The Fritschi Tecton is a huge step forward in touring tech, no pun intended. Max Ritter photo.
For those of you who spend as much time in the backcountry as you do ripping around in the resort, we always talk about that one-boot quiver, the ones that ski as well as they tour. Well since that’s an old topic at this point, how about this: the one-binding quiver? Enter Fritschi’s Tecton 12 binding, a tech binding that is fully capable of aggressive skiing anywhere, anytime.
Fritschi’s Tecton 12 is not necessarily making any claims to being revolutionary in terms of design, offering a similar approach as the Marker Kingpin. However, the binding simply skis better than anything I have ever experienced. It combines a tech-style toe with an alpine-style heel, but eliminates that chattery feeling found in many tech bindings through some innovative design elements.
The heelpiece does exactly what you want it to, lock your boot securely to your ski so you can send it. Max Ritter photo.
You know how an alpine binding offers some degree of float? Meaning you can butter, land a little sideways, slay bumps all day without exploding both knees, and rail hardpack and wind buff without ejecting every time you hit a change in snow.In a nutshell the Tecton offers the exact same performance, thanks to elastic travel in both the toe and heel unit.
After spending several November days touring 5,000-foot days on Teton Pass, I was convinced the binding had uphill capabilities that rivaled any other tech binding. Of course, I skied as well, but testing a binding in powder does not really tell you much. Off to the resort I went.
The binding is confidence inspiring, no matter what the snow conditions. Max Ritter photo.
I rolled down to Utah expecting mostly to get a day of Wasatch touring in, but thanks to a lack of snow, ended up skiing inbounds at Alta aboard the Tecton. For reference, it was mounted to a 189 4FRNT Kye 110. Full disclosure: I was a bit nervous at first to spend an entire day aboard a tech binding at a resort known for big natural jumps, cliff drops, and generally gnarly skiing.
Within two laps, I essentially forgot I was on the Tecton, and felt so confident with the binding I was pushing my personal comfort level on skis. The binding released when needed, but I never once experienced pre-release or any uncomfortable chatter, even on icy, wind-blown slopes. Without waxing poetic about gnarly skiing, let me say this: The Tecton works beautifully, and I would mount this on any ski, anytime.
I came back to Jackson after a short vacation, and haven’t picked up any other setup in my closet since.
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About The Author
stash member Max Ritter
I manage digital content here at TGR, run our gear testing program, and am stoked to be living the dream in the Tetons.
joshsbm
January 5th, 2018
Mate you need to try Ski Trab TR2. Back in 2010 a little company based in Bormio made this incredibles binding. check it out.