I briefly tried these bindings on a friend's skis last year and couldn't believe the difference in reduced friction and fatigue, so I bought a pair this year. Huge difference! I was on a pair of Rottefella Cobra bindings coupled with K2 Workstinx (heavy, with 2 layers of metal). Good bindings on the downhill, but really produced a lot of leg fatigue on the uphills. I found I was much slower and a lot more tired arriving at huts. This year on the 01, the difference is dramatic. I pulled a sled plus wore a pack and felt good arriving at the hut. On the downhill, they are very stiff and responsive. Switching between the two modes is easy. Terrific binding thus far.