Slatnar ST Touring Binding

How do you feel step in is with these? Hard like my Alpinists or soft like my ATK Crest/Haute Route?

How does the release compare to an ATK Freeraider with higher release values? I skied my 13s set at an 11 but had prereleases at 10. I like to charge stuff and don’t want to sacrifice that, I’ve heard that the Slatnars ski but just curious on any release testing if you guys have done any.

Is the toe and heel piece will be sold separately soon? Cause most of time I always blow up my heel but the Dynafit toe still going strong. Also is the toe piece compatible with Dynafit crampon?

I’m curious to know how difficult it is to twist the heel piece. Easy like an atk? Stiff like a plum? Or whereabouts in between?
Thank you.

This is not a full review-but I wanted to get info out for folks sooner rather than later. This is a first look off of a couple tours so I won't comment on durability other than perception of build quality.

So far this is the binding I've always wanted. True forward pressure when the ski is loaded-more connection to ski, stomp pad-more instantaneous direct input/transmission to edges because no twisting of pins, wider mount pattern, all metal and high build quality, reasonably light. Mounting myself, the stomp pad is a bit of a nuisance/extra steps, but that's the limit of the cost to improved performance. The heel flaps have a super smooth and locked in feel, don't feel like they will develop slop like salmon MTN's and the magnets seem stronger than ATKs. The ramp is high, but on par with ATK bindings, I thought I would hate it but I adjusted easily. The toe isn't as aesthetically machined as nicely as ATKs, but it seems more utilitarian and burly and the indent in the toe is thoughtful for releasing with a pole. I was also concerned about the release value as I normally ski release 12 bindings but the highest value on the binding has been sufficient (I'm 6'1 200 lbs). The overall feel and look is very high quality and batmobile esque.

Theoretically, by having true forward pressure (binding is mounted kiss gap and when loaded the rear heel piece does provide forward pressure) in combination with the stomp pad, the binding is going to have the most direct transmission of power to the edge of any lightweight tech binding. I don't think this is super important for narrow skis, but the more wide the ski the more difference you will notice. I normally ski marker alpinists which do have the dampest feel of the lightweights due to the lack of metal, and due to kiss gap mount also provide more transmission power, but this binding provides more, more than ATK raiders because of the actual forward pressure-raiders are mounted with a gap so on wide skis some pressure is going into twisting the pins before being transfered into the stomp pad. Again like my comment about narrow skis, I don't suspect lightweight less aggressive skiers on not wide skis will really notice, but the more aggressive you are and the wider more powerful skis you use, it matters more. Theories aside, the directness of transmission power to the edge of the ski with this binding is superior to any other binding I've used.

Based off thickness of metal, I also suspect it to be more durable than most other offerings. ATK tends to machine their bindings super thin, and I've seen shearing breakages.

I will follow up mid or late season or if I have any issues arise before then.

Given the wider mounting pattern, do you think these would go well with a 120mm+ ski for a powder setup?

Also, are you guys able to mount these bindings in the shop? I assume you have a jig or a paper template?

Thanks!

Interesting looking binding. Ramp angle? Happen to share any mounting patterns with atk? I'm used to skiing on a alpinist 12, do you think the 9-10 RV is too low?