Ski bindings: everything you need to know

Choose the right ski binding and ski boot

Ski boots for groomed slopes aren’t the same as boots for ski touring, which is why not every boot works with every binding. The boots differ mainly in the sole and the sole extension, i.e. the edges at the back and front of the shoe. There are essentially four types of ski boots, three of which are standardised according to the international standard (ISO) and compatible with bindings that are also standardised:

• Alpine ski boots (ISO 5355)

• GripWalk (ISO 23223)

• Alpine touring (ISO 9523)

• Touring boots, lighter than 1.2 kg

For most bindings, a release value can be set for lateral and frontal forces, allowing the binding to release when it experiences the corresponding force. This release value is also called the DIN value, which is calculated based on the user’s age, height, weight, sole length and skill level. When buying a binding, make sure that the binding matches the DIN that’s been calculated based on your data – it’s best to get advice from a specialist.

Overview of various ski bindings

What should I keep in mind before purchasing?

Type of skiing: Not every ski binding is suitable for every ski style. If you only ride on the slopes, it’s simple: alpine bindings are the right choice. If you’re out and about next to the groomed slopes, the question arises as to whether you’re ascending on your own (ski touring) or taking a lift (freeriding).

Ski boots: Are you also purchasing new ski boots at the same time, or do you already have a pair? In any case, make sure that the binding and shoes can work together – it’s best to ask a specialist.

Weight: Light bindings are a big advantage, especially for ski touring, so make sure that the touring bindings are not too heavy. Lightweight models for ascent weigh less than half a kilo per binding, while heavier models weigh between 500 and 1,000 grams.

Quality: A good-quality ski binding is more expensive, but tends to last longer.

Adjusting your ski binding yourself

If you fall on the slopes, it’s important that the ski binding is triggered – i.e. releases – at the right moment. This can prevent serious injuries because it allows more natural movements; for example, your legs will end up less twisted in a fall without skis, which protects the knee and hip joints as well as the shin, calf and thigh bones.

To ensure that the skis detach from the boots at the right moment, the binding must be adjusted to suit the rider, taking age, height, weight and sole length into account. The skier’s skill is also important and influences how ‘hard’ the ski binding is set. All these factors together result in the release value, known as the DIN.

For safety reasons, we advise against adjusting the ski binding yourself. In the event of a fall, it’s extremely important that the ski binding is triggered correctly. If it’s triggered too early, too late or not at all, this unnecessarily increases the risk of injury. So, have a specialist adjust your skis correctly before the start of the season. Similarly, if your body weight changes dramatically or you change your ski boots during the season, you’ll need to check your bindings – even if the new/other boots are the same size and seem to fit the bindings. Even with a difference in sole length of just one millimetre, the binding must be readjusted in order to function correctly. There could also be a difference in sole thickness, for example, which also impacts the bindings’ function. Checking your binding during the season can also be useful, particularly after a fall or if you ski very frequently.