Meidjo Release, Maybe, Maybe NOT

[lowangle al]

I didn't respond to your previous comment because I know Stephen knows what I meant and most others do too. It doesn't have to be a fracture at the top of the boot caused by a slow twisting fall. That would be more of an ""at speed kind of a thing"

But seriously though I think you should give telemark a try.

[Manney]

Never said boot top fractures were twisting. You did.

Doesn’t sound to me like Stephens fracture was because of twisting. Not a spiral fracture. No blown acl, mcl. Not the top of the fib. The bottom of the fib… where the ankle was fully supported.

Explain your boot ideas to me. Then I’ll know. Others too.

[DG99]

My data points…..

My wife broke her leg on T4s, 3 pins and Fischer Boundless, following me down a short steep slope in the BC that involved quick acceleration. (Yikes!). So don’t think T4s are so safe. Spiral fracture lower leg. We should have stayed on XC trails and lower angles? Anyways, I saw her go one way, the skis go the other, as she fell, no release of course.

I’ve had lots of falls on tele gear but you have to know to fall the right way. Not always possible?!?! Requires skiing conservatively.

I’ve had lots of releases on alpine gear and it works really well generally. That said once I sprained my ankle falling on a steep descent in very deep heavy stiff snow, with an overly tight twisting turn. Didn’t release in time. Duh.

Floppy boot XCD sounds like less injury potential but I’ve been pretty beat up skiing on icy steep trails and falling often due to lack of control. 3 pins and soft boots. Once did that and the boot totally crushed my foot, sprained. I think it’s possible to break bones in the foot that way, as related by randoskier here. I would not have fallen on plastic boots!

[Manney]

My data points…..

My wife broke her leg on T4s, 3 pins and Fischer Boundless, following me down a short steep slope in the BC that involved quick acceleration. (Yikes!). So don’t think T4s are so safe. Spiral fracture lower leg. We should have stayed on XC trails and lower angles? Anyways, I saw her go one way, the skis go the other, as she fell, no release of course.

I’ve had lots of falls on tele gear but you have to know to fall the right way. Not always possible?!?! Requires skiing conservatively.

I’ve had lots of releases on alpine gear and it works really well generally. That said once I sprained my ankle falling on a steep descent in very deep heavy stiff snow, with an overly tight twisting turn. Didn’t release in time. Duh.

Floppy boot XCD sounds like less injury potential but I’ve been pretty beat up skiing on icy steep trails and falling often due to lack of control. 3 pins and soft boots. Once did that and the boot totally crushed my foot, sprained. I think it’s possible to break bones in the foot that way, as related by randoskier here. I would not have fallen on plastic boots!

Agree. Lots of possibilities. No quick, easy answers… like T2 vs T4, TTS vs 3 pin.

[DG99]

Anyhow, if you want to ski alpine sometimes to hedge your bets with release bindings, it can be just as fun as tele I think. Here is video proof I captured.

April 2 deep and light powder day at the ski lifts!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FmEz9F67ERg

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DiiKEqMlAws

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2m4TKf3XpOg

[Stephen]

Anyhow, if you want to ski alpine sometimes to hedge your bets with release bindings, it can be just as fun as tele I think. Here is video proof I captured.

April 2 deep and light powder day at the ski lifts!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FmEz9F67ERg

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DiiKEqMlAws

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2m4TKf3XpOg

Oh yeah, man, that’s great!
Who would expect that in PNW in April?

[Stephen]

Thanks for all the encouragement — and some entertainment as I sit here on my ass!

I really do think that NNN-BC / Xplore and associated boots and anything from MR48 to Voile Objective / V6 is a whole lot safer (in most cases) than any plastic boot setup (but of course, low plastic is less problematic than high plastic).
On a sliding scale, depending on boot height / stiffness and binding stability (ability to flex in different directions, or not — 3 Pin to NTN?).

Realistically, don’t think I want to start experimenting with all sorts of equipment (3 pin, 75mm boots, etc.). That just starts a whole new buying cycle, with longer learning curves than I’m willing to engage in.

Certainly there are an almost infinite number of situations that can lead to injury.
So far, in my case, there seems to be a pattern.

I’m not an expert skier, but have been in a lot of different terrain and snow environments and conditions.
Expert skiers can ski stuff I can’t even imagine how they ski it.
TIGHT trees with all kinds of random hazards.
STEEP, TWISTY, with no bailout options (except rocks or trees).
I have no interest in this sort of thing.

Mostly, I just love floating through powder with no defined base.
It’s so cool, and Telemark is such a graceful way to do it.
Alpine is fine, nothing against that, it just doesn’t seem to have the grace and flow of Telemark (to me, anyway).
Corn is #2 after powder, but that can be a brief season.
Skiing groomers is just a distraction until there is more powder to ski.

So, the pattern for me is this (and I’m not keen on saying so, because it points to deficiencies or limitations, for lack of better words). And, I’m sort of stubborn and don’t like the idea of deficiencies or limitations.

Balance has several inputs and processes: the vestibular system, visual, nervous system, input from the feet. “The vestibular system is especially sensitive in children, and reacts more slowly to movements as we grow older.” NIH.GOV. In others words, my sense of balance isn’t as good as it used to be.
So, I think to a greater degree, I’m relying on my eyes for balance rather than my vestibular system.
I mentioned earlier “a momentary distraction” before I fell. I noticed a similar situation last night (being on crutches exacerbating the situation). In low light, I saw something I wasn’t expecting. This momentarily distracted my attention from balance, causing me to wobble.
Same sequence as when I injured myself, with the addition of a snow condition conducive to catching a tip.
In my mind, it’s this combination of conditions that seem most risky for me.
I’ve been 40 mph on groomers in big turns and felt very stable (M3 and TX Pro) — while at the same time recognizing the associated risks!
30*-40* and deep powder, and felt safe (not elegant, but safe).
Narrow, very bumpy goat trail traverses across the top of steep terrain, with no exit points — need to be extra careful.

I could be deluding myself but am considering the possibility that (based on what I now know), I may be able to improve my odds by focusing on being more mindful and present in my skiing.
Almost sounds silly to say that — like, wasn’t I doing that before?
But I think there is room for improvement in that regard.
But, that’s for the future — this is still one day at a time.

Just random thoughts while sitting here on my butt…

[Gladeskier]

So sorry for you and your pain and injury. Injuries just suck, that's all there is to it.

So I've been on Meidjo 2.1's for a couple of years and love them and no incidents, no releases either. I just sold them with the Voile skis they were on and picked up a pair of Bishop Gonzos and am looking for a pair of M3.0's to put on them. M2.1's are much more readily available and less $$. So I am wondering if the M3's with the 40% stiffer toe springs is perhaps a less safe binding than a 2.1????

Any thoughts on that?

[Montana St Alum]

So sorry for you and your pain and injury. Injuries just suck, that's all there is to it.

So I've been on Meidjo 2.1's for a couple of years and love them and no incidents, no releases either. I just sold them with the Voile skis they were on and picked up a pair of Bishop Gonzos and am looking for a pair of M3.0's to put on them. M2.1's are much more readily available and less $$. So I am wondering if the M3's with the 40% stiffer toe springs is perhaps a less safe binding than a 2.1????

Any thoughts on that?

I think the spring stiffness at the toe is for tech fitting engagement. I don't think it substantially affects the release function at the duckbutt. I actually like the 2.1 more, but haven't been able to find them. Where are you seeing them?

[Gladeskier]

Mostly local CL and FB from time to time but they go pretty quickly. Also you see them on skis for sale.