Ski Bindings buying guide

Whether you are an experienced skier or a newbie, ski bindings will always enhance your experience and increase your safety. These bindings connect your feet with your ski and allow you to take proper control over your motion.

With suitable binding, you can hone your skills and try out new abilities too. You can rely on them as they add up some weight enhancing the skiing experience.

However, while selecting a particular variant, you have to look into several aspects. You have to consider the style, size, compatibility, and other additional properties. Collecting all the correct facts on these aspects can become a tiresome task.

With an ill-fitted product, you won't be able to ski smoothly and may encounter some challenging situations. Not only will it ruin the experience, but you can even hurt yourself.

Referring to a comprehensive buying guide allows you to access all the details under one roof. You can analyze the information with several models and sort out the best one for yourself. Moreover, you will get answers to different questions related to various aspects of the product.

But before all this, you must have a clear understanding of the product. Let us start with a brief introduction of the product to understand its benefits and then begin our hunt for the best model.

What are Ski Bindings, and why should you buy them?

A ski binding is essential for every ski user as, without them, you will be unable to use your skis. These skis basically come with a track or drill mounted system. A ski binding connects you and your skis. The function of ski bindings is to transfer your energy from the body onto the movement in the snow.

Some skis are manufactured to yield optimal performance for the level of the ski; they come with pre-chosen track mounted bindings. There are other skis which come with drill mounted binding. These systems need to be drilled into the ski board's surface, and only a professional should do it.

When you are choosing to buy your first pair of skis, it is essential to consider and buy bindings. The bindings of supreme quality will be worth the money spent on them.

Types of Ski Bindings

The skis basically come in three types of bindings; depending on what kind of ski you want to indulge in, you can decide the style that suits you the best. Alpine (downhill) bindings, alpine touring (AT) frame bindings, and tech Bindings are the type of bindings for skiing.

Alpine bindings can be used for classic downhill skiing. They are easy to wear. You can slide your toe in and press your heel down to lock it. It can easily accommodate the soles of any traditional downhill ski boot. Like the simple entry, you can quickly exit the bindings by pressing the binding's heel downwards.

Alpine Ski Bindings

The alpine ski bindings lower stand helps the skier connect to the ski nicely. The skis' release process is consistent and safe, so even if you crash, you need to worry about your safety. These high-end bindings have perfect elasticity and rotate before releasing you off. It equips you with an opportunity to push off without an accidental release.

Tech bindings

These are the advanced bindings in which the traditional alpine toe piece is replaced with two pins that are attached to the tech-compatible boots. These tech bindings are incredibly light in weight, which plays a considerable role when climbing uphill, where dropping ounces is necessary to reduce the energy spent on climbing.

The reduced weight comes at the sacrifice of power. So, these are best suited for backcountry professionals who want to carry less weight.

Alpine Touring Frame Bindings

Alpine touring frame bindings offer attributes from both the alpine and backcountry offerings. Their design provides power transmission to bomb downhill. When these are switched into touring mode, the free heel and climbing bars help them climb. But they come with additional weight as they offer power, so they are not recommended for more extended tours.

Things to deem about while selecting appropriate Ski Bindings

Size

Finding out the binding break's width is one thing of crucial importance that is to be considered while finding out the correct type of bindings. The brake widths come in different sizes. To find out the accurate measurement of your binding brake, you require measuring your ski's waist width to get an idea of the break width you need.

Brake width comes in a lot of sizes and is listed in millimeters for each model.

Skiers select the skis brand that they want before choosing the binding to ensure they purchase the one that fits to ensure that it does not affect the performance. It is suggested not to buy the width greater than 10-15 mm than your ski's waist width. You should avoid a brake that is too wide for your skis to drag and create trouble if you hit a hard pack of snow.

Weight

If you climb uphill very often, you can consider going for the lightweight binding options like the tech binding, which are constructed very light compared to the traditional bindings.

You also need to keep this in mind that skis won't be 100% compatible with your purchased bindings. Bindings like tech don't work well with the regular alpine and tourist ski boots.

Tech bindings help you release your heel each time you climb up, so these can be easily used, as they don't let you get tired easily due to their low weight. But the low weighing tech bindings don't provide you with that much power when compared with the alpine traditional ski bindings.

Mostly the backcountry skiers prefer the tech bindings as they are very low in weight. This type of ski is best for people who want to ski for long distances.

Compatibility

Every alpine or downhill boots contain soles compatible with the bindings for alpine, which provides extreme comfort for a unique design called ISO 5355, for your shoes are always consistent with the bindings.

The critical part is getting the bindings that will stay fixed in a position when you are aware of your boots' length, which is quite different from your shoes' size. The fixation of ski bindings is done only by a professional. Ski tourers don't have the guaranteed compatibility like the alpine to stay fixed with the alpine boots.

There are few companies that manufacture boots that can be compatible with an alpine boot (ISO 5355) and alpine touring boot (ISO 9523). A set of boots called the WTR (Walk to Ride) boots assists you in walking with ease as compared to the alpine boots.

Features

Most of the bindings that are available in the market are designed for the downhill skier. They are efficient and straightforward. The alpine bindings are very easy to use; you can easily slide into them and lock. They can be compatible with any type of downhill skiing boots.

Removing these ski bindings is also very easy; you can press down in the binding's heel piece, and the bindings will be released automatically. You don't require lightweight bindings for downhill skiing activities, so you can go for a durable pair that will last longer.

The durable binding pair will provide you outstanding balance and strong transmission power. Thus, it would help if you tried going for bindings with a low stand height to stay more connected to your skis. Bindings with excellent elasticity are also present in the market, but they are a bit expensive. Even if you crash, these bindings will release quickly, ensuring your safety.

Durability

Many manufacturers use only the best and durable materials to manufacture their ski bindings. Well-known brands don't create products using low-quality materials. Rather, these established brands use high-quality materials, including metals like magnesium, titanium, stainless steel, etc.

These manufacturers produce products with features like adjustable toe heights and bindings that will assist you in hiking uphill. These brands have systems that have DIN options, as well.

For you to stay connected to your skis, there are toe and heel pieces on the bindings. They provide you with a smooth and extremely high-quality feel and allow you to transfer power from your legs.

You can use bindings with different quality materials, which will depend highly on your budget. You may also find bindings for beginners and bindings for experts, which are highly expensive as they offer more features.

DIN Range

Basically, the DIN range depicts what weight or ability range your bindings have been designed for. DIN range defines height, weight, age, ability, and boot size. If you are aware of these basics, you can quickly narrow down the appropriate choice for you.

DIN settings are required by those skis that weigh more and are taller. Not all similar people will need the same DIN setting as if two skiers have the same height, weight, age, but they don't have the same boot size, then the skier with the smaller boot size will be able to apply more torque on the ski bindings and thus, requires a higher DIN setting.

You can follow these guidelines to get an idea of what DIN range you should look at:

• .75-4.5- Under 109lbs, only youth skiers
• 2-7.5- Beginner adult skier or youth and teen skiers under 140lbs
• 2-9(10)- Intermediate and teen skiers under 150lbs
• 4-12- Intermediate to advanced adults weighing less than 200lbs
• 6-14- Racers or advanced skiers 150-210lbs
• 9-16- Advanced to expert skiers around 190lbs

The more the DIN range, the more durable it is designed to be. Durability is highly essential for aggressive skiers and free riders. The binding is designed to hold longer to the ski even against a sudden strong force. Bindings that include steel or metal components are more durable. You can simply figure out the best DIN range for you. You can choose your ski's strength depending on how strong you want it to be by checking the waist width. Ski bindings are essential equipment that keeps you safe while skiing. It also releases you quickly in case of a sudden accident. With the help of the DIN range, you can buy your preferred ski bindings easily without much confusion.

Brakes

Ski bindings brakes can instantly pop down when your boots are released from the bindings due to fall or manual ejection. They are like small arms that aid while you are moving. These brakes are specially designed to stop the ski from moving itself.

These brakes are essential as, during a fall, one may injure themselves or others in snowdrifts. These brakes are required to be wide enough to clear the edges of your ski, but the brakes should also ensure that you're not that wide to touch the snow while you're edging.

Keep in mind not to overlook the brake width of the bindings. It would help if you went for a width that matches your skis' waist width to that of the brake width. It is highly recommended to go for the brake width that is at least at a minimum of your skis' exact waist width.

Lifters

The lifters' role is to stiffen the ski under the boot and add extra leverage on an excellent edge angle and response. The lifters' material also assists in dampening the ski vibration on snow, absorbing the shock on landings, and boosting the energy transferred from your feet to the edge of the ski.

Lifting the ski too much causes the skis to become heavier and reduces its versatility. Research shows that a lift of 11 to 12mm is optimal for more than 95% of skiing people. Not everyone needs lifters.

Some skiers do not prefer any lift while there are some who like a little lift. They want this as they feel their skis are more stable when they are moving straight with high speed. Terrain park skiers also require very little or almost no lift for jumping, landing, or backward skiing.

Your skier profile

The ski bindings that you want to purchase should match your level of skills. Let us know how it translates to bindings:

1. Beginner and intermediate

If you are cautious to a moderate skier, you belong in type 1 or 2. The type 1 skier likes to ski cautiously at slow speed. You do not require the highest release settings or lightweight or impact-resistant materials. You can also say that type 1 skier is at entry-level and is not sure about his classification.

You can spend less money and still be safe as you prefer to go with a lower-end to mid-range model. But if you weigh more, you will require a higher release setting, and you will have to purchase the next level of bindings.

The type 2 skier can prefer a colossal variety of speeds. He prefers average release settings, which work fine for most recreational skiers.

2. Advanced

If you ski aggressively, you belong to type 3. You will need a higher release setting as you plan to push your limits. If you are skiing at high speeds and on steep terrain, you will require lightweight, bomber bindings made with titanium to enhance your skiing.

Type 3 skier requires higher than average release settings. They go for decreased reliability during fall to ensure a low risk of inadvertent release of binding.

3. Juniors

As compared to adult bindings, kid's bindings have lower release settings. These are made to accommodate kid-specific boots. Some of these bindings can work for adult sizes also.

Mounting and Setting

Mounting: The location of binding mounted on the ski highly affects the performance. The ski will feel stiffer and less turny if the binding is mounted at the ski's farther back.

As a matter of fact, the women's center of gravity lies farther back as compared to that of men's. So their bindings are mounted forward of the center. The forward mount is also considered by the park and pipers.

Setting: You should have your release settings of bindings tested by a certified technician. The DIN or ASTM setting is highly based on your weight, height, age, ski-boot-sole length, and skier type. You will be required to fill out a form for the technician to provide him with all this information.

You should do this in every ski season or every 20 days of skiing in order to ensure to get the perfect release settings of your bindings.

How to Take care of Ski Bindings?

Tips on how to use your ski bindings

1. Always stand on a leveled patch of snow. If you are standing on a slope, you should stand sideways to the fall of the line and initially put your downhill ski on snow for a steady balance.
2. You can use your ski pole to tap the excess snow off from your soles of the skiing boots.
3. To exit the boots, you can easily push your ski pole down on the indentation of the top of the heel piece to the time it springs open and lift your feet and exit the boot.
4. You should always align the boot toe with the toe piece and the boot heel and the heel piece. To step down in the binding until it locks in.

Tips on the maintenance of ski bindings

1. You should try to keep the anti-friction device clean, and if it gets damaged, you should replace it immediately.
2. You can risk removing the factory lube if you try to wash the bindings at the end of the season. It would be best if you only let a certified technician work on your bindings.
3. In the off-season, you should always store your skis in a warm and dry place.
4. Before beginning skiing at every season, you should get your skis tuned and get the bindings inspected by a technician. Bindings cannot be tuned as they are maintenance-free. They can just be adjusted for release settings and can be inspected or tested.

FAQs

1. How to pick the right DIN setting?

Each ski pair comes with its own exclusive DIN settings. These DIN settings are dependent on a plethora of vital things:

1. Skill
2. Weight
3. Height

Also, for a regular adult, this setting lies anywhere between 3 and 10. However, to get the apt DIN setting, you just need to have it adjusted and set by a professional and trained technician. In case you cannot find one, you can rely on the available calculators online that will serve the purpose right for you!

2. What are the ideal bindings for your skis?

Normally you can use any types of bindings with your skis. Remember, as long as you have the bindings compatible with your skis, there will never be any problem with the right bindings. All you need to do is read about all the top types with which your skis and boots are compatible, and you are good to go!

3. What is the main feature that you must aim for in your ski bindings?

Low stand height is one crucial element that needs your immediate attention so that you can easily get a good connection between your bindings and skis. Also, the durability and lightweight bindings are given more preference since they are quite expensive, and one cannot spend so much money on them again and again. Also, don't forget to check compatibility beforehand to avoid complaints later.

4. What is the most versatile type of bindings?

Alpine Touring frame bindings are considered the most versatile bindings as they possess the properties of both Alpine bindings and Tech bindings. Their great power transmission and allowance of different types of boots compatibility makes them quite unique. Even though they are not perfect for long touring, they serve the purpose right for the short tours perfectly.

Final Verdict

Ski bindings present a simple yet effective way to enhance your skiing experience. In this guide, you will get all the pointers that define the performance and usability of different models available in the market.

Give a quick look at the guide and arm yourself with an elite model for your trip.