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2008 Black Diamond Fritschi Diamir Freeride Plus | Last Updated: 09/19/08
Gear Reviews>>Bindings>>Alpine Touring>>Black Diamond Fritschi Diamir Freeride PlusPRODUCT SUMMARY
By powderjunky
THE GOOD
This is touring binding is a good ratio of touring to downhill performance. It requires no special boots. Regular alpine or AT boots will do. You don't have to take off the binding to switch between touring and ski mode. It is releasable and can have a max din of 12. It is very easy to put back on even after you lose a ski and are trying to put it back on your foot while stopped on a steep powdery slope. The touring is very smooth. It is probably the best all-around touring binding out there.
THE BAD
This is not for someone who likes to rando-race or is concerned about weight. Also the locking mechanism has been known to unlock during skiing from time to time. A simple snap or something would be able to fix that. Also there is a lot of side to side movement from the boot in the binding (watch the video). The binding also sits very high off the ski.
Another issue for longer tours requiring multiple days is how many spare parts you need to bring with you in case the binding breaks. I had one break on me and was able to make it "workable" with a crap ton of duct tape.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
This binding has a great reputation and is a good starting point for most backcountry skiers. I have skied these in the resort and the backcountry and have never felt like I was sacrificing a ton of performance. The touring mode on the Freerides is much better than its Naxo counterpart.
By powderjunky
THE GOOD
This is touring binding is a good ratio of touring to downhill performance. It requires no special boots. Regular alpine or AT boots will do. You don't have to take off the binding to switch between touring and ski mode. It is releasable and can have a max din of 12. It is very easy to put back on even after you lose a ski and are trying to put it back on your foot while stopped on a steep powdery slope. The touring is very smooth. It is probably the best all-around touring binding out there.
THE BAD
This is not for someone who likes to rando-race or is concerned about weight. Also the locking mechanism has been known to unlock during skiing from time to time. A simple snap or something would be able to fix that. Also there is a lot of side to side movement from the boot in the binding (watch the video). The binding also sits very high off the ski.
Another issue for longer tours requiring multiple days is how many spare parts you need to bring with you in case the binding breaks. I had one break on me and was able to make it "workable" with a crap ton of duct tape.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
This binding has a great reputation and is a good starting point for most backcountry skiers. I have skied these in the resort and the backcountry and have never felt like I was sacrificing a ton of performance. The touring mode on the Freerides is much better than its Naxo counterpart.
OUR ADVICE
AVG USER ADVICE
Solid
AVG USER ADVICE
Best in Test
| MITTEN TEST | 5/5 |
|---|---|
| DURABILITY | 4/5, One broke on me after 3 years of hard use. |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | 5/5, Black Diamond is great. They replace the binding ASAP |
| TOURING | 4/5, Motion is smooth, binding is a bit heavy |
| SKIING | 4/5, Everything skis great in powder. However in the mank of all manks, I definitely notice a lot of chatter and some control lost due to the side to side movement shown in the video. |
Gear Reviews>>Bindings>>Alpine Touring>>Black Diamond Fritschi Diamir Freeride Plus
WHERE TO BUY
| Wilson Backcountry Sports | $425.00 |
|---|---|
| REI | $439.95 |
| Backcountry.com | $424.95 |
| Evo Gear | $419.90 |
PRODUCT SPECS
| AVG PRICE | $425.00 |
|---|---|
| MATERIAL | Composite & aluminum |
| DIN MAX | 12 |
| BOOT COMPATIBILITY | AT, alpine |
| BRAKES INCLUDED | Yes |
| BRAKE WIDTH | 95cm |
| HEEL ELEVATORS | Yes, 4 position |
| WEIGHT | 4lb 8oz (2050g) |
| WARRANTY | 1 Year |
WHERE TO BUY
| Wilson Backcountry Sports | $425.00 |
|---|---|
| REI | $439.95 |
| Backcountry.com | $424.95 |
| Evo Gear | $419.90 |
SIMILAR PRODUCTS
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TLT VERTI CAL FT | Solid | $569.99 |
|---|
That's Our Opinion. What's Yours?
Ringo wrote on 09/19/08 at 11:47:53 am pst:
Great binding! No complaints here. It is a little pricey, but they all are!
Their Advice
Best in Test
Team Billy wrote on 09/09/09 at 12:56:48 am pst:
Using the RateSkiGear rating system, these binders scored a 92 out of 100 possible points.
Such a solid product and system. Simply a no-brainer. Thanks to its versitility, this binder can do everything excepts multiple Colorado bump runs, (you know, knees together, pounding into troughs, falling off the downhill side of chopped-off moguls, skiing like a 17 year old on Meth).
Very durable for hardcore users who have nothing to prove but the turns themselves and as a work binder for Patrollers, Lift Mechanics.......
Their Advice