Fishmonger,
How do you like your Dynafits? I just picked up some TLT Vertical FT Z12's and am absolutely loving them! Replacing my freerides with them knocked off nearly 3 lbs - definitely helps on the up. I can't wait to get them up to Iceberg!
I have only tried them at the resort so far, plus for a no-skin attempt at cross country (talk about exercise!) and like them a lot. It takes a little getting used to to get the boots snapped into the front, especially when you try it in deep snow for the first time like I did. I have the Vertical TLT ST bindings, not super light, but I can't imagine going to a Fritschi style. With the ski this is still pretty darn heavy.
Hike mode with the Scarpa F1 boots is very comfortable - which for me is the priority, planning on that long trek along the JMT. The thing that's not so great is the extra weight I had to add to make the bindings safe for these flexible boots - adding the "shim" they require adds a rather significant amount of weight. I could save several ounces on each ski if I found a solution that supports the ball of the boot (so they don't flex in downhill mode and self-release in a simple compression). I don't have ski crampons and don't plan on using any (when needed, ski come off and I'll wear crampons on the boots), so I could probably put something permanent under the ball of the boots that weighs much less than the removable shim. On the other hand - by the time I hit the JMT in a year or two, I will probably get different boots that won't need the shim anyway.
I just disassembled the heel unit just to see how it all goes together and to check for corrosion and lube (bought all this used). All in good shape and I know now how to possibly field-repair and adjust everything. You only need two tools to get in there.
At the ski resort I managed to have the bindings open once in a fall, so I know they do work
