Dynafit Speed Turn 2.0 Review

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

The Speed Turn 2.0 is a sweet binding that is very functional but is not quite as easy to use as most other tech bindings. Its heel riser, similar to older generations of Dynafit models, requires the user to rotate the heel piece in order to engage either height heel riser. This can be done via a ski pole without bending over, but requires more coordination than most other bindings in our review.

The toe piece features two short towers that effectively help the user line up the pin holes on the boot with the pins on the bindings. Our testers felt this competitor was much easier to get into than the Fritschi Vipec EVO 12 and marginally easier than the Dynafit Radical ST 2.0, as the Speed Turn doesn't feature a pivoting toe piece. For those who want to switch out their boots, this model only offers 13 mm of adjustment, which is less than most other bindings in this review.

Touring Performance

This competitor features the same efficient pivot point that all of the other tech style bindings share. The lighter weight makes touring uphill on these bindings noticeably easier, with their only real pitfall for touring-based adventures being their marginally more challenging to engage heel risers. The risers engage not by flipping forward (which is far more common), but instead, uses an older Dynafit design where the entire heel piece is rotated to engage the riser. While this task can be completed with a pole, the Speed Turn features the most challenging risers to engage among bindings in our review. That said, as a whole, the touring performance of the Speed Turn is very comparable to most other tech style bindings.

Transitions

This competitor scored slightly below average in our Ease of Transitioning category when compared with other bindings in our review. To transition the Speed Turn 2.0, we had to rotate the heel piece, which is similar to engaging the riser positions until the heel pins point forward; we then had to step down while the toe of the boot was already in. While hardly difficult, there are easier models to transition, such as the Fritschi Vipec. This model is not compatible with ski brakes, which means users will have to be more careful while transitioning in firmer conditions as to not lose their skis.

Downhill Performance

This binding features good, but not fantastic downhill performance. It isn't ideal for resort oriented skiing and doesn't perform as well (for this application) as the Dynafit Radical ST 2.0, Fritschi Vipec EVO 12, or the Marker Kingpin 13; this is because it lacks some of the same elasticity and consistency of release and just doesn't have as much mass as the other bindings. The Speed Turn 2.0 is not compatible with brakes, means using this binding in-bounds is much less ideal. Nearly all ski resorts require users to ski on bindings that either have brakes or use leashes, which are obviously more dangerous and inconvenient in an in-bounds setting.

Durability

This binding's simplicity helps its overall durability and our testers wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for use on the most remote tours and deep backcountry or ski mountaineering adventures. While it doesn't look like much, it's a pretty refined design; Dynafit uses metal where the components are the most important, and plastic in other places where if the piece is broken, the binding would remain functional, though maybe just slightly harder to use. These plastic components are also designed to break first and therefore protect the more crucial metal parts.

Weight

At 1 pound 10 oz this is the lightest binding in our review. It is 7 ounces (198g) lighter than the Fritschi Vipec and around a whole pound (450g) lighter than either the Dynafit Radial ST 2.0 or the G3 ION 12. We don't even need to go into how it's 3-4 pounds lighter than other frame style bindings out there. This model does give up several features to achieve these weight savings, but it performs the most basic tasks of a touring binding; it frees a heel for uphill travel, and locks a skier's heel for the descent while remaining extremely reliable.

Best Applications

This binding is best for folks that don't care about having a ski brake and would rather save the money and weight by purchasing this binding; it would also appeal to folks who are trying to lighten their set up as much as possible, but maybe don't want to throw down on the $550 Dynafit TLT Superlite 2.0. For those just getting into touring, it would be worth it to really think about the brake option and determine if it's worth shelling out an additional $200. Our testers (and most backcountry skiers) certainly prefer them, but we realize that not everyone does. Check out our main article for more information on the brake debate.

Value and the Bottom Line

This model is a fully functional touring binding that is $200-$300 less than most other tech style touring options. While it does give up some features that make it marginally less convenient and it is not compatible with a ski-brake it does offers equally efficient travel on the uphill; an added bonus: because the Speed Turn lacks some of the extra features, it's a pound or more lighter than most other touring bindings.

Conclusion

The Speed Turn 2.0 is a no-frills bindings that tours fine, but without a lot of extras. Its biggest detractors are its lack of a ski-brake option and marginally harder to engage heel lifters. If you can deal with these things, the 2.0 is a very dependable and lightweight binding, at an unbeatable price.