Plum R170 Ski Touring Binding 2022 – 2023 | Review - Mpora

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Plum R170 Ski Touring Binding 2022 – 2023 | Review

The Plum R170 offers best in class weight and durability, making it the ideal choice for big hut-to-hut touring missions

Why we chose the Plum R170: Reliable, lightweight, efficient 

Weight per binding: 170 g
Release Value: 8
Riser Heights: 0 & 41 mm
Brake Sizes: None
Heel Adjustment: 7.5 mm
Price: 349€

MORE INFO

The ‘Race’ series from Plum have long been on the featherweight side of Plum’s eclectic mix of ski touring bindings. But don’t let the name fool you. Not only are these bindings ideal for ski mountaineering races, but they’re also just a solid pair of ski touring bindings that come in at an incredibly low weight of 170 grams.

Plum R170 Build

The first thing to note on any Plum binding is, of course, that beautifully machined aluminum. Get this binding in hand and you’ll quickly see how detailed the machining process is.

This isn’t just all done for looks, either, by using as few parts as possible and, most importantly, shunning the use of plastic, Plum have managed to create some extremely simple yet durable bindings that are all built around this finely tuned aluminum construction.

This simplicity and reliability can certainly be seen on the R170. Taking a look at the heel, you’ve just got a single U-shaped pin system that offers a release value of 8 (ideal for skiers weighing between 70 and 90 kilograms).

Then, holding the binding to the ski is an adjustment plate that offers 25 mm of adjustment (that’s three boot sizes). This plate offers a wider screw location than its smaller brother, the R150. This wider screw pattern will go miles in giving the binding good screw retention, particularly when it comes to working with aggressive and heavier skiers.

Getting back to the main heel unit, a single riser sits at the top of the binding for efficient touring when the inclination rears up. You have to rotate the binding 90 degrees to switch between the flat and 41 mm riser, but many will find that you’ll have enough cuff movement (especially with modern ski mountaineering boots) to just stay set in one riser position for the whole ascent.

“Pair these with a full carbon ski mountaineering ski and a sub-1kg boot”

Taking a look at the toe unit, you’ve got the same fine craftsmanship that you can see on the heel. The toe is equally simple, with just the standard dual sets of springs on each toe wing, allowing the toe to snap into your boot binding inserts. The walk mode lock tab has been contoured in this updated design to further shave off the grams, while still offering enough surface area to making clicking out of the binding with your pole a simple task. 

Who Is The Plum R170 For?

As we’re sure you can tell with the R170, weight savings are the name of the game here. Plum has managed to pack an incredible amount of durability and simplicity into a package that weighs just more than a chocolate bar.

The R170 is going to be ideal for ski tourers who are looking for a simple, lightweight and reliable binding for ski tours in the backcountry. Pair these with a full carbon ski mountaineering ski and a sub-1kg boot and you’ve got a setup that’ll be bags of fun when it comes to traversing high alpine passes and going on classic ski mountaineering missions.

What Is The Plum R170 Good At?

Weight: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Safety: 6/10

Topics:

Plum Ski 100 2022/23 Ski Bindings Ski Touring
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