Just a few years ago, hybrid (Shift) touring bindings were introduced as a “game-changer” to the ski industry. As more and more skiers have begun to explore new ways to find untracked snow, a wider range of skis, boots, and bindings has been offered to meet the increased enthusiast demand.

Hybrid (Shift) bindings combine the downhill performance capabilities of an alpine binding with the natural touring characteristics of a tech fitted toe. They pair best with skis that match the binding’s performance capabilities and facilitate a quiver-of-one setup for skiers who dabble in the backcountry. 

Choosing between alpine touring bindings for the backcountry can be complicated, expensive, and can often incorporate a tradeoff between downhill performance, touring versatility and weight. There are significant differences in how various alpine touring bindings fit, tour and ski. Choosing bindings is a decision you’ll want to get right in order to properly pair your bindings with skis, boots and downhill vs. backcountry ambitions.

Tech, hybrid (Shift), and frame bindings all have different pros and cons and meet different skier needs.

When choosing between alpine touring bindings, you will need to factor:

• Budget
• Compatibility with existing skis and boots—or, compatibility and/or pairing with new skis and boots
• Downhill performance
• Alpine touring features and versatility
• Overall weight of bindings and weight of combined ski/binding/boot setup

Consider the following questions:

• Will the new setup be used as a mostly inbound quiver of one–with the occasional backcountry or sidecountry stint? 
• Is the setup intended for more of a 50/50 split between inbounds downhill and alpine touring? 
• Or, will the setup be used exclusively for backcountry travel? 

With these questions in mind, where do the Hybrid (Shift) Bindings fit in?

The Hybrid (Shift) Binding is for the 80/20 Skier

Alpine skiing requires a performance focused setup that can perform well through the myriad of different skiing conditions or specialize in one. Backcountry skiing incorporates significant uphill travel demands–sometimes more than 90% of the tour. When comparing the two activities, it is easy to recognize the polarized primary demands: performance vs. weight. 

Technology in the ski industry is progressing rapidly. Skis, boots and bindings are being upgraded and designed with lighter weight materials that offer enhanced downhill performance. 

However, even with the significant improvements being made, there still just aren’t skis or bindings that absolutely dominate in both settings. The amount of weight carried on your feet while touring and how much demand is needed for downhill performance are still tradeoff decisions to be made.

Hybrid touring bindings such as the Salomon/Atomic Shifts and Marker Duke PTs, were introduced into the market just a few years ago offering new innovative technology intended to meld together the skiing and touring experience of the inbounds and backcountry.

Hybrid touring bindings are basically two types of binding in one it’s an alpine binding for the downhill and a pin tech binding for touring. The objective of the hybrid binding is to offer a skier uncompromised downhill performance while giving the option for touring in the backcountry with the full range of motion provided by pin tech fittings. 

Key Features of the Hybrid Touring Binding

Downhill Alpine Performance

In downhill mode, hybrid bindings function in the same way as an alpine binding. The boot’s toe lug slides under the binding’s toe cup and on top of an AFD (anti friction device). The heel of the boot is then set down and the spring loaded heel cup clamps down onto the heel lug. Together, the toe and heel components of hybrid bindings offer very similar lateral and forward elasticity, forward pressure, shock absorption, and the power transfer from the skier to the ski that you’d expect from an alpine binding. 

In the past, frame bindings were the only touring bindings offered in the market with certified alpine style DIN release settings. Unlike frame bindings, the toe and heel of hybrid bindings are not connected by a frame or rail–which allows full flex of the ski for maximum downhill performance. 

Technically, the hybrid binding can be skied in downhill mode with regular alpine boots or MNC (multi norm compatible) alpine touring boots. And technically, because hybrid touring bindings allow the skier to use regular alpine ski boots when downhill skiing, someone could use their favorite pair of alpine ski boots to spend a day taking laps off the lift. This sounds like it could be a convenience. However, every time a skier switches out the boots, adjustments must be made to the binding to ensure proper fit and safe release. It is recommended that these exchanges be done by a professional–otherwise the reliable and safe release capabilities can be compromised. 

Also worth noting, not all alpine touring boots are designed with MNT specifications–meaning, they don’t have a full sized heel and toe lug required for alpine freestyle bindings. It would be prudent to ensure boot compatibility before purchasing a hybrid binding. For example, the Dynafit Hoji Pro Tour and Arc’teryx Procline boots do not fit into alpine bindings.

Finally, because of the downhill performance capabilities of hybrid touring bindings, they tend to pair best with mid-weight performance all-mountain skis–a combined setup suited to perform at its best in downhill mode. 

Alpine Touring 

Touring on hybrid bindings is done with pin-tech toe technology and requires an alpine touring boot with tech inserts. Pin-tech bindings allow for a fuller range of motion–an advantage over frame bindings. 

However, because of the many moving parts associated with converting and transforming back and forth from pin-tech tour mode and alpine ski mode, transitions on hybrid bindings can be more cumbersome than with both frame and tech bindings. The many moving parts can also cause hybrid bindings to ice up more frequently than more simplistic alternatives. 

Currently, hybrid bindings only come with one heel riser option which can make touring much more challenging than on frame or tech bindings. 

Weight

Hybrid bindings are touted to be lighter than most frame bindings. When comparing the Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC 13 weighing 885 grams per binding to the Salomon Guardian MNC 13 weighing in at 1495 grams per binding, the weight comparison is significant—with pair of Shift bindings weighing a full 2.5 pounds less.

However, when comparing the same Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC 13 to the Black Diamond Fritschi Diamir Eagle 12 frame binding weighing 890 grams, the weight savings is miniscule. The weight advantage over frame bindings isn’t enough for these bindings to be considered as a designated backcountry binding.

Many designated backcountry tech bindings have an individual binding weight of around 300 grams—such as the Salomon MTN Pure w/Leash with an individual weight of 297 grams, or the Marker Alpinist 12’s at 268 grams, or the Atomic Backland Tour at 286 grams—These bindings weigh a full 2.5 lbs less per pair than the Shift binding. Subsequently, it is easy to see that the Shift binding falls on the heavier end of the scale.

Bottom line: The hybrid (Shift) binding is heavy and doesn’t pair well with frequent long backcountry tours. Though they offer pin-toe touring capabilities, their transitions are cumbersome and their single heel riser option leaves them wanting when variable elevation gain adjustments are needed. Their strong suit is not weight advantage or touring, it is downhill performance on downhill performance skis–a heavier setup overall–an 80/20 setup–primarily intended for inbounds skiing.

For those who love to lap sidecountry lines when everything in the resort is all tracked out, or for those who have a secret stash of pow outside the resort boundaries, the hybrid bindings make a lot of sense. Short tours, untracted snow, epic ride.

Some Hybrid Options to Consider

Salomon S/lab Shift 13 MNC: 885g each (DIN Scale 6-13)

Atomic Shift Shift 13 MNC: 885g each (DIN Scale 6-13)

Armada Shift 13 MNC: 885g each (DIN Scale 6-13)

Marker Duke PT 12: 850g uphill, 1150g downhill each (DIN Scale 4-12)

Marker Duke PT 16: 1050g uphill, 1350g downhill each (DIN Scale 6-16

Who does the hybrid binding pair best with?

1. 80/20 skier spending most time inside the resort with occasional sidecountry or backcountry stints.
2. Quiver of one for those bent on having one pair of skis to “rule them all”–mostly inbounds. 
3. 50/50 skier with two skis in the quiver: one hybrid pair for resort days that allow the option for a sidecountry stint and one designated backcountry pair for lightweight uphill travel.
4. Hard charger in the backcountry seeking aggressive lines, prioritizing downhill performance over weigth and touring versatility.

Who does the hybrid binding NOT pair with?

1. Low budget buyers new to alpine touring and backcountry skiing. Hybrid bindings are expensive and require alpine boots for touring. Low budget entry level enthusiasts may want to consider frame bindings as an alternative.
2. 50/50 skiers will find that the hybrid binding is not a one-size-fits-all. A 50/50 skier’s polarized needs will not be met singlehandly with an 80/20 binding. 50/50 skiers are better suited to have at least two sets of skis in the quiver–one for downhill and one for the backcountry.
3. Designated backcountry skiers who prioritize weight over performance, require simple transitions and touring versatility. The hybrid binding’s weight, cumbersome transitions and single heal riser option rule them out from being an eligible contender for a designated backcountry setup.

Can You Pair Hybrid (Shift) Bindings with Lightweight Skis?

Technically, hybrid bindings can be mounted onto any ski. However, when you think about touring, with 80-90 percent of an excursion being strenous uphill travel, most of the demand needs will emphasize travel efficiency. Lightweight backcountry skis, paired with lightweight backcountry bindings, paired with lightweight touring boots, will get you further, faster, for longer. Long tours, beautiful destinations, cautious avalanche leary descents.

Switching a pair of downhill focused bindings that are heavier and touring handicapped (with cumbersome transitions and only two heel riser options)—all onto an otherwise lightweight backcountry setup is like putting a set of knobby mountain bike tires on an ultra light road bike. Not only will the nobby tires diminish the road bike’s capabilities to travel light, fast, and efficient—the road bike will dimish the mountain bike’s capabilities to rip, tear and shred down the mountain.

Do Hybrid (Shift) Bindings Make a Good Quiver of One?

Hybrid bindings are expensive. They also require alpine touring boots. For those who are new to backcountry skiing consider the following.

For many, interest in the backcountry is a progression that escalates from one ski season to the next. And it goes without saying. . .the endorphins released during strenuous uphill travel combined with the adrenaline high from downhill turns all while saturated in isolated winter mountain bliss is second to none. 

Subsequently, while interest and time in the backcountry increases, the need for lighter weight, backcountry exclusive equipment will increase as well.

Many backcountry enthusiasts tend to progressively acquire new gear and often end up with a designated lightweight setup for the backcountry and a designated performance setup for downhill. My personal downhill setup is equipped with a set of Marker Barron frame bindings (which I love) for those designated resort days–I’ll always have the option to venture into the sidecountry to find untracked snow. 

With this in mind, a hybrid binding may be a good solution for the inbounds downhill focused setup (albeit expensive). However, if your backcountry interest begins to exceed the amount of time spent at the resort, you may find that your heavy inbounds setup will not meet your lightweight touring needs.

Consider the following progression. 

1. New to backcountry skiing and want to try it out. Interest is maybe 90/10.
   • Buy a pair of frame bindings new or used. Read more about frame bindings here. Frame bindings are much cheaper than hybrids and don’t require alpine touring boots. They are DIN certified, have great downhill capabilities that won’t compromise your downhill experience. However, they will give you the option to float some of your interest in the backcountry. If you are new to backcountry skiing, see some of my tips on how to safely get started here.
2. Interested in backcountry but still spend most time at the resort. Interest and time are now 80/20. 
   • Consider buying a pair of MNT alpine touring boots. Transitioning from alpine boots to alpine touring boots will cut a lot of weight. 
   • Get the boot liners fitted. Take the new boots out on a long distance low risk tour to find hotspots. Get these sorted out by getting your boots custom fitted.
   • The setup of alpine touring boots that fit well, and a heavier ski/binding combo may be sufficient for your needs. 
3. Time and interest in backcountry skiing is increasing. You’re spending 70/30. However, you can see yourself dedicating even more time in the backcountry if you had a lighter weight setup. 
   • Take the plunge and acquire touring skis and lightweight bindings. 
   • Now you’ve got two in the quiver. One for the resort. One for the backcountry.
4. With a dedicated backcountry setup you’re easily at 50/50 but the problem is your interest in downhill is waning. You are exploring more tours and finding your backcountry niche. You literally find yourself daydreaming about the next time you’ll be able to get back out there. 
   • Consider other ways to save on weight: backpack, helmet, poles, layers, etc.
   • Consider ways to make your gear work more efficiently: watering system, organization, etc. 
5. 20/80. Most of your time is spent in the backcountry. You opt out of purchasing your season pass at the resort. You just can’t see yourself going anywhere without having the backcountry option.
   • You purchase some hybrid Shift bindings and mount them on your inbounds skis to have the capability to run sidecountry laps on those one-off epic powder days when the resort gets tracked out.
6. 0/100. You’re sick of the long lines and relish each moment spent in the backcountry. Your downhill skis are collecting dust.
   • WELCOME TO THE CLUB!
     

_{^{Mandatory Disclosure: Backcountry travel can subject one to a very high level of life-threatening risk. Before taking any tour in the backcountry, it is critical to take appropriate measures to become properly trained and equiped to assess avalanche risk, mitigate avalanch risk enroute, and efficiently respond to an avalanche emergency situation. A backcountry traveler must carry, and be adept at the using, avalanche rescue and recovery equipment such as: rescue beacon, shovel, and probe. It is also important to be properly trained and equiped to able to identify, mitigate and respond to other risks associated with backcountry travel. Before venturing into the backcountry, it is highly recommended to complete, as a minimum prerequistite, the AIARE 1 avalanche awareness course.}}