Go Faster Boot/Binding System

 

While most of the attention in the binding category has been directed toward the developments in the NIS and Salomon Pilot systems, a newcomer has quietly emerged on the scene – the Go Faster binding.

Go Faster adapts the thrust system currently used in ice speed-skating to cross country skiing. The principal differences between the traditional systems and the Go Faster consist mainly of the different thrust points.

In the traditional system, the thrust is provided by the front tip of the boot and the pivot point or fulcrum is generally located in the front of the boot. The new Go Faster system shifts the fulcrum to the metatarsus or ball of the foot, similar to shoes and boots for cycling and speed skating. This position transmits greater thrust from the foot to the ski. Go Faster is marketed by ProSkate srl, which has, for many years, enjoyed great success in the world of ice and in-line skating.

Because the boot does not bend, the system eliminates the loss of energy through the boot. The foot remains flat and “quiet” during all phases of skating, similar to cycling shoes, producing more power and eliminating soreness in the ball of the foot and skating on your tippy toes.

Go Faster bindings attach at the balls of the feet and at the heels. As a result, Go Faster boots have torsional strength through the entire length of the boot, from heel to toe, as they cannot twist longitudinally.

See a PDF Go Faster presentation by clicking on the image.

Another feature of the system is the shape of the boot – the rigid shell-shaped boot envelops the foot up to the height of the malleolus, to help the ski respond better to the movements of the foot. As a result, most of the play found inside conventional boots is eliminated. In addition, the sole of the boot wraps around the foot, providing comfortable support, eliminating the need for a rotating-boot cuff, which also saves weight and makes it easier to maintain the proper shin angle throughout all phases of skating.

Stepping into the binding is simple, just insert the toe and push the heel down. In trying to make the system as practical as possible, ProSkate designed a special attachment/release system for the boot, making it easy to walk in comfort after removing the skis. The boot features rubber inserts in the sole so that, in spite of its rigid structure, skiing and walking are equally comfortable.

This new boot/binding system has been approved by the EQT Committee of the FIS – Cross Country Ski – which is responsible for examining new equipment and also from the International Biathlon Union for international biathlon racing.

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