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Backcountry
Skiing Bindings
Virtual Museum (museum
index) |
Through years of testing and
product development, backcountry skiing bindings have progressed
from simple cable bindings to engineered machines that represent
state-of-art materials science and mechanicals. This collection
of backcountry skiing bindings covers the full historical range
of modern bindings. |
Fritschi FT88 Backcountry
Skiing Alpine Touring Binding
Before Fritschi started its revolutionary
Diamir series around 1995, starting around 1982 the company made a complex but durable
and functional plate binding known as the FT88.
FT88 was built in two versions: A civilian
build used darker plastic (possibly purple), and the military
flavor shown here was of course white on white.
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| Fritschi FT88 in touring mode with
heel lift. Click
image to enlarge. |
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| Fritschi FT88 release is accomplished
by the binding plate rotating on a central pivot, and disengaging
from the ball and socket joint shown here. The oblong
ball moves at any angle and appears to offer a smooth and
effective release. Tension for all release modes (vertical,lateral,
etc.) is set by rotating the spring barrel visible in photo. Click
here for a video of the Fritschi FT88 binding release
action. |
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| The FT88 binding plate consists of
two parts. A plastic plate (not visible in this photo)
provides hinged touring mode, while the aluminum frame
shown above works the release. Central pivot shown above
is what allows the release to function without independent
forward and lateral mechanisms. Problem with all
this is it made the binding heavy. |
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Changing from downhill to touring
modes is done by pulling the toe of the binding plate up,
which releases the white plastic touring plate from a catch.
Reverse procedure changes back to downhill. Both require
exiting the binding.
Watch video of mode mechanism in action.
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In all the FT88 was a durable and somewhat effective alpine
touring binding, but due to excessive weight and the kludgy
nature of switching modes it was never widely popular. Many
are available, as the market was recently flooded with used
product (military version).
Weight: One binding with screws, 42.3 oz., 1200 gr.
This binding was acquired from the military
surplus market.
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(All material on this website is copyrighted. Permission is required for any reproduction, electronic or . Recreation is dangerous -- you may be killed or severely injured if you choose to do backcountry skiing, 4-wheeling, four wheel drive trails, hiking, driving, or any other back country sport. All information on this website is intended only as general information for a variety of aspects of outdoor activities including backcountry skiing. While the authors and editors of the information in this website make every effort to present useful information, due to human error and passing time, information within this website may be inaccurate, false, or out-of-date. You agree to use any information, maps, photos, or binding mounting instuctions or templatates with care and at your own risk, and waive Wildsnow.com its owners and contributors of any liability. Backcountry skiing and snowboarding are spoken here.)
MERE FLEXUS ... NIX INDOMITUS

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