F5 Jr Tour 26/27

A junior touring binding, and a frame design rather than pins, so the whole binding lifts with the foot on the way up and locks flat for the descent. DIN runs 1.5 to 5 for skiers around 45 to 130 pounds. Climbing aids sit at 0, 7 and 13 degrees and the frame weighs 890 grams. The toe and base plate take children's and adult boots in alpine, GripWalk and touring soles.

A frame binding is less efficient uphill than pins, because you lift the whole frame with every stride. The upside is that it needs no special boot, so a child tours on the boots they already ski in.

For kids who ski the resort most days and want to try skinning, and for families who want to tour together without re-equipping everyone. A teenager already touring seriously should move to a pin binding.

Sole length adjusts from 235 to 300mm, so it follows a growing foot for several seasons. The 90mm brake suits skis up to about 88mm underfoot. Bring boots and skis in and we will set release against weight and ability.

Taking a kid up a skin track on the boots already in the mudroom is what makes this one worth it, and the adjustment range means it lasts more than a winter.