Gear Review: G3 Ion LT 12 Touring Bindings
Value Rating: 10
Durability Rating: 9
Overall Rating: 9
Location of Test: Mount Hood, Mount Saint Helen's
Duration of Test: Here and there over a few seasons
Product Name: Ion LT 12
Product Brand: G3
Best Use: Backcountry skiing
Weight: 456g/binding w/o leash
The Full Review:
When talking about apparel, or camping gear, or climbing gear, or nearly any outdoor product, lightweight, durable, and inexpensive don’t go together. The G3 Ion LT 12 is the exception that proves the rule.
At 1 lb. per binding, the Ion LT 12 is one of the few lightweight yet burly tech bindings on the market. When it comes to ski bindings, it’s hard to eliminate weight without compromising performance. The Ion LT 12 is lightweight but compromises nothing when it comes to shock absorption and elastic retention. Some would say that the lack of a brake is a compromise in performance, however, I disagree. Leashes keep the ski from continuing its downward journey without the skier, and the lack of a brake is one less moving part that could break in the field.
The Ion bindings are now in their fourth season and have been time-tested as a durable product. All the important features—the heel lifters, pin arms, and toe frame, are made of metal. This year’s Ion features the new Auto Rotation Lock, meaning that when the skier lands on the heel lifter, the heel piece locks in place, preventing it from accidentally slipping into ski mode. When the skier wishes to enter ski mode, they can easily lift the heel turret and rotate it, and lock their boot in. The Ion LT 12 also lives up to the Ion’s exceptional reputation when it comes to ease of entry—stepping into an Ion for the first time is a unique experience.
Though many lightweight products cost more, G3 went the other route. The lack of a brake actually cuts the cost of the binding, and at $429, it’s one of the more affordable tech bindings on the market.
The Ion LT 12 still features the Ion’s legendary elastic retention in the toe thanks to the increased height and steepened angle of the springs. It also features the remarkable elastic retention fore and aft in the heel piece. These two features result in a binding that performs exceptionally well even charging at high speed on bumpy chunks of cascade snow.
I would highly recommend the Ion LT 12 to any backcountry skier looking to save a little weight and a little money.
The Good
Light, durable, easy to use, awesome performance
The Bad:
Some don't like the lack of a brake
The Bottom Line:
This binding is a killer deal and an amazing value
The Full Review:
When talking about apparel, or camping gear, or climbing gear, or nearly any outdoor product, lightweight, durable, and inexpensive don’t go together. The G3 Ion LT 12 is the exception that proves the rule.
At 1 lb. per binding, the Ion LT 12 is one of the few lightweight yet burly tech bindings on the market. When it comes to ski bindings, it’s hard to eliminate weight without compromising performance. The Ion LT 12 is lightweight but compromises nothing when it comes to shock absorption and elastic retention. Some would say that the lack of a brake is a compromise in performance, however, I disagree. Leashes keep the ski from continuing its downward journey without the skier, and the lack of a brake is one less moving part that could break in the field.
The Ion bindings are now in their fourth season and have been time-tested as a durable product. All the important features—the heel lifters, pin arms, and toe frame, are made of metal. This year’s Ion features the new Auto Rotation Lock, meaning that when the skier lands on the heel lifter, the heel piece locks in place, preventing it from accidentally slipping into ski mode. When the skier wishes to enter ski mode, they can easily lift the heel turret and rotate it, and lock their boot in. The Ion LT 12 also lives up to the Ion’s exceptional reputation when it comes to ease of entry—stepping into an Ion for the first time is a unique experience.
Though many lightweight products cost more, G3 went the other route. The lack of a brake actually cuts the cost of the binding, and at $429, it’s one of the more affordable tech bindings on the market.
The Ion LT 12 still features the Ion’s legendary elastic retention in the toe thanks to the increased height and steepened angle of the springs. It also features the remarkable elastic retention fore and aft in the heel piece. These two features result in a binding that performs exceptionally well even charging at high speed on bumpy chunks of cascade snow.
I would highly recommend the Ion LT 12 to any backcountry skier looking to save a little weight and a little money.
The Good
Light, durable, easy to use, awesome performance
The Bad:
Some don't like the lack of a brake
The Bottom Line:
This binding is a killer deal and an amazing value