Whether you're new to the touring scene or just want the performance and reliability of your alpine binding on gnarly descents, the Backcountry Access Alpine Trekker Adapters is the tool for you. A releasable heel facilitates climbing, while two adjustable climbing bars help initiate steep climbing so you don't end up wreaking havoc on your Achilles tendon.
Fit:
- Fits into standard alpine bindings; for ascent use only
Features:
- Ski crampon attachment (not included)
| Climbing Bar Height: | 1.25in (3.2cm); 1.75in (4.5cm) |
|---|
Related Categories:
- Backcountry Access Alpine Touring
- Alpine Touring
- Everything from Backcountry Access.
Backcountry Access Alpine Trekker Adapters Reviews:
Positive Reviews:
I have had a pair of these for about 4 years now (too broke for touring bindings) and they have always worked fine. They have the most issues side-hilling, as they do not have the best torsional rigidity. Sometimes they can be a bit funky on kick turns as well. I lost one screw from mine, and once I realized this decided to epoxy them all in place. I can never adjust them from a 28.5, but the chances of them falling apart on me have been drastically reduced. It is nice to take these off and step into a 16 DIN alpine binding for the way down. These are a great option if you do not have the money to invest in a pair of touring bindings or are just starting to get into AT. With a little care they will take you a long way...
It should be noted that they do not work super well with FKS bindings, the turntable heel does not allow them to go fully down, so it is kind of like walking with the riser up all the time. They seem to work the best with Salomon STH type bindings, or the Atomic version, or anything with a similar heel piece.
I bought these to use for a 3 day backcountry class and I wasn't sure that I wanted to invest heavily in new gear for (potentially) a single trip. Reading through the other reviews, I can just as easily apply the positives and negatives to my experience. Set up was easy and pretty intuitive. Traveling on flats or directly up the fall line was easy enough, but traversing and side stepping were very difficult. There was too much play between the boot-trekker-binding to set a really solid edge with them on.
They pack up nice and small. They're not as light as a rando set up, but skis, bindings, trekkers were lighter than a friend's designated backcountry set up.
My biggest problem wasn't with the trekkers directly, but with the stiffness of my boots and the inability to really flex forward onto my toes for a more natural gate.
This wil not replace real touring bindings but this wil definitely help if you want to do few days of backcountry skiing and don't want to spend over $1,000 in new skis and touring bindings. I just went to Canada and used the Alpine Trekkers. They really did the job very well. The other alternative was to carry the skis and wear snowshoes but I preferred my Trekkers with skinns. The initial setup is super easy. After that, it takes 2 seconds to install and remove. They are pretty light considering how strong they need to be. They pack pretty small too. I had a great experience with them. I was happy not to use snowshoes and carry my skis.
I have toured on these for a couple seasons (someday I'll be able to afford a touring binding) and they get the job done as long as you're careful with them. They are not going to kick turn like an alpine touring binding will so be careful on those switchback skin tracks. All in all though, they have got me where I wanted to go.
My recommendation would be to make them slightly larger than they need to be so that the binding will lock them in real tight.
I get out about 20 days a year in the BC and these work great once you set them up properly. I've never had an issue with them coming out of the binding of off the boot. Once I got a bit of a system down they are quick and easy to get on and off. They aren't a replacement for a solid AT boot/binding but they work very well for an occasional BC skier like me who doesn't want to drop huge $ for a dedicated setup.
My first foray into the BC was on a early pair of these decades ago. 1/2 Pricey now compared to Dynafits Speeds. But for anyone wanting to try it out in the BC on Alpine boots/bindings you shouldn't hesitate. I used these for a week at Rogers Pass in Salomon alpine boots and bindings and and never knew the difference. The fun was on the down anyway. Easy jump into the BC fun!
they work great.
Negative Reviews:
They're just awful. Everything about them. Put the money toward actual touring bindings. They're heavy, they put you really high up, they don't give you a lot of lateral control for traverses or sidestepping over things, they don't lock to your boots very well and can come off if you snag your tip in the snow just a little. This is the most negative review of anything ski-related I will ever write. Backcountry has a great selection of AT bindings. If you've made it to this page, keep going and look at those.
These were good back in the 90's, they way out of date know, spend your more more wisely. If you want something get Marker or Salomon Guardians. If you want your DAY WRECKED buy these, if you want the ability to do some skinning/touring get Dukes or Guardians. If you want to get serious get a Dynafit setup. I have not used these in over seven year, but I still remember how badly they sucked.
After contemplating buying these and coming close a few times I am really glad I didn't. At around $150 they seem like a smarter alternative to some of the other more expensive touring bindings, but spend the money and get a solid touring binding, one you can trust on all types of terrain.
I originally bought trekkers because I wanted to use an alpine binding when skiing BC. Don't do that. Trekkers are horrible and the touring experience is guaranteed to put a black memory in the best of days. I was pysched to sell them on Craigslist.
Neutral Reviews:
My first day on these was a disaster. One broke after 20m of skinning. I kept going with just one. Then that one broke a few hours later. I have since got them dialed to work very well. Here is what you do. First thing before anything is DON'T USE THEM IN LOOK/ROSSIGNOL BINDINGS. They are amazing in marker jesters. Second. Before your first tour glue the front screws that hold the pivot point in. I cannot imagine why you would ever need to take this off. So I JB welded mine on. This is what broke 20m into my first tour and I lost the screw. In the 3 years since I have glued them they have worked fine. Also extent the part that goes into the binding as big as you can still fit it in so that it pushes the heel peice back so you don't hit it with the heel of your boot when you step down. So they work, kinda. Just keep an eye one them. Tour with duct tape, extra screws, and super glue. And they will be just fine
I used these for a season when I started touring and they are a good and cheap alternative to touring bindings for the aspiring backcountry skier.
