold, which multiple testers called “tenacious.” Add some extras, like an aluminum-alloy skin clip and a reinforced binding-mount area, and it’s clear that the Aspect is a dedicated backcountry ski. 130/90/117, 6.4 lbs;
Versatility: 4.5
Power: 3.5

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Alpine Touring

With its alpine buckle configuration and beefy power strap, the respectably light Shaka is one of the burliest women-specific boots on the market, capable of driving the biggest, fattest skis. Even better, it’s also Dynafit-compatible and, thanks to rockered soles, sure-footed in the backcountry. 7.2 lbs.
TAGS: light, stiff

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Fast and Light

Pounds lighter than the competition, the Vertical FT-12 is built to tour and ski anything. “If you’re not touring on Dynafit, you’re missing the boat,” declared several longtime Dynafit cultists. Dynafit introduced a power plate to increase the footprint of the binding from 52 to 74mm for better energy transfer to the ski. The only (minor) drawback to the Dynafit system is having to remove your ski to switch from ski mode back to touring. 2.1 lbs;
Tourability: 5
Power: 4.5

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Telemark

This Colorado-made wood-core ski has traditional camber, making it extremely poppy and carvy in tight quarters, yet it’s easily “disengaged” due to its tapered tail. Loves floating in powder and chopped-up crud but lacks punch and bite on firmer snow. 160/110/130, 8.1 lbs.
TAGS: powder, playful

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