How do you adjust your ski bindings properly?

How to adjust ski bindings

Helmet, goggles, ok. Gloves, ok. Poles, ok. And your ski bindings? Correct adjustment is as essential as a good helmet for a successful day of skiing. Find out why it is important to properly adjust your ski bindings, and above all, how to do it!

1/ Why is it so important to adjust your ski bindings?

This can be summed up in two very important words: pleasure and safety. Skiing is a source of pleasure, whatever your level. But no pleasure without safety! Badly adjusted bindings, are risks for injury, shorten or ruin holidays.

In fact, the length of the skis generates significant effort on the legs, in torsion, forward and backward. To avoid injuries, mainly on the knees, ski bindings must release the boot when these efforts are too great for your physical abilities.This is when the ski releases the boot when for example when you fall.

well adjusted ski bindings - Why,

Why is it so important to adjust your ski bindings?

This can be summed up in two very important words: pleasure and safety. Skiing is a source of pleasure, whatever your level. But no pleasure without safety! Badly adjusted bindings, are risks for injury, shorten or ruin holidays.

In fact, the length of the skis generates significant effort on the legs, in torsion, forward and backward. To avoid injuries, mainly on the knees, ski bindings must release the boot when these efforts are too great for your physical abilities. This is called "releasing" when you fall, for example. 
If you fall but the ski is still attached, you risk twisting your knee, whereas if the leg is free, you limit the risk of serious injury.  

Skiing with friends

Setting the "release value", or din, which is essential for adjusting your skis

If you have started to look at the issue of setting your bindings, you will have come across the release value, also known as din. This is the value that allows your skis to be released from the binding when you fall. It will depend on several criteria: the size of your skis, your weight, your level of skiing, your gender (because the height/weight ratios are different for women and men). Your fitness is also important when calculating this trigger value, which is in fact a hardness setting for your binding. If you set it too lightly your skis will go off at the slightest impact, or if you go over a bump. If you set it too high, you risk "twisting a knee" because the ski will stay attached to the boot if you fall.

well adjusted ski bindings - bindings

How to properly adjust bindings using din, with iso 11088 (linked to afnor tables)

Every year, many falls when skiing are due to an incorrect adjustment of the bindings. To make it easy for everyone to find the right setting values, we have set up an automatic calculation page that is accessible to our shop teams and customers. Everyone can therefore easily check whether the values applied to their bindings are in accordance with their skier profile.

Afnor is the French association for standardisation and develops safety standards for everyday objects.

How to adjust ski bindings

Start by looking at the length of the sole of your ski boot: it is usually engraved on the heel or side of it and expressed in millimetres.

This size will allow you to adjust the front and back of your two bindings: On the new models, the system is simplified and you will only have to pull on the lever to unlock the adjustment system. You should slide the front and back of your bindings until you reach the number range of your shell length, at the same time making sure to keep the lever raised. To lock the binding, simply clip the lever again. So you have set the right length to easily fit the front of your shoe into the binding and your heel into the heel cup.

Once the binding has been adjusted to your ski boot, you can move on to setting the release value, which is calculated beforehand using our tool. To determine the din, you can also refer to the Afnor tables. If this is the case, also take into account the type of skiing you will be doing: if you plan to go "hard" (moguls, jumps, freestyle, etc.) the setting will be a bit harder than if you go easy and never leave the slopes.
Using a Phillips screwdriver, move the values in the form of scales on the top of the binding. Perform this operation on the front and rear of each binding.

For these two manipulations, do not hesitate to get help from a professional.

The standard defines the hardness of your bindings according to 5 parameters:

  • well adjusted ski bindings - level

    Level

  • shoe size icon

    The outer length of the sole of your shoe.

Where to get your ski bindings adjusted

Adjustment is essential, so it’s important to pay attention to it and if you have any doubt, have it checked by a professional. We give you the means to check your adjustment with a simple tool available by clicking here but you can also go to the shop to have your bindings adjusted.

To get the best possible adjustment, be as precise as possible about your weight, height, and ski level.

How do i know if my ski bindings are properly adjusted?

You have set your skis and are ready to hit the slopes! You will quickly be able to determine if your bindings aren’t tight enough: if you lose your skis in the middle of a descent (which always feels a bit strange but will surely remind you of your first ski lessons) it is because the bindings are not tight enough, so when you pressed on the base to turn, the ski came free. If you are close to the ski lift, don't hesitate to ask if you can use a screwdriver, otherwise you will have to go down to find one at the station. Then go for professional advice.

If you fall and your skis do not release, the hardness setting is too high. It's dangerous for your knees, so go back down calmly and have your skis adjusted by a professional.

You now have everything you need to correctly adjust your ski bindings! Remember to adjust the tightening according to your physical shape and to update it every year in case of significant weight gain or loss. Now it's time to go and have fun!

2/ What should be taken into account when adjusting your bindings?

It is according to 5 points that the standard defines the hardness of your bindings. This is equivalent to positioning the cursor on the correct number in the binding's window located at the front and at the rear.

These points are:

  • How to choose skis:the 3 essential points - weight

    The weight of the skier without clothing (like at the doctor's)

  • How to choose skis:the 3 essential points - height

    The height of the skier

  • well adjusted ski bindings - age

    The age of the skier

  • well adjusted ski bindings - level

    Level

  • shoe size icon

    The outer length of the sole of your shoe.

well adjusted ski bindings - bindings

A software that provides the ideal bindings adjustment, according to iso 11088

Each year, many falls when skiing are due to an incorrect adjustment of the bindings. So that everyone can easily find the correct setting values, we have set up an an automatic calculation page accessible to our store teams in our stores and our customers. Everyone can therefore easily check whether the values applied to their bindings are in accordance with their skier profile.

3/ Once you know the value of your ideal adjustment, how do you adjust your ski bindings yourself?

First you need to know thelength of the shell of the ski boot:it is usually engraved on the heel or side of it and expressed in millimeters.

This size will allow you to adjust the front and back of your two bindings: On the new models, the system is simplified and you will only have to pull on the lever to unlock the adjustment system. You should slide the front and back of your bindings until you reach the number range of your shell length, at the same time making sure to keep the lever raised.To lock the attachment, simply clip the lever again.

Once the binding has been adjusted to your ski boot, you can proceed toadjust the value, calculated beforehand using our tool.
Using acrosshead screwdriver, move the values in the form of graduations on the top of the binding. Perform this operation on the front and rear of each binding.

For these two manipulations, do not hesitate to get help from a professional.

5/ A last little word to finish off

The adjustment is essential, it is essential to take it seriously and it must be carried out by professionals. We give you the means to check your setting with a simple tool, available here click. To have an optimum adjustment, be as precise as possible concerning your weight, your height, and your ski level.

And to be well equipped:

How do you adjust your ski bindings properly?

Stéphane

Wedze ski engineer