The shift is a perfect binding for the resort skier who wants to venture into the backcountry but doesn't want to commit to a full tech pin binding. In uphill mode it carries the simplicity and reliability of a dedicated tech pin touring binding, without sacrificing the confidence inspiring alpine style binding for the downhill. I was stoked when this binding came out because I wanted something that wouldn't be too much of a change from my regular alpine binding. I still click in the same in the resort, and when I want to go uphill in the backcountry it is a simple and user-friendly transition to lock the toe and free the heel.

Some people complain of pre-release in uphill touring mode, especially while traversing. However, I have never had this experience personally. I have found that if the proper time is taken to secure the binding during transitions, it performs as it should.

It is great at what it is designed for - a hybrid in-between of a touring and alpine binding. The shift is not going to knock it out of the park in either of those categories exclusively, but it will allow you to do both on the same binding and ski - pretty cool.