Contents [Hide] 1 Features 2 Gender and Mounting Placement 3 Skill Level and DIN 4 Alpine Bindings 5 Cross-Country Bindings 6 Telemark Bindings 7 Cost 8 Quick Picks 9 Related Guides 10 Related Products

Ski Bindings

If you have ever skied before, your know you can't just stick your ski boots into any ski; you need a proper bindings to anchor a ski boot to a ski. Ski bindings  are made specifically to cater to different types of skiing, from downhill to cross-country. When researching the best binding for you, you have to remember a few rules: your boot must be compatible with your bindings. And your preferred style of skiing and experience level should also be taken into account. It's not at all complicated, once you have all the information, and we're just the ones to provide it.

Features

Here are some important points to consider when shopping for bindings.

• Ski Brake : A small lever that flips out once the boot is released from the binding and prevents the ski from sliding down the hill.
• Anti-Friction Devices (AFDs) : Makes sliding in and out of step-in bindings easier, and they can even be adjusted to favor a certain release direction.
• Adjustable Forward Pressure: Crucial to allow the bindings to adapt to the torque when skis bend and twist. This is something that advanced skiers should be concerned with.
• Vibration Dampening: Available on more advanced models and should be considered for pro skiers.
• Fore-Aft Adjustments: Can move the bindings slightly forward or backwards depending on whether you are skiing in deep powder.

Gender and Mounting Placement

Women's bindings  need to be mounted differently from men's bindings  because their center of gravity is somewhat lower, meaning that they mostly rely on the lower body as their source of power and a way to transfer weight on the skis. To counteract this, women's bindings should be mounted slightly forward of center on the skis. Fore-aft adjustments may help to balance skis out better.

Skill Level and DIN

The amount of torque needed to release the boot from its binding can be adjusted by turning a screw on the toe and heel piece. DIN (Deutsche Industrie Normen) is the measure of how easily a ski boot  releases from the binding. Why do you want the binding to release, you ask? The first is obvious--dismounting the boot  from the skis allows you to take off the boots and hang around the ski logde in expensive winter clothes. However, if you ever take a face dive into the slopes and it turns into a real tumble , your skis need to be able to release so as not to cause an injury. 

Your skill level determines the best DIN for your bindings. The lower it is, the easier it is to unlock the binding. Most new bindings will come with an adjustable release  to adjust to your needs as you become a more advanced skier. Beginners want the lowest  DIN (3-6). Intermediates and advanced skiers can choose from 5-9  and 6-12 , respectively. Racers and pros need the highest level DIN (12-24 ).

Alpine Bindings

Traditional alpine or downhill bindings  are a two-part system comprised of a toe and heel piece. They are installed on the skis at the right distance from each other so that when the skier steps down into them, his or her weight locks the device down around the ski boot.

Alpine touring bindings or, AT bindings , are meant for slopes and back country touring , also called Randonnée. They allow for more versatility and convenience by either locking or disengaging the heel. It's like purchasing two bindings for the price of one.  If you want to remain versatile and tend to do a lot of alpine skiing versus touring, opt for a step-in style binding , which also happens to be more readily available.There's also confusingly enough, step-in style touring binding, which tends to be heavier but more stable. Remember to look for quick pole switch bindings  that don't require stepping out of your bindings to switch from touring to alpine mode.

Cross-Country Bindings

Cross-country skiing is performed solely on flat terrain, which demands a free-heel binding that enables you to skate across the snow. They are to be fitted with cross country boots  that connect at the toe. There are three types of XC bindings available, each with a specific purpose and brands that they are compatible with.

NNN Bindings  These are the bindings that the pros use for racing, either in the R3 or R4 classification. They are compatible with the following manufacturers: Alpina , and Rossignol . Older Atomic boots are also NNN  compatible.	SNS Bindings  There are three types of SNS binding styles: SNS Profil  for standard Nordic skiing, SNS Pilot  for skate skiers and X-Adventure  for back country skiing. Saloman  and Atomic  make SNS compatible boots.	NIS Bindings  NIS bindings are an integrated variant on NNN bindings. They're easy to install and adjust as you encounter different terrain. These bindings are largely compatible with NNN boots ; similarly, NIS boots  are compatible with NNN bindings.

Telemark Bindings

Telemark skiing  is a cross between alpine and Nordic skiing, also called free-heel skiing. There are four types of telemark bindings which all enable the heel to release by only connecting at the toe.  You will want to look at the spring tension or stiffness in a binding when selecting since that is what will determine the kind of support you will get from them.

Tension  Shown above are the Black Diamond Riva bindings , which have a type of release that is lightweight and enables you to set the tension easily.	Cable Compression  Cable compression bindings like the G3 Targa  contain spring cartridges attached to cables.	Wire Compression  The wire compression provides extra rigidity and pressure so that the bindings stay put during any type of movement.	Plate  Like the above Voile VP II , plate bindings use a steel plate mounted on to the ski that is especially supportive for heavier or harder skiers.	Releasable  As the name suggests, these bindings allow for easy release and re-entry during use.

Cost

A good pair of ski bindings will range somewhere in the $150-$300 range, with $200 being the average price for a good pair. Don't forget that after buying the bindings, they also need to be properly installed, otherwise it could be potentially dangerous for you out on the slopes. Many professionals will typically install ski bindings for under $100, but this cost should be taken into account when purchasing. Remember, it's all about what's going to feel comfortable for you out there on the slopes, so a pair of bindings that costs slightly more but provides a comfortable fit is worth the higher price.

Quick Picks

Marker Griffon 12 Ski Binding  With a DIN range of 4-12, these downhill ski bindings are great for smaller skiers interested in all mountain free skiing, or wherever else you might want a lighter binding.	NNN Auto T3 Cross Country Ski Bindings  This cross country ski binding from Fischer is very recreational-skier friendly. Features an automatic step-in/step-out mechanism for extra ease of use.	22 Designs Hammerhead Telemark Binding  These telemark ski bindings provide the stiffness needed to control wider skis. They feature climbing bars and five pivot point settings to allow you to adapt to your terrain, and to your own preferred style.	Voile 3-Pin Cable Telemark Binding One Color, One Size  Voile has created a ski binding capable of switching between backcountry skiing and resort-style skiing, perfect for those trips where conditions change and control needs to be adaptable.	Marker M 10.0 EPS Ski Bindings 2011  This ski binging features a compact heel, a Biotech Composite toe anda 3-10 DIN range. It's lightweight, making it perfect for casual skiers or younger skiers transitioning from children's skis.

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