Ski Trab TR1 Binding
The Ski Trab TR1 is the epitome of innovation coming from Ski Trab, and that is saying quite a lot for the company with a one-of-a-kind 14-layer ski construction and an utterly unique titanium-based elastic toepiece. Yet here we are, describing another paradigm-shifting product from our ingenious friends in Bormio, Italy. The prodigal son of the TR2, the TR1 (not the TR3, that would be a preposterous name) is designed to offer the same feature set while being compatible with a much wider selection of boots. No longer do you need a specific La Sportiva boot with specific heel inserts to enjoy Ski Trab's most technologically advanced binding to date.
Unlike many bindings in the touring world, the TR1 features a lateral toe release similar to an alpine binding, helping mitigate injuries to the tibia. The toepiece is built with lateral elasticity - whereby the toe wings move synchronously for better retention – as well as an incremental clamping force that allows you to tour with the toe lever unlocked, which provides greater safety when traveling through avalanche terrain. If you find yourself skiing in a "no fall zone," the toe can still be locked out for sections where losing a ski would be catastrophic.
While the toepiece is indisputably brilliant, the heel shines just as much. Whereas the TR2 used a pair of teeth that gripped special inserts on the boot, the TR1 has opted for a full steel shelf that presses the heel lug of the boot down against the binding, exactly like an alpine binding heel. Fore/aft elastic travel on the heel track keeps the release consistent and provides force feedback to your boot as the ski flexes through a turn. Because the boot is fully clamped down against the low-profile brake, the TR1 efficiently and instantaneously transfers energy from the boot to your edges, helping you power the ski through rough terrain. Finally, the two riser levels are easy to engage and the heel can be disengaged from the boot allowing you to switch back to touring mode without exiting the toepiece. If you want a binding that is built as hard as you ski, then you’ve met your match in the Ski Trab TR1.
- Vertical release at the heel and lateral release at the toe are adjustable between 6-13, and release the same way as an alpine binding.
- Primary materials are aerospace-grade Ergal aluminum and steel with minimal plastic for extreme durability.
- Incremental clamping force in the toe wings allows secure touring with the toe unlocked for avalanche safety.
- Lateral elasticity in the toe and fore/aft in the heel makes the release characteristics more predictable and provides more feedback from the ski.
- Low-profile design keeps your boot closer to the ski for better control and responsiveness.
- 21mm of BSL adjustment lets you share this Italian marvel with your friends, or not!
Specifications | |
Weight |
692g [102mm] |
Weight (pair) | 1384g [102mm] |
Boot |
ISO 9523 & 23223 boots, ask for others |
Brakes |
88, 102, 112, 120 |
BSL |
21mm |
Riser |
2 |
Vertical |
6-13 |
Lateral |
6-13 |
Crampon |
Included Option |
Specs Verified | Yes |
Design | |
|
Ergal, hardened steel |
Skimo Co Says | |
Usage | Touring, free touring, resort crossover |
Notes | Lateral release at the toe |
Bottom Line | High-performance binding with a focus on safety |
Compare to other Full-featured Bindings |
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Questions & Reviews
Thanks.
The TR1 has adjustment built in at the heel to accommodate different boot sole lengths. There is no adjustable mounting plate to put under the toe piece so moving the mount point for a given boot will require re-mounting.
I tried to research more information about this binding but there is not much available. Therefore, I was wondering, since Skitrab is providing this binding with larger brakes in 112 and 120 mm is there a suitable binding to ski weight ratio for this binding? I mean, ATK usually recommends for the Raider 13 EVO a ski weight of max 1800 grams and for the Freeraider 15 EVO up to 2000 grams.
If I place the TR1 binding on a heavier ski like the Salomon QST 106 or Salomon Blank (both of them in the longest lengths) do you think it will be too much for this binding?
Also I have asked Skitrab about the boot compatibility with this binding and if the binding is suitable with a burlier hybrid touring boot such as the Scarpa Quatro Pro or other with a mix of Gripwalk and Touring sole and they said yes.
I just purchased this binding but I am still undecided if to used it or not on a heavier ski or not.
I looked through the Ski Trab catalog, and they do not list a maximum weight for skis to pair with this binding. One of my coworkers put his pair of TR1s on a 2000+ gram, 108mm resort ski and has been loving the combination. It has a strong alpine-style clamp at the heel and is built very tough, so I feel confident that this binding can handle any ski you'd like to throw at it.
I think I saw a ramp angle or 2.6 degrees but just wondering what that translates to in mm.
Thanks
The TR 1 does not have it. We tested it, in a completely straight forward fall, it does not come out. You need at least some twisting to the fall.
I have skied these and they are pretty amazing. The toe wings move laterally with the boot for the lateral elasticity, remaining in contact with the pin holes. On the Fritschi the wings fall to the side. So the pins are not in contact with the boot and in some instances, not release properly.
Also, no real information on setting correct forward pressure in the supplied literature? I can eyeball it, but any tips?
There is a cocking mechanism, it isn't exactly easy to do or describe here. You depress the plastic heel lever, then push back the metal heel clamp. Tilting it a bit, that will hold it open.
For the forward pressure. See the metal ring around the BSL adjustment screw, when the boot is in, it should be flush with the plastic housing.
First off, how is the the vertical elasticity / retention at the heel? I tend to pre-release at the heel when I ski hard, especially in heavy snow, so I am wondering if this heel-piece would suffice. I weigh 155 lbs and have found toe dins of ~8 and heel dins of 9-10 work well for me in alpine and frame bindings. I wouldn't want to crank the dins much higher than that for fear of injury, but I do tend to ski in terrain where prereleases are not ideal.
Second, are these durable enough for frequent resort use; and if so, would the steel heel clamps wear out my boots quickly?
Thanks in advance.
Either this or the Shift would be better for touring than frames. Safety-wise, if you want to replicate the release characteristics of an alpine binding, go with the Shift. It is DIN certified and releases like an alpine binding on the downhill. The TR1 also releases laterally at the toe, but it is a different mechanism that is unique to this binding.
Vertical elasticity and retention at the heel should be good in this binding. I don't have exact elasticity numbers, but it should have very strong vertical retention based on our testing. I do not think you will be pre-releasing in this binding, even skiing quite hard.
Durability-wise, I would say yes, they are durable enough for regular resort use, although in general of course touring gear is not as durable as a beefy resort binding. But these are among the most stout, well-built touring bindings out there. I would put their durability at least on par with the Shift, if not better.
Whether the steel clamp will wear out your boot is something that we can't say since they are so new. There is nothing to indicate that it would. But there is no long-term data on this.
Yes, like the other Trab bindings you do need to depress the lever to open the toepiece to step in. So from a user standpoint, it is similar in that way!
Thanks in advance :)
It does elevate the heel slightly in the flat mode. However, it is not as extreme as some other bindings that lack a true flat mode. With a boot that has a decent range of motion, it should not be a problem. But you are correct that it is not completely flat.
Could 120 mm brakes on trab TR1’s flex to
Accommodate a 132 mm waist ski?
You could possibly, but 6mm a side is a lot. You could completely un-bend the brake, then put in a new bend at the edge of the ski; the Trab brakes are pretty burly, but I'm not sure how they'd hold up to that. Sort of an at-your-own-risk deal.
Heel piece with the 120 mm Brahe installed?
I imagine the brake must project out a little ways past the binding baseplate with the 120 mm brake.
As a light weight individual, my recommended DIN is right on the line of 6/6.5. That's all the way bottomed out for this binding - would you recommend that it's still acceptable for me to use it, or should I probably skip over in favor of something that has my DIN more "in the pocket"?
The TR1 gets more shredability points than the Freeraider 15 Evo! The construction is beefier overall, and the alpine heel will increase power transfer and durability for hard landings and aggressive skiing, especially in choppy resort snow. The Freeraider is a very burly tech binding, but it is still a tech binding, whereas the TR1 is more of a hybrid alpine-style binding.
With all that Ski Trab has previously figured out, this binding is tempting as a replacement or even improvement on the Alpine binding. You name "resort crossover". What do your tests show?
On your page https://skimo.co/tech-binding-release-testing, you highlight the likelihood of an ACL tear with an Alpine bind or the likelihood of a tibia fracture with an alpine tech binding. Pick your poison. How does this binding fit into that context?
Considering the "Two dimensional binding release envelope graph", will the graph show a more or less flat line with this binding?
Does this binding do everything very well? Would it be crazy to rid myself of the need to have a pair of resort boots, binders, and skis, install quiver killers and cycle these bindings as needed?
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