How to adjust bindings (step-by-step guide)

Knowing how to adjust ski bindings correctly is essential for safe and enjoyable skiing. Properly adjusted ski bindings ensure that your boots release when necessary during a fall, while staying secure during normal skiing.

Adjusting ski bindings after mounting

Did you buy skis and bindings from our webshop? As a service, we mount the bindings on the skis*. This means your skis arrive with bindings installed, but they are not yet adjusted to the skier. For safe skiing, the bindings must be adjusted using the actual ski boots of the skier.

Ski binding adjustment is not difficult and can easily be done yourself. Below, you’ll find a clear explanation of how to adjust ski bindings yourself. If you prefer not to adjust ski bindings on your own, any ski shop can do this for you in just a few minutes.

*To mount the bindings we require your ski boot size in millimeters. If you order skis from the U.S. or Canada you will receive the skis and bindings unmounted due to liability regulations.

Safety note

To safely adjust ski bindings, you must always use the ski boot of the person who will ski on them. Wear on the boot soles can affect the binding adjustment.

Do not adjust ski bindings yourself if:

• The skier is a child
• You are unsure about the correct DIN value
• When in doubt, always have ski bindings checked by a certified ski technician.

Adjusting ski bindings yourself

In this article, you'll find a general explanation for adjusting ski bindings yourself. Because bindings differ by brand and model, we also provide binding-specific guides with videos for precise instructions.

If your binding model is not listed, you can still follow the general steps below.

Binding-specific guides

• Strive (Salomon, Atomic, Armada)
• Look Pivot
• Marker Griffon
• Marker Rail
• Tyrolia Attack
• Tyrolia Rail
• Warden
• X12 en X14 Rail

Touring ski bindings

• ATK
• Fritschi Tecton
• Shift (Salomon, Atomic, Armada)

What you need for adjusting ski bindings

Before you start, make sure you have:

• Skier's ski boots
• Ski with mounted binding
• Screwdriver
• Personal DIN value for the skier

Not sure what DIN value? Read our article on how to determine the personal DIN value. To determine a personal DIN value, you'll need the length, weight, sole lengte of the ski boot in millimeters and the ski's skill level. Before adjusting your ski bindings it's also useful to be familiar with the general definitions associated with a ski binding:

Step 1: Place the front of the ski boot in the toe piece

Always use the ski boot of the actual skier. Place the front of the boot into the toe piece of the binding. At this stage, the heel will usually not fit into the heel piece yet.

Step 2: Adjust the heel piece position

At the back of the heel piece, you’ll find a forward pressure adjustment screw. Turning this screw allows you to move the heel piece forward or backward.

Adjust the heel piece until the ski boot can click into the binding.

Step 3: Place the ski boot in the ski binding

Next, place the ski boot into the bindings by pushing the heel down.

Step 4: Check forward pressure

Forward pressure ensures that the binding releases correctly when needed. After stepping into the binding, always check the forward pressure indicator or adjustment screw position.

Each binding has a specific indicator showing the correct setting. Refer to the binding’s manual to confirm proper forward pressure.

Step 5 (optional): Adjust the height of the toe piece

Some ski bindings allow you to adjust the height of the toe piece. When correctly set, there should be approximatley a 0.5 mm gap between the ski boot sole and the AFD (Anti Friction Device) when the boot is unload.

An AFD is designed to reduce friction between the ski boot and the ski binding, contributing to more control and stability. After adjusting the toe piece height, repeat step 4 to check if the forward pressure is still correct.

Step 6: Set the correct DIN value

The DIN value determines how securely the ski boot is held in the ski binding. The higher the value, the more force is required for the ski boot to release from the binding. When falling, you want the ski binding to release, but it should not release during skiing. Setting the correct DIN value is essential for safe ski binding adjustment.

Set the DIN value on both the toe and heel pieces of the ski binding. To determine the correct DIN value for you, check an online tool like www.dincalculator.com. You will need the length, weight, ski boot sole length in millimeters and the skier's skill level.

Final check

Once all steps are completed:

• The boot clicks in smoothly
• Forward pressure indicator is correct
• Toe and heel DIN values match

Your ski bindings are now correctly adjusted and ready to hit the slopes.

Tip: Check your ski binding adjustment at the start of every ski season and after any significant fall.

Disclaimer
These steps follow manufacturer guidelines. Using the above instructions to adjust your ski bindings is always at your own risk. If in doubt, we recommend having your ski binding adjusted by a qualified ski professional.

Technical manuals ski bindings

Are you looking for the technical manual of your (touring) ski binding? Below you will find the manuals of different brands.

Marker

• Marker ski binding manual (pdf)

Armada, Salomon en Atomic
Basically, Armada, Salomon and Atomic ski bindings are the same. Therefore, you can use the Armada ski binding manual below for all of them. So the Armada Shift 13 is the same as the Atomic Shift 13 and so on.

• Armada ski binding manual (pdf)

Look, Rossignol, Dynastar, Movement
Rossignol, Dynastar and Movement skis have Look ski bindings as standard. Want more information about the ski bindings on these skis? Then check out the guide to Look ski bindings below.

• Look ski binding manual (pdf)

Tyrolia, Elan, Head, Fischer
Elan, Head and Fischer skis are equipped with Tyrolia ski bindings. Below you will find the instructions for each brand, but basically the information about the bindings is the same.

• Tyrolia ski binding manual Elan (pdf)
• Tyrolia ski binding manual Fischer (pdf)
• Tyrolia ski binding manual Head (pdf)

Technical manuals touring bindings

ATK

• ATK ski binding manual (pdf)

Dynafit

• Dynafit Radical ski binding manual (pdf)
• Dynafit Speed Turn ski binding manual (pdf)
• Dynafit ST Rotation ski binding manual (pdf)
• Dynafit ST Rotation Lite ski binding manual (pdf)
• Dynafit Superlite 175 Z12+ ski binding manual (pdf)

Fritschi Tecton

• Fritschi Tecton ski binding manual (pdf)
• Fritschi Tecton Vipec Evo 12 ski binding manual (pdf)
• Fritschi Tecton Xenic 7 en 10 ski binding manual (pdf)

G3

• G3 Ion ski binding manual (pdf)
• G3 Zed ski binding manual (pdf)

Plum

• Plum Guide ski binding manual (pdf)
• Plum Karibou ski binding manual (pdf)
• Plum Oazo ski binding manual (pdf)
• Plum Pika ski binding manual (pdf)
• Plum R150 en R170 ski binding manual (pdf)

Archive

Marker ski binding manual (pdf)
Salomon ski binding manual (pdf)
Look / Rossignol / Dynastar / Movement ski binding manual (pdf)
Fischer / Head / Tyrolia ski binding manual (pdf)
Elan / Tyrolia ski binding manual (pdf)

FAQ

Can I adjust ski bindings myself?

Yes, for most adult recreational skiers with ski bindings, it is possible to adjust ski bindings yourself if you follow the correct steps and manufacturer guidelines. However, if you are unsure about DIN settings, binding compatibility, or safety, it is always best to have your bindings checked by a certified ski technician.

What happens if ski bindings are not adjusted correctly?

Incorrectly adjusted ski bindings can lead to premature release, failure to release during a fall, reduced ski control, and an increased risk of injury. This is why proper ski binding adjustment is essential for safe skiing.

Do I need special tools to adjust ski bindings?

No special tools are required for most ski bindings. In most cases, you only need a screwdriver and the skier’s ski boots. Binding position and forward pressure are adjusted using built-in mechanisms on the binding.