Latest posts for the topic "Kicking bindings."

Kicking bindings.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:53:32 GMT

Ok I saw this being taught today to a class ran by ESF.

You know when you get snow and ice built up on the sole of your boots and they become difficult to lock into your skis. Well this instructor was reaching the class the scrape/kick them hard against their bindings to remove it before retrying to click in.

Surely that's not good? I spent a lot of cash on my skis and I'm not going to kick hell out of them, especially the most mechanical and safety conscious parts.

Am I being silly?

Do you do this

Re:Kicking bindings.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:03:28 GMT

A Ski Binding is quite a lot tougher than your legs, unless your Bindings are all plastic outers... All of the mechanical parts that matter are on the inside...except the Glide Plate. If you don't clear the boot sole free of snow, then the binding can't/won't work properly. Then your boot may be too tight in the fore/aft space and your binding may pre release, or worse still jam up.

The sole of your boot is part of your safety kit, scrape away, I do.

Kicking bindings.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:04:52 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:
Do you do this?

Yep - always have on my own and hire skis.
Pretty tough things bindings.

Kicking bindings.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:18:42 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:Ok I saw this being taught today to a class ran by ESF.

You know when you get snow and ice built up on the sole of your boots and they become difficult to lock into your skis. Well this instructor was reaching the class the scrape/kick them hard against their bindings to remove it before retrying to click in.

Surely that's not good? I spent a lot of cash on my skis and I'm not going to kick hell out of them, especially the most mechanical and safety conscious parts.

Am I being silly?

Do you do this

It is much the same as uncliping your binding with your ski, it can only cause damage :evil:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:36:53 GMT

Wickers, scratching the paintjob has no effect on the function of the Binding. :D

Re:Kicking bindings.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:39:23 GMT

Bandit- I wasn't questioning the clearing of snow and ice from the sole, that's a given. It was just the method.
I generally clear mine with the tip of my ski pole.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:44:21 GMT

Was taught to do this when I first started skiing and always done it - but it's more of a scrape than a kick, across the top of the bindings before clipping in. There's no weight behind it so can't see it causing much in the way of damage myself.

Kicking bindings.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:47:44 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:Am I being silly?

No... I'm with you on this. Bindings are one of the critical parts of your kit, and I was taught not to do this (many years ago).

Each to their own I guess but if you kick the snow / ice off using the binding then some of it ends up back under your boot (exactly where you don't want it) anyway!

I just whack the underside of my boot with a pole... but I guess kicking the binding will be easier if, er, your leg doesn't bend at the knee? :?: 8)

Re:Kicking bindings.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:48:37 GMT

bandit wrote:Wickers, scratching the paintjob has no effect on the function of the Binding. :D

I always thought you talked sense Bandit ,,,, but I am now doubting my judgement :lol:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:48:51 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:Bandit- I wasn't questioning the clearing of snow and ice from the sole, that's a given. It was just the method.
I generally clear mine with the tip of my ski pole.

As your skiing develops, I believe you will need to bite the bullet on this. There will come a time when you need to get a ski back on and quickly with no chance of balancing on 1 leg whilst scraping with a pole tip...your poles will be fully occupied holding you upright.

Generally ski professionals do a single fore/aft scrape, click in and they are gone.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:49:47 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

bandit wrote:Wickers, scratching the paintjob has no effect on the function of the Binding. :D

I always thought you talked sense Bandit ,,,, but I am now doubting my judgement :lol:

Well you know I'm nuts :P

Kicking bindings.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:16:48 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

Snapzzz wrote:Ok I saw this being taught today to a class ran by ESF.

You know when you get snow and ice built up on the sole of your boots and they become difficult to lock into your skis. Well this instructor was reaching the class the scrape/kick them hard against their bindings to remove it before retrying to click in.

Surely that's not good? I spent a lot of cash on my skis and I'm not going to kick hell out of them, especially the most mechanical and safety conscious parts.

Am I being silly?

Do you do this

It is much the same as uncliping your binding with your ski, it can only cause damage :evil:

you must be doing it wrong!

Re:Kicking bindings.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:30:29 GMT

I tend to use the front binding rather than the back part, along with scraping my boots on each other, and poles. Anything will do.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:41:50 GMT

All metal bindings for the win.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:15:25 GMT

I'm with Bandit on this one, plus I've lost the bottom part of a few poles smacking them on the boot! One pole ends up about 110cm long and the other remains at about 125cm!

It matters not what the top looks like, it's all about the inside and the base!

Re:Kicking bindings.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:03:43 GMT

Easy solution, but a credit card will do. The main reason for scraping the sole of boots is alignment (other that just being able to get into the bindings). Just 1mm of ice (compressed snow) on one side of the heel and you are going to be skiing like @#$%, and even a fraction of that will mess up your skiing.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:33:05 GMT

bandit wrote:

Snapzzz wrote:Bandit- I wasn't questioning the clearing of snow and ice from the sole, that's a given. It was just the method.
I generally clear mine with the tip of my ski pole.

As your skiing develops, I believe you will need to bite the bullet on this. There will come a time when you need to get a ski back on and quickly with no chance of balancing on 1 leg whilst scraping with a pole tip...your poles will be fully occupied holding you upright.

Generally ski professionals do a single fore/aft scrape, click in and they are gone.

Blimey, didn't realise I was a professional.

I've tried fannying about with tapping the sole of my boot with a ski pole - quite hard to actually get to the right part and then the pole really isn't sturdy enough to clear the snow thats there.

No, dont waste time. A simple scrape across the front of the binding and another across the back and bingo, you're off again. I did used to think I might damage them but they're sturdy old things. TBH your bindings look better once they're a bit trashed anyway.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:16:40 GMT

I have had my poles for 18 years and always clear my boots of snow with my poles ....... never broken one.
I guess that most holiday makers pick up this technique and think it looks cool the same as uncliping your binding with their ski, and I guess these will be the same people who will be complaining about the poor quality of rental skis :shock: :shock:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:18:34 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:I have had my poles for 18 years and always clear my boots of snow with my poles ....... never broken one.
I guess that most holiday makers pick up this technique and think it looks cool the same as uncliping your binding with their ski, and I guess these will be the same people who will be complaining about the poor quality of rental skis :shock: :shock:

Ian, how do you unclip yours? I hate using my pole as it chews up my bindings but I'm also too unfit to bend down :-)
Perhaps i need to learn the Cuche method.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:20:39 GMT

I never unclip my bindings with my skis. Poles every time. They do have a use.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:25:59 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:I have had my poles for 18 years and always clear my boots of snow with my poles ....... never broken one.
I guess that most holiday makers pick up this technique and think it looks cool the same as uncliping your binding with their ski, and I guess these will be the same people who will be complaining about the poor quality of rental skis :shock: :shock:

Ian, how do you unclip yours? I hate using my pole as it chews up my bindings but I'm also too unfit to bend down :-)
Perhaps i need to learn the Cuche method.

On The binding clip there is a small indentation which surprisingly fits a tip of a ski pole, I guess it is meant for that, I just push the ski pole and bobs your uncle, Mr Cuche does the same thing before he helicopters off his ski. No histrionics ... spent my hard earned cash on my skis and bindings I guess that is why my skis last for years. :wink:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:01:42 GMT

Tony_H wrote:I never unclip my bindings with my skis. Poles every time. They do have a use.

Top Man ... :thumbup:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:35:11 GMT

We all need to learn how to use the Didier Cuche method of removing our skis.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:57:40 GMT

NellyPS wrote:We all need to learn how to use the Didier Cuche method of removing our skis.

Nelly becareful that you do not end with a ski implant .... or maybe that is what helmets are for :D

Re:Kicking bindings.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:03:19 GMT

My bindings were pristine until my son stamped on the back of them to "help me out" of my skis, thanks.....

Re:Kicking bindings.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:05:53 GMT

Re:Kicking bindings.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:30:02 GMT

felthorpe wrote:OK

Yep Fine thanks :D

Re:Kicking bindings.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:35:11 GMT

I use the bindings for clearing the snow/ice. I totally agree with Bandit. It's quick and efficient and doesn't compromise the bindings performance.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:21:52 GMT

I am a kicker..

And clearly a professional :)

Re:Kicking bindings.

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:16:28 GMT

Iceman wrote:I am a kicker..

And clearly a professional :)

Why am I not surprised :shock:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:09:40 GMT

Kicking bindings?

I thought this post was going to be all about seeing if your bindings will release your boots in a fall! But I find I'm ruinning my bindings by clearing the snow from my boots with them and ruinning my skis by using them to get out of my bindings.

Ah well ~ I do at least know I'm holding my poles right.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:31:39 GMT

Iceman wrote:I am a kicker..

And clearly a professional :)

You also play music when you ski :shock:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:42:07 GMT

CLT wrote:

Ah well ~ I do at least know I'm holding my poles right.

You assume ^^ :mrgreen:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:33:13 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

Iceman wrote:I am a kicker..

And clearly a professional :)

You also play music when you ski :shock:

Nothing wrong with that, time and a place etc....

Re:Kicking bindings.

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:40:58 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

Iceman wrote:I am a kicker..

And clearly a professional :)

You also play music when you ski :shock:

Nothing wrong with that, time and a place etc....

:thumbup:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:15:18 GMT

Iceman wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

Iceman wrote:I am a kicker..

And clearly a professional :)

You also play music when you ski :shock:

Nothing wrong with that, time and a place etc....

:thumbup:

You guys go on about helmets and safety but do not see any dangers in skiing whilst listening to Music ... I find that incredibly weird :shock:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:49:07 GMT

Please no, please please

Dont start Helmets & Music again. This thread is about Kicking Bindings. Come on Ian ;)

Re:Kicking bindings.

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:57:21 GMT

I have started kicking bindings after I nearly took out someone's eye when whacking the underside of my ski boot with my pole to remove the compacted snow stuck to it.

I find it works much quicker (for me anyway). So I am now much faster at getting my skis on and off as I stamp on my bindings to get them off and scrape my boots on my bindings before putting them back on.

If it's a choice between causing grievous bodily harm to human eyes or ski bindings then I'm going to pick the bindings every time to whack and scrape :lol:

Ally

Re:Kicking bindings.

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:57:53 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

Iceman wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

Iceman wrote:I am a kicker..

And clearly a professional :)

You also play music when you ski :shock:

Nothing wrong with that, time and a place etc....

:thumbup:

You guys go on about helmets and safety but do not see any dangers in skiing whilst listening to Music ... I find that incredibly weird :shock:

Start another thread on this one.

How many people have nearly taken someones eye out tying to swing a ski pole at their snow covered boot and completely missed????

:lol: :lol:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:56:07 GMT

me, I have. Hence the kicking :D

Re:Kicking bindings.

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:59:17 GMT

Iceman wrote:me, I have. Hence the kicking :D

And AllyG :shock:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:36:03 GMT

Definite kicker, here. I find pole-whacking to be unnecessarily awkward and often ineffective. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. Agree with the earlier mention, though, that it's much more of a scraping motion than a kick.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:30:49 GMT

It's a pity that ski bindings are not designed with a straight ridge between the toe and heel pieces to scrap snow off boot soles. I like that scraper because sometimes however much you scrape on the binding, there is some snow/ice left. As I said before, just a bit of compacted snow in the wrong place will be like someone sticking a cant under the binding.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:31:23 GMT

Trencher wrote:It's a pity that ski bindings are not designed with a straight ridge between the toe and heel pieces to scrap snow off boot soles...

I couldn't agree more. Some designs change so last year's skis are out of date, but simple things like this are missed. How about something in the bindings to lock skis together to help prevent theft? How about an id chip? How about making them more comfortable to carry?

It seems the more skis change the more they stay the same!

I'd love the Dyson team to come up with some concepts...

Owen. (Confirmed kicker, to keep on topic-ish.)

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:35:21 GMT

I have seen peeps kick the back of their other boot to get snow off. If you miss when doing this it is either going to hurt or make you fall over :lol: :shock:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:56:09 GMT

Why not carry a blow torch with you when skiing? Simples, no snow every time :twisted:

On a serious note, I am a boot tapper/ski pole user to clear snow from the underside (unless of course one of my ski buddies happens to be close and falls for the old "Have I got something stuck to my boot?" trick). I never liked the idea of scraping on bindings, for the simple reason that the snow will often fall down into the binding area, ready to be squashed straight back onto the sole of your boot again when you lock and load.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:25:57 GMT

I must say is this the most point less thread of the season :shock:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:52:40 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:I must say is this the most point less thread of the season :shock:

Really? I was finding it quite interesting. Until Trencher pointed it out I hadn't thought about a bit of snow jammed under the boot altering the cant. All I do is try to get enough snow off the undersole of my boot so that the binding will do up. I can see now that I will have to knock off even more of the blasted stuff!

Ally

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:00:24 GMT

Of course you can always pick the snow off with a lollypop stick they way we used to clear dog muck of our shoes as kids.

urgh.

And then chase people with the laden stick

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:05:43 GMT

I literally :lol: in my chair then :D

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:06:51 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:I must say is this the most point less thread of the season :shock:

I can make a worse one if you want? :roll:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:07:16 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:Of course you can always pick the snow off with a lollypop stick they way we used to clear dog muck of our shoes as kids.

urgh.

And then chase people with the laden stick

Have you noticed you never see white dog muck anymore. The streets were littered with it when I walked to junior school.

Wibble.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:08:06 GMT

and why do you only ever see 1 shoe by teh side of the road?

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:14:51 GMT

Iceman wrote:and why do you only ever see 1 shoe by teh side of the road?

I've never seen one shoe by the side of a road.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:16:02 GMT

you should come up north :D

Why do you never see baby pigeons?

Wibble

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:17:47 GMT

Iceman wrote:you should come up north :D

Why do you never see baby pigeons?

Wibble

Because they're all in your back yard?

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:18:15 GMT

I think you're about to get snipped. I hope you have plenty of anaesthetic :lol:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:19:01 GMT

:lol:

where do birds go at night?

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:19:44 GMT

AllyG wrote:I think you're about to get snipped. I hope you have plenty of anaesthetic :lol:

Just because your Queen of Wibble title has been handed across to Iceman......

Anyway, you should have had your hot milk by now and be tucked up in bed. I bet you're waiting to watch the Football League show, aren't you?

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:21:15 GMT

Lets bring it back in line then.
If us skiers kick bindings what do those funny breed boarders do?

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:22:33 GMT

Iceman wrote:Lets bring it back in line then.
If us skiers kick bindings what do those funny breed boarders do?

They dont get snow on the bottom of their boots. Their boards dont come off.

And what makes them "funny"? Boarders are our friends.

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:25:57 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Their boards dont come off.

Do they sleep with them on :shock:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:28:17 GMT

Iceman wrote:

Tony_H wrote:Their boards dont come off.

Do they sleep with them on :shock:

Don't you sleep with your skis on?????? :shock:

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:32:26 GMT

I sure do, this is me this year in Val Thorens :D

Re:Kicking bindings.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:37:33 GMT

Iceman,
I can see now why the apartment manager got after you with the mop! If you'd been in my holiday cottage and sliced up the sheets like that with skis I'd have had something to say, for sure!

(That's actually pretty clever editing)

:lol: :lol: :lol: