I have now had the opportunity of skiing extensively on the NTN binding offerings from 22 Designs, the Outlaw X and the Lynx.  Both of the bindings I use personally for all of my tele skiing applications.  They were all tested with the Scarpa TX Pro boot and are both bindings were set on medium stiffness settings.  They were mounted and skied on Volkl Blaze 94 and 106 skis.

Outlaw X

I’ve owned a few pairs of the Outlaw X now over the years and really like the power that this binding offers, but it is also on the heavy side.  I really how like how the binding skis, but it did take some getting used to, as it does have a stiff feeling flex in the medium setting, but rewards you the harder you drive and push it.  I also have toured on the binding a lot both at the resort and in the BC. Although heavy, it offers a very good range of motion, and was really good to going from walk mode to ski mode which made for quick transitions.  Just a press with the end of your pole tip above the toe of the binding engages the ski/walk mechanism.  They can drive any ski with power and provides high performance for both lift serve and earn your turns skiing.  Although on the heavy side of the spectrum, I do like these bindings.  One note to share, getting out of these bindings can be difficult sometimes.  It requires you to align your pole on an angle to disengage the binding from under your boot, and can be hard to engage, particularly if they are new or if you have never used the binding before.  Over time it does get much easier, but you need to spend some time getting used to it.  The Outlaw X is a great 70/30, resort/touring binding.  Does a little bit of everything quite well but is a bit on the heavy side for touring, even though it has a nice range of motion in walk mode for skinning.  The Outlaw is ideal for resort chargers who want to skin from time to time that a want a precision binding with a lot power behind it.

Features:

• Weight: 828 grams

• Instant flex engagement
• Optional brakes: 95, 110, and 125mm widths- available 
• Optional spring kit available for soft, medium or stiff  
• Ski crampons available 
• 50 degrees of resistance-free touring
• Industrial strength main die spring
• Preload adjustable from 1 to 5
• Two spring-loaded climbing bails at approximately 7.5° and 13° (for a 27.0 boot).
• NTN compatible in two sizes (Large and Small)
• Toepiece height: 1.1” at rear with 3-degree ramp
• Brakes can be purchased separately or use a leash

Lynx

The 22 Designs Lynx binding is a completely different animal when it comes to how the binding works and functions from the Outlaw X.  At first glance, you are drawn to the AT-like tech toe.  You just align the pins on the front sides of your boot and click in, then step down with your heel and you are in.  Just make sure you lock out the tech toe if you are not using a leash to keep the ski from releasing on your descent. (Binding comes with no brakes) It should also be kept in lock mode for the ascent as well.  This binding provided a nice even flex with kind of an old school feel that brought me back to my 75-millitmeter days of yester year.  Easy flex progression when dropping the knee reminded me of my old Scarpa T-1 boots with 22 Designs Hammerhead bindings.  It did not have the raw power as the Oultaw X for really railing turns, but certainly had enough behind to still drive the ski in icy and hard pack conditions.  I was a bit suspect of the tec toe holding up under firm and icy conditions, but after skiing some bullet proof bumps, this binding can certainly hold its own. From a weight perspective these bindings feel much lighter than of the Outlaw X and it makes a huge difference in the skin track.  Touring was so much easier for the saved weight, and I felt an extra boost in my stride with every step I took.  Switch from walk mode to ski mode was also quite easy, with just the flick of your pole underneath your boot to engage or disengage a bar that connects under your boot. I did have some ice- up issues from time to time with this, particularity in deeper snow, but it was easily solved by chipping away at it with my pole tip.  I would say this is an excellent 50/50, resort/touring binding as it is lighter and a much more efficient climber than the Outlaw X.   The Lynx is ideal for the tele skier who likes tour due to its light weight, but is still very capable in bonds ripping hot laps off the chair lift.  It offers a more traditional flex that old school tele skiers would appreciate.

Features:

• Weight: 628 grams per binding
• Instant flex engagement
• Optional brakes: 95, 110, and 125mm widths- available 
• Optional spring kit available with soft, medium or stiff flex plates
• Ski crampons available 
• 80 degrees of resistance-free touring
• Two spring-loaded climbing bails at approximately 7.5° and 13° (for a 27.0 boot).
• Pole activated ski mode transition
• NTN compatible in two sizes (Large and Small)
• No brakes (Leashes are recommended)