Dynafit Vertical vs Dynafit Speed....Help??

I have just decided to join the group of AT skiing. After years of climbing and slogging my way back down, I recently had an epiphany. (Why am I WALKING down and not SKIING down!!!)

So - I just bought my skis, boots and bindings. I picked up the Dynafit TLT Vertical ST binding, but the shop called me back to tell me they are out of stock. They have one with the brake, but I don't think I need it or want to spend the extra money. Do any of you have any advice about the relative merits of the Vertical vs. the Speed? I know the Speed is a little lighter, but it has a much lower adjustment range (if I ever decide to change boots) and I have read that it may not be as sturdy.

I will be skinning up quite a few big hills so I want something light. I also want it to be sturdy enough to keep my boot in. I found a TLT Speed on a great deal...so should I just go that route??

Thanks in advance!

I just found a great deal on a pair of Verticals. I switched out the speeds on my trusty pair of Dynafit FR10's so that I could use them with more than one pair of boots. They are pretty similiar to the comforts. Have not used them yet but I don't expect any problems. If you plan on upgrading your boots or have several pair go for the Verticals.

Gregg

The main advantage to the vertical I see is the adjustment range.
The speeds actually are considered more durable then the comfort/ vertical but
they only have 6mm of adjustment. If you are not going to change boot size considerably I prefer the speeds. Lighter and load up with snow less. You can get even get plates to add
cones to them to be just like comforts.
The crampon slot is rather weak compaired to the vertical.

Go with your need for speed; it's like not having a binding at all. Almost invisible. You can change the colour of the little plastic elevator guard if you're obsessed with red. Still has some irritating Dynafit characteristics but fewer than other models in the line.

In my experience the Comforts/Verticals have been more durable than the Classics/Speeds. I've broken Speeds multiple times in the course of a year in ways that I've never broken a Comfort with years of use. I like the ability to adjust, too; it leads to a greater chance to loan a pair of sticks to a friend or use the same mount with a new pair of boots.

I've got Speeds, Comforts, and ST's in my basement right now (plus some race TLT's with no-lateral-release heels). I've not had reliability problems with any of them, but for general touring I'd probably say Comforts with the metal reinforced toe base plate are my first choice. I've seen the climbing post on Verticals break off and take a large chunk of the heel top plate with them - if the Comfort post breaks, the metal top plate is still intact (and your heel pins still in the housing). Longer pins and bigger gap at the heel compared to the Speed are also a positive, IMO.