Fritschi vs Silvretta

[plexus]

So after a year of cutting my teeth on some 404s, I'm in the process of upgrading my AT setup. I just got a pair of K2 Shuksans and wondering which bindings to go with: Silvretta Pure or Fritschi Explore. Given how much I have invested in my boots, Dynafit is not an option.

 

I don't ski hard enough to need a DIN up to 12 like the Freeride Plus offers. The best way to describe my skiing is a few miles approach, a few runs on some slopes, back to the car. I had one person tell me the problem with the Silvretta Pure is how it is manufactured, when you are in free heel mode, the binding shrinks towards your toes.

 

Thanks for your help

[fishstick]

I haven't used the explore, but own pure's and quite like them. Pros are light weight, compact size, compact brakes (they fold inwards) and ease of use. Cons are they're a bit hard to step into thanks to stiff brakes and they might take a bit less abuse (theory) crashing hard while in tour mode. Keep in mind when comparing weights and costs that Pures come with brakes. Also keep in mind the optional crampon is only 78mm wide.

 

The pures took a little bit of getting used to, but now fritchi options seem HUGE (like un-aesthetic), as do 555s. When purchasing my pures, explores were my other option. If I had to do it again tomorrow, pures would win again.

 

The thought regarding the binding "shrinking" in tour mode makes no sense.

 

Cheers,

 

GB

[gapertimmy]

I don't have silveretta's but friends who own both have always commented that the one nice factor is that you are closer to the ski then on freerides. Make's sense.

[sweatinoutliquor]

If you go with the Fritschi, don't bother with explore, go to the freeride. Sure you pay more up front, but the explores don't have brakes on them, which is a mandatory 40+ dollar expense. The straps they come with are a joke. Sorry, but I don't know enought about the silveretta's to comment, but it sounds like they are a pretty good option!

[Crevasse]

I have Shuksans with the Pure binding and really like them a lot. I have spent a lot of time in the BC and inbounds with them. The higher stance did take a little getting used to but now I almost think I prefer it. I would recommend a day or two inbounds to get used to the stance. I do not get the shrinking comment either. I would go Pure if I did it again and Dynafits were not an option.

[gapertimmy]

After re-reading your first post, seeing that you got the shuksans you are obviously looking for a weight-concious setup. I think the choice with that in mind is obvious.

 

Price-wise they are exactly the same right now:

 

pure

freeride

 

[plexus]

Ordered a set of Pure Freerides this morning. I had a lot of people telling me to go that way, both on this board and off of it. Thank you for all of your help.

 

Those that do have them, did you shim your bindings at all? I know some bindings, you want to put a plate in the back of the binding.

[plexus]

I LOVE THIS SETUP!!!!

 

Hit Copper Mountain in Colorado today with my K2 Shuksans and Silvretta Pure Performance bindings, and by the fourth run, I was skiing better in these than I do in my alpine setup. They are a little skittish when going steep and fast. But when my friends were so kind to drag me down blacks all day long and dropping down into Spaulding Bowl, they handled wonderfully.

[gapertimmy]

Nice! How was the snow at Copper?

[plexus]

Better than it was today at St. Mary's (no longer a) Glacier:

 

 

Talk about hard slab, you can barely see my carve marks on the right. My high point was where the angle changed and the snow cracked and whomped under my skis.