So can I be clear for me as the imbecile in the room? GW boots and compatible bindings have a lesser connection between boot and binding?
If that’s so is it a discernible difference? 1%? 3%?
I ask all this just to get a handle on whether it is material to the target market, which I assume is by and large resort/side country advanced level skiers using walk mode boots, or recreational beginner and intermediates?
I’d say that the rubber on the GripWalk degrades the ‘feel’ by 5% but the larger issue is that they offer largely midrange bindings in GripWalk- the skis on the right have a GW Attack 14AT, it’s largely plastic. Move to the center & we have a consumer race binding for DIN, it’s mostly metal. Far Left- a full metal race service clamp (shout out to the wife- these are the SL skis she just won Canadian Masters FIS Nationals on
). The feeling is night & day- I feel like I’m going to snap the GW bindings off & look closely- the overhang toe & heal. I’ve also had issues with multiple GW boots all having different contact points- a first world problem but if you have multiple boots and a quiver, it’s a problem.
Additionally, all the GW boots are now (mostly) focused on being lighter, & lack a solid sole under the foot.
Now I am a firm believer that you only have so many turns in your legs and that if you’re wasting energy walking to the bathroom or the parking lot, you’re putting yourself at a greater injury and fatigue risk.