B & D Ski & Board Leash
Traditionally ski leashes have been a pain in the rear. For years I used short couple ski leashes like those that are so common. Having to disconnect my leashes every time I needed to clear ice from the binding or changing my skins made them very undesirable and and then the concept of disconnecting them in areas that may slide made me think what use are they. But the chance of loosing a ski in the backcountry and the sights of guys walking down with one ski in hand along with stories of people loosing skis always instilled the need for leashes. Few years ago I started experimenting with leashes that would allow me to exit my bindings and even change skins without removing the leashes along with a break away feature that would provide some added safety in a slide or other situations where I did want to part company with my skis. I have experimented for years and this summer I finally came across a material that would really make it work.
The elements of these leashes are designed to work together.
1. A coiled cord that stretches out without considerable force, but yet will return to a coiled shape to stay close to boots and bindings. The cord also provides a method of dispersing the kinetic energy released in a fall and provides a way to absorb or dissipate the energy over a longer period or distance thus dropping the peak forces on the leash in a fall.
2. A cable tie to tie to the leash to the ski and provide a breaking value that is adjustable via a selection of size.
3. A vinyl tube that protects the cable tie from shearing over sharp features , wear and stress concentration.
4. A snap hook that can be opened with thick gloves and can provide quick attachment, detachment.
The basic concept of this leash is that in a fall the peak forces placed on the leash are kept much lower thru the stretching of the cord thus allowing the attachment ( cable tie ) to have a lower breaking value. This in turn allows you to break the attachment in a situation that has a constant force - such as a slide-, easier.
Benefits
1. A leash that allows you to exit your bindings to do the common actions in backcountry skiing such as installation and removal of skins.- I tend to ski all day without removing the leash until I am done. I even set down and take breaks with the leashes attached.
2. A leash that provides some relief from the ski in a fall.
3. A break away feature that when a constant force is applied, will give away.
4. Easy hook up and release. One of the things I noticed with leashes wrapped around a hooked at the cuff is that it is much more convenient than reaching down to the toe of the boot, especially with a pack.
See below for details
ski leashes on skis shown on Dynafit setup.
Lobslter claw trigger snap is small and light but can be opened with thick gloves and is easy and quick to open.