Shane, Besides wanting to try something new was there any other reason to switch? I, too have been on RS1/strada bindings for 3 seasons and really like them. I have an arthritic rear ankle and have thought about true hardshells from time to time, hoping to perhaps transfer some of the forces away from the ankle. I never got around to trying hardshells cause the $ and the RS1/Stradas are just so comfortable. Any insight would be appreciated.

HO, For me, that is a big reason. I'm at the point where I think I'd like something that makes me need to ski more technically. Scott on the other hand, is already a very technical skier capable of deep 39 and into 41 on occasion.  Plus, he broke his ankle on that one set back on his hard shells. For him, that was a big inducement to stay in his Stradas after he healed. I may go back to the Stradas, but now is the time to experiment. 

Frank, I paid $325 and they only had 3 sets on them.  That made it an easy decision to try them out because I knew if I didn't like them, I could get my money back out of them.

I was also thinking about trying a hard shell after being on the RS1's for three seasons.  I think I will stay with them unless the reviews are good for the new elite bindings this spring, which I think are a great design and concept. They will be slightly closer to a hardshell with a release mech.

From what I've seen, Fogman's are like crack to a junkie. Once you're on them, you can't change.  They seem to have forward cant built into them that only the Approaches have.

There was a post to that effect over on Ballofspray. Horton's response was allong the lines of, "Say whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?" Because Fogman's are existing tech, I'm not sure how much the news/not news piques my interest.

I agree 100%.  I guess I'm a mid-level skier (28' off is PB), bought a barely used pair of the red Fogman's two years ago.  It felt like I completely forgot how to ski on those bindings.  Tried them for a weekend, gave up, and later sold them for what they cost me.  I quickly went back to my  ol' Wiley's and completely lost the bug to try hardshells.  I probably wasn't good enough for em', as it felt like whatever little microadjustments I subconsciously do when skiing, could no longer be done, and I was fighting the hardshells to ski.  I still like the release benefit, and comfort of hardshells (firm fit without hurting circulation).

Yep, that's about where I am now Wade.  Probably about the same point you were. I skied on the hard shells a week, went back to my Stradas for a week and then back on the hard shells this week. Good grief! One week on the Strada's and I had to relearn how to ski on the hard shells! lol There is not one doubt that they are going to force me to learn to be more balanced.

Couldn´t agree more, I´ve also gone the rubber to hardshells going back to rubber route. The only hardshells I´ve tried that felt more forgiving feelwise was the exo´s. However I think that the retaining (not release) system is flawed. The alu rail that the boots attaches to tends to bend more than designed to and stay that way when used. This puts an upward pressure on the release mechanism causing it to pre release. Too bad as these boots felt like the best of both worlds with the best comfort ever and more forgiving than trad. hardshells. By the way I took the dreaded ski skip/ tip catching otf on my offside and the release worked perfectly.

Shark wrote:

Have anyone of you guys tried our bindings?? Kids & novices right up to world records, not a problem. Crash all you want. The Quattros will release easier than rubber.


Fluid Motion Boots

Great Looking set ups Paul! -when our economy turns around, I promise I will give you a shout...

Comfort is the thing for me, have Goode and ski in cold water a lot...nice. And i think that rubber bindings not release as they should in cold water.