In reply to zarb:
>So at the moment the argument is solely between the Dynafit Radical ST vs FT.
>
Both great bindings. I will be getting one of these on my next set up for sure.
> So far the only real downside I can see to the FT's is weight, the width of the brake (My skis have 90mm waist), and a little extra cost. Being a slightly heavier guy (82kg and planning to carry a bit on the back for overnight stuff), and still very much starting out in the skiing world I might end up wanting to ski some harder descents down the track, maybe the FT's wouldn't be such a bad idea?
>
The big difference for you is weight, performance and price. The FT transfers more weight onto your edges, which is a big advantage for anybodybody using fatter skis, not so much difference on thiner skis (this is why they have wider ski stoppers) than the ST).
> The only other things I am still worried about is what people have said about the pair up of the TLT5 Mtn boots and these bindings. You have said that these boots are softer than usual, would this pose a compatibility problem when paired up with more heavy duty bindings? Similar to the same problems with soft boots in stiff crampons etc etc?
>
All touring boots are softer than a "normal" on piste quality ski boot, which locks your foot into the correct skiing position. If you use the extra "downhill booster" then the difference is not so great. I would not worry about this too much as it much like comparing apples to pears (or a farriari to a hummer). The TLT5 boots will work great with either binding IMO.
> And the other thing was that people have highlighted that the FT's would be 'overkill' for general touring. Is there a specific downside to using these for ascending/travelling other than the weight? I know that the FT's have a dampening tech and reinforcement in the toe or something similar to make it more of a descender. Does this interfere with quick ascending in any way?
No it's just the weight really. More weight = slower / more work on the ups, but generally better performance on the downs. Downhill Race skiers have very heavy boots, skis and bindings, Touring racers have very light boots, skis and bindings. Bear in mind that some people even buy titanimium screws to save a few grams on the binding weight, as they feel it's that important.
Hope this helps,
Neilnt