Comments on: G3 Onyx Backcountry Skiing AT Binding Review

By: Norwegian

Norwegian — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:56:16 +0000

Lou, thanks again! One more question, if you don’t mind: Do you see any difference on Dynafit vs Onyx when it comes to mounting and riding them on wider (95 mm and up) and heavier (2 kg/70 oz and up) skis? Is it all down to the mounting plates, which are equal? Or do the toe and heel parts play any role here, that would make one binding more suitable than the other, for heavy skis?

By: Lou

Lou — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:28:23 +0000

Norwegian, I don’t know of any difference between Dynafit and Onyx when it comes to use them as a resort binding. Frankly, I recommend neither as a resort binding (other than passing through the resort now and then when accessing backcountry).

By: Norwegian

Norwegian — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:01:43 +0000

Lou, thanks for your advice! Since I’m a first time alpine tourer, I’m not sure what terrain to expect yet. I’m mainly looking for bindings that will do the job on a few backcountry trips every season. I’m thinking of selling my carving skis. In that case, I will be using the touring bindings more in regular groomed, lift served pists, than for backcountry. Are there any pros/cons with Dynafit vs Onyx for pure downhill skiing?

By: Lou

Lou — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:46:12 +0000

Nor, it’s kind of a strange tradeoff between the two in terms of use, as the Onyx heel unit is easier to use in some ways but most people feel that getting your foot into the binding is more difficult than with a Dynafit. On the other hand, the rotating Dynafit heel unit is sometimes a pain. I’d look at your terrain. If you’re planning on a lot of mode changes (heel lifters up and down, and changing from downhill to uphill and back without removing the skis) Onyx is a clear choice. If you’re going for pure vertical without as much messing around, the weight savings of the Dynafit is attractive.

All that said, know that the flip style heel lifters on the new Dynafit Radical for next year work just as well as the Onyx, so in that case only clear advantage of Onyx would be that you can change modes without removing skis.

Hope that helps. Lou

By: Norwegian

Norwegian — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:26:56 +0000

Hi! I’m a decent cross country skier, but a newcomer to alpine skiing. I’ve been carving my way downhill for two winters. Now I’m looking to buy my first touring set. I’ve got the skis and the boots, but I’m really torn between the G3 Onyx and Dynafit Vertical FT12 bindings. What would you recommend? Is the ease of use of the Onyx crucial for a newcomer? Or will the Dynafits be just as good, or better for me?

I’ve been searching, reading blogs, reviews and forum posts, but it’s still really hard to decide what’s more important; The weight and track record of the Dynafits, or the features (and safety?) that the Onyx provides. The price here in Norway is the same for both.