We’ll, the binding wars just got more interesting… following lightly edited and condensed so as to be efficient information transfer technology for WildSnow readers:
Hagan ski binding for backcountry skiing, ski touring, ski mountaineering -- whatever you want to call it!.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Colorado Springs, CO (October 10, 2011) – Hagan Ski USA has completed the steps to bring the Hagan Z01 and Z02 bindings to the United States. The Hagan Z binding was introduced in the European market for the 2010/11 season. The binding was withheld from the U.S. market for the 2010/11 season pending attainment of a U.S. liability insurance policy, which was recently negotiated.
“The Hagan Z ski touring binding was developed to serve the growing market for recreational alpine ski touring in the European and U.S. markets,” said Max Kumpfmueller, Operations Director at Hagan Ski headquarters in Austria. “The design priorities were ease of use and adjustability, compatibility with a wide variety of ski boots (AT and downhill), and excellent uphill and downhill performance at a reasonably low weight and price.”
Hagan has expanded the Z binding to two models for this season. The Z01 All Mountain is designed for the demands of advanced skiers, with a higher DIN rating of 4-12. The Z02 Tour is designed for the recreational ski touring market, with a lower DIN of 4-10, a slightly lower weight and a lower price.
The Hagan bindings are particularly aimed at those new to the sport and for those desiring to ski tour for fitness and recreation. They are designed for the large middle ground of recreational skiers intrigued by the ability to get away from crowded ski slopes and develop fitness while skiing. They are not designed or intended for the extremes of randonee racing or highly aggressive free riding. (WildSnow.com editor’s note: Nice to see some honest categorization, rather than the endless littany of “our gear does everything, and does it better than anyone….”
“We want to reduce the intimidation and cost factor of highly specialized bindings. The great adjustability of the Z bindings is terrific for those getting into the sport, who don’t want to get locked into a boot/binding system and have no pretensions, at least initially, of launching themselves off cliffs with regularity,” said Hagan. “With the Z bindings, they can even use their existing downhill boots. They are perfect for taking a first step into the sport, or for a set up that is great both on and off piste.”
Both the Z01 All Mountain and Z02 Tour feature Double Force rollers in the toe pieces, easy stepping pivot points and four climbing mode heights.
Retail price of the Z01 is $489. The Z01 has a DIN range of 4-12 and comes with an 80mm ski brake. The Z02 retails for $389 and comes with a safety leash. Ski brakes are also available in 90, 100 and 115 widths and are compatible with both the Z01 and Z02. The Z01 and Z02 come in 3 sizes, fitting boots with sole lengths of: 255-310 mm, 285-340 mm and 315-370 mm. A Hagan ski crampon is available for and compatible with both bindings.
See our previous post about Hagan backcountry skiing bindings.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
7 comments
Only a PR person could label a document about bindings as “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE”.
😳
Altis, that is a very very good point!!
Seems pretty pricing to be advertised as “a reasonably low … price.”
Looks like a Fritschi.
I wish someone would make a really expensive binding.
I meant pretty “pricey” — that is, expensive.
SWEET! I can not wait to get a pair. This looks like a no non-sense binding. You don’t have to touch it with your hand to get it to work! Lighter than a Fritschi, wide brakes and crampons!! Sign me up.
Altis, I enjoy the irony of “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE”. As the only guy here at Hagan Ski USA, I guess that also makes me the PR guy, so I plead guilty. 😀 I was following the standard press release format, but next time I’ll just use “PRESS RELEASE”!
Just want to point out that the graphic is of last year’s model, which was only available in Europe. This year’s models look similar, but there have been several improvements, including improved downhill performance.
No familial relation with Hagan. The first time I skied with my Austrian wife’s father, he slapped a pair of Hagans on my feet and I remarked at the coincidence. One thing led to another. That was 20 years ago!
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