SKI BINDING BUYING GUIDE
Your bindings are your connection to your skis, transferring your movements from muscle to slope so it’s important to match your bindings to your skis, ski boots, and style for the best performance.
Whether you’re considering a new ski set-up or simply new bindings we’ll take you through the following information to help you choose the right bindings for you:
- Choosing your ski binding
- Brakes
- Release force setting (DIN)
- Extra features and options
- Boot and binding compatibility
- Mounting your ski bindings
- Maintenance
Our stores have a wide range of ski bindings, so if in doubt, visit us in store and get expert advice from our knowledgeable staff.
After choosing your ski bindings always have a certified ski technician mount and adjust your bindings for safety.
Choosing your ski binding
To choose a ski binding you first need to know the waist width of your skis to determine what size brakes you need. You’ll also need to know your DIN (release force) setting which can be determined by your skiing ability, weight, height, and boot sole length
Brakes
The brakes are arms that attach to the heel piece of your bindings and stick out to the side of your skis. They are designed to stop your skis after release to prevent them running down the slope and endangering other skiers.
Your skis’ waist width will determine the width of your brakes; in the least they need to be the same width as your skis and at most around 15mm wider. If they are too narrow they won’t clear the edge of your skis upon release and too wide they may drag as you ski.
DIN Setting
This is the release force setting. DIN, short for Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Institute for Standardization), is the industry-adopted scale of release force settings for ski bindings. The DIN setting can be set by a ski technician based on your skiing ability, weight, height, and boot. The lower the setting the lower the force required to release your boot from your binding; a lower setting is ideal for beginners.
Ideally your DIN will be set around the middle of your bindings’ DIN range rather than at the high or low limits.
Higher DIN bindings are designed with stronger materials for expert skiers who will generate higher forces travelling at higher speeds on steeper terrain. Typically, the more advanced the skier the stronger and more elastic the binding.
Extra features and options
Once you know your brake width and DIN setting you can look at extra features and options.
ANTI-FRICTION DEVICE (AFD)
An AFD can be a sliding mechanism or a low friction fixed device on the toe piece that sits under your ski boot. It’s smooth, designed to minimise friction between the binding and the boot during a release.
ELASTIC MOVEMENT
To reduce the chance of an accidental release when skiing or moving, bindings allow a certain amount of elastic travel for vertical and lateral movement. The elastic movement in your bindings is will also provide substantial shock absorption during landings or in bumps.
RISER PLATES
Riser plates allow more leverage and steeper lean angles and are popular with racers and skiers who enjoy carving. The FIS (Fédération Internationale de Ski) has placed a limit on risers reducing their popularity.
FLAT SKIS AND INTERGRATED BINDINGS
Skis that have a flat top sheet will usually allow most bindings, as long as the brake width is the appropriate size. Some bindings mount to a plate or track on the size, known as system or integrated bindings, and can only be paired with specific skis.
Boot and binding compatibility
If you already own boots make sure you take them along when you buy bindings. If you buy new ski boots once you already have your bindings you may need to get them adjusted to fit the new sole length.
Always have a certified ski technician mount and adjust your bindings for safety.
ALPINE TOURING BOOTS
Alpine boots and bindings must be mutually compatible, but alpine touring (backcountry) boots have a different shaped sole which is not always compatible with alpine bindings so should be paired with the proper alpine touring binding.
Alpine touring ski boots have a different toe and heel dimension to alpine ski boots. They may also offer rockered lugged soles for secure walking on steep and slippery surfaces.
ALPINE TOURING SKI BINDINGS
Alpine touring bindings will allow a skier to lift their heel while travelling uphill before locking it down for the descent. They can be used for downhill skiing as well.
TELEMARK SKI BINDINGS
Telemark bindings are designed to be used with telemark boots and bend under the ball of the foot. The heel of the boot is free to travel up and down permanently in order to facilitate the unique telemark turn.
KIDS' SKI BOOTS
Adult and kid’s ski boots are made differently, meeting different standards and specifications. You cannot use a kid’s ski boot with an adult ski binding as junior bindings tend to have lower release settings. Junior bindings can usually accept adult boots.
KIDS' SKIS
The ski binding must be compatible with the skis and usually, a kid’s ski is not deep enough to accept an adult binding and its screws and hardware.
Mounting your ski bindings
Once you have your bindings take them with your skis to a certified ski technician to mount and adjust your bindings safely.
You will need to know your height, weight, age, boot sole length, and what type of skier you are; beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Manufacturer's warranties will be void if the products are not mounted by a certified technician.
MOUNTING POSITION
The mounting position is important for how your skis perform in different conditions and on different terrain. There is always a default setting for mounting your bindings on your skis however you may want to adjust the position depending on your skiing style.
Setting your bindings further back will give you a less responsive but more stable feeling on your skis, and more float in powder. Further forward bindings will give you a quicker turn response and better performance when skiing backwards.
SOLE WEAR
Wear on the toe or at the heel of your boot can affect how it interacts with the binding. Always check for wear and ask a technician for advice if you’re not sure.
TOE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
Toe height is the height of the gap between the top of the toe piece and the AFD. Bindings usually require a clearance of about 0-0.5mm between the boot sole and the AFD. Many alpine bindings feature automatic toe height adjustment, while others should be manually adjusted.
Maintenance
Ski bindings are generally low maintenance and usually just need to be checked over by a technician at the start of each season.
Keep your bindings free of dirt, rust, salt, and oils and don’t wash or clean your bindings with soaps or solvents. Do not keep them wet for long periods of time.
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