I've got some ideas. I actually started out working on one for Radical's - I have a pair and found the lifters kinda annoying to use. Obvously totally possible with most regular baskets, but I wanted something that worked first time, every time. It was challenging to get a design that worked but didn't look like a pingpong paddle.  Below is a picture of one the prototypes I made. Now I've got some more ideas, but focusing on getting this one out for Marker first cause that seems like  bigger problem for people. 

Thanks for the interest! Sign up for the news letter at Liftbaskets.com and I'll keep you in the loop. Hugh

A quote from your post/article: "we realized there was a problem with our AT bindings"

My solution to this problem would be, get a better (and more appropriate) AT binding.

I don't have 20 years of experience, but I think I got enough to give advice.

Don't get me wrong, I admire thinking outside the box and different levels of engineering. Take skins for example; I tried many different models, read reviews, considered every option out there, tried some mods, etc. The best skins setup is the dynafit speedskins. And those mix mohair dynafit skins are very good too; light, good grip/glide combo, good glue but easy to peel off. I liked Prior skis. So when I got my last pair built I included tip/tail notches and trimmed some speedskins to fit.

My current binding is the dynafit vertical, for which there is no need for a tool basket. It works awesome for touring. I highly recommend it.

Also a note about poles. I've tried and own a lot of different ones and my final choice, best compromise for everything, is the fixed length black diamond carbon poles with powder baskets.

Here is some food for thought for anybody still reading.

I have heard over the years from very experienced people that if you need heel risers, that means the skintrack is too steep (make a better one). I say it too now. I do have risers on my verticals, and I use them maybe 5% of the time. It is for breaking trail in 30+cm of snow on steeper terrain. But if I'm second in line, then the risers are not needed.

When using risers, you automatically have a shorter stride; more work.

Without risers, your muscles will stretch a bit more so you need to let your body some time to adapt.

You are faster if you don't stop to change your risers. This makes quite the difference on bigger days/long tours. It might feel like only a few seconds but believe me it adds up. It's the same idea as a steep track with a lot of switchbacks or a low angle one with a minimum amount of switchbacks. The time and energy spent twisting, crouching, reaching, switchbacking, slipping, pushing with your poles, etc, can add up more than you'd think. Fatigue factors in then and time flies by.

Another thing to consider is the boots. How is your walk mode, especially how far back does it go? I made a routine comment about my power straps how I was considering putting them in my pack for the way up to a splitboarder friend who recently converted to dynasplit. He never thought about undoing his powerstraps completely, I might have changed his life! You want the longest stride you can get out of your boots. Undo your buckles and strap completely, don't lace all the way up. That will also work well together with not using heel risers.

I realize this might not be the best place for this post, but admins can moderate if they want.

Regards, JF.

JF - Awesome perspective. It never even occured to me to try touring without even using lifters?!?  I mean, I've done little up sections w'o them cause I didn't want to adjust, but to only use them 5% of the time?!? I think my hamstrings are so tight from years of too much running and exercise and too little streching that it'd be pretty much impossible to tour w'out using lifters. Gonna give it a try next time though...super loose boots and have atter you say?

I find I adjust the lifters more when lower down in the trees and the skin track is more determined by the terrain and less by perfect angle. 

And yeah, with your bindings (Dynafit Vertical), there's no need for baskets at all :) 

Thanks for taking the time for sharing so many pointers.

Hugh

PS - Lucky to be in Revy!