The Ion 12 received an update for 2017-18 in the form of a redesigned boot stop in the toe. The new mechanism guides your toe for a pain-free step-in, as always, but it’s lighter than before, bringing overall weight down a smidge’. And as every backcountry skier knows, every gram counts. What remains the same: The Ion 12 is still built with a combination of durable glass-filled nylon and aluminum for weight savings and bombproof-ness. Also, a wide toe jaw provides exceptional power transmission to your skis and forward pressure adjustment in the heel piece ensures consistent release values for an orgasmic downhill experience.