I have used these bindings for three years and ski on average once a week in the back country and usually off the beaten path. They work flawlessly. I have made some fantastic crashes and have not hurt the bindings or myself, thank goodness. I have not compared these to other similar bindings, so I can't say they are better than other similar back country bindings. The only thing I am a little careful of is not letting snow to freeze into the pivot mechanism. You have to clean it out before you can put your boot into the binding. I highly recommend these bindings. Although this is not the boot section, I will say that the boots are very good as well.