Lou asked me to share how I do my Dynafit leashes, so here goes. I like my leash systems because they are durable metal, simple to use with gloves, easy to reach, and unlikely to fail because of the simplicity and few parts. Yet perfection has not been achieved, so feedback and crit are appreciated. Probably biggest shortcoming is having the loop on the side where it could catch on something, though I’ve not had enough of that problem to get me to change how it’s rigged.
Loop the cable loop so that it is to the outside, so it doesn’t tend to catch as much. The loop must be positioned so that the pressed metal part does not interfere with the binding function. I have used the ring and hook for many years, it works fine. The keyring bends open appropriately during a harsh fall so the ski is not likely to injure me, but the keyring reasonably suspends the ski during normal use and falls. My theory is it would easily let go in an avalanche — though I’ve thankfully never tested it in that way.
On the Zzero3 boot I am experimenting with just using the prong in the buckle bail. Seems to work. One must appropriately tension the prong by bending it outward to fit the bail. I do not fall enough to really test it because I am old and conservative — even when skiing (grin).
Rob Mullins lives in the Washington Cascades with his wife, daughter, and a black lab avalanche dog in training named Blackie.