If you're looking for one do-it-all binding, then the Atomic/Salomon Shift is the only way to go. No other binding on the market offers the same ease of use and versatility as the Shift. Transitioning from the alpine to touring setting is as simple as flipping a tab on the toe piece and locking down the brake. Once in skinning mode, there are only two level settings. The flat setting and a climbing setting, thanks to one riser (roughly 1.5in) the latter make climbing a bit easier on the legs. Keep in mind that a standard tech binding would have at least two risers - one for moderately steep climbs and another for steeper climbs. That said, the lack of a second riser can make certain pitches more taxing. Secondly, the weight of the Shift binding compared to most tech bindings impacts the uphill performance of the binding. Dedicated backcountry skiers lean towards lighter setups.

All said, if you're the type of skier who wants to dabble in more backcountry and sidecountry adventures, the Shift is a great place to start! Just don't expect it to have the same performance characteristics as either an alpine binding or tech binding will have. But this is a great way to break into backcountry skiing without breaking the bank on a dedicated backcountry setup.