Black Diamond Frietchi Freeride

I know. I know. It's still summer time and I am reviewing a piece of gear for a winter sport. But, if your anything like me and/or my friends the ski and snowboard video's have already found their way to the DVD player; which, means that winter is coming up around the bend and it's time to start deciding what new piece's of gear I will need to get shrednasty soon.



Currently for my AT (Alpine Touring) setup I use the BD Freitchi Freeride Binding because I think it is an awesome binding and I love it! I run the binding on my BD Megawatt ski. It took me a couple of day's in the backcountry to get completely familiar with how to utilize the different climbing positions easily and quickly. Once I was able to achieve all the climbing positions as well as lock/unlock the biding in and out of the climbing position my appreciation for the binding increases significantly.



The added mental security that I get from the Freeride is the fact that it looks like a traditional alpine binding. I quit alpine skiing when I was a mere 11 years old, so when I picked up AT skiing last season the mental comfort and familiarity was a big deal for me. I found simplicity in it and this allowed me to focus on my skiing and not on screwing around with my gear.



The DIN range is large enough that it can be set for a beginner skier all the way up to an advanced skiier. I haven't had any issue with snow or ice building up in the binding so I haven't experienced any issue with not being able to get my boots locked in or out of the binding.



Another feature that I really like on the Freeride is the break. Now, you can get a break or leash for any binding and they are required if you want to ride frontcountry, but I really like the Freeride's.



The negative aspect to the Freeride binding is it's overall weight, and I would argue that it's not very sexy but that's a completely different post. Yes, it's heavier then it's competitors, and I believe that I will switch to one of the new bindings in a season or two. However, for now the weight is not an issue for me.