Abstract: A heel unit apparatus for a ski touring binding features two separate heel pins projecting forwardly from a heel body, and a heel pin blocker engaging the heel pins at an adjustable location within lengthwise mid regions thereof to laterally restrain outward spreading of the heel pins at said location. A blocker adjustment is operable to vary location of the blocker. Rear regions of the heel pins are restrained against longitudinal and lateral displacement. Lateral outward spreading of the heel pins in front of the heel body during both forced insertion of a footwear heel and safety release thereof is achieved by laterally outward flexure of the heel pins themselves. The adjustable location of the blocker varies the resistance to such spreading, thus setting the effective spring stiffness of the heel unit, and thereby dictating the spreading force needed to spread the heel pins apart during footwear insertion and release.

Abstract: A pin binding toe unit for holding a footwear toe to a snow travel aid has a pair of pivotal jaws with respective teeth for engaging concavities in sides of the footwear toe, and a biasing element operable to bias the jaws into open and closed positions. In contrast to conventional incorporation of multiple biasing elements into the jaws, the biasing element is instead uniquely housed in the mode lever by which the jaws are openable and closeable, and in this housed relation to the mode lever, the biasing element is constrained to a uniform horizontal orientation through the full range of jaw motion. The assembly is simplified, torque leverage on the jaws is advantageously varied within the range of the jaw motion for improved energy absorption, and the trigger of the mode lever is uniquely widened for easier user step-in.

Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure is a pole apparatus. The pole apparatus may comprise a grip segment comprising a cord attachment surface; a pole segment; a tip segment and a cord extending between at least the pole segment and the tip segment. The grip segment, the pole segment, and the tip segment may be arrangeable in a side-by-side disposition. A portion of the cord extending between the pole segment and the tip segment may be positionable on the cord attachment surface in the side-by-side disposition. The grip segment may be removably attachable to the tip segment such that, when the portion of the cord is positioned on the cord attachment surface, the removable attachment of the grip segment to the tip segment may maintain the side-by-side disposition. Aspects of related apparatus, methods, and systems also are disclosed.

Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure is a pole apparatus. The pole apparatus may comprise a grip segment comprising a cord attachment surface; a pole segment; a tip segment and a cord extending between at least the pole segment and the tip segment. The grip segment, the pole segment, and the tip segment may be arrangeable in a side-by-side disposition. A portion of the cord extending between the pole segment and the tip segment may be positionable on the cord attachment surface in the side-by-side disposition. The grip segment may be removably attachable to the tip segment such that, when the portion of the cord is positioned on the cord attachment surface, the removable attachment of the grip segment to the tip segment may maintain the side-by-side disposition. Aspects of related apparatus, methods, and systems also are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for selective holding of a footwear heel to a snow travel aid is provided. The apparatus is of the kind that comprise a base mountable to the snow travel aid, an upper portion slidable relative to the base and at least one forward connector for connecting the upper portion to the heel. The upper portion is rotatable on a generally vertical axis between a downhill position and at least one lateral release position. In this invention, the upper portion comprises at least one camming surface positioned such that rotation of the upper portion toward the lateral release position results in the upper portion translating rearwardly against an opposing force provided by a forward biasing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for selective holding of a footwear heel to a snow travel aid is provided. The apparatus is of the kind that comprise a base mountable to the snow travel aid, an upper portion slidable relative to the base and at least one forward connector for connecting the upper portion to the heel. The upper portion is rotatable on a generally vertical axis between a downhill position and at least one lateral release position. In this invention, the upper portion comprises at least one camming surface positioned such that rotation of the upper portion toward the lateral release position results in the upper portion translating rearwardly against an opposing force provided by a forward biasing device.

Abstract: A device for trimming a climbing skin to fit a snow travel aid such as a ski or snowboard is provided as well as a kit comprising such a device and at least one strip of climbing skin material. Also provided is a method of using the device. The device comprises: (a) a guide comprising a first surface for contact with a side of the snow travel aid and a second surface for contact with the snow travel aid base; and (b) a cutter connected to the guide opposite to the second surface, the cutter being offset from the first surface.

Abstract: An alpine touring heel unit is provided which comprises a base for mounting the heel unit and an upper portion with a heel connector. The upper portion is slidably engageable with the base for movement by a user into a downhill position and a touring position spaced rearwardly from the downhill position for disconnection of the heel connector. Complete movement in at least one direction between the downhill and touring positions may be actuated by a single motion by the user. Also provided is a heel unit movable between downhill and touring positions which comprises a heel support pivotally coupled to the heel unit. Also provided is a heel unit comprising a post and a body with a heel connector, the body being coaxially mounted on the post and rotatable between opposing lateral release positions and further containing a biasing device mounted outside of the body. Also provided are kits comprising a heel unit of this invention and a toe unit which functions independently from the heel unit.

Abstract: An alpine touring heel unit is provided which comprises a base for mounting the heel unit and an upper portion with a heel connector. The upper portion is slidably engageable with the base for movement by a user into a downhill position and a touring position spaced rearwardly from the downhill position for disconnection of the heel connector. Complete movement in at least one direction between the downhill and touring positions may be actuated by a single motion by the user. Also provided is a heel unit movable between downhill and touring positions which comprises a heel support pivotally coupled to the heel unit. Also provided is a heel unit comprising a post and a body with a heel connector, the body being coaxially mounted on the post and rotatable between opposing lateral release positions and further containing a biasing device mounted outside of the body. Also provided are kits comprising a heel unit of this invention and a toe unit which functions independently from the heel unit.

Abstract: A device for trimming a climbing skin to fit a snow travel aid such as a ski or snowboard is provided as well as a kit comprising such a device and at least one strip of climbing skin material. Also provided is a method of using the device. The device comprises: (a) a guide comprising a first surface for contact with a side of the snow travel aid and a second surface for contact with the snow travel aid base; and (b) a cutter connected to the guide opposite to the second surface, the cutter being offset from the first surface.