I saw Nick's post and had to bring the discussion back to skis. Do you prefer buying skis "flat" (with NO bindings or system) or with a system binding integrated into the ski?
It seemed that about 10 years ago the market was going more for the system binding that increased performance on skis. I can remember that my Head Monster iM76's from 2004 had the RailFlex System binding integrated into it, and you had no real choice. I enjoyed the on-trail performance that the combo offered, but the skis weighed A TON.
In 2009 I bought my first new pair of skis in a while and went for the Volkl Tigershark Powerswitch 12.0. Again, a Marker system binding was included and they are FUN on trail for high speed cruising, but they are HEAVIER than my original Monsters were. Forget about powder skiing with these beasts...they sink.
That made me reconsider what I ski and talking with others made me realize that flat skis and bindings had improved considerably. So the next new skis I bought were flat and I bought the bindings separate. Surprisingly, I have found both on and off trail performance to be as good as system bindings, but MUCH lighter. And MUCH cheaper.
So for me, the answer is it depends, but I am leaning back to the flat ski choice.
It seemed that about 10 years ago the market was going more for the system binding that increased performance on skis. I can remember that my Head Monster iM76's from 2004 had the RailFlex System binding integrated into it, and you had no real choice. I enjoyed the on-trail performance that the combo offered, but the skis weighed A TON.
In 2009 I bought my first new pair of skis in a while and went for the Volkl Tigershark Powerswitch 12.0. Again, a Marker system binding was included and they are FUN on trail for high speed cruising, but they are HEAVIER than my original Monsters were. Forget about powder skiing with these beasts...they sink.
That made me reconsider what I ski and talking with others made me realize that flat skis and bindings had improved considerably. So the next new skis I bought were flat and I bought the bindings separate. Surprisingly, I have found both on and off trail performance to be as good as system bindings, but MUCH lighter. And MUCH cheaper.
So for me, the answer is it depends, but I am leaning back to the flat ski choice.