Here it is, the best gear for this winter—the 2017 Editors’ Choice Awards. Last March, 80 of our most trusted testers rode and ripped around Utah’s Powder Mountain and Crested Butte, Colo., testing more than 300 skis, splitboards, boots and bindings from which we picked these standouts for your quiver.
Want to see in-depth tester feedback on these products? Check out the 2017 Gear Guide, packed with reviews of all the Editors’ Choice winners, plus more than 100 other must-have skis, splitboards, boots and bindings.
Backcountry September 20162017 Gear Guide
More than 100 skis, splitboards, boots and bindings reviewed, rated and recommended.
Marker Kingpin 13
$649 - markerusa.com | BRAKES: 75, 100 ($55), 100, 125 ($65) | DIN: 6-13 | CRAMPONS: 75-120 (3 sizes, $99) | WEIGHT: 3.2 lbs.
[aesop_quote type="pull" background="#282828" text="#ffffff" width="90%" align="left" size="2" quote="Rock-solid, alpine-binding feel once locked down and ready to ski." cite="—Shaggy Bailey" parallax="off" direction="left"]
G3 Ion 12
$549 - genuineguidegear.com | BRAKES: 85, 95, 115, 130 | RV: 5-12 | CRAMPONS: 85-130 (3 sizes, $69) | WEIGHT: 2.6 lbs.
[aesop_quote type="pull" background="#282828" text="#ffffff" width="90%" align="left" size="2" quote="Favorite tech binding on the market to date." cite="—Marla Bailey" parallax="off" direction="left"]
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The M Equipment Meidjo
$679 - the-m-equipment.com | BRAKES: 85, 95, 105, 120, 130 | WEIGHT: 2 lbs. (Large)
[aesop_quote type="pull" background="#282828" text="#ffffff" width="90%" align="left" size="2" quote="Instantly active with a progressive, smooth flex. The Meidjo might bring tele back. " cite="—Kevin McCarthy" parallax="off" direction="left"]
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I am a long time user of the TTS Tele binding and have been very interested in the Meidjo. Release, brakes and step in all would be great. However, I have read about reliability issues with both the original and the upgraded 2.0 that came out last year. I have also read that the step in is problematic because the brakes contact the boot and move it out of alignment with the toe pins before they are engaged. Do you have any experience or info on these Concerns?
Thanks,
Dave Strohm
Hi Dave,
We have heard some concerns over durability surrounding previous iterations of the Meidjo and can tell you that the binding seems to be constantly undergoing updates to address some of these concerns. The pair we tested did not have brakes, so we can’t speak to how they impact stepping in. Even so, testers new to tech toes struggled with the step-in process while those more familiar with tech setups had fewer issues. Personally, I found it easier to get into than the TTS. You can find our full review of the binding in print or for more insight on the Meidjo, check out Craig Dostie’s page, earnyourturns.com.
Do you have any word on whether or not these bindings are being sold in the US? I can’t seem to find anything about that. Thanks
According to their website, there are just two retailers in the U.S
It sounds like Dostie is a big fan. So, Meidjo allows AT touring efficiency with a two-pin tech toe, and the trademark edge control of NTN. And it comes with an operational brake at less than 500g per bonding. I am suspicious…is it too good to be true? What is the downside of making it my in-and-out-of-bounds binding? As it stands it sounds like the only downside is the company going out of business leaving us without parts availability / customer support.
Sounds like Dostie is a big fan. So, Meidjo allows AT touring efficiency with a two-pin tech toe, and the trademark edge control of NTN. And it comes with an operational brake at less than 500g per bonding. I am suspicious…is it too good to be true? What is the downside of making it my in-and-out-of-bounds binding? As it stands it sounds like the only downside is the company going out of business leaving us without parts availability / customer support
Some folks, both here and in other places, have brought up durability issues surrounding past Meidjo versions. Given the abuse inbounds conditions can put on lightweight bindings (this goes for AT bindings, too), this one may not be ideal bump-bashing and groomer charging.
I have been using the 1st gen and 2nd iteration. The first gen broke after my second run, in deep pow…spring box just exploded. Meidjo replaced it and added a small metal plate next to the rear screws. I must admit I didn’t trust the binding, so I waited for the 2nd gen last season. So far, it holds but in end of season slush, I could notice some play around the toe piece, like you will soon release, but not quite yet. I will keep using them because they ski beautifully. Very active from the start, lightweight for touring but I am always a bit skeptical that some plastic parts will break. And, as others noticed, icing can be a real pain. I built small foam inserts that can prevent snow build-up…
I just received a pair of Outlaw, which hopefully will let me ski without thinking too much!
This binding is absolute junk . I have been using it on and mostly off for 3 years now . Never buy this binding . It has left me in remote places where the binding completely failed . It got so bad that every time I ski it the binding breaks . Not a surprise the owner of the company won’t answer my emails .
The Meidjo 2.0 binding does ski very well with a nice smooth and powerful flex and I’m using both springs with 26MP boot. I can tell you my experience with the step in aspects fitted with brakes is not very good. I’ve been skiing Dynafits for 12 years and the TTS for 4 years as an early beta tester and find it much easier than the Meidjo 2.0 with brakes and without.
I broke a Meidjo spring box at the top left side of the release tension wing near the end of last season after very minimal use and it was not because of a crash. As a matter of fact the spring box failure created a crash at around 35 miles and hour (ouch) which ran my bell, luckily I was wearing a helmet. I like how light the binding is but I am questioning the use of plastic and the strength of the design of the spring box around the release tension spring.
I’ve also remedied the the snow build up under the spring box and in the toe area with the application of ptex tape. My feelings are this binding needs some re-design work in the spring box strength, ski brakes and anti ice areas.