22 Designs: All for the Turn

Founded in 2004 by Chris Valiante and Collins Pringle, 22 Designs embodies the passion, precision, and entrepreneurial spirit of two mechanical engineers who dared to reimagine telemark skiing. Named after Wyoming Highway 22, which winds over Teton Pass- a playground for backcountry skiers- our company was born from a shared love for the free-heel turn that defines telemark skiing. Our motto, "All for the Turn," captures our relentless pursuit of crafting bindings that blend durability and technology with the grace and freedom of telemark.

In the Beginning

Chris and Collins met as mechanical engineering students at Clarkson University, where they first discovered telemark skiing through the outing club’s rented gear—floppy boots and three-pin cable bindings. What began as a hobby soon became a calling. In 2003, Chris crossed paths with Russell Rainey of Rainey Designs, the innovator behind the SuperLoop and HammerHead telemark bindings. When Russell offered Chris a summer internship to redesign the HammerHead heel climber, a spark ignited.

As Russell prepared to step away from the business, Chris saw an opportunity. Backpacking in Argentina at the time, he and Collins, his college roommate and fellow tele enthusiast, sealed a deal to take over Rainey Designs’ legacy from an internet café in South America. With little more than grit, passion, and a vision, they returned to the States as the proud (and broke) owners of what would become 22 Designs.

Building a legacy

Starting in rented garages, Chris and Collins began hand-assembling the first 22 Designs bindings in 2004. Over the past two decades, their commitment to quality and innovation has transformed 22 Designs into a cornerstone of the telemark community. From those humble beginnings, they’ve grown into a full warehouse in Teton Valley, Idaho, employing a tight-knit team (plus some canine coworkers). Every binding is meticulously hand-assembled, and engineered to withstand a lifetime of turns.

Since our inception, we’ve introduced five top-selling telemark bindings, each designed to push the boundaries of performance and durability. Our engineering roots drive us to constantly innovate, ensuring our bindings exceed the expectations of skiers who demand the best. Whether you’re carving groomers, charging powder, or exploring deep in the backcountry, 22 Designs bindings are built to deliver the perfect turn—every time.

Making Telemark Accessible

Headquartered in the vibrant telemark community of Teton Valley, Idaho, we’re dedicated to sharing the joy of free-heel skiing with everyone. To make the sport more accessible, we host annual Demo Tours in North America and Europe, allowing “tele-curious” skiers to try our gear before committing. We’ve also pioneered the first kids-specific telemark binding, ensuring even the youngest shredders can experience the thrill of the turn. At 22 Designs, we believe telemark skiing is for everyone, and we’re here to make that vision a reality.

Our Youth Tele Program

Sustainability and Stewardship

As a company built on the love of winter and snow, we recognize the urgent need to protect the environments that make our sport possible. Climate change threatens the snow we cherish, and we’re committed to doing our part.

Solar at HQ

Through our partnership with the Outdoor Industry Association’s Climate Action Corps, we’ve prioritized sourcing materials from environmentally conscious suppliers and increasing in-house production to reduce our footprint.

We’re also proud to collaborate with Protect Our Winters, advocating for climate action within the telemark community. Every step we take—whether it’s reducing waste, embracing renewable energy, or supporting environmental initiatives—reflects our commitment to preserving the winters we love for generations to come.

Read More About Our Climate Action

Our Promise

For 22 years, 22 Designs has been driven by a singular mission: to create the world’s best telemark bindings, uniting cutting-edge engineering with the soul of free-heel skiing. Chris and Collins, still telemark skiers at heart, lead a team that lives for the turn and the community it inspires.

At 22 Designs, every binding we build, every innovation we pursue, and every turn we take is All for the Turn.