Salomon S/LAB Shift 2 16 MN Binding - 2027 Gun Metal/Black/Beluga Met, SH100

"What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:""I skied the S/LAB Shift 2 16 MN on a big-mountain freeride trip and was genuinely impressed by how locked-in it felt on steep, consequential terrain. The 16mm of heel elastic travel absorbed impacts I would have felt straight through my boots in a traditional alpine binding. Touring back up the skin track never felt like a concession, which is exactly the point with a setup like this.""The pitch is steep, the snow is untracked, and you've been moving since first light to get here. That's exactly the scenario the S/LAB Shift 2 16 MN Binding was designed for. Salomon built this binding for freeriders who refuse to pick a lane between uphill efficiency and downhill performance, and the result is a setup that earns its place on your skis whether you're kicking steps on the skin track or dropping into a 45-degree couloir. On the descent, the 3-Part Power Heel and 16mm of elastic travel mean every edge is driven with conviction, absorbing the kinds of hits that come with charging serious terrain. The low-profile chassis keeps your foot close to the ski for feedback that actually tells you something, and the XL Wings lock the toe of your boot in with the kind of confidence a big line demands. When you're ready to flip it back to tour mode, the climbing aid switches easily without making you fight your poles to do it."

Price: $799.95 from Backcountry