(Editor’s Note: I’m over in Vail doing some trail research for hutski.com. Was going to just chatter away about some hiking I did yesterday, then this came in over the transom as an email. I figured the collective wisdom of…

Outdoor Research Revel pants and Orage Abdi jacket for backcountry skiing and bike commuting

While for the most part a design itteration over previous models, the new Fritschi Eagle backcountry skiing binding departs in several significant ways. Mainly, a relocated touring pivot provides much needed ergonomics (i.e., no more Fritschi Frankestride), and a wider binding support foot nder the boot heel yields enhanced stability. Weight remains similar yet slightly lighter (35.3 ounces per binding, Freeride is 36 ounces), stack height is the same, heel unit looks and performs as with previous models, and ramp angle stays identical. In all, we’d call this a very nice improvement to what’s easily the best step-in step-out touring binding on the market.

Sorry this took so long to post today, spent the morning mounting some Dynafit FT12s for Chris Davenport — when that world traveler finally shows up at the workshop you’ve got to jump on it! More about Dav’s Reader’s Ride…