Riding an alpine binding with AT boots

[artemis]

I want to ride an alpine binding with my Scarpa Gaea boots. What is the best alpine binding for that boot?

I don't usually have a problem traveling with both AT and resort ski setups. This year, however, I had to leave my resort boots behind, when I flew to Chamonix. I brought two sets of skis (AT & alpine) and I brought my Scarpa Gaea boots. I discovered my Gaea's were too tall at the toe to properly engage in the Marker Motion bindings that came integrated in the Volkl skis I had on my downhill setup. I tried using my AT setup at the resort: Karhu Jack BCs with Dynafit bindings, but they are ultralight and I had a lot of problems with chatter and control.

I recently got a virgin set of Blizzard Black Pearls at a gear trade and I'm trying to find the right binding to put on these skis so that I don't run into the problem I had in January in Chamonix. I am flying out for one more ski trip this season in a couple of weeks and I am stoked to give the Blizzards a run before the end of the season.

[sb]

Sollyfits

[MarcusBrody]

The Marker Lord's have adjustable toe height I believe. I just use a frame binding (Dukes) on my everyday alpine skis. It's not my absolute favorite alpine binding, but I almost never notice a real difference (caveat, I'm not the world's pickiest gear guy). Plus, if I want to make a touring lap, I already have a setup.

Salomon STH2s also have height adjustable toes, but I'm not sure they have sliding AFDs, so they might only be technically approved for Salomon touring boot soles.

[gregL]

Officially there are two alpine bindings that will adjust to fit an ISO 9523 sole (Gea has this) - the Marker Lord SP and the Salomon/Atomic Warden 13.

Personally I've used several Scarpa AT boots in various other Salomon bindings (916, STH) - they will "fit" but the Gea boot will not be indemnified for these - shops may balk at mounting them, or ask you to sign an additional waiver stating that you are aware of the problem.

[XavierD]

you can shove a Gea sole into a Look single pivot toe. Not advisable, but doable.

Warden 13s would be my current choice for an alpine binding that works smoothly with the Gea sole. Next year the Pivot 14 should be compatable as well.

[yellofin]

Been using the wardens all season with Cochese boots so far very impressed like them better than barons on the down

[stuckathuntermtn]

Don't all the frame bindings fit AT boots now, or is that boot something weird?

[Eluder]

Salomon Warden, been on them all season and they work great with either sole. Changing the marker lord between soles was to fidgety so I gave them a try and have been pleased.

[Muggydude]

Anyone care to compare wardens with STH2? Or even jesters

[NW_SKIER]

Anyone care to compare wardens with STH2? Or even jesters

Marker Lord I think is what you mean? Not jesters.

[Eluder]

Anyone care to compare wardens with STH2? Or even jesters

The Warden and STH2 have Identical heels, the toe is borrowed from the guardian. It lacks the manual toe wing adjustment the STH2 has and possibly some of the elasticity, but I have nothing to back this up other than my opinion, It gains a sliding AFD. To adjust for toe height it is identical to all STH bindings, just a simple screw on the top of the toe that moves the clamp not the AFD like Markers. They ski like alpine bindings because they are alpine bindings.

[Muggydude]

I was referring more to the on snow feel of them, I know the technical details. As in, how much of an upgrade is the driver toe on the STH2 over the warden? or is the difference negligible?

[galibier_numero_un]

Ok ... to summarize all this good info. There are currently two alpine bindings which are indemnified for your Geas:

• The Marker Lord SP
• The Salomon/Atomic Warden MNC 13 (MNC = multi norm compatible).

Both of them share their DNA with Marker's and Salomon/Atomic's frame touring bindings. The key thing that distinguishes them from all other bindings is that they have sliding anti friction devices. This feature is what sold me on them, even though there are numerous reports of people getting other bindings to work.

The way I look at it, with an AT sole, there's always a chance you won't notice a rock wedged between two lugs, and if you're really unlucky, it will be right where your sole engages with the AFD. I'd rather have a slider there than risk gouging into a piece of Teflon

While I've been a Look and Marker guy my whole life (leaning toward Looks now), I just voted with my dollars for a pair of Wardens, but haven't mounted them yet. If you surf around, you'll read comments about the Lords that mention having to grind off a bit of your boot sole to get the right toe height clearance. I'm as geeky/tweaky as the next guy, but this (along with price) steered me toward the Wardens.

If you subscribe to activejunky.com, you can find some great deals on Wardens at the moment. I scored a pair for $200 with free shipping from U.S. Outdoor Store.

Rumor has it that Look will be getting into the game next season, but I can't make sense of all the chatter.

[Edit] I tried Marker Dukes a while ago. For me, I couldn't stand being that high off the ski. Others love this.

Cheers,
Thom

[Eluder]

I was referring more to the on snow feel of them, I know the technical details. As in, how much of an upgrade is the driver toe on the STH2 over the warden? or is the difference negligible?

OK...

The difference is negligible while sliding on snow.

[rod9301]

I use bd factor mx 130 at boots, do you think they will work with look or salomon sth 14 bindings?

[Rob Stokes]

We need a sticky that outlines this. It's pretty simple but gets asked again and again. Not trying to be a dick, it just doesn't need a new thread every time with people stating there totally un-tested opinions.

[sethschmautz]

I've been on Lords and Dynafits for the last 1.5 years on skis mounted with Markerfits. I have no experience with the Wardens, but can see the concern about the toe height. I have mine adjusted all the way out and they are probably still a little too tight. I should get them tested...

All that said, it takes me about 15 minutes to swap on my bench at home and I've been really happy with their on snow performance. I'm not sure you could go wrong with either. I bought my Lords for...$125ish on here last season brand new. There are deals coming, I bet.

Seth

[sweetdaddy]

I've run Scarpa Maestrale RS (mens Gea) in a Salomon Warden for half a dozen days, feels like a normal alpine binding, no pre-release or unwanted stack height.

I will say that I maxed out raising the toe to accommodate the rocker of the boot though, probably a worst case as flatter soled more "freeride" oriented AT boots like my BD Factors don't push the height limits.

[galibier_numero_un]

Too many active threads on this as noted above. Since I first posted to a long running thread, I put an update over here on my new Wardens (post #55):

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...59#post4444559

Cheers,
Thom