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Brakeless bindings; Do you use leashes?
Hi there,
I've never used a binding without brakes, but this year I geared up a pair of skis with some Dynafit Speed Turn bindings. It comes with leashes.
I see some pros and cons to using those leashes but I'd like to hear what others are thinking and doing.
Please chip in with your thoughts and experience.
Thanks,
JF
Hey JF,
I like using my leashes. I dont think it inconveniences me in anyway and I like the idea of not having to look very far for a ski if I were to bail. If your worried about them staying attached in a ragdoll down the mountain (or worse, tumbling in avalanche debris), I wouldnt. Those circle rings that came with the end of your leashes will break on purpose with enough force.
Just my opinion.
-MM
I have used leashes exclusively for the last 3 years since I bought my Dynafit Speed radicals. However, I don't use the little leashes included as they are a pain to take on and off with every lap. I (And all my friends now) use the B&D skigear leashes out of California. They are a coiled coated steel cable that stay coiled on top of your boot during skinning and skiing but can stretch long enough to put your skins on without taking them off. They have a break away section in case of avalanche and I never take them off all day! I have about 80 b/c days on mine and have only had to replace a couple of the zip ties they used to use for their breakaway links (No problems with the new ones.) Have only had one release in the time I've had them and it was not a rag doll fall so I can't comment on any issues with getting whacked. But I am old enough to have skied on hill for 20 years with leashes and I had no problem then either.
Added benefit is secure Dynafit entries on wind blow icy ridge tops with no brakes to keep your ski from sliding off into oblivion. Highly recommended. Get them here: http://www.bndskigear.com/
Great question and one that I've struggled with. YMMV, but I've had the following experience with leashes v brakes:
1) original Dynafit tech bindings had leashes. No issues with daily usage but I had one big ragdoll where I would have rather not had to ski bash me on the head (backcountry, no helmet)
2) G3 targa tele bindings w leashes….no issues but then again, no real release when things start to slide.
3) Plum Guide bindings – first used leashes….had a massive ragdoll on an exit out of a chute and now possess a nice scar on my head that my wife thinks looks hot. Not. Tried the forward facing Plum bindings….my experience was fairly positive however I did have one in-resort release where the forward facing brake legs caused one ski to literally launch airboard do the initial "grab".
4) now using G3 Ion's – love them. Using brakes and so far, only issue has been one ski that was lost under about 100 cms of snow that took quite a while to find. But would I rather look for a ski than get my head bashed in again attached to a leash. Yes. And I find it easier to lock into the skis w/ a brake when I'm on something really steep where f-ing around w my skis isn't an option. I also felt like fiddling with a leash on steeps fell into the f-ing around category (recognizing that I could have not used the leash on steeper terrain). I ski w/ DIN set high so should have no releases so could have gotten away w/ no leash but I hate faffing so just like having brakes and no worries (other than snow caking…).
My two cents worth.
b.
