How to choose ski bindings?

Below, we discuss the types of ski bindings, DIN value, stopper width, and which ski boot fits which ski binding.

Ski binding systems

Our assortment includes alpine bindings and various types of touring bindings. Especially with touring bindings, there are many different binding systems. Some touring bindings focus more on uphill walking, while others emphasize downhill performance. In total, we distinguish five types of binding systems:

• Alpine bindings
• Frame touring bindings
• (Pin) tech touring bindings
• Tech bindings with alpine heel
• Hybrid bindings

The last four bindings suitable for touring. The binding you need depends on your activity and ski boots.

Alpine bindings

Alpine bindings are the standard ski bindings that almost everyone knows. Are you skiing and have no plans for ski touring? Then this is the right ski binding for you, and you don’t need to look further. Alpine bindings provide the most direct power transfer to the ski for the best skiing properties. Alpine bindings are available separately but are sometimes integrated onto the ski by the manufacturer, which is often the case with race skis.

Suitable for: all skiing styles except ski touring.

Advantages:

• Most affordable type of binding
• Sturdiest type of binding
• High safety level
• Best power transfer to the ski

Disadvantages:

• Not suitable for ski touring

Frame touring binding

Frame touring bindings are perfect for beginner ski tourers who don’t yet have ski boots with tech inserts and plan to take short ski tours (maximum 1 to 2 hours uphill walking). These bindings resemble alpine bindings but are mounted on a frame, also known as a rail. By releasing the rail at the back, you put the binding in walking mode. These bindings are often much cheaper than pure touring bindings and offer more safety on the descent. The major downside of these bindings is that they are less suitable for longer tours, and the rail affects the original ski flex, influencing ski performance.

Suitable for: short ski tours
Often combined with: freeride skis and ski boots without tech inserts (see image with ‘toe insert’ and ‘heel insert’ below)

Advantages:

• Affordable touring ski binding
• Compatible with almost all ski boots, including alpine ski boots
• Same safety level as alpine bindings

Disadvantages:

• Heavy
• Rail affects ski flex

Tech binding

Tech bindings are essentially touring bindings. The most original and pure touring ski bindings. Tech bindings are designed to be lightweight and efficient for uphill walking. Your ski boot is secured with pins at the front and back, so you need boots with tech inserts. That’s why tech bindings are also called pin bindings.

To save weight, these bindings use many lightweight materials, making them somewhat more fragile. Compared to alpine bindings, the release mechanism is less effective, meaning they sometimes release too early or too late. As a result, these bindings offer less safety during downhill skiing. However, if uphill efficiency is your priority and you’re willing to compromise on downhill performance, this is a great ski binding for long ski tours with significant elevation gain.

Suitable for: long ski tours with significant elevation gain
Often combined with: touring skis or lightweight freeride skis

Advantages:

• Very lightweight touring binding
• Best walking efficiency

Disadvantages:

• Limited safety and elasticity compared to other bindings
• Lightweight materials are often more fragile
• Less direct power transfer on wide skis

Touring binding with alpine heel

The touring binding with an alpine heel falls under tech bindings. This binding features a tech toe and an alpine heel, offering the walking efficiency of a true tech binding and the safety and power transfer of an alpine heel. The downside is that the alpine heel makes the binding slightly heavier compared to a pure touring binding. However, this tech binding with an alpine heel is a good compromise between walking and skiing.

Suitable for: medium to long ski tours
Often combined with: (lightweight) freeride skis

Advantages:

• Lightweight
• Good power transfer on wider skis
• Safe heel piece

Disadvantages:

• Heavier than pure touring bindings
• Limited safety and elasticity in the toe piece

Hybrid tech binding

The latest generation of ski bindings—“best of both worlds.” Hybrid tech bindings have two modes for the toe and heel piece: a touring mode for uphill walking and an alpine mode for the descent. In downhill mode, these bindings perform almost like regular alpine bindings. However, they still offer the natural walking movement of a tech binding. Among touring bindings, this type provides the best downhill performance and is often paired with real freeride skis.

Suitable for: short to medium ski tours
Often combined with: (wide) freeride skis

Advantages:

• Safety of an alpine binding
• Tech walking mode for good walking efficiency
• Power transfer of an alpine binding
• Easy step-in like an alpine binding

Disadvantages:

• Slightly heavier than true tech touring bindings
• Switching system sometimes jams with ice and snow

DIN value

What is the DIN value?
The DIN value is a number that indicates the amount of force required to release the ski binding, allowing the ski boot to detach. A proper DIN setting ensures that your ski releases when you fall but not when making turns. The higher the DIN, the more force is needed to release the binding, and vice versa.

Read all about the correct DIN settings in our snowhow guide: How to determine your DIN settings? 

DIN value of a ski binding

Every ski binding has a DIN value. The DIN number is often found in the product name. For example, an Atomic Strive 13 has a DIN value of 13, which represents the maximum adjustable DIN setting. The higher the DIN value, the stiffer the spring that secures your boot in the binding. Which DIN value you need depends on your skill level, weight, height, boot size, and age.

Do all ski boots fit all bindings?

The answer is simple: No, not all ski boots fit all bindings. There are different types of ski boot soles, and not every sole is compatible with every ski binding. Newer ski boot soles often have a thick rubber layer, making them higher and causing more friction, which can prevent proper release. Below we tell je which ski binding fits which ski boot sole. 

Types of ski boot soles

There are five types of ski boot soles:

• ISO 5355 - Alpine
• ISO 9523 - Touring
• ISO 23223 - GripWalk / Improved Walking
• WTR
• Non-compliant touring boots

Alpine soles

Ski boots with an alpine sole conform to the ISO 5355 standard. These soles have a flat profile made of hard plastic.

Touring

Many touring ski boots comply with the ISO 9523 standard. They typically have a rockered (rounded) rubber sole with deep treads for grip on slippery surfaces, snow, or ice.

GripWalk / Improved walking

ISO 23223 was developed to improve walking comfort and grip on slippery surfaces. These soles feature a slight rocker profile and provide better grip than Alpine soles. GripWalk soles usually have "GripWalk" or "GW" printed on the bottom or side of the sole.

WTR

Like GripWalk, WTR soles were designed for better walking comfort and grip. However, GripWalk has now become the standard for "Improved Walking - ISO 23223" ski boots, making WTR soles less common. These soles can be identified by the letters "WTR" on the bottom or side.

Types of ski bindings

There are also different types of ski bindings based on their height adjustability. If a binding is not height-adjustable, such as an Alpine or GripWalk binding, it will only fit certain boot soles.

The chart below shows which ski binding types fit which ski boot soles. Further below, we explain the different binding types and how to identify them.

Tyrolia AT binding, Marker Sole ID binding, Atomic MNC, and Salomon MNC

If you have a Tyrolia AT binding, Marker Sole ID, Atomic MNC, or Salomon MNC binding, refer to the MN bindings in the chart.

Alpine bindings

Traditional alpine bindings are only compatible with alpine soles.

GripWalk bindings

GripWalk bindings automatically work with both GripWalk and alpine soles and can be identified by "GW" in the product name.

MN bindings

MNC (Multi Norm Certified) bindings are labeled as "MN" in Salomon and Atomic products. These bindings feature an adjustable toe height with a moving AFD (Anti-Friction Device), allowing them to work with various ski boot soles.

Tech pin bindings

Tech pin bindings are touring bindings with a pin system. Any ski boot with tech inserts in the toe and heel will fit.

Suitable for: all ski boot soles with tech inserts*

* If you have a touring binding with an alpine heel, ensure the heel fits correctly in the alpine binding. If unsure, contact our customer service.

Brake width

If you are buying separate ski bindings, ensure the brake width is wide enough to fit over the ski edges. We recommend a brake width equal to the ski width, with a maximum of 15mm extra.

If you have any questions about ski bindings after reading this article, contact our customer service for personalized advice.