Press Release: ATK Hy Free Binding

By

The High Route Editors

The low toe arms indicate the toe unit is oriented in descent mode.

The low toe arms indicate the toe unit is oriented in descent mode.

Hy Free in touring mode (wings down). Photo: Davide Piferi
Hy Free in touring mode (wings down). Photo: Davide Piferi
The Hy Free is ski crampon compatible. Photo: Davide Piferi
The Hy Free is ski crampon compatible. Photo: Davide Piferi

 

Pressing down on the toe lever to open the wings. Photo: ATK
Pressing down on the toe lever to open the wings. Photo: ATK
Steeping into and engaging the Hy Free toe unit in touring mode.
Steeping into and engaging the Hy Free toe unit in touring mode. Photo: ATK
Reorienting the toe piece from touring into ski mode. Photo: ATK
Reorienting the toe piece from touring into ski mode. Photo: ATK
With the Hy Free in touring mode, the heel drops ~ 18 degrees below the pins. ATK claims this offers the ability for a longer stride while using a more rigid freeride type boot.
With the Hy Free in touring mode, the heel drops ~ 18 degrees below the pins. ATK claims this offers the ability for a longer stride while using a more rigid freeride type boot. That noted, the Scrapa Quattro Pro shown in the  image should provide ample ROM and reasonable friction. Photo: ATK
Risers stored up and away. The boot heel has clearacne to drop -18 degrees. Photo: Davide Piferi
Risers stored up and away. The boot heel has clearacne to drop -18 degrees. Photo: Davide Piferi
Low riser deployed. Photo: Davide Piferi
Low riser deployed. Photo: Davide Piferi
High riser deployed. Photo: Davide Piferi
High riser deployed. Photo: Davide Piferi

Responses

  1. Travis

    Take my money! Wow.

  2. Whit

    Really interested in this but…I’m wondering if their toe release is their touring binding “release value” or actual DIN certified values?
    Is the Hy another Vipec/Tecton in that it’s lighter but not in the same (safety/reliable release) category as the Shift?

    1. Gavin Hess

      The DIN certification still seems to be an open question as far as I can find, however it is apparent that the toe piece is ‘alpine style’ and does not engage the pins. That seems to promise later release and elasticity more like a shift or duke PT.

      There is a chance that ATK, being a small company, decided not to go through the expensive testing to certify the binding, or that it hasn’t yet passed/been awarded certification. Time will tell on that front.

      1. Slim

        On TGR a shop owner mentioned that ATK have not pursued certification (yet). This is kind of understandable from a cost and time perspective.

        The good news is, with a lateral release at the toe, you should be able to take them to any ski shop and have the release tested with your boots.

        1. Whit

          Good point on getting it shop tested. I know Skimo tests the bindings they carry so I’ll be interested to hear what they find with consistency and effectiveness of release. I don’t think most users know that RV values are not the same as DIN values so set them the same and then complain when they pre-release, or don’t release when they should (speaking from personal experience).

          IMO the Hy isn’t game changing unless it has similar alpine binding elasticity and predictable release characteristics as the Shift – so we’re comparing apples to apples.

          1. Travis

            ATK confirmed on their Instagram that they are pursing certification!

  3. Michael S Hills

    Cripple Creek Backcounty has a good video review posted on YouTube

  4. Ted Dean

    How about a comparison to the Trab TR1.

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