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Second Look — New Naxo STOMP Bindings (Later renamed as model NX21)

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Back in February we blogged about our first look at the new super-beefy Naxo backcountry skiing binding when it was introduced at the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City. It’s now named the "Stomp," and appears ready for play — perhaps even play of the rough variety.

New 2005/2006 Naxo Stomp backcountry skiing binding.

A few days ago we received our production samples of the Stomp (for our work with Couloir Magazine and this blog). With the popularity of the Fritschi Freeride, it’s obvious a market for this sort of randonnee AT binding (strong, weight a lesser issue) exists — if for no other reason than having such grabbers allows you to own only one pair of skis for both backcountry and resort. I know that because I stood at the top of the lift at Alta last winter and counted how many Freeride bindings I saw. Not only were hundreds of skiers using them, but most had no backpack and appeared to be resort skiing with their "one rig" setup. More, with the market appeal these days of the "backcountry" image, in some circles it’s hip to march around with randonne bindings on your skis — even if the extent of the march is from bus stop to ski lift.

d-lock open
d-lock closed
One excellent feature of the Stomp is a mechanical catch called the d-lock that holds the tour/ski latch so it absolutely can’t go into touring mode while you’re skiing downhill. This occurrence is a an uncommon but known problem with Fritschi randonnee bindings, and while not a problem for the average skier, it can result in nasty falls for aggressive free skiers and extreme skiers. We won’t be surprised to see this feature appear on other one-rig bindings such as the Freeride, if for no other reason than the confidence it inspires. (Update 2006/2007, Fritschi bindings now have a feature to prevent this problem).

 

Our binding slop comparo setup. Click to enlarge.

An issue with
this genre of AT binding is how solidly it sticks your boot to
the ski. We’re in the midst of a new bench "flex" test and we’ll report that here soon. (Preview: the Stomp appears nearly identical to the Freeride in lateral flex). Then we’ll go ski ‘em on the bountiful harvest of spring corn snow that Colorado is blessed with this year. After that, a few more comments in this blog, then the "official" review in Couloir Magazine next winter. Meanwhile, the Stomp backcountry skiing binding appears to be an excellent contribution to the rando AT binding family.

Naxo Stomp backcountry skiing binding heel unit.
Detail of Stomp heel latch. Everything is reinforced, with nice billet aluminum caps on both the toe and heel release spring barrels.

Posted by Lou on May 19, 2005 | Filed Under Binding Reviews 

previous post: First Ski Descent on Cathedral Peak East Face, Elk Mountains, Colorado
next post: Torreys Peak Backcountry Skiing – Colorado

Comments

2 Responses to “Second Look — New Naxo STOMP Bindings (Later renamed as model NX21)”

  1. Matt April 1st, 2009 8:55 pm

    Lou- Read your Naxo mounting instructions. The adhesive for the bumper – does this mean that a Naxo install is a one time only deal and I can’t move them from one ski to another? I’m thinking of mounting some on an existing pair and then later upgrading my boards. Also, does this adhesive mean that you shouldn’t buy used Naxo bindings?

  2. krisopf April 6th, 2009 8:15 pm

    Matt

    I’ve swapped my nx01s three times since i got them. The adhesive doesn’t really do anything. On the 2nd (or 3rd) mount, slap a little gorilla glue on that area & leave the binding in ski mode overnight and its fine. If the glue lets go…who cares. Everything still works fine. You just have to look at a little floppy piece of plastic once in a while.

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Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information and opinion website. Lou's passion for the past forty years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about backcountry skiing and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the Fourteeners! Books and free back country information here, and tons of Randonnee rando telemark info.

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Backcountry skiing is a dangerous sport. You may be killed or severely injured if you do any form of randone, randonnee and randonnée skiing. The information on this website is intended only as general information. While the authors and editors of the information on this website make every effort to present useful information, due to human error the information, text and images contained within this website may be inaccurate, false, or out-of-date. By using, reading or viewing the information provided on this website, you agree to absolve the owners of Wild Snow as well as content contributors of any liability for injuries or losses incurred while using such information. Furthermore, you agree to use any of this website's information, maps, photos, or binding mounting instructions or templates at your own risk, and waive Wild Snow its owners and contributors of any liability for use of said items for backcountry skiing or any other use.