The biggest change of the season is in skimo racing bindings. Weight continues to be shaved off despite new ISMF regulations that require race bindings to have manual locking mechanisms (pulling up on the toe piece to lock in). All the major brands now have a competitive (light weight) binding with a manual lock.
La Sportiva
No major changes to the La Sportiva ski line but the citizen race/ski touring boot – the Sideral – has been update to the 2.0 version. It features improved buckles (borrowed from the Spectre model) and an updated sole that offers compatibility with Tech, Frame and Trab TR2 binding systems.
- Here is Sideral 2.0 on Skimo.co
- And at Cripple Creek BC
Dynafit
Dynafit continues to improve its ski running line with the retail release of the 2.0 version of the DNA Race ski, boot, and Low Tech Race binding.
DNA Boot (PG RC-1 2.0) – Last year, Dynafit stepped away from their DyNA race boot and began licensing the Pierre Gignoux Morpho 400 as their RC-1 race boot. The 2015/16 DNA Boot is an improved RC-1 with a new color scheme (green and pink to match the skis) as well as an improved sole (way better than the RC-1!), and a new upper cuff strap system. Probably, it will be pretty difficult to find much stock in the US but if you find yourself in Europe it’s much more common over there.
Low Tech Race 2.0 Binding – With ISMF regulations requiring a race binding toe that does not auto lock, the Low Tech Race has taken an TLT Superlight toe piece with locking lever and trimmed it down to the essential material, pairing it with a Gignoux plastic heel piece to create a lightweight (around 100g) binding with a removable crampon attachment.
- DNA skis on Skimo.co
- DNA boots (previously RC-1) at Dynafit.com
- Low Tech 2.0 bindings on Skimo.co
- Dynafit PDG 2.0 skis on Cripple Creek BC
Plum
Race 99 Binding – This is an exciting entry into the game from Plum as the lightest all-metal binding on the market at a scant 99 grams. Mount these on any of the lighter skis and you might find yourself needing to add weight to meet the ISMF minimums! We got a chance to check them out at the 2015 Pierra Menta in March and at the Plum factory in Annecy, they are pretty cool!
- Race 99 on Skimo.co
- At Cripple Creek BC
Fischer
While racing the World Cup last season, Eric took mental note of all the broken skis that he saw throughout the year, and there were lots! The yellow Fischers topped the list but it looks like they have worked out the issues this year with their new Alp Attack Carbon skis. It has the same design as the (older) yellow version with a new construction and top sheet.
Race binding – Fisher is moving away from ATK as their bindings manufacturer and adopted the Dynafit Low Tech as its own re-branded binding for this season. Using the same toe as the Low Tech described above, it is slightly heavier with the older version Low Tech heel (metal rather than the current plastic Gignoux heel). This unit is likely much more durable for day-to-day use.
CAMP
Speed 2.0 Helmet – CAMP is responsible for some excellent skimo accessories including their Rapid Racing Pack and their Race 290 crampons, and have now improved their venerable Speed helmet to be slightly lighter and with a new retention system. The Speed 2.0 helmet is comfortable for racing and does not to conflict much with sunglasses or a light light hat.
- CAMP Speed on Skimo.co
Ski Trab
Gara Titan binding – Ski Trab’s new binding comes in at just over 100g (slightly less than Dynafit Low Tech 2.0) and has all the required features plus a new design that allows the tech toe to close without coiled springs on the wings. Being completely new on the market, it may require some testing of the concept but it’s a possible worthy alternative binding.
- Gara Titan on Skimo.co
Petzl
Rad Line – This is a special 30 meter, 6mm diameter ‘hyperstatic’ cord that can be used for rappelling and for glacier travel. The cord is pre-packaged by Petzl with three lightweight screw-lock carabiners, a double-shoulder length sling (can be used as an anchor or improvised harness), a micro traction (rope capture pulley (for a crevasse rescue), and a Tibloc (for rope ascent), all in a fancy Petzl bag.
The Rad Line is basically a ready-to-go ski mountaineering kit. Perfect for glaciers in the North Cascades, or Chamonix, or dropping into gnarly lines in the Tetons. Pair it with a thicker 30m lead line for harder terrain or use a skinny pull rope for 30m rappels.
- Petzl Rad Line at Petzl.com
For now, that’s all we have for new 2015-2016 skimo gear. We will have some more in-depth reviews of all of the above products soon! If we’ve missed anything, please give us a shout in the comments below or via our contact form.
Scott says
I checked with the ISMF. Auto-locking bindings are still race-legal. The rules state that skimo race bindings “have to be lockable manually without tool.” “Without tool” is the key part of the rule.
The ISMF’s response to my request for clarification (about the Low Tech Auto in particular) was:
“The Dynafit binding Low Tech does not need any tool to be locked and you can unlocked it manually.
I have talked to the ISMF refree’s manager and the binding meets the ISMF standars.”
The RC1 would also qualify under this standard.
Jonathan Shefftz says
Scott, despite the spring-loaded toe lever on the Dynafit Low Tech race, the binding still releases laterally at generally reasonable values. (Even more so if you plan around with the little screw adjustment that changes the angle of the lever.)
Now if you manually pull the lever all the way up so that it’s more pressing more firmly against the integrated little “hump” then I doubt it would release at all!
Scott says
Perhaps the new rule regarding locking toe pieces is because of binding release values rather than the actual presence of a locking mechanism.
From what I understand, the Low Tech won’t release when locked, while the RC1 will release if the pin in the toe plate is not screwed down into the pilot hole in the ski.
Jonathan Shefftz says
And yet another “near-race” binding is now available:
http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/en/dynafitlowtechracepdgmanuallockalpinetouringbinding-p-373081.html
Jonathan Shefftz says
Agreed on the lack of innovation for this coming season in skis and boots, but I think the new bindings are very impressive, especially in terms of release option for those who might be wary of one-size-fits-all models:
– The new Plum Race 99 in addition to being the lightest metal model also has two lateral release settings via the initial mounting orientation.
– The “Release” version of the new Trab Titan line has three different forward release options via swappable forks.
– The new Dynafit LTR 2.0 still has an “automatic” (i.e., spring-loaded) toe lever, but as you noted the manual version (i.e., same toe as Speed Superlight 1.0 & 2.0) of the LTR “1.0″ will be available for the first time in North America via rebranding by Fischer.
– In addition to the new Dynafit Speed Superlight 2.0 two other “near-race” / “tour-light” models are available, the Kreuzspitze GT and Plum WEPA. And the SSL “1.0” is still available on closeout deals.
So lots of varied options for everyone!
Eric Carter says
The RC-1 still appears to be race legal though I’m a bit unclear on what exactly makes them so…
Scott says
So are the Dynafit RC1 bindings no longer race-legal?