Boulder, Colo. (Gear Institute)-Footwear and climbing giant Sportiva is jumping into the growing Alpine Touring (AT) binding market with the introduction this winter of the new RT Tech ski binding.
The binding is already available to athletes on the European randonnee ski race circuit, and will hit the U.S. market in mid-December. Weighing in at 175 grams, the retail price has been announced at $700.
“The RT ski binding represents incredible technological innovation in the world of ultra-lightweight engineering” said Jonathan Lantz, President of La Sportiva North America. “Not only will it offer today’s progressive backcountry skier an alternative in lightweight AT touring bindings, but the RT features a toe release adjustment system with a release value (RV) comparable to 5-10 DIN. This is the first lo-tech binding with a toe release system.”
The RT binding features four patents including a toe release adjustment system (Release Value comparable to 5-10 DIN), a heel with two release adjustments (Frontal 5-10 RV, Lateral 5-10 RV), integrated crampon attachments and heel pins which track in a releasing curved channel. Additionally, the RT binding offers a 3-position heel riser for touring mode.
