Well, I made the switch. After years of hauling around Marker Barons, then Fritschi Freeride Pro bindings on backcountry ski tours, I finally pulled up my big-boy pants and purchased tech bindings. With a pair of new Voile Chargers added to my quiver, I chose the Dynafit TLT Radical FT bindings to mount on them. After dozens of ski days in both backcountry and in bounds on these babies, I offer the following review from the perspective of a tech-binding newbie.
First, a bit about the Dynafit TLT Radical FT binding. Features include:
- DIN settings from 5-12
- Carbon plate with switch that locks the plate in place for torsional rigidity and that creates a platform that more directly transfers power to the ski
- In its locked position, the carbon plate also yields dampening over rough terrain thanks to rear rubber pieces
- Durable aluminum toe piece features Side Towers that help to provide easier entry and enhanced power transfer, and that prevent pre-releasing in the steeps
- Speed Step heel riser provides three climbing levels
- Front toe piece jig template uses only four new mounting screws instead of five
- Includes brakes (either 110mm or 130mm)
My first day out on my new touring setup, I was absolutely thrilled at how the skis performed with Dynafits mounted on them. When I took them off the car and carried them on my shoulder to the trailhead for the first time, I wondered why it took me so long to convert to such a light weight setup. Then I stepped into the Dynafits and started skinning. Boy howdy, was I impressed at how much of a difference it makes to not have to lift the entire binding with my heel, as is the case with more traditional backcountry frame bindings.
Okay, so it’s well known that Dynafit bindings are lighter and therefore more user friendly than more burly offerings. Well burliness isn’t even a question, especially after hammering the TLT Radical FT. Dynafit says these binders are their most powerful model to date, and are intended to be not only an excellent touring binding, but also something that rips on the downhill, no matter the conditions or terrain. I’m a measly 150 pounds and don’t even come close to needing the DIN setting screwed up to 12 (I set mine at 8) but I still was tentative when I took them to Snowbasin on a hardpack day.
At the resort, these bindings performed almost as well as my alpine setup. While bashing moguls, carving mach turns on groomers, and jump-turning through sluffing steeps, the bindings never pre-released or felt unstable at any time while in ski mode. However, I did notice a little bit of play in the toe when skate skiing across flats or going really fast with tight turns, and the toe piece would sometimes rattle annoyingly. Further research on the subject led me to believe that this toe-play likely has more to do with the tech inserts on my Black Diamond Quadrants than the binding’s design.
So, the Dynafit TLT Radical FT passed the resort test. But the backcountry is what they are made for, and they excelled. Honestly, owning these paired with the Voile Chargers made me excited to tour again, and provided motivation to get out more. When skinning uphill, the heel lifters are super easy to engage. I had issues at first by using my pole basket to grab the lifters, and discovered that turning my pole upside down and using the rubberized grip makes going from flat to “heel lifted” super fast and easy. Same goes for putting them back into the down position.
I’ve heard of some users having issues with the new anti-rotation system in the heel piece, mainly because they can only be rotated clockwise. As a new user to Dynafits, I have no problem with remembering this, and a label on the heel reminds us to only rotate the correct way.
Another feature that differentiates the Radical FT from other Dynafits is the carbon binding plate that’s meant to provide underfoot rigidity. It has a switch that “locks” the plate into position, so you can choose to have it on or off. To test it out, I would ski a run on variable hardpack with the switch on, then again with it off, and never really felt any difference. I’m not sure if having the plate is really worth the added weight to the binding, but maybe I’m just not pushing the skis hard enough to make a difference in that respect. In any case, my opinion is that it’s a gimmick and doesn’t add much to the overall value of the binding.
Good Dynafit TLT Radical FT:
Awesome performance and burliness for such a light weight binding, easy to use heel lifters, DIN setting up to 12.
Bad Dynafit TLT Radical FT:
Noisy toe piece when charging chunder and skate skiing, carbon plate with on/off switch seems like a gimmick, heavy for Dynafits (but are still lighter than most anything else.)
Final Word:
I’m absolutely in love with my Dynafits. The total lack of weight while skinning uphill, coupled with the most user friendly heel lifters I’ve ever used, and confidence-inspiring downhill capability make these bindings an obvious choice for backcountry skiers looking for the ultimate in touring and freeride performance.