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How to Choose the Right Ski Binding
How to Choose the Right Ski Binding?
If you're looking down this page and think it's all too much to take in, reach out to our expert skier customer service staff! They can take the guess work out of picking bindings for you. Ski bindings are the most and least important component of the ski/boot/binding combo.
Bindings can be the most important because they are the main factor in keeping you safe on the hill. It is important that they release when they should, but not before it's necessary. They are the least important because, in spite of what the binding companies would like to tell you, they are BY FAR the least important factor in determining how much fun you will have and how well you ski. This is not to say that they can't help or hinder, just that they can't help or hinder much in comparison to what getting the wrong ski or boot will do.
Lots of aficionado will tell you how they only ski certain brands or why some other brand sucks. This is probably due to the fact that they have only ever tried their preferred brand. Bindings rarely fail, so why would they bother give another binding a shot?
We say "rarely fail" mostly because there are failure rates among bindings. From our experience here at Level Nine, there are some bindings that do have fairly significant failure rates which we will not carry. Now, lets get to the facts you need to know about ski bindings.
Ski Binding Basics
DIN Settings
All ski bindings have a DIN range. This refers to the range of retention values the binding has. Lower retention settings means less force required to release the boot from the binding for lighter and less aggressive skiers. Higher retention settings mean more force is required to release.
Typical Din range on bindings are .75-4.5 for kids, 2-7 for juniors, 3-9/10 for typical recreational skiers, 4-12 for aggressive hard skiers, and 6-14 for super chargers. Our Free Flex bindings have DIN ranges from 6-17 which is enough for any human, and 10-20 which are used by aliens I suppose (cliff jumpers and downhill racers may resemble aliens at times.)
It is common for skiers to think they need a higher DIN binding than they do. There is no official setting for any skier above 12, so all those who set above that are making their own rules. Make sure you consult a professional about what your DIN setting should be. Having your bindings set too high can be dangerous and cause injury if you don't release when you should during a fall.
Here is a good break downs to keep in mind when shopping for bindings. Anyone under 65 lbs need a kids binding. People between 65-100 lbs can go with a kids or junior binding. Anyone 100-150 lbs can go with a junior or typical recreational adult binding. Finally, anyone over 150 lbs should be on an adult binding. If you don't know if you need a DIN setting higher than 11, chances are you don't need it that high.
Stand Height
Stand height is another important factor. This refers to how far off of the ski the binding lifts the boot. A 25-35mm stand height is usually correct for most recreational skiers who want to be able to learn to carve correctly and ski all mountain. A higher stand height is usually reserved just for racers, as it makes balancing difficult but does enable you to quickly get the ski on edge. A lower stand height is usually chosen by powder skiers or park riders or some beginners who need to maintain balance rather than the need to carve easily.
Binding Sizes
Some bindings are fixed, which means that once they are mounted, there is minimal adjustment range to accommodate different boot sizes. All fixed bindings we sell will adjust up or down a size, so if you change boots, your bindings will still fit your new boots. Adjustable bindings will adjust to a very wide range of boot sizes.
Junior ski boots are designed to fit into junior ski bindings. The boots have a lower toe height than adult ski boots and it is not recommended that you use them with adult ski bindings. Every junior boot we sell is labeled as a junior boot so you do not have to guess. If you are buying a junior boot, make sure you also add on a junior bindings.
Some bindings cannot be mounted to fit large boot sizes. This is true across many brands. If your shoe size is a men's 14 or above, your boot sole length may exceed 360mm in which case you may not be able to use Railflex or Free flex bindings (contact us to discuss the options, and to find out specific binding limits). We recommend you use a fixed mount 2-piece binding like the Head Mojo 15. Unlike Railflex or Freeflex bindings, the heel pieces are mounted independent from the toe pieces and can be set as far back as needed to accommodate your big feet.
Demo ski bindings (Adjustable) are the bindings you would typically see on demo or rental skis. There is nothing wrong with demo bindings, they are always easy to adjust and usually have the right amount of boot lift for all mountain skiing. Demo bindings often do not have a great deal of features, but some such as the Tyrolia Railflex Demo bindings have everything. Demo does not mean they are used.
Types of Ski Bindings
Alpine/Downhill Bindings
You should look at Alpine/Downhill Bindings when starting your skiing adventure. After finding the right flat ski, you can look to get a ski binding. Check the width of the ski's waist and make sure your ski binding brake width is the same size or bigger.
The most common type is downhill bindings. They typically come in two forms a “Demo” or “Fixed Mount” version. They also work with most alpine ski boots so they require no special requirements.
The bindings also have different release features like the Look Pivot Heels or a Race Aluminum Toe Piece. Let us jump in and tackle some of these features and why you would want or don’t want them.
Starting with "Demo" bindings, people also refer to them as adjustable bindings. You can use these benefits in multiple ways. One key benefit is the ski's easy adjustability, making it convenient for sharing or lending to visitors from other places.
Demo bindings have a drawback: they sit higher on the ski, resulting in less power transfer to the ski. It is also known for having a little wiggle from the binding on the binding plate.
"Fixed Mount" bindings improve power transfer but offer a limited adjustment range due to their name. Fixed bindings are good if you want to keep skis for a long time or don't plan on selling them later.
They can also help with being a greater source of power transfer from skier to ski. The bindings can be safer with features like Look Pivots heel design or Look's Aluminum Race Toe Piece.
Hybrid Touring Bindings
People recognize hybrid touring ski bindings for their utility as both in-resort and out-of-resort bindings. The recent introduction of the Salomon Shift Bindings and the Marker Duke PT has enabled skiers to enjoy both in-bounds and out-of-bounds skiing with a single setup. Please note that backcountry skiing is another term for out-of-bounds skiing. This form of skiing is risky and requires the use of appropriate safety gear.
Hybrid touring bindings come with ups and downs, as all bindings do. The ability to go into walk mode, a way to go uphill with touring skins, is a huge benefit. We consider these bindings a great 50:50 ratio for “Resort to Backcountry.”
The main thing you will hear about these bindings is the fact that they are heavy for the backcountry. However, many will say that the downhill ability and stability of the bindings outweigh that.
Overall these bindings are perfect for the skier looking for a single ski resort and backcountry skiing. We recommend getting these with a hybrid ski like an Atomic Bent Chetler or a Blizzard Hustle. This will keep the weight low but can truly tear up all you can throw at it.
Alpine Touring Bindings
Alpine touring ski bindings are the lightest of the three types we discuss. They can achieve this by using a technology known as Pin Tech
Pin tech requires special ski boots that are compatible with the tech. The binding doesn’t look like much, but the technology is revolutionary for backcountry skiing. These bindings make walking much easier and with less effort.
The compromise with these being so lightweight is the downhill skiing capability. These bindings do not give you as good of a power transfer to the skis versus others we have discussed.
Bindings may not always have a DIN setting. It determines when to release during a fall. We may omit certain features in the binding due to its lightweight. It's possible that we won't provide binding brakes, but we can provide a leash as an alternative.