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The following is a list of many of the frequently asked questions about alpine ski bindings. To obtain the answer to any question listed below, please click on the respective question in the list to jump to its answer.
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Q: I am interested in purchasing ski bindings, what types of bindings do you offer?
A: Ski bindings are classified into the following types: regular, integrated/system, wide brake/freestyle and race. Determining the binding type that you need will be based on the skis that you have. A regular binding are standard bindings that are mounted onto skis, whereas integrated/system are bindings that are built into part of the ski. Wide brake or freestyle bindings are wider to accommodate the wider twin-tip/freestyle skis. Race bindings are lightweight with a higher DIN range to respond to the forces generated while racing. For more information ski binding types please refer to our Tips and Advice Section.
Q: I noticed that some skis come with an integrated binding, what is this?
A: Skis that are sold with the binding attached are known as integrated bindings, as they are built into and are a part of the skis themselves. (You might also see these set-ups called system skis.) Unless you’re an experienced racer or freestyle skier with specific binding needs, integrated bindings are highly recommended. With flex being key to the functionality of shaped skis, they have quickly become an industry standard. Think about it this way: When you drill a regular binding into a ski and drop in the boot, you end up with shaped ski that flexes above and below the binding zone, but not within in. This is a dead zone, like skiing with a metal rod in the middle of your skis. Once manufactures realized that shaped skis weren’t performing to their potential due to this boot/binding combination, they created integrated bindings that “float” on top the ski. The bindings do this by moving back and forth as the ski flexes, keeping constant pressure on your boots to hold you in. The end result is that integrated bindings give skiers the full benefit of a shaped ski’s potential. For more information about integrated bindings please refer to our Ski Buying Guide.
Q: Why are there wide brake bindings?
A: The general purpose of a brake is to stop the ski from skiing away when you are released from your bindings. Due to the nature of a Twin-Tip/Freestyle ski, these skis can be wider then most downhill skis. These skis are also referred to as “Fat Skis”. This type of ski needs a specific wide binding to accommodate the wider ski. Standard binding brakes are not wide enough for this style of ski. When determining what wide brake binding to purchase you will need to know the waist width of your ski, this way you can avoid purchasing a wide brake binding that will not be too narrow. On all of our wide brake binding product pages you will be able to find the brake size. These are stated in millimeter measurements.
A: Whenever you buy new bindings or have your bindings adjusted the technician will determine your DIN setting based on key factors. The DIN setting will determine the tension point in which you will be released from your bindings while skiing. The word “DIN” is an acronym for Deutsche Industrie Normen. This German industrial organization bears the responsibility of setting the standards for binding release tensions. These important safety settings are determined by your: height, weight, boot sole length, skier type and age. For more information on DIN please refer to the ski bindings section of our Tips and Advice Center.
Q: What should my DIN be set at?
A: On any given ski binding there will be a DIN range; a typical DIN range for an adult ski binding would be 3-10. Your DIN number needs to be set correctly, so you will not be released from your bindings to quickly or to late. If the number is set to low you may be released to early and have trouble skiing. In turn if the number is set to high you may be released to late, this may cause injuries during a fall. Your DIN setting will be determined by several key factors and should only be adjusted by a trained technician. You will be asked if you are a Type 1, Type 2 or Type 3 skier. Type 1 skiers are conservative, Type 2 skiers ski at a moderate pace and Type 3 skiers are daredevils. This question is asked in order to determine your DIN setting. Your setting will also be determined by your: height, weight, boot sole length and age. For more information on DIN please refer to the ski bindings section of our Tips and Advice Center.
Q: Why do ski bindings have brakes?
A: Ski brakes do not assist you in stopping while skiing but are used to keep your ski from skiing away during a fall. When you are released from your bindings the lever on your ski brake flips down and digs into the snow surface. As a result, your ski is rescued from a life as an orphan.
Q: Can you mount a kid’s binding on an adult ski?
A: Kid’s bindings should only be mounted onto kid’s skis. Kid’s bindings have a smaller DIN range, will only accommodate a kid’s sized boot and the brake is narrower than an adult ski brake. The lower DIN range will result in a low release-setting to accommodate a kid’s small size and weight. An adult will need a higher DIN setting. Recently manufacturers have created kid’s system skis with integrated bindings, with the same technology as the adult system skis. These integrated bindings are also only meant to be on the kid’s system skis.
Q: How do I tell if the ski bindings you offer will be compatible with my boots?
A: Down hill ski bindings and boots are universal between the manufacturers. This means that all downhill ski boots will be compatible with downhill ski bindings. When ordering downhill ski bindings you will want to keep in mind the type of skiing you will be doing. If you are a racer and have race skis and race boots then you will want a race binding. Also, if you have wide or “Fat” skis you will want to order a wide brake binding, but any downhill boot will be compatible with a wide brake binding.
Tags: Articles, FAQ's, Ski Bindings, Skis
When you buy bindings and order Qty 1, you get a one pair of bindings. correct?
Rob,
That is correct. When you order a quantity of 1, you will receive a pair of bindings.
- Andrew
Why are alpine skis narrow in middle
Malik,
Alpine skis are narrowest in the middle so that when you tip them on edge to make a turn, you already have a pre-established radius. This makes turning on sold surfaces much in a controlled turn possible. There are skis on the market the do have reverse side-cut, like a water ski, which are designed for use in powder. These work well in powder because it is medium that has characteristics very close to water. Reverse side-cut skis are however nearly impossible to turn in any other snow condition except for powder.
- Kevin Palmer
Can “wide brake” bindings be mounted on normal skis?
E. Shirk,
This really depends on the width of the ski. Most “wide brake” bindings are at least 90mm wide. They are designed to accommodate the ever increasing width of today’s skis. A good rule of thumb is you don’t want the width of the brake to be any more than 15mm wider than the width of the ski. Any wider than that and your brakes will start to catch and drag on the snow when you turn on hard-pack snow.
- Kevin
My son is an 11 yr. old, 85 lb., size 7.5 foot, 5′ tall beginning skier. I’m trying to figure out the best ski length and bindings for him. Not sure if his foot size fits with the Jr. skis/bindings, or if he would do better with womens.
Sarge,
Jr. bindings will accept both Jr. and Adult boots. At his weight and ability I would definitely keep him in a Jr. ski set up with a ski around a 140cm length.
Kevin
I already have my ski boots, and I would like to buy a pair of skis with an integrated binding. Is resizing the boot binding to my boots relatively easy? Do adult bindings fit a certain range of boot sizes?
Thanks,
Moira
Moira,
Most systems bindings will accept up to a size 33 for mens skis and a size 29 on womens. As far as adjusting the bindings we do recommend that you have it done by a technician that is certified to work on that brand of binding. While it may look easy to do there are many small but important settings on the bindings that only certified techs know how to make. They will also safety check the bindings to make sure they are functioning properly. Saving a couple bucks by doing it yourself is not for the thousands it can cost you later in knee surgery.
Kevin
I’m looking to setup a pair of skisformy girlfriend. I have a pair of men’s salomon boots that fit her well. I also have a brand new unused pair of men’s volkl bindings. I just need to buy her some skis. Do i need to buy men’s skis, or will the men’s bindings mount to womens skis as well?
Thanks, Taylor
Taylor,
You should definitely buy her a women’s ski. Putting her on a men’s ski will only hold her back from progressing as quickly as she should. Watch our video on the Differences between Men’s and Women’s Skis. I would also strongly advise you to invest in women’s specific pair of boots for her. Although yours may seem to fit her, men’s and women’s feet are very different and she will benefit immensely from a women’s boot. Check out our video on the Differences between Men’s and Women’s Ski Boots to learn more on why gender specific boots are invaluable.
Kevin
I recently purchased skies fro my daughter , She is just learning to ski ,
The skies they sold me were 130cm with a binding Tyrolis SL45 and the din setting is 3.5 (maximum for this binding is 4). My daughter is 5′3″ and 130lbs she has a foot size 8 womens , her ski boots are womens (255mm).
I would like to know if these skies and bindings sold to me are correct ?or will they be unsafe for her, i am wondering if they will be releasing evertime she turns
FLoyd
If I order a kids package deal will you mount the bindings before shipping?
Britta,
Depending on what items you order, we can mount the bindings prior to shipping. If you use the “Create Your Own Package” link and build out your ski package, you can add Ski Teching to your order (see the bottom right hand corner of any page).
If you have any trouble, feel free to contact our customer service department and they can assist you with adding ski teching to your order and obtaining all of the proper information to get your ski package teched properly prior to shipment.
Floyd,
A 3.5 DIN is a 3.5 DIN on any binding. The skis do seems really short for someone her size though. I would have put her on a 145 in a women’s ski at her weight, as Jr skis are designed for skier up to about 110lbs. She is going to struggle on these skis as there is not enough edge to support someone her size.
Kevin
I just got a pare of Atomic GS 11 racing skis but they didn’t come with bindings. they have a racing plates on them and i think they are intergraded what i was wondering is what type of bindings are compatible with my skis????
John,
You are correct that you need to buy certain binding for those skis. Surprise, it’s an Atomic binding! Specifically you need any Atomic Race model binding. Give this one a look: http://www.skis.com/race-ski-bindings/c435/atomic-race-614-ski-bindings-mens-2010-p164973.html
Kevin
Hi,
after a ski has a binding mounted on it, do i need to remount the binding to accept a larger or smaller boot size? Or can that be adjusted without compromising the integrity of the ski with a remount of the same binding on the existing ski?
Tim,
It depends on how much bigger or smaller the boot is. Most bindings have about a size of travel each way. Remounting a ski (if done properly) will not compromise its integrity. In fact it’s not uncommon for World Cup racer skis to have three sets of holes in them, as they will play with the mounting position on their skis to make the more stable or hook up quicker. You should always take your bindings in to be serviced by a Technician that is certified to work on your binding brand. This will ensure that they are properly adjusted and that all your warranties stay intact. A torn ACL (or worse) will cost you a lot more than a $25 binding adjustment.
Kevin
if i wear a size 23.5 boots what size bindings do i need? and my skis are a 138
Tatum- The appropriate binding for you will be based on your weight, ability level, the width of your skis, and whether your skis are flat or have a plate/track on them. Primarily, it will be the width of your skis. This should be marked on the skis, most likely either near the center, or sometimes at the tail of the skis. There will be a series of numbers in the form of 000/00/000. The number you need to focus on is the middle number. That will be the width, or waist measurement. From there you can select a binding with a brake that is wide enough for your ski. You shouldn’t have a problem with your size 23.5 ski boots with any binding system.