Black Diamond Fritschi Diamir Freeride Plus Binding

I started skiing when I was six. Went snowboarding when I was nineteen and returned to skiing when I was 30. We used to build all kinds of "home made" touring bindings when we were kids in New Hampshire and did the same thing when we were running the old Burton Airs over the table saw to figure out how to make spitboards. When I went back to skiing I purchased a pair of T1 bindings to use with my Structuras wich were left over from my final split board days. After destroying the T1s I went to a T2 and ran those like a couple of rented mules until I could not get any more toe pieces from Black Diamond. I picked up a set of Freerides and went to town on those for a couple of years until I passed them on to some kid in Vermont with back country dreams and no money ( ya gotta give to those in need if your cup runs over). That day I picked up a set of Freeride Plus clamps and have since been all over Canada, Europe, the West and New England with them. These are the last bindings I will buy unless they come out with something better. Cometition is good as it provides the consumer with more choises but if you are looking for the one binding that does it all this is the one. I am 5'-7" and weigh 180 lbs and ski the Freeride Plus with Evo and Zzero 4U boots with a DIN set on 7.5 front and back and have NEVER popped out unless the fall requires the binding to release my boot. Do your self a favor and throw down for a pair. P.S. Mount them with brass helo-coils so you can use them with more than one paie of skis.

This binding is by far the best AT binding on the market...bar none! The Marker Dukes cannot hold a candle to it in terms of durability, sensitivity, and quality of manufacture. While I do agree that for a touring only setup they are a little heavy when compared to Dynafits, they are good for those who head to the mountain and are not sure if they will play inbounds, slip into the sidecountry, or fully drop into the backcountry for an afternoon of fun. This one binding will do it all and then a little more should you ask it to. I want to address some of the "issues" that people have had with them. Firstly, MAKE SURE you get them setup by someone who knows how to set them up. Notice, I don't say bring it to any ski shop...you need a shop that knows how to adjust them perfectly for your BSL (boot sole length), your DIN, and also the toe height. If any of these are out of adjustment, then the binding can ski really sloppy and not feel tight. Also, it can be flat out dangerous. In addition, don't kick the fronts of your bindings to get the snow off your boots...it can lead to stress fracture which can eventually send you flying out of your toe retainer. Like all great ski items, it has one weakness, and that is you can't kick the heck out of it trying to get snow off your boots. Asides from that, they are better than the Dukes, tour as well as Dynafits, and flat out ROCK!

I wanted a beefy AT binding and was instantly drawn to the Dukes. After about half a season on the Dukes, I traded them in and got the Freerides....big difference. For starters, the Dukes would eat up the heel and toe portions of the boot...not so on the Freerides. I can also switch from skinning to downhill without taking my boot out...a big problem with the Dukes. Another point which I love about the Freerides are the lift positions and height: These things put you up there ready to take on the steep...not so on the Dukes (only 2 positions...both pretty useless except for really low angle). Lastly, some words on the performance. These things are lighter than the Dukes, so when combined with the heel lift options and height, it makes for much better touring...guess the Duke is really a side-country binding. Although the Duke has that 16 DIN, for my 145lbs, the 12 DIN on the FR's is more than enough for me. Lastly, I've seen folks talk about the height of the binding which is a non issue for anyone who has skied on a modern alpine binding lately with a lifter plate....aren't they standard/integral these days?

Well for all those folks that have broken these bindings or are looking for a good AT binding that will hold up let me just say that the perfect AT binding probly doesn't exsit yet. Because it's either too heavy (the Duke which has it's problems also) or it doesn't hold ya in tight enough or it's too flimsy or whatever your gripe may be. I've also broken various bindings on the hill and I know that it sucks. I'am happy to report however that I have had nothing but good results with these and believe that these are the best bet for your money presently, unless your doing seriuos mountaneering and want light weight then go with the dynafits. Anyway back to the Fritschi's. I have put them through there paces from backcountry tours to hucking cliffs to resort skiing including some terrain park and just about anything else and they have held up. Do I have my complaints? Sure, I wish they sat closer to the ski and stuff but until something better comes along I'am a very satified user.

These have been trusty companions on several pairs of A/T skis and they work really well. I love the touring feel and pivot location. I prefer not having the optional springs installed--seems to allow me to execute switchbacks without having a mousetrap feel that the springs provide.

They are a bit heavy, which is making me lean towards going to Dynafits next year after 8 years of using Freerides. I've found them to be solid inbounds (yeah, they might flex a bit if you hammer the bumps like Moseley) and invisible in the backcountry.

Changing the lift is super-easy with the flick of a pole and locking them down for the most fun part of the day is just as simple and easy. Toe-height and length adjustments are equally easy--even in the field.

Great binding, but it is a little heavy... the only real downside.

I agree with the other reviewers that you need to set the DIN higher than you would expect. I was prematurely releasing on hard snow until I cranked mine up. Other than that, my only gripe is that the enclosed user manual contains no information about setting them up, although Lou Dawson provides ample information at wildsnow.com.

As far as on-hill performance, they have been fantastic. Every bit as stiff as I would expect an alpine binding to be at a fraction of the weight. And they climb well to boot.

Not sure I understand the one comment about having to reach down to put them in tour mode. Just use your ski pole to release the heel or set any of the three tour heights.

Performs well in out-of-bounds as well as in-bounds, never had a problem with them releasing when they shouldn't (6'2" 230). They are easily adjustable to allow your friends to try touring, my 335mm boot fits in the upper end of the M size, and I also used an XL pair that worked great as well. It's important to maintain the tightness of the bindings' screws however, there are a lot of them and there isn't much meat to the bindings so they undergo a lot more tortional stress than other bindings I think. Especially in AT mode. I recently had the base plate of one crack in half after a hard two seasons of use, not surprising really. I'll be replacing them soon with more Fritschis!

Just completed a week long backcountry ski trip in the Norwegian Alps, and wanted to share my excitement about the bindings I bought just before the trip.
I am 6'6" and 250 lbs, and I am an aggressive skier. These bindings proved to be durable. I also enjoyed the heel release, without having to take off the skis to adjust. Also, the three height levels of the heel when hiking, proved to be a big plus. It makes for easier adjustments during the hike, for different terrain and slope angles. Once locked in and skiing, the bindings responded well, and gave me the confidence in all snow conditions, from hardpacked, powder to spring conditions (heavy snow).
I do recommend these bindings.

I live in southern Idaho and hammer out a new line every week. The fritschis are easy to use, entry and exit is smooth and reliable and there's almost no friction when you unhook the heel and go for a walk. I also like how the design of the binding lifts your foot off the ski more than a traditional binding, making turns easier at higher speeds. The only thing that's mildly tough is releasing the heel when touring or on approach. You have to bend down pretty far and the release is stiff (which is good so it doesn't pop at awkward moments). It just takes a little practice. I love the binding and ride it on and off piste.

Best AT binding that I have skied that works with all boots. Use these bad boys for both backcountry and inbounds skiing. Even though you think the rise off the ski will be a big deal, its really not and it is barely noticeable. Dropped cliffs of small/moderate height, up to 25 feet to powder with no problems at all, and the ability to change to AT without taking your boot off makes it easy to switch when you hit flats while with other AT bindings you'd have to take your foot out and then clear all the snow off which on a deep day SUCKS, with these, its no worries all day.