I've been very happy with my Salomon MTNs with brakes, nobody has mentioned yet that the brake gives your heel something to sit on, and I think it skis a little better. Brakes are way more convenient than leashes (or nothing). Yes you could get lighter, but my newest touring setup is already so much lighter than Coombacks and Vertical STs I was happy with 15 years ago, not to mention how much boots have improved.
I haven't heard about this Achilles thing but I don't see why they'd be worse than any other u-spring binding. Crashing hard on touring gear is dangerous.
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