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The Performance Leader in Telemark Ski Bindings |
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The Performance Leader in Telemark Ski Bindings |
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| SuperLoop - Review
SuperLoop Though performance differences have narrowed, the SuperLoop takes the Editor’s Choice prize for producing the most powerful, durable, versatile, adjustable telebinding available. No other binding has had as much influence on the modern telebinding market as the SuperLoop. Witness the popularity of pinless, steel toe plates, toe bars, and compression springs. All improve downhill control and durability. Rainey’s steel is fully hardened, proprietary, and though not impossible to bend I always wonder how anyone manages to do that without sacrificing ligaments or bone. Dual compression springs provide plenty of tension to keep your boot in the toe plate and enough travel to prevent bottoming the spring out, even with size 12 feet. The toe bar is now riveted, and the cable guides have been redesigned so the bolt doesn’t protrude and shred your expensive boots. The lock nut is also internalized to eliminate wear. Among cable bindings the SuperLoop is still at the top of the class for a sense of control, thanks to pre-compressed springs, a pivot position up to 2 ¼ inches back, and lots of sidewall contact with your boot sole. The most contentious claim of the SuperLoop is durability. By claiming to be the strongest binding available it has attracted the toughest customers. Whatever past flaws existed were inevitably found. To his credit Rainey has diligently improved his product, though few are apparent without close inspection. Returns appear to be slightly higher than with other brands, but the returns are probably not the current version since failures claimed are consistent with problems that have been addressed. The major flaw at this point is Rainey’s refusal to change to look of the SuperLoop to make its improved design more obvious. Though it isn’t leagues ahead of every other binding in every category, the SuperLoop consistently holds the edge in most. The basic cable is truly one-size-fits-all. Size adjustment is easy, spin the gear in the front throw assembly with a flat head screwdriver. The upheel, climbing bar is easy to flip up. Adjustable cable guides allow you to eliminate toe pinch, reduce ski tip pressure or increase foot pressure. The pivot position reduces boot pull out as well. A universal mounting shim distributes binding pressure over a wider area of the ski, and makes it easy to add shim height (15mm to 30mm in 5mm increments). Heavy duty springs are available, but they reduce spring travel by about 20%. Finally, the SuperLoop is the only tele binding to offer integrated ski crampons. |
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Couloir Magazine Review
