Binding Museum
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Welcome to the online museum of backcountry skiing — randonnee binding room. 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, with emphasis on "randonnee" bindings that latch down at the heel for downhill mode, yet allow a free lifting heel for touring and climbing. (Note, bindings are presented in alphabetical order, not chronological.) Your ideas and insights about these ski mountaineering bindings form an important part of this interactive museum — please make comments by using the "leave blog comment" link for each display. |
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Alpine Trekker touring adapter, early 1990s
(Heavy but functional solution still in production.) |
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(Dynafit) Low Tech pre production 1982-1983
leave comment about this binding (Pre Production, based on Ramer binding.) |
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(Dynafit) Low Tech first generation, 1987
leave comment about this binding (First production model.) |
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(Dynafit) Low Tech 1988
leave comment about this binding (Second production model.) |
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(Dynafit) Low Tech – third generation – 1990
leave comment about this binding (Third production model.) |
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Dynafit Tourlite Tech (TLT) 1993
leave blog comment (Second model made by Dynafit company.) |
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Emery Medium
[leave blog comment] (No vertical release, for approach..) |
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Emery Chrono 1991
[leave blog comment] (Unusual binding with rubber band release.) |
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Fritschi Freeride Plus 2006 |
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Fritschi Diamir Titanal 1995
(First Diamir model.) |
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Fritschi FT88 backcountry skiing binding 1982 |
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Gertsch Binding Touring Adapter 1971 |
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Geze Touring Adapter – late 1960s |
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Marker M Tour 1982 |
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Marker Rotomat TR Tour 1960s |
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Petzl (Sk’Alp) circa 1994
[blog comments] (Looked "alpine-like.") |
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Ramer Universal "Military" binding |
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Silvretta SL – 1994
[comment on this binding] (Very light, but it broke.) |
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Silvretta 300 randonnee backcountry skiing binding |
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Silvretta 500 – 1999 |
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Tyrolia Tour randonnee cable binding 1959 |
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Tyrolia TRB 1982 |
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Backcountry skiing bindings we’re seeking: While our more than 50 piece collection (not all are online yet) comprises nearly every alpine touring binding made, we still need to acquire the purple version of the Fritschi FT88, CM Grande Randonee, as well as any exotics or one-offs. Will buy (low budget), or we can trade another classic or antique from our extensive backcountry skiing binding collection. Use contact link to left. Note, it is common to see vintage and classic backcountry ski bindings on Ebay being sold as if they’re modern functional units. Be advised that spare parts and support usually do not exist for such bindings, and they may have problems with durability of aged plastic or safety release (many, if not most early randonnee bindings fall into that category). Would you buy and use an alpine skiing binding from 20 years ago, and trust it? Or for that matter, a two decades old set of tires for your car? If not, why do the same with a randonnee binding? If you find alpine touring backcountry skiing bindings on Ebay, and they’re priced "too good to be true," they probably are. If you have purchased such bindings and are less than satisfied after you’ve used them, before tossing in the trash please contact us for a possible buy or trade. The used bindings you got suckered into might not be great for skiing, but they might fit in the WildSnow collection! |
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