If you like to enjoy skiing, it is important to get your bindings right. Bindings are a vital connection between your boots and the ski. Getting them right can make all the difference between skiing smoothly and a rough experience. In this article, we take a look at safest ski bindings reviews.
These reviews give you a glimpse of some of the most reliable bindings available. You can choose from these to go with your skiing this season, or you can consult a guide at the end of the article for guidelines to make your own decision.
Safest Ski Bindings Reviews
#1. Black Diamond Helio 180
The Black Diamond Helio 180 bindings are one of the most reliable and safe bindings this season. These bindings make use of a combination of aluminum and steel in their construction. As a consequence, they are exceptionally light-weight. These bindings also offer superior agility so that you can quickly maneuver and move around when using these bindings.
Whether you are going on a flat spot or going up or down a slope, these bindings are great. They will adjust to the incline or flatness of the terrain with their three distinct heel riser options. These include 2 heel elevator heights as well as the flat option.
The Helio 180 bindings also offer three distinct release values. These are great as they allow you to customize the release of these bindings depending on your skiing style. Important factors to consider when choosing between the release values include your weight and whether you have a laidback or aggressive skiing style.
These bindings are available in red-and-black color. They are available in size options of 6, 8 and 10 corresponding to the release ratings. Weighing only 12.7 ounces for the pair, these bindings are definitely a great and safe choice regardless of your level or style of skiing.
#2. Tyrolia Attack2 11GW Bindings
Another pair of bindings we have shortlisted as one of the safest bindings this year is the Tyrolia Attack2 11GB bindings. These bindings are perfect for skiers at all levels, styles and for all kinds of terrains.
One of the most significant features of these bindings is the integrated stiff pads it comes with. The pads offer a great base while also ensuring that you are able to release the boots at the precisely right time. The rubber sole at the bottom of the bindings adds to the comfort of using these bindings. You can roll more naturally on the ice with the sole.
Alpine oriented boots work particularly well with these bindings although you can also use these with Grip Walk soles. Attack2 offers a wide platform and a low profile which is able to bear the weight more evenly. With a decent range of DIN settings, these bindings are great for skiers at start, intermediate and advanced levels. The actual DIN range for Attack2 is 3-11. At its maximum, the bindings have a height of 21 mm.
Attack2 comes in multiple color options. These include flash yellow-and-black, solid black, and solid white/silver. They are available in size options of 90mm and 100mm.
How we choose the safest ski bindings
DIN: One of the most important considerations when getting safe ski bindings is DIN. DIN is short for Deutsches Institut fur Normung, or the German Institute for Standardization. DIN is simply the release force of a pair of bindings. It depends on a number of factors, including your height, weight and skiing style. The lower is your weight, the lower is the DIN you need. And the lower DIN is, the smaller is the release force in the bindings. So if you weigh more, you will need a higher DIN which translates into a larger release force.
Brake Width: The brakes are located at the sides of the heel piece of bindings. These are sharp arms that deploy upon release. Their purpose is to quickly pin down your bindings after release so that they don’t go flying around, hitting other skiers. It also saves you the hassle of looking for the bindings all over the terrain. The desirable brake width of your bindings depends on the width of your skis. As a general rule of thumb, the brakes should be about 10 to 15 mm wider than your skis. Any smaller, and they won’t serve their purpose. Any larger, and they may become an obstruction as you ride across steeper terrains.
Boot Compatibility: It is critically important that the bindings you choose are compatible with your boots. Different ski boots are used by players at different levels and for different terrains. Each boot is compatible with a specific type of bindings. If you use traditional alpine boots, for instance, they may not be compatible with bindings designed for Walk to Ride or GripWalk boots. You can typically look up all the bindings that are compatible with your boot type. If you are not sure, simply ask a technician or consult the in-house expert of the online or offline store you are purchasing from.
Durability and Construction: The materials used in making a binding and its design are also important matters. Typically, if you are a beginner in skiing, you can make do with a more straight-forward design and plastic construction. However, as you progress towards being an advanced player, you will need more sturdy and reliable materials such as metal construction in your bindings. Such a construction will help you make sharp turns and more steep terrains. Ideally, a pair of bindings should be both strong and flexible enough. You have to a strike a balance between performance, comfort and safety.
Range of Adjustment: The range of adjustment is the range of the boot sizes which will fit with a binding. A large range means that many boot sizes within that range will work fine with the bindings. This is a useful measure and is particularly relevant if kids are going to use the bindings. Even for adults, bindings with a wider range are generally preferable to one with a narrower range.
Ryan grew up with snow, so he has an endless passion for skiing and snowboarding and everything around these.