Tele Weight Comparison 1: Bindings

So I became a little irritated by my weight options in terms of a backcountry Telemark setup.  I know, a Telemarker complaining about the weight of their gear.  Well here is a quick list:

Brand	Model	Stiffness	Weight (g)	Weight (lbs)	Price
Voile	Switchback	Soft	1362	3.00	$279
G3	Targa Ascents	Soft	1418	3.13	$299
Voile	Switchback X2	Soft/Mild	1451	3.20	$299
Black Diamond	01	Soft-Stiff	1750	3.86	$299
22 Designs	Axl	Stiff Dick	1769	3.90	$320
Rotterfella	NTN	Stiff Dick	1850	4.08	$399

A little discretion to this list: these are current bindings that I felt necessary for such a list.  All of these bindings have some sort of free pivoting system that makes touring in the Backcountry MUCH more easier.  Other binding currently being sold just plain out suck ass.  If these were inbound bindings then I would say screw weight and go with what feels equally responsive and stiff.  This leads me to make two definitions.

• Stiffness: A binding that you can feel.  Sorry for the macho man allegory but think of your heel as a big giant pussy and the cartridge binding system as a penis.  A stiff penis feels really good for that pussy because you will have hot tele sex turns all day while a soft dick just flops around and eventually puts you on your knees to take a mouth-load (snow) or force you to fix your pussy heels like all pussy fixed heelers.  
• Responsiveness: A matter of how quickly your binding react to your knee drop/heel rise.  A binding with weak response will almost feel as if nothing is keeping you on the ski; this would feel very similar to a three pin binding system.  A binding that is very responsive will give immediate communication to your heel saying, "Hay you!  You better tear up this slope and make some powerful turns.  **Responsiveness is subjective to personal opinion**

So as you can see the stiffer the flex, the more weight you add.  I have also noticed the heavier binding in general are more responsive.  For example:

• Both Voie Switchbacks and the G3s are very soft flexing bindings, especially the G3s.  Where is the new Switchback X2s are slightly more responsive then its predecessor, I find that all three of the bindings lack communication with my tele dance and are floppy cocky.  
• The 22 Designs Axls and the Rotterfella NTN are really stiff and responsive binding systems.  In fact I would dare to say the NTNs are too stiff and definitely too responsive! 
•  What is that? Too responsive?  You see, there comes a point were you must ask yourself, "Are you actually telemarking, or are you a fixed heeler in denial?"  The NTNs are too responsive.  The system wants to keep your heels down so badly that it really takes away the freedom of the heel in telmarking altogether.  Also, while I am ranting about the NTNs, I believe they are going in the right direction removing the 75 mm duck bill (break my duck billed soul) but the bindings have horrible touring functionality, and who gives a shit about releasability (A: pussy fixed heelers).  
• The Black Diamond 01s.  Well these have been great bindings.  Large range of motion for touring and reasonable weight.  Anywhere from soft flex cartridges to ridiculously stiff cartridges (not as stiff as Axl or NTN).  I would say moderate response, but if you would want a slightly more powerful and responsive binding without compromising too much weight, definitely go with the 22 Designs Axls.  These are very innovative bindings, and have the wiggle room to loose some weight.  
• Rumor has it (according to multiple reps) that Black Diamond has an even lighter version of the 01s that have been in full operation.  What I have been told multiple times though is that they will not release it any time soon because there is no demand for them where is the cost outweighs the revenue that may be generated.   Well what the fuck Black Diamond!  You guys are pretty much the standard for a good portion of the backcountry ski industry.  Release the bindings, set the precedence, and the demand will come.  Fuck you guys.  My votes on tele-tech.

New Dream Ski

Skilogik Howitzer - Although very similar to the size and weight of the Voile Chargers, the Howitzer is a Skilogik ski which is the same as the snow gods having an orgy and the the climax is a Skilogik ski. In fact the word "Howitzer", if I'm not mistaken, is German for "Orgasm of the Ski Gods". Speeking of which I came across this photo online and thought it must be shared:

That about sums it up.

The Perfect Trio of skis

Powder Touring - The 10/11 Voile Chargers 191 w/Black Diamond 01 Bindings

These skis tear it up. The US made Chargers have a profile of 140/114/128, a rocker tip, a total weight of 8 lbs 12 oz, and a MSRP of $595. With the BD 01 bindings the total weight comes to roughly 12 lbs 5 oz which may seam like a lot to you gram counting AT'ers, but I don't really give a shit. It sure beats the hell out of most powder sleds these days. I had a chance to ride the Chargers at 2011 retailer demo days while managing to ski with a rid-stiff hard-on the whole time. Any time I came across any cruddy terrain these skis managed to punch through and float on top gracefully with ease. The Voile Drifters are even wider, but unnecessary. Get the 10/11 models while they last because next years look god awful.

Resort - The 11/12 Icelantic Pilgrims 179 w/22-Designs Hammerheads

The skis pictured above are the 09/10 model I also had the privilege of riding this year, and it was, in fact, like riding a nice pair of tits! Dueled with 22-Designs Hammerheads, the the Pilgrims were somewhat scary; I almost had too much confidence on these beasts. A season on these and you will be getting interviewed by TGR about that large cliff you just stomped with a clean exiting knee drop (one must always drop the knee after a trick). What really makes Icelantic's powerful skis really hot is the Fine Art Giclee top sheets, which I can't wait to see what next years models look like.

Touring - Goode Carbon 82 186 With Voile Switchback Bindings

Goode skis are basically a backcountry skiers wet dream (besides the cost). The Carbon 82s weight in at a stunning 5 lbs, and with the Voile Switchback, the total weight comes to 8 lbs. The K2 Work Stinx I am riding right now weigh a third heavier.

Although there are other skis that I would love to see hit this list: Prior, Skilogic, DPS, and maybe the Rossignol S7s; I am proud to say that there are no K2, G3, or Black Diamond Skis that I feel are worth wanting. And on a final note: NTN sucks my big fat sweaty/stinky balls.