Gear Review: G3 Ion 12 Alpine Touring Bindings
Value Rating: 10
Durability Rating: 8
Overall Rating: 9
Location of Test: Mt Hood, North Cascades, Jackson Hole, Bozeman, and many other areas
Duration of Test: 200+ days on snow
Product Name: Ion 12 Touring Binding
Product Brand: G3
Best Use: Backcountry touring
The Full Review:
From a multi-day backcountry tour, ski mountaineering with icy snow conditions, skiing hot laps on a powder day, to ripping around the resort; these bindings hold up. These are the best tech bindings I’ve come across. The toe stop makes stepping into the toe pieces effortless along with a self-clearing channel to prevent snow build up under the toe. I have used many different kinds of tech bindings over the years and being on the larger side of your average skier have had issues with a reliable release, but the forward pressure in the heel gives these bindings unmatched reliability and control.
Another great feature is that the heel tower will twist into tour mode in either direction. Which means you don’t have to worry about remembering which way to twist and both levels of the heel risers are super easy to flip up and down with your pole basket, so you can do it on the move without missing a step. Believe me when I say I have put this binding through every test you could imagine and as far as tech bindings go this is the best one I have seen out there.
The Good:
They have a forward pressure heel piece making it the most reliable release I’ve experienced in a tech binding. Super easy to get into thanks to the toe stop.
The Bad:
After a lot of use the heel risers tend to become loose. It in no way effects how they function but they may make a chattering noise while skiing icy conditions.
The Bottom Line:
If you want a reliable and confidence inspiring tech binding these are the bindings for you.
The Full Review:
From a multi-day backcountry tour, ski mountaineering with icy snow conditions, skiing hot laps on a powder day, to ripping around the resort; these bindings hold up. These are the best tech bindings I’ve come across. The toe stop makes stepping into the toe pieces effortless along with a self-clearing channel to prevent snow build up under the toe. I have used many different kinds of tech bindings over the years and being on the larger side of your average skier have had issues with a reliable release, but the forward pressure in the heel gives these bindings unmatched reliability and control.
Another great feature is that the heel tower will twist into tour mode in either direction. Which means you don’t have to worry about remembering which way to twist and both levels of the heel risers are super easy to flip up and down with your pole basket, so you can do it on the move without missing a step. Believe me when I say I have put this binding through every test you could imagine and as far as tech bindings go this is the best one I have seen out there.
The Good:
They have a forward pressure heel piece making it the most reliable release I’ve experienced in a tech binding. Super easy to get into thanks to the toe stop.
The Bad:
After a lot of use the heel risers tend to become loose. It in no way effects how they function but they may make a chattering noise while skiing icy conditions.
The Bottom Line:
If you want a reliable and confidence inspiring tech binding these are the bindings for you.