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The Pivot 14 is an intriguing offering in the market of ski bindings. It seems to be tailored for advanced skiers, with a DIN setting of 5-14, a turntable design for precision, and compatibility with both Alpine and GripWalk boot soles. Its safety features and long elastic travel capacity also indicate that it’s designed with challenging terrains in mind. On the downside, its weight, at 4 lbs. 14.7 oz., can be an issue for those preferring lighter gear or skiers on the lighter side.
The brake width options (95mm and 115mm) could be limiting if your skis don’t match these dimensions. In my humble opinion, I’d say the Pivot 14 might not be the ideal choice for beginners, casual skiers, or those who prefer lighter gear, but could be a solid contender for experienced skiers looking for precision and flexibility. However, as always, it all comes down to individual needs and preferences. Remember, it’s always beneficial to do a bit of research and consideration before settling on any piece of equipment.
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Look Pivot 14 GW Ski Bindings Review: Who is it for?
Based on what I’ve seen and read, the Look Pivot 14 GW bindings, or simply Pivot 14, seem to be designed specifically for advanced skiers, given several of their features. This isn’t something I am saying lightly, and I’m not trying to hype up the product. It’s just the kind of vibe I get from the features and specs that I’ve come across.
One of the first things that caught my attention was the higher DIN setting range of 5–14. This range is geared more towards advanced skiers, so if you’re someone like me who’s still learning the ropes, these bindings may not be the best fit. Still, it’s encouraging to see such versatility in a ski binding.
Additionally, the turntable design of the Pivot 14, which offers seven points of contact, seems to be designed for maximum coupling strength and power transmission. I think this is a clear indication that these bindings are for skiers who require precision in their gear. So, if you’re an expert skier looking for a binding that can provide instantaneous power transmission, this seems like a viable option.
These bindings also offer compatibility with both traditional Alpine (ISO 5355) boot soles and GripWalk boot soles. That’s a lot of flexibility, which advanced skiers who use different types of boots might appreciate. However, I can’t help but wonder whether this feature may be less useful for beginner or intermediate skiers, who may prefer to stick with one type of boot.
The 180° multidirectional protection that these bindings offer, with the binding toepiece offering upward release independent of the heel, suggests they’re designed to provide the most effective protection in case of a fall. And let’s not forget the long elastic travel to ensure superior shock absorption to reduce unwanted binding release. I can’t help but think that this kind of safety feature would be particularly attractive to advanced skiers, who often ski on more challenging terrains.
Looking at the technical specs, the Pivot 14 bindings are recommended for skiers weighing between 130 and 285 pounds. They’re unisex bindings, which I think is another cool feature. The weight of the pair, 4 lbs. 14.7 oz., seems a bit on the heavier side, so lighter skiers or those who prefer lighter gear might want to keep this in mind.
In terms of brake width, there are two options: 95 millimeters and 115 millimeters. I reckon that choice would largely depend on the kind of skis you use and your personal preference.
All in all, from my perspective, the Pivot 14 bindings seem to be designed to cater to advanced skiers who demand precise control, flexibility in boot compatibility, and advanced safety features in their equipment. Naturally, it all depends on what you’re looking for in ski bindings, but based on the features and specs I’ve seen, these are the kind of skier profiles that I think would benefit the most from the Pivot 14.
Look Pivot 14 GW Ski Bindings Review: Who isn’t it for?
The Look Pivot 14 GW Ski Bindings, or the Pivot 14 as I’ll call them for simplicity’s sake, do come with some impressive features and specs. However, they might not be the perfect fit for everyone. I’m not saying they’re bad or anything, but depending on your particular profile as a skier, they might not be the best choice.
First off, if you’re a beginner or novice skier, these bindings might be a bit too much for you. Remember that they have a DIN setting range of 5–14, which is primarily meant for advanced skiers. If you’re just starting out or haven’t really developed advanced skills yet, you might not need such a wide DIN range. A less complex binding might be a better fit for you.
The Pivot 14 bindings also seem to be designed with precision in mind, from the turntable design to the multidirectional safety features. Again, these are things that more skilled skiers would likely appreciate. Newbies or casual skiers might not really need or even fully utilize these features. It’s like buying a high-end gaming computer when you just want to play Solitaire, you know?
One thing I was wondering about is the weight. At 4 lbs. 14.7 oz., the Pivot 14 is a bit heavier than some other bindings out there. If you’re a lighter skier or simply prefer lighter equipment, this might be something you’d want to keep in mind. Skiing is a lot about movement and balance, and the weight of your gear can affect that.
Similarly, the compatibility with both Alpine and GripWalk boot soles is great and all, but it might not be as beneficial if you only use one type of boot or if you’re not planning to switch anytime soon. It’s like having a car that can run on both gasoline and electricity, but you only have a gasoline station nearby. The feature is there, but you might not need or use it.
Now, the two options for brake width—95 mm and 115 mm—might also be a factor to consider. If your skis are narrower or wider than these options, the Pivot 14 might not be the best fit. It’s like having a shoe that’s either too big or too small—it might work, but it’s not the most comfortable or efficient choice.
So, in my humble opinion, the Pivot 14 bindings might not be the best choice for beginners, casual skiers, those who prefer lighter gear, skiers who only use one type of boot sole, or skiers with skis that don’t fit the provided brake widths. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the Pivot 14 is a bad product—far from it. It simply means that, like with any other piece of equipment, you need to consider your specific needs and circumstances when choosing your ski bindings.
Look Pivot 14 GW Ski Bindings Review: Conclusion
The Pivot 14 is an intriguing offering in the market of ski bindings. It seems to be tailored for advanced skiers, with a DIN setting of 5-14, a turntable design for precision, and compatibility with both Alpine and GripWalk boot soles. Its safety features and long elastic travel capacity also indicate that it’s designed with challenging terrains in mind. On the downside, its weight, at 4 lbs. 14.7 oz., can be an issue for those preferring lighter gear or skiers on the lighter side.
The brake width options (95mm and 115mm) could be limiting if your skis don’t match these dimensions. In my humble opinion, I’d say the Pivot 14 might not be the ideal choice for beginners, casual skiers, or those who prefer lighter gear, but could be a solid contender for experienced skiers looking for precision and flexibility. However, as always, it all comes down to individual needs and preferences. Remember, it’s always beneficial to do a bit of research and consideration before settling on any piece of equipment.