New 22-Designs NTN Binding

My Bro-in-law has been working on this very idea.



He calls it the Dy1.  Fusing the O1 and the dynafit toe.  However, BD holds a patent on their touring mechanism which he thinks gets int he way of commercially marketing his design.  Lame!

He uses F1 boots and has created a cleat… similar to a mtn bike shoe cleat that clips into the touring mechanism when he's ready to go into ski mode.  Very simple, elegant, and it works.  He skis great and the binding is solid… however, he tore through the sole of his F1 boots because he worked on them a little too much and they were a bit thin by the time he screwed the cleat piece in.

Cool eh?  Tele needs this kind of innovation! 

I'm not buying into NTN until they figure out how to make the boots light, perform well and modestly priced. Current boot design is really holding telemark back right now.

My Scarpa NTN boots are more versatile, cheaper, and lighter than their 75mm equivalent. What are you talking about?? ???

My Scarpa NTN boots are more versatile, cheaper, and lighter than their 75mm equivalent.  What are you talking about??   ???

Yeah, but compare the lightest NTN boot from Scarpa to the lightest AT boot from Scarpa. 7lbs a pair vs 3lbs a pair.

I have the NTN freedom and the Scarpa TX pro.  I also have BD's Push and Custom boots.  For those I use the O1 binding and the Axle. 

I agree that boots are a big part of the lack of innovation for tele.  For what I like, I personally wouldn't advise anyone to go NTN right now over what is offered in 75mm.  The small advantages of no duckbill and a slightly lighter boot haven't made me decide to take the Freedom and Tx Pros into the backcountry.  I prefer, for backcountry use, my Push boots and my O1 bindings.  I prefer for the resort my Custom boots and the O1. 

The technology is out there to make a really light and powerful tele boot.  No one wants to invest and they are killing their own market.

This might be the year I buy my first AT set up for multi day traverses in the North Cascades.

I would use my NTN set up more if the TX pro were stiffer.  It's too soft for me.  I haven't tried the TX Comp, but it didn't have the tech fittings so I didn't buy it.  Now I'm just waiting to see what is developed next before I buy again

Yeah, but compare the lightest NTN boot from Scarpa to the lightest AT boot from Scarpa. 7lbs a pair vs 3lbs a pair.

Apples and oranges.  I am referring to TELEMARK boots.  You can't telemark turn in an Alien and they're certainly not affordable either. 

If you want stupid light AND stupid cheap I give you the Scarpa Flippie but they don't ski very well. 

I have the NTN freedom and the Scarpa TX pro.  I also have BD's Push and Custom boots.  For those I use the O1 binding and the Axle. 

I agree that boots are a big part of the lack of innovation for tele.  For what I like, I personally wouldn't advise anyone to go NTN right now over what is offered in 75mm.  The small advantages of no duckbill and a slightly lighter boot haven't made me decide to take the Freedom and Tx Pros into the backcountry.  I prefer, for backcountry use, my Push boots and my O1 bindings.  I prefer for the resort my Custom boots and the O1. 

The technology is out there to make a really light and powerful tele boot.  No one wants to invest and they are killing their own market.

This might be the year I buy my first AT set up for multi day traverses in the North Cascades.

I would use my NTN set up more if the TX pro were stiffer.  It's too soft for me.  I haven't tried the TX Comp, but it didn't have the tech fittings so I didn't buy it.  Now I'm just waiting to see what is developed next before I buy again

I wonder if there really is a market for an Alien-esque tele boot.  Rando racing is a big deal in Europe and probably growing in NA (?) while tele is fringe everywhere.  If the market for a $700 tele boot is tiny, the market for a $1700 tele boot must be microscopic.  Pure speculation but I'm guessing the economics for that investment wouldn't add up. 

Aside from the stiffness and a pound or so of weight, what features are missing from the NTN combo vs. your 75mm combo?  Realizing that "feel" is totally subjective, the objective advantages of the NTN setup you're using seem pretty strong.  You're saving ~500g on boots and ~180-250g on bindings (per manufacturer's specs), have 99% step in, semi-release, brakes, and a much more mountain-travel-friendly boot toe.  The O1 may have a totally free pivot whereas the Freedom is not quite 100% free but certainly free enough.   

I also really wish the TX-comp had tech fittings.  Scarpa's really blowing it here IMO. 

Right on!  A prototype of tech-toe + carbon plate has been sitting on my workbench to be completed  Web has seen a part of it.  Good to hear somebody has a similar idea, though it is rather obvious anyway.  I'd better move on to on-snow tests.  I'll post a pic when it is ready for photo, at least.

My cave brain never thought of it!  Thanks for keeping hope alive for us less mechanically imaginative and/or with tired knees.

Yeah, but compare the lightest NTN boot from Scarpa to the lightest AT boot from Scarpa. 7lbs a pair vs 3lbs a pair.

No wonder I am always so wiped!