Silveretta Pure reviews

[laseranimal]

I've read the threads from the begining of last year, and from what I've gleaned from the five or so threads is that they are light(1/2 the weight of a Freeride/Naxo), they tour well, and they may not be durable. I was interested if anyone got a chance to ski them and could compare them to the Freeride in terms of skiability. I've got a pair of non-dynafit compatable AT boots(Strukturas) which are going to shed some weight with a new thermo liner, and I'd like to go lighter still since I spend most of my BC time yo-yoing in the Berkshires or slogging in the Adirondacks not ripping burly lines in places like Jackson or Squaw. I'm contimplating either the Pure at 42 ounces or the Pure X-Mountain at 59 ounces.

[Jumper Bones]

backcountry magazine did a review on them in their Gear Guide magazine - and the most direct quote I can use is "If we had to choose one A/T binding, this would be it." That should say something. They said it had the least side-side play (as opposed to what Fritschis are subjected to), and had the best edge and hard-snow feel of all A/T bindings. Furthermore, there are 3 models of it now available - the basic model, an additional model (with carbon rails), and a Freeride model with DIN to 12.

When I can afford it, I'll be getting the Freeride model. No I won't be hucking cliffs, and no I won't be riding them inbounds, but I'd put a heaping flex on Fritschi's, so I'm not going that route.

[Jumper Bones]

alright, I'll put in the full review from the mag, since I doubt anybody here will...

Silvretta Pure - $399
80, 90, 100 mm crampons: $39
DIN 3-10
weight 2 lbs 11 oz (w/ 90mm brakes/med pair)

Silvretta: The ultra-light Pure uses lightweight components such as hollow carbon rails, Titanal-reinforced fiberglass and UV-stabilized plastics to keep its weight at 2lbs 11oz per pair. Like the others in the Pure family, this one features Silvretta's Optimum Pivot Point - 30mm behind boot toe - for the most efficient power transfer available in any ski mountaineering binding. This pivot position saves evergy with every stride.

Howie: The Pure is my choice if I could only choose one binding. It allows the boot to sit closer to the ski, so there's less torque on the knees. It's also the lightest of the non-Dynafit bindings. Its pivot point, 30mm behind the toe, allows for effortless climbing. But what I liked most was the way it skied - the carbon rails seem to allow for a better snow feel. But of all the carriage-built touring bindings, the Pure allowed for the greatest edge grip and snow feel. While it's surprisingly stout for a minimalist binding, I had trouble with DIN and size adjustment screw reliability - something I've been told has been solved for this season.

Jeffrey: In a nutshell, you could say these bindings are the best of both worlds - almost as light as the Dynafit TLT Comfort (when you include the latter's ski brakes and plate) with the performance equal to any step-in binding. They ski as well as any I've tested here, but they are not quite as easy to step into as the Fritschis and the Naxos. When you consider the convenience, performance and weight, this binding is a winner.


Silvretta Pure X-Mountain - $379
DIN 4-10
weight 3 lbs 11 oz (w/ 100mm brakes/med pair)

Silvretta: The Pure X-Mountain offers the Pure's easy-touring, anatomical pivot point and step-in ease of use, with solid aluminum rails for the highest-value package. Its DIN range is Z3 to 10. Complete with 90mm brakes.

Editor's note: Though we didn't get the Freeride or the X-mountain on snow, it will be interesting to see how the oversized carbon rails of the Freeride and the aluminum rails of the X-Mountain affect downhill performance. As with the nx21, we'll get back to you soon.


Silvretta Pure Freeride - $419
DIN 4-12
weight 3 lbs 15 oz (w/ 100mm brakes/med pair)

Silvretta: The Pure Freeride tours with the same ease as the original Pure, but also boasts the beefiness of a freeride binding. It's the only freeride binding on the market whose touring function hasn't been compromised. The higher DIN ranges from 4 to 12, and the binding has solid carbon rails and a more reinforced toe for a more rigid structure that handles the biggest freeride skis and burly boots.

[laseranimal]

thanks, anybody else got any feedback?

[Laps]

I have the older model, with the new, beefier toepieces. They ski well enough, especially for what I was skiing (March at Tuckerman's, HARD snow) They tour incredibly well. I am used to Tele for skinning, and AT blows tele away for uphill travel.
If it matters, skis were Dynastar 8000, boots were Garmont G-rides.

[laseranimal]

Laps et al whats the difference between last years model and this years? I'm beginging to think that this binding is definately going on my TM:X's this year

[Laps]

I heard this years addresses the durability problems. Garmont says they won't be as tough as a fritschi or Naxo, but won't break as often. I know the toepieces were beefed up, as well as the rails. They also have a new mounting pattern, with more screws.

[Lurch]

I'm thinking of swapping out the Naxos that are currently on my Vokl Norbert Joo's for the Pure Freeride. I was going to buy another pair of Naxos for my rock skis but a set of Pure Freerides on my light skis is looking like the better option.

I've looked at last year's Pure several times in the shop and I still can not figure out why the toe piece is hinged so that it can swing up towards the rails. Anybody have the answer?

[3pin]

I've looked at last year's Pure several times in the shop and I still can not figure out why the toe piece is hinged so that it can swing up towards rails. Anybody have the answer?

Why the pivot point is further back? I believe it has something to do with a more natural stride and less of a tip-toe feel. Basically the further in front of your toe the pivot is, the more feels like a Franken-stride. Similar idea with NAXO's two pivots instead of just the one way out in front, so that the roll of your foot is further back and more natural.

I'm not an AT skier, but I have to agree with Laps, the only way to compete on tele gear for efficiency is a free-pivot. I've been using the Silvretta Telemark Adaptor (basically a Silvretta AT riser that takes a tele binding on top) with G3s, and I won't tour on anything without a free pivot again.

-Graham

[Laps]

Do you get that weird noise with your tele adapter? K2 rep here has it, and his creaks all the time. Very annoying to hear him behind you.

[Lurch]

Why the pivot point is further back? I believe it has something to do with a more natural stride and less of a tip-toe feel. Basically the further in front of your toe the pivot is, the more feels like a Franken-stride. Similar idea with NAXO's two pivots instead of just the one way out in front, so that the roll of your foot is further back and more natural.
-Graham

Nope, The toe piece of the silvereta has a spring loaded hinge just infront of the pivot point. When there is no boot in the binding the toe piece can be rotated so that it contacts the carbon bars.

[laseranimal]

bump, anybody else have feedback?

It seems like for every review where someone says that these bindings are great you get someone telling you that they broke theirs within an hour

[KANUTTEN]

From the sound of it, it seems like this pure binding might be the best choice. However, one funny thing is that there is nothing about the 3 different versions of the pure on silvrettas own homepage (http://www.silvretta.de). The freeride with a 12 DIN would do the job, if it exists...

[Hicks]

.. if it exists...

They definitely do, already available at some shops here.

[leBig]

www.sport-conrad.de, 339EUR, more expensive than Fritschi FR.

[KANUTTEN]

What am I missing here? The pure freeride vs the fritschi freeride;

Pure ski better than the fritschi, they tour better, same DIN, 400 grams lighter.

For 20 euros more. Sounds like no discussion at all. What about durability, reliability? Or is Silvretta going to corner this market?

[leBig]

New model so no experiences of the durability. I'd guess there will be some reviews available later this winter... wildsnow.com perhaps. Fritschi FR has been on the markets for some years now. I've heard that previous models of Pure had some durability problems. AT bindings has allways been a compromise, hope Silvretta has found a solution for this.

[Core Shot]

Breakage on the Pure was mostly for the hollow carbon rails.
The new Freeride Pure has solid carbon which will help a lot.

Hollow carbon tube must be treated carefully. Any hard bump or impact will fracture it. Solid tube should be better, but still needs TLC.

[Jumper Bones]

there is a heavier solid-aluminum-tubed model...

[laseranimal]

what scared me away from the binding was the ridiculously small amount of what looks like plastic that holds the toepiece to the plate, maybe its just me but it looked not strong at all, I would have guessed that lots of toepeices would have been warrenteed

[corn dog]

I got a pair of the first gen ones from Europe. I used the release straps as the brakes weren't wide enough for the ski I put them on. The straps thread through the toe piece. I released and the plastic toe piece pulled right off, stripping the screw hole. The new ones are stronger but I still think thats a very silly way of attaching the straps. These have wider brakes available now so probably it won't be something to worry about. For a while after I just wrapped the straps around the bars underneath. Now have last years model.
Apart from that I like these bindings quite a lot. Tour great and ski fine. The ones from last year and earlier have the issue of the legs under the boot heel not quite touching the ski topsheet, same as Freerides. I just epoxied a penny under each leg Maybe they've improved that on the latest ones. Not quite as light as dynafit, but just as convenient as fritschis. Release is a little different from fritschi. Haven't released again since I cranked the DIN up after above crash

[Pow4Brains]

Any more reviews out there now that they have been around for a while????

[ski_rick]

Questionable durability?

http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=258

[Pow4Brains]

Questionable durability?

http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=258

I'd say!!!! Thanx

[Jumper Bones]

The hinge point discussed above was for mounting the bindings only. The screws for the lower shim are under the toepiece, so it rotates out of the way.