Choosing bindings can be a real headache.
Don't panic, we'll give you all the information you need to choose the best pair of bindings based on your skiing use, skiing level and body type.
When you’re a beginner in downhill skiing, you can buy a pack of skis + bindings. These packs are very good for beginners in downhill skiing, and the binding rack makes it easy to adjust the bindings to the size of the ski boot.
You can also buy a pair of bare skis and then choose the ski binding that suits you best.
Depending on the type of skiing, there are different types of ski bindings.
Here are all our tips for choosing the right ski bindings.
ALPINE SKI :
For intermediate to advanced skier profiles, looking for tolerance and comfort in use, there are bindings that let you easily enjoy the ski slopes.
Downhill ski bindings can be more or less technical to provide you with good grip under your feet to steer precisely down the slopes. They also allow energy transmission in bends
FREERIDE SKIING :
One of the main differences between an on-piste ski binding and a freeride binding is its width. This difference provides additional strength to the binding.
If you’re looking for a binding to conquer virgin slopes, you’ll need lightweight bindings.
The elasticity of ski bindings is important for freeride bindings. Indeed, increased elasticity makes it easier to absorb shocks under the skis.
With these freeride bindings, you’ll be closer to your skis so you can better feel the snow and enjoy the pleasure of floating through the powder.
So it’s important to aim for specific freeride bindings to ski in complete safety with comfort in use
For freetouring, which combines freeride and ski touring, you’ll need specific bindings which let you release your heel for hiking uphill. There are several kinds of freetouring bindings: bindings with inserts (which promote lightness) and step-in bindings (more reassuring during descents). Hybrid bindings (a mix between downhill ski bindings and ski touring bindings) are also widely used by freetouring skiers. These bindings are a good compromise between lightness on the ascent and robustness while keeping the skier secure on the descent.
SKI TOURING:
Ski touring requires specific equipment to be able to tour and explore the mountains with ease. So you’ll need bindings that free your heel to climb slopes during use.
An important criterion in ski touring is lightness. So you need to choose light bindings to make easy progress during climbs. That’s why many ski touring bindings are made from very light technical materials such as aluminium and carbon. Using these materials means an increase in the price of ski touring bindings.
There are several models of ski touring bindings:
- Bindings with inserts or “Low-tech” which stand out for their lightness and minimalism.
- Step-in or plate bindings that allow the use of classic downhill ski boots.
- So-called “hybrid” ski touring bindings which combine the advantages of downhill ski bindings, to ensure safety on the descent, and ski touring bindings for easier ascents when ski touring. These bindings are widely used in freetouring because they offer a good compromise between lightness and robustness and let you ski down virgin slopes as well as negotiate climbs when ski touring.
Choosing your ski binding also requires consideration of the technical level of the skier and their physical condition.
Indeed, the DIN of a ski binding located directly on the binding lets you adjust the hardness of the binding to take your skis off more or less easily during a fall.
If you have an intermediate or advanced ski level, you’ll go for a DIN slightly higher than your weight. This setting will prevent skis coming off inadvertently in more challenging ski conditions, but won’t prevent the ski from coming off in the event of a fall.
For beginner skiers, the DIN will be below their weight to make it easier for the ski to come off to avoid injuries.
Example: While a beginner skier weighing 80kg will set the DIN of their ski binding between 8 and 9. While a beginner skier weighing 80kg will set the DIN of their ski binding between 7 and 8.
Please note that some insert ski touring bindings may not have DIN settings. These bindings are pre-adjusted so that they come off easily during ski touring falls.
Before buying your ski bindings, it’s important to know the standard associated with your ski boots so that your bindings and boots are compatible. These standards define the shape of the ski boot sole as well as the size of the overhangs of the ski boot (front and rear parts of the ski boot sole), allowing the boot to be held on the ski binding.
There are two ski boot standards:
Downhill standard (iso 5355)
this standard is the most widespread and adapts to most ski boots. Downhill standard boots have a plastic plate under the heel and toe. This plate provides additional safety because it increases the transfer of energy when triggering the ski.
Ski touring standard (iso 9523)
the soles of standard ski touring boots are different from those of standard downhill boots. This standard makes it easier to practise uphill ski touring thanks to a more natural walking movement.
Ski boots may have different inserts or heel heights than on classic downhill ski boots
After choosing your ski binding, you need to mount your bindings on your skis and make the necessary adjustments so that your ski bindings are adapted to your ski boots.
To do this, we offer to mount your ski bindings in our Decathlon stores with a workshop and make all the adjustments you need so that you can be ready for the winter season without worrying !
And if you want to adjust your ski bindings yourself, check out our tips for properly adjusting your ski bindings.
