G3 started by giving the Ion an adjustable forward-pressure setting, which allows 22mm of adjustment to ensure a super-solid connection between the heel of your boot and the heel piece of the binding, reducing vibration and helping to eliminate chatter. This gives the Ion a smoother, less rattly feel than traditional tech setups and makes sure that itll release consistently, but only when its necessary (its release values run as high as 12, if youre wondering). The mounting pattern is 33% wider than standard tech bindings, as are the toe jaws, making it easier to get power to the edges of wide skis and reducing vibration for a easier, more powerful ride in rugged conditions. G3 even built in a Boot Stop step-in guidance system, which employs two bumpers that let you settle your boot down in the right spot without trying and retract when you click into ski mode to stay out of the way. The Ion crushes it on the way down, to be sure, but itd be pretty worthless if it didnt go up like the dickens, too. Luckily it does, with thoughtful features like bi-directional heel rotationno more forgetting which way is right and which leftand dual Quick-Flick heel lifts that are easy to manipulate with a ski pole. Maybe the best innovations are the toe pieces double snow-clearing channels under the jaws, which let you poke out snow with a ski pole, ensuring that you wont ever accidentally start to ski without the toe pins being fully engaged. The Ion also boasts a fully retracting alpine-style brake for solid and reliable ski-stopping performance for when you do eject.
