Review: Fritschi Tecton 13 Touring Binding

• Stated Weight: 550g per binding + 50g per brake
• DIN Range: 5-13
• Heel Riser: 7 and 12 degrees
• Brake Widths: 80, 90, 100,100, 120mm
• BSL Adjustment: 25/60mm
• Boot Compatibility: Tech only

Design and Features

Weighing approximately 600 grams per binding, the Tecton 13 is notably lighter than some of its competitors, such as the Salomon Shift2 13. This weight advantage becomes evident during extended tours, where every gram counts. Similar to traditional pin tech bindings, like Dynafit, the binding's toe piece facilitates easy transitions between ski and walk modes without requiring removing, adding, or adjusting pieces like one would have to do with a Marker Duke, Shift2, or CAST system. This increases efficiency when transitioning to descent mode and eliminates the possibility of losing or forgetting parts.

Safety was clearly a paramount consideration in the Tecton 13's design. The binding offers fully adjustable forward and lateral release settings ranging from DIN 5 to 13, accommodating a wide range of skier preferences and ensuring appropriate release values. Most notably, the lateral release at the toe aligns with the tibial axis. This a significant advancement in pin-toed binding safety technology and is meant to greatly reduce the chances of a lower leg spiral fracture, which occurs when your boot’s toe is unable to release from a binding rotationally (think about those times when the tip of your ski gets caught on a stump or hidden piece of ice under the snow), so the next point of failure becomes your lower leg bones. It's worth noting that the Tecton (and the lighter Fritschi Vipec that uses the same toe assembly) are the only DIN-certified tech bindings that offer adjustable lateral release at the toe.

On-Snow Performance

On the ascent, the Tecton 13's relatively lightweight design, when compared to more aggressive hybrid offerings, and efficient touring mode provide solid uphill performance. When descending, the Tecton 13 shines with its impressive power transmission and stability. The heel clamp presses the boot sole firmly onto the heel plate, ensuring constant direct traction and responsiveness.

To step into the binding, first raise the heel lever to a near vertical position, then align your boot’s tech fittings with the pins using the toe bumper and step your toe down to engage the spring-loaded pins and raise the lever to lock it into uphill mode—this process should be very familiar to anyone who has used a Dynafit, G3, ATK, or other similar style tech toes. With the toe secured, firmly press your heel down to lock the brakes in a raised position. You’re now ready to climb. When it comes time to descend, back off the toe lever to ‘ski’ mode and push the heel lever down to a parallel position and step into it as if you’re using a traditional alpine binding.

This design is confidence-inspiring on the downhill, especially in challenging conditions. The binding's elasticity, with 13mm in the toe and 9mm in the heel, result in reliable retention—allowing for aggressive skiing without compromising safety. Having skied them in a variety of conditions, ranging from perfect powder to breakable wind slab to variable refrozen garbage, I’ve yet to experience issues with pre-release.

Pros:

• Weight: At approximately 600 grams per binding (with brakes), the Tecton 13 is lighter than many competitors, making it ideal for most tours.
• Safety Features: Adjustable DIN settings and lateral toe release enhance skier safety.
• Design: Combines a pin tech toe with an alpine-style heel for efficient power transfer and stability.

Cons:

• Weight: Not as light as offerings with tech heel pieces, especially ultralight brakeless models.
• Snow Buildup: Some users have reported challenges with snow accumulation in the toe piece during wet conditions.
• Heel Locking Mechanism: Occasional difficulties have been noted with the heel piece locking into tour mode, especially in icy or variable snow conditions.

How Does The Fritschi Tecton 13 Compare?

In the realm of hybrid bindings, the Tecton 13 is best compared to models like the Salomon/Atomic/Armada Shift2 13 and the Marker Kingpin 13. We have not had any time skiing the new ATK HY Free hybrid binding, so can't speak to performance comparisons yet here.

The Shift2 boasts a transformer-like tech/alpine toe piece, which some would argue offers superior downhill control and retention. This may appeal to ultra-aggressive skiers seeking big airs and maximum speeds, but it comes at the cost of added weight (320 grams heavier per foot) and additional moving parts (the more parts there are, the more things that can break).

The Marker Kingpin 13, on the other hand, features a more simplistic tech toe and alpine-like heel, similar to the Tecton. While it offers commendable downhill performance and ease of use, it lacks the DIN-certified lateral toe release found on the Tecton. Not to mention, some users have reported durability concerns over extended use.

What Type Of Skier Is the Fritschi Tecton 13 Best For?

Don’t let the fact that Fritschi isn’t exactly a household name in North America influence your decision making. The Swiss-engineered and built Tecton 13 stands out as an extremely well-balanced binding that caters to aggressive backcountry skiers seeking a harmonious blend of relatively lightweight touring capabilities and well above average downhill performance.

Its thoughtful design, especially the safety features built into the toe piece, and durability make it a compelling choice for those who demand versatility and reliability. While individual preferences and specific use cases will influence your ideal binding choice, the Tecton 13's strengths position it as a very formidable option in the hybrid binding market.