Ski Trab Gara Titan Binding

Hi - I wound up re-mounting these on a pair of locator 104's bc i swapped boots this year, the heel gap is closer to 4.5mm, on a scale of 'no issue' to 'constant release' where does this land? should i be thinking about remounting these with a tighter heel gap?

Hello Skimo Co,

Has any one used the Gara bindings on Vario.2 adjustment plates to reach some kind of compromise between features and weight? With that combo, one'd have the fore-aft elasticity with a smidgeon (1-2mm?) of lateral elasticity. You could even throw on the clunky brakes, if you fancy.

If so, what was the feedback? Thanks!

This is the only binding in my quiver at the moment. I own 4 pairs on skis from 112 underfoot to my race skis. I have never had any issue with them as far as pre-releasing. I have come to replay appreciate the manual nature of these binders. The manual opening is reassuring when on steep slopes as when the ski is on your boot, you know it is. There is no faffing with the springs on the toe, since... well... there aren't any.

There's not really anymore to say; the Titan is simple, strong and lightweight. What else could you want from a binding?

I came to know about this binding mainly from the reviews on this page and it suited my requirements for gear for my project go fast and light on skis, where I could, from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide last winter.

I am a big fan of this binding. I have about 100 days on it, on snow ranging from perfect powder or full depth hoar to various crusts, hard steeps, corn, and deep slush.

I am 6', 166lbs, usually carried a 15-30lb pack. I bought this binding new with the 4.0mm spring, directly from SkiTrab, with a discount.

The performance of this tiny binding impresses me. For reference, I spent a season, about 30 days on an ATK Freeraider 14, dialed down to setting of 8, on some DPS C2s in 184cm length. It was a lot of fun, but there were a few times when I was bouncing over some wind chop and zastrugis, and a binding would prerelease. I thought that binding was one of the better freeride touring bindings. Since switching to the SkiTrab bindings, I have bounced over plenty of rough and rougher spots, and have yet to have a binding erroneously release. In my limited experience the SkiTrab bindings have the best retention of all the pin bindings. The weight to performance ratio of this binding seams unmatched.

I rarely would lock the toe when skinning. I never felt the need to lock the toe for the descent and thus never have.

I have never had icing issues with this binding, on ski traverses up to 10 days in length.

On the simple rear piece, I never had the heel flap come up by itself. I used the unofficial flat setting alot and wore down the aluminum where it rubbed on the boot.

This and the Vario.2 are the only bindings I take into the backcountry, and the only pin bindings I trust. This may not be the most aesthetic binding, but it's performance at this weight seems to be years ahead of other manufacturers.

The simplicity of these bindings leaves a strong impression, and makes everything else on the market seem bulky and overly complicated. I got the 4.5mm bar, and so far have not had any accidental releases, and thankfully haven't had any spills of significance where I wanted to release, but thus cannot review the release (I'm 5'11" and about 150lb).
Sometimes a little snow/ice has built up and made it hard to transition, but less so than most other bindings I've used. Overall, transitions have been smooth and fast. I'm usually racing up with heel risers engaged, and so simply having to flick back the heel riser and stomp down to get into descent mode without ever having to rotate the tower is pretty sweet.

Hi, what are the release values for the three spring thicknesses (5.0, 4.5 and 4.0)?

I have these bindings and I'm confused. I will pull up on the toe levers so they click twice, but this doesn't lock the binding. I've had them locked before and fallen while skinning in powder and my skies have popped off. How do you lock these bindings?

Hi. I have several sets of the older gara titan release in R12. Love that binding.
Is this pretty much the same binding? Does the heel snap back to senter in the same way as the gara titan? Does the release have the same predictibility?
Looking for some light weight bindings for a skitrab maestro and bd helio 88. Can not live without the trab toe, but does not think that I ned all the bulk on the heavyer versions..

Any word on 4.0mm springs being restocked this season? It looks like they are what test out to around an 8 ish RV

Are there any plans to offer these toes individually like you do with the heel pieces? Daydreaming about a tele weight weenie setup, so no need for the heelpiece.

I have Titan Vario.2 bindings in RV 7-9 and that release value feels about right for me (I understand it tests out around a 9). I see that they are specced with a 4.5mm steel spring. Is the 4.5mm spring on the Gara Titans the same as the spring on the Vario.2 I have? I read on this page that the 4.5 is around a 10RV and that seems a big high for me. I also have an older pair of Gara Titans and the spring just says R10 on it but it looks exactly like the 4.5mm spring on my Vario.2, and I understand race style bindings often overstate their release values somewhat so I take the "R10" marking with a grain of salt.

I have a BD Helio 145 heel adjustment plate. Would I be able to use the same adjustment plate to mount these up?

I have now taken these bindings on all of my spring skiing objectives and have mostly loved them. Huge shout out to the staff at Skimo for steering me to these and opening up my eyes to the amazingness of the Trab toe.

For the most part, these bindings have just worked and I have had almost no issues. The biggest positive I would point out would be how much better the toe is to get on than the normal tech toes in sketchy transition spots. I have been lifting the ski up and using my hand to put the toe on and have on numerous occasions been able to transition much faster than friends on steep terrain. The heel riser has been more than adequate paired up with the F1 LT boot.

The only negative I'd mention is sometimes in compressions skinning the back of my boot rubs against the binding in flat mode. Not sure if this is a not properly adjusted binding, or the binding itself, but something to look out for nonetheless.

These bindings are amazing. I've used them on all my skis and I absolutely love them. The toes are what everyone is talking about (they are exactly as good as stated above), but the heel piece is also pretty darn good. I think these are honestly a good set of bindings for anyone who doesn't need brakes on their bindings. The only minor complaint is that the toe lever is a little finicky to get right, but after some practice I was able to open and close the toe with only one pole.

Hi, I come out at a release value of 8 on the binding finder, and I usually ski my adjustable AT bindings at around that value. From the comments here it sounds like the 4mm steel spring version of this binding would be closest to that release value. Is that correct?

Hi,

Does anyone know what the 'ramp height' is? (The relative height of the heal pins Vs toe pin)

I prefer this to be flat and wonder if I'll need to shim the toe to achieve this.

Thanks
Rob

The one. I've used this on skis up to 116mm inbounds airing off of bumps and hitting 50 mph. I use it on all my skis actually. I have never prereleased and I have always released in crashed where I have needed to. I typically use the 4.5 steel version. I've been using them for a few years and probably have 6 sets or so and I tour 100+ days a year averaging about 60k of vert per month. These just work perfectly and I forget about my bindings which is what I want. The main difference is the default "closed" position. Others have mentioned this so I won't go further other than to say that it provides some elasticity and excellent retention. A side benefit is that in a steep icy couloir or anywhere "where it counts" is that you can depress the lever with your thumb and put it on your binding precisely rather than trying to step in on a traditional binding and potentially having it clamp and miss the pin receivers and keep faffing with it. This provides additional security in those types of situations. It's light, functional and I have zero problems with it. Highest marks, zero complaints. I will not purchase any other binding at this point. If you are skilled you can easily use your pole and pole strap to step in and even lock the toe without bending over, and the nice indent in the tow lever makes it easy to depress with a pole for exiting as well.

Ski Trab came with really brilliant idea when they made those bindings. It takes a bit of practice to get used to it but after some time they are really easy to operate and trasitions are smooth and fast. Do not pre-release, very reliable and light binding. Definitely one of the best bindings for racing.

Super impressed and happy with the titanium version. Incredibly light and easy to use. Combined with Atomic Backland 107's and Pomoca Free Pro 2.0 skins, it's a killer combo allowing for fast/efficient uphill, fast transitions, and secure downhill fun in the pow. 5 stars all around. Thanks to Skimo team for fast install. Very happy!

What is the difference between the normal and wc version? (besides the steel vs Ti u spring).