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Everybody is talking about it: the S / Lab Shift touring binding from Salomon. But what is the deal about this binding? Our athlete Bernd Hassmann from the Flow Valley Crew tested the Salomon S / Lab on the Stubai Glacier in Austria. And was surprised.
Testing the Salomon Shift
Once again a touring binding … How can it be better than the many other touring bindings in the world? But wait. The Salomon S / Lab Shift stands out immediately. Something is different about this touring binding. A heel device is now also found in the competition. And now comes the big “but”: a full-fledged alpine front jaw that is compatible with both touring ski boots and the alpin standard (this adjustment is made via an adjustable toe pad on the toe) AND holding Tech Pins up for the ascent- that’s it not been mounted on the boards of this world. Reason enough to take a close look at the first generation of the Shift.
Matching the Salomon Shift series
First, let’s face the facts. With 865g per binding, the Salomon S / Lab is a bit heavier than other uphill touring bindings. But the Salomon S / Lab Shift offers so much more. Freeride lines, powder surfing, off-piste every now and then are possible and yet the Salomon S / Lab offers the ascent comfort of a pin binding. In view of this area of the application so an incredible lightweight and currently unrivaled. A TÜV certification is also on top. I want to know more!
Let’s hit the slopes
Crime Scene: Stubai Glacier. Snow: semi-good, with a tendency to crunchy icy, snow. In any case, a binding should work without restriction, so that the tester does not accidentally bite into the hard surface due to false triggering with ski loss. I am starting my journey with the Salomon QST 106 skiers. Worries about whether the Z-value for the hard runway is sufficient, fly away, after the first turns, in which the shift gives full alpine binding stability and does not give rise to any thoughts of a touring binding. Increase, edge up and mill speed make skis more than 100mm wide in the middle … the ski binding combination works!
Get in the Touring-Mode
Two departures later, my ego finally forces me to leave the lifts behind me. So get out of bond, put on skins and fold out pins. With light pressure, the blue knob is put on “Walk” and finished is the toe. Now lock the ski brake from “Ski” to “Walk“, fold it over and either lift the ski brake manually or push it hard with the heel of the ski boot after entering the front shoe. The effect is the same, namely that the ski stopper securely locks in place and is fixed for the ascent. To the entry in front, the blue lever on the front end of the binding is pressed down with the ski pole, the ski boot with the inserts pushed all the way to the front (depending on the ski boot, it may be necessary to thread laterally due to the shoe width) and the lever let go again. This is not a real step-in mode, but it works fine after a short practice. Before going uphill, as with other tech bindings, it is also necessary to lock the pins, which is done by folding up (into the second notch!) Of the lever in front of the ski boot.
Ascent
With a range of motion of 90 degrees, the Shift is inferior to other pin bindings and offers uphill everything that freeriders but also tour skiers want. The one-step climbing aid can be easily opened with the handle of the stick and offers enough comfort even for an optimistic track layout. If you miss the second stage, you’re probably going too steep anyway. As you move up, the binding behaves inconspicuously, which is definitely a good sign.
Get in the descent mode
Climbing off the summit is really easy via renewed stick pressure on the front blue lever. To fold the knob on the toe in the “ski” mode requires – especially with gloves – but a little more attention, because the space in front of the toe pedal is rather tight. At the buttocks, this was solved much better – here the locking of the ski brake is released easily.
Departure Ready! Get in as in an alpine bond and indulge in the fluffy fresh snow. Or, as in my case, rather defy the compact disk Powder – which the Shift does not itch at all.
Overview Salomon Shift
résumé
With the S / Lab Shift Salomon closes the gap between touring binding and alpine binding. The sophisticated design, which is now ready for series production after more than 7 years, convinces with a low weight for a freeride touring binding, stability and a very wide range of applications. The endurance test over the winter will now show how the system works in different conditions. #holyshift!
How to improve your ski touring skills?
→ HOW TO: Cut ski climbing skins
→ Ski touring Guide: Find the best equipment for your next ski tour