Alpine Binding Touring adaptors

Compared to trekkers the MDF keeps the boots much closer to the snow, so traversing steep slopes is more managable. Switching modes is less fiddly as well. But it is sure is heavy and expensive and it remains to be seen how well it holds up in wider use.

Years ago I rented some Alpine Trekkers and hated them, convinced me to buy my first dedicated touring bindings. Seems to me this design would work much better except why not just buy some Marker Dukes if you want a bomber alpine binding that works well for touring.

in light of the Marker Dukes, seems like this adapter is already outdated but otherwise looks like a good design far superior to the Trekkers.

These aren't really direct competitors to the trekkers, they're more direct competitors to the dukes.

Basically, it's a lightweight low stack height plate system that mounts to the ski.  It comes in 3 different hole patterns for normal alpine bindings.  It's cheaper than the dukes for someone already with a compatible downhill setup, and likely skis better (based on TGR/web reports).

The trekkers have always had reliability problems, and the dukes stack height bothers some people.  Also, the general consensus is that marker does not make the best alpine binding (Look seems to be the favorite now).

I've been considering this as a replacement for my dukes, since they tend to break on me.  If you're all about dynafit (which TAY dominantly is) then this really isn't aimed at you...   My dukes weigh in at about 6 lbs, while a s14 or pivot14 and MFD would weigh in around 7lb.  Going with a s16th or pivot18 adds about 1 more pound.  Heavy yes, I expect the next post to be "my whole setup weighs less than that"  

i completely understand why folks would want a burly setup....i've bounced out of my dynafits a couple times when the skis rebound from jumping, so it makes sense that folks wouldn't want to use them for certain kinds of skiing.... Lou Dawson did some interesting bench testing a while ago showing how much slop there was in various types of bindings, everything from alpine bindings, to Fritschis, to dynafits...I'd just be curious how much slop is introduced when the binding is held to the ski by that frame.

So, no reports of those frames snapping or the heel lock breaking from the early adopters on TGR?

none yet, all reviews have been positive. But I'm definitely not buying them until the spring at the earliest... let other users figure out if they work or not.

IMHO, the real benefit of the marker is that the locking plate to plate design really transfers torsional loads well. The naxos, fritschis, and somewhat dynafit all transfer those loads through the pivot. That led to premature wear on the pivots even when they were designed "beefy". I'm a little concerned that the mfd will suffer the same design flaw, but time will tell...

Placing the touring plate between the alpine binding and the ski means the entire binding (including toe piece) is behind the hinge point while touring. This results in a less ergonomic stride, since the boot is not only pivoting near the toe but also lifting a significant distance off the ski with each stride. But for skiers who are mainly interested in downhill performance, this may not matter much.