Dynafit Radical TLT FT Bindings
BEST FOR: Charging the resort and then ducking into sidecountry.
THE TEST: The newly updated is Dynafit鈥檚 most powerful binding, specifically designed to pair with fat powder boards. The toepiece鈥檚 side towers鈥攂eefed-up versions of the pincers found on older Dynafit models鈥攎ake the binding easier to get into and out of and increase power transfer. And the improved heel-riser design makes it easier than ever to adjust the climbing height on the fly, no more contortions necessary.
THE VERDICT: An uncanny blend of power and weight. The Radical is the most confidence-inspiring Dynafit binding we鈥檝e ever tested. 2.6 lbs
Tourability: 5
Power: 4
Salomon Guardian 16 Ski Bindings
BEST FOR: Short tours just outside the resort and maximum power in-bounds.
THE TEST: The 鈥檚 wide toe unit (80 millimeters), low stack height (its chassis sits closer to the ski than any other binding鈥檚 in its class), and beefy materials (the toepiece is a stout fiberglass-nylon composite) make the Guardian the most precise and powerful AT binding we鈥檝e seen. It accepts all alpine and alpine touring boots, and testers liked the 鈥渢otally alpine feel鈥 for charging through myriad resort conditions.
THE VERDICT: It鈥檚 a downhill binding鈥攋ust look at the weight鈥攂ut suitable for short skin tracks back to the resort, cat, or heli. 6.5 lbs
Versatility: 2
Power: 5
No, you're not crazy. The Guardian 16 is also being sold as the Atomic Tracker 16. (Salomon and Atomic are owned by the same company.) Identical binding, different name and paint job.
La Sportiva RT Ski Bindings
BEST FOR: Ultralight touring without losing performance.
THE TEST: It doesn鈥檛 seem possible that a full-featured touring binding this sturdy鈥攖he has an aluminum-alloy framework and hardened steel pins鈥攃ould weigh so little (a little more than a pound per pair). Even more impressive is that the RT comes equipped with some serious safety features, including a lateral and vertical heel-release mechanism built into the baseplate to keep it out of the way.
THE VERDICT: 鈥淚t鈥檚 the sexiest and the lightest,鈥 said one tester, 鈥渂ut it鈥檚 gonna cost you.鈥 19 oz
Tourability: 5
Power: 3