Black Diamond O2 Binding

If you buy these and don't turn love teleing way more as a result, you might as well just throw in the towel and get a binding that nails your heel to the ski. These bindings have the smoothest flex of any bindings I have used, from Hammerheads to G3s to Bishops. As a matter of fact, every person on the telemark team at my school has O2s, and we didn't even plan it. They're just the best. The cartridges don't catch on your boot when you're putting them on or taking them off, they're underneath so they don't scrape in hard carving turns, they keep you stable in crud and floaty in powder. When you tear by those silly alpiners (and Marko the great here), dropping the knee and flashing those gunmetal gray cartridges under your boot with every turn, they'll know they just got beat by the best.

These are my favorite resort bindings; I've skied on the R8s, HH, and Targas previously. You can't beat the power and the smooth flex. The mid stiff cartridge is more than enough for the average knee dropper. If you want serious power, step up to the rid stiff cartridges. I'm currently running rid stiffs on my BD Machines and K2 Piste Pipes and wouldn't consider switching to a different binding. The only reason I gave them only 4 stars is because they are resort specific. I made the mistake of skinning with them and it will never happen again. If you are going to be doing any serious back country skiing do yourself a favor and spend a little more for the BD 01 bindings. Also, if you’re flying to a ski destination the cartridges have a nasty habit of loosening up on the flight.

hey norm... sounds like either your boot was too small for the cartridge (they make smaller cartridges for folks with small feet) or you had a broken pair. i have had a couple pairs of these now and nothing even remotely like that has EVER happened to me, or any of the number of people i ski with who use them. i'm a BIG guy and there isn't another binding i trust more to get me down an icy 60 degree chute or skinning up a knife ridge in a "no fall" zone than these O2's. i'm afraid your one day on borrowed gear doesn't qualify you as a reliable source and is misleading to other people looking for quality gear.

The 02 performs quite well. I have a pair mounted on the BD Crossbow ski, and they work great, very solid, make you feel like you're in control. The other day, however, I was clipping in to go skiing, and the throw piece on the back (the part that you flip up onto the back of your boot) goes ca-chink! and busts in half. Big pain in the neck. Anyway, I went and got the G3 TourThrow part, and it fits on there just fine, and the binding still works great, plus I have the TourThrow upgrade. Apart from this minor setback, the O2 is rock-solid.

After my first day on these ripping groomers and knee deep pow in the backcountry, i have to say i prefer these much more than my targas. they have a smooth even flex to them that is just awesome. i have the mid stiff, regulars mounted on 179 cm k2 obsetheds and i makes for a great (and pretty light) powder set up. I did pop out of my right ski twice, but i believe its because i did not have them tight enough as the left one feels tighter when i pop in.

I bought the Scarpa T1's and these bindings and I didn't make a tele turn all season. I don't think I even tried. I skied alpine style in this set up, banging out the moguls and steeps like my heel was locked in. Fun fun times. I think other people should conserve energy and stop lunging down the mountain like me. Sure it looks fancy, but what the heck? Get this set up, boots included, and bomb away.

Got the midstiff on the black diamond kilowatts, and really enjoyed them. My previous bindings have always been Rottefella (most recently the 412), but I much prefer the O2. Really felt like I was one with the skis. Only negative is that I had to tighten the bindings after going hard for a while.. so 4.5 stars really..

This was so nice to use with the Ethic. I love the cartridges underneath the boot so you're not banging them around. Great response, it is so snappy. Definitely a good all-around binding. It is a lot faster getting in and out rather then this big fiasco at the top of your hike.

I started with the ridiculously stiff springs and they are really tuff to ski with. you really have to drive your knee down hard. if youre going to be skiing only the hard pack then they will work great but if you want more versatility go with the mid stiffs

i have had these binding for three years and i think that they are great. weather i'm skiing virgin powder or doing laps in the park they always work great.