Fritschi Vipec EVO 12

The lightest touring binding with the behaviour of an alpine binding and safe release on both ascent and descent. Now reinforced with carbon and glass fibres.

The Fritschi Vipec EVO 12 binding is made for ski tourers who demand a high level of safety, reliability and outstanding performance on demanding descents. It suits ski tourers returning from lower-limb injuries, and works equally well as an all-round binding for ski touring, ski mountaineering and resort skiing.

Key benefits of the Fritschi Vipec EVO 12 binding:

• Reliable Swiss-precision release that happens only in a genuine fall, not over bumps and rough terrain (both toe and heel absorb impacts thanks to their dynamic elasticity).
• It also releases in walk mode – in an avalanche burial, when you lose your balance on the ascent, or in a fall during short descents on skins.
• A stiff alpine-style heel transfers power from your boots straight into the skis – perfect downhill performance.
• The sliding heel follows the flex of the ski.
• You can switch from walk mode to ski mode without stepping out of the binding.
• Operating the binding with a pole while standing is a bonus that makes a full day's tour far more pleasant.

The highest level of safety among pin bindings

The Fritschi Vipec EVO 12 touring binding is based on alpine binding design: the toe releases laterally according to the DIN release setting. As a result it releases precisely under rotational forces, preventing torsional fractures. Health and safety are the guiding principles behind every product the Swiss manufacturer Fritschi develops. Safety matters more than weight.

The binding releases only when you really need it to

With conventional pin bindings, unwanted release on the descent can happen all too easily – with potentially fatal consequences on steep terrain. The toe design of the Vipec EVO 12 offers 13 mm of dynamic elasticity, in other words the travel needed to absorb the forces generated by rough terrain or sudden impacts. Even when you ski hard on firm or heavy snow, there is no unwanted release.

• The Fritschi Vipec EVO 12 does not release too early; it releases only after 13 mm of travel at the toe and 2 mm of upward travel at the heel.
• This travel is enough to absorb the energy so that the binding does not release unintentionally when the DIN setting is briefly exceeded – during a jump or an impact on a bump.
• The binding also releases with the toe in walk mode – an essential feature in an avalanche burial, when you lose your balance on the ascent, or in a fall during short descents on skins.

The Fritschi Vipec EVO 12 offers the same dynamic elasticity as the alpine bindings Fritschi built for more than 30 years – know-how the company now applies to the development of touring bindings.

A stiff heel and perfect downhill performance

The stiff, non-rotating heel has no joint and no play, allowing power to be transferred directly from the boot to the ski edge. The result is better control and greater safety on the descent. Power transfer is further improved by:

• the boot resting on the heel plate,
• a wide screw pattern,
• mounting the heel directly to the ski,
• a large, wide contact area under the toe and heel.

While skiing, the heel of the binding takes four times more force than the toe, which is why the Vipec EVO 12 pairs a sensitive toe with a stiff heel. Precise transfer of load to the ski edge lets you enjoy every turn to the full.

Excellent skiing thanks to the active heel

As the ski flexes while you ski, the active sliding heel follows the boot by up to 10 mm, letting the ski flex smoothly along its entire length – an essential quality for a binding if the ski is to perform properly. A binding without an active heel stiffens the mid-section, so the ski only flexes in front of and behind the binding, which significantly compromises its behaviour. Fritschi has eliminated this problem, which is why the Vipec EVO 12 is also ideal for a full day's skiing in the resort.

Easy step-in, even on a steep slope

The new generation of the Fritschi Vipec EVO 12 features a redesigned toe that you can click into even blind, thanks to:

• stops underneath,
• stops at the sides,
• a stop for the boot toe,
• a sensitive trigger.

As you step in, the toe of the boot is guided precisely into the right position – between the pins and the sensitive trigger – and even light pressure releases the pins, which slot exactly into the boot inserts.

A safe and pleasantly light touring binding

Equipment weight matters too, which is why the Fritschi Vipec EVO 12 is made of carbon and glass fibres, now combined with proven modern polymers. Everything, from design to production, takes place in Switzerland. Carbon- and fibreglass-reinforced polymers are lighter than metal parts while offering greater strength and durability. Low weight is certainly important, but Fritschi will always put safety and reliability first.

Further key features of the binding

• Convenient pole operation – during the ascent and when switching to ski mode, the Fritschi Vipec EVO 12 can be operated with a pole alone, without bending down to the binding.
• Switching from ski to walk mode without stepping out – you can switch the Vipec EVO 12 from ski to walk mode simply by sliding the heel backwards with a pole. You'll appreciate this on ridge tours and short descent sections during an ascent, when it is safer to lock the heel into ski position while still on skins.
• No icing up – the Fritschi Vipec EVO 12 touring binding is designed to keep snow out, so it cannot be compacted and turn into ice. The binding therefore works reliably in any snow and at any temperature.
• Adjustable binding dimensions – the heel offers up to 25 mm of adjustment (60 mm with the rental plate). The binding is not compatible with the "toeless" boots TLT 7, TLT 8, DNA and PDG.
• Remount on any ski – the Fritschi Vipec EVO 12 has easily interchangeable brakes (80/ 90/ 100/ 110/ 120 mm), so the binding can be remounted on any other ski.
• Ski crampons – the binding is compatible with ski crampons, which can be fitted without stepping out of the binding. It is also designed for use with a leash.