This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips / Telemark Francais Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web since 1998. East, West, North, South, Canada, US or Europe, Backcountry or not.
This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips / Telemark Francais Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web since 1998. East, West, North, South, Canada, US or Europe, Backcountry or not.
This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web. We have fun here, come on in and be a part of it.
First
Been skiing Telemark for about two years now, on Voile hardwire bindings, and K2 Super Stinx. I busted up one of the wires at the end of last season on my bindings, so I bought a whole new pair of bindings just steal the hardwire hook off one of them, but now I notice the duckbill section is different. I'm guessing maybe the black pair are meant to release?
So I just wanted to ask, which bindings are best, and why? Which duckbill portion should I keep on the ski?
Second
I also have a second pair of Teles, on Volkl Snowrangers. I believe the bindings are G3 Targa's.
What advantage do the G3 bindings have over the Voile bindings? Is one pair better for exclusively downhill/resort skiing, and is one pair better for XCD?
Between the two Voile bindings, the black pair are the older style. In my opinion, the silver Voiles are better because they more positively hold the duckbill on your boot than the old style. I wouldn't expect any releasability on any of these duckbill bindings (the Voiles or the G3s).
Voile also makes the 3-pin cable. It is similar to yours but uses the 3 pin interface so that the cables can be removed for kick and glide/XCD.
As far as the best bindings for the activity, I would say the Voiles will be a better for XCD while the G3s do better at the resort. It very much depends on what boot you are using. Both of these bindings are on the more neutral side of bindings, especially compared to modern offerings. Definitely not necessarily a bad thing, but for the burly resort end of things some prefer a more active binding.
I agree with @EvanTrem. I owned those G3 bindings and used them for resort skiing. They are not as sophisticated as modern bindings (i.e., less active), but they are bomber. The Voile's are less of a match for stiff plastic booths. They are designed for touring. Not saying they can't be used on the resort, but you wouldn't want to ask too much of them.
