From the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show
Last week, the Backcountry Magazine staff headed to Salt Lake City for the Outdoor Retailer trade show. We cruised the Salt Palace, checking in with industry brands large and small and scoping the hottest gear and trends for next winter. After four days of meetings, flashy apparel and technical hard goods, we compiled these highlights.
Salomon’s new touring binding, the Guardian, is a stout and sturdy freeride option. The Atomic Tracker is identical but branded differently, and both will weigh around 6 lbs. and offer a DIN of 16. What differentiates them from the Marker offerings is the tour/ski mode switch, which can be changed without removing skis. Additionally, the Tracker and Guardian aren’t as tall, keeping a boot closer to the ski.
Marker redesigned the Duke with new platform that is 28% wider for better stability on wide skis. Despite being larger, the new Duke is just 6oz. heavier than the original, as Marker trimmed excess material from the magnesium toe- and heelpieces. The Marker Tour F12 and F10 received minor upgrades, including Teflon pads over screws to prevent ice build up and a reengineered pivot point.
The new Fritschi Diamir Scout binding, distributed by Black Diamond, is similar to their existing Freeride bindings, but offers a DIN of 11 at a value price of $349.
For more on next year’s products, pick up the February issue of Backcountry Magazine. Stay tuned to backcountrymagazine.com for our initial impressions these products as we test them in the coming months for the September Gear Guide.