Ski bindings are probably the last piece of skiing equipment you think about, but they are also fundamentally important when it comes to ensuring that you have optimal safety.
The best ski bindings have been designed to improve your safety and with the advancement of ski technology, it will come as no surprise that ski bindings have also been advancing in shapes and sizes to improve your skiing experience and keep you safe and injury-free.
We have set out to find the best ski bindings and show you how they can potentially save you from injury, as well as allow you to ski with more freedom.
Since ski equipment is already quite pricey, we decided to focus on value and ensure that you get the best possible ski binding without having to break the bank.
Ski Binding Buying Guide
Before we get into the best ski bindings, there are a few things that you will need to take into consideration when purchasing a pair of your own.
The features on these bindings are really expensive and we do recommend having adjustments and any necessary changes made by professional technicians as this is considered to be a piece of safety equipment.
Ski Binding Types
There are various different types of ski bindings and they are used for various reasons and situations. Having the correct binding type will ensure that you are on top of your game and might even have the upper hand in races.
Let’s look at the types of ski bindings you can choose from:
Downhill bindings
This is the most common ski binding you will find and the majority of skis usually come with this standard fixed heel and toe binding. The downhill binding is recommended for casual skiers and it is also the least expensive choice.
Alpine Touring Bindings
The Alpine touring ski bindings have been designed for hiking up mountains and skiing downhill. The bindings release at the back while maintaining a fixed toe position to allow you to hike more comfortably.
These bindings are recommended for side country and backcountry skiing as well.
Race Bindings
Race bindings are some of the more expensive ski bindings you will find. These bindings feature a more narrow design to accommodate the narrow designs of racing skis.
The bindings also have more metal components included for safety and they have higher DIN ranges as well.
Now that you have a better idea of the types of ski bindings that you will be able to choose from, you will need to understand the certain features, which can be found in ski bindings.
These features are fundamentally important and a lot of attention must be given to them as safety is the number one concern when skiing:
Key Features to Look for
We believe that a price cannot be put on safety, but a lot of people still choose to ignore this fact and they go with weaker quality ski equipment and get injured.
Our selection of features will allow you to make the safe choice for your ski bindings and ensure that you are not injured when accidents happen as ski bindings could play a major role in preventing them.
These are the features need to look for in the best ski bindings:
Binding Brake
every ski binding should have an added binding brake included. The binding brake is considered to be the replacement brake when the brakes on your ski might fail and they can also be used to replace the brake on your ski if the width of the skis changes.
DIN Range
This is probably the feature you should pay the most attention to when selecting your ski bindings. The DIN rate dictates what weight or ability ranges your ski bindings are designed for and having the right DIN range will ensure better safety.
You can find the DIN a little lower down in the article.
Type
As we have mentioned above, the type of ski bindings you choose are fundamentally important and you should ensure that you are choosing the right type of binding for your needs.
Materials
The materials used in the construction of the ski bindings will give you a better indication of the quality of the bindings. Some materials are heavier, while the more expensive bindings are made from lightweight, but still extremely durable materials.
The weight can also be important when looking at Alpine touring bindings.
These four features are the most important features that we have selected and we believe that when you follow these features to guide you, you will be able to get the best ski bindings for your needs with the right level safety required.
Before we dive into the top ski bindings, let’s look at the DIN Range chart and how you should choose your bindings:
Ski Binding DIN Range Chart
This DIN range chart dictates the weight, skill level, age and aggressiveness of the skier to get the best possible bindings for your needs.
75-4.5
This range is for youth skiers under the weight of 109lbs
2-7.5
smaller youth and beginners. Younger adults will also be able to use this range as the weight limit is 140lbs
2-9
This range is for teen and intermediate skiers under 150lbs
4-12
this range is for intermediate and advanced adult skiers under 200lbs
6-14
This range is for racers and advanced skiers with a weight limit of 210lbs
9-16
Expert and fairly advanced skiers will use this range at a weight of over 190lbs
By looking at the DIN range, you will know that the ski bindings have been designed for your ski level as well as weight and you will have more peace of mind in terms of safety while skiing.
Best Ski Bindings Reviews
1. LOOK Spx 12 Dual WTR Ski Bindings
DIN range: 3.5-12
The Look SPX 12 Dual WTR (Walk To Ride) Ski Binding is one of the most well-known ski bindings used by Alpine skiers today. The Look brand mastered the pivot heel first when they designed it more than half a century ago.
This binding is more commonly used by experienced skiers and elite-level competitors. It is also quite expensive, but the durability is definitely almost unparalleled and you can be sure to get value for your money.
They are compatible with GripWalk, WTR, and ALPINE (ISO 5355) boot soles. They are designed to be used with R21 (WD and Racing) and the R22 WE race plates.
It has a short mounting zone and semi-suspended heel entrance which enhances ski flex for more control and precision.
Pros:
- Extremely durable
- Perfectly designed oversized heel pivot
- Absorbs shock
- Full action toepiece
Cons:
- Expensive (like twice the price of a very capable alternative)
2. Salomon STH2 WTR 13 Ski Bindings
DIN Range: 5-13
The Salomon STH2 WTR 13 Ski bindings are some of the more popular ski bindings on the market. These bindings feature a sturdy feeling on wider skis and they have been designed not to be extremely heavy.
This means that you will still be able to move freely.
This ski binding has been designed to be compatible with most Alpine touring boots and this will have you a few extra bucks as well. Furthermore, they are also fully adjustable to various boot types and they offer optimal safety to skiers.
This binding also offers great release for skiers if they should spill and that will further increase the overall safety of the binding.
We highly recommend this ski binding for mid-level of intermediate skiers and it will definitely help to keep you safe and secure in your skis. Compared to other bindings, this ski binding is priced at a fairly average level and it is also very easy to mount.
Pros:
- Promotes stability
- Offers good release
- Fairly priced
- Accommodates various ski boots
Cons:
- Users have found that the weight is not evenly distributed
3. Marker Griffon 13 ID Ski Binding
DIN Range: 4-13
Similar to the Salomon brand, the Marker Griffon brands is two of the most used brands when it comes to ski bindings.
The Marker Griffon 13 ID ski binding has been designed for use by mid-level to intermediate skiers and since it is extremely lightweight, it will allow you to move better and more freely.
The sophisticated toe system has been designed to allow you to easily step into the boots and they will release quite fast and easily if you should spill.
These bindings also feature a wider design and this should be perfect for skiers transitioning to wider skis. The bindings are also fairly easy to mount on the skis and they are priced in the same range as the Salomon ski bindings.
We highly recommend these bindings to intermediate skiers and even skiers with wider skis. The skis will fit most of the Alpine touring boots available and it will not cause you to break the bank either.
Beginners might not yet be ready for these bindings as they will not allow them to move easily without the right amount of force.
Pros:
- Offers good release
- Reasonably priced
- Accommodates most AT boots
- Easy to mount
Cons:
- No cons
4. Marker Kingpin 13 Ski Binding
DIN Range: 6-13
The Marker Kingpin 13 binding is more of a professional skier binding and it is extremely lightweight.
This binding definitely encourages safety and the simple step in heel design will make them comfortable and also easy to release from when you accidentally spill.
These bindings also feature one-foot motion switches from walking to skiing and this could be really handy when climbing your own mountains for a ski adventure.
These bindings have also been DIN certified and many have them rated as some of the safest ski bindings currently on the market. They come with both 7″ and 13″ integrated climbing aids that can be deployed by your ski pole tip.
We highly recommend these bindings for more professional skiers and it is also advised that a professional ski technician mount them for you to make sure that the skis are up to scratch.
Since the bindings are so light in weight, they may not be the best for heavier more powerful skiers and they might not fit comfortably on wider skis.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- Promotes high levels of safety
- Offers an excellent release
- Great for mid-powered and intermediate skiers
Cons:
- Very expensive
5. Dynafit Radical ST Binding
DIN Range: 4-10
The Dynafit Radical ST bindings are probably the lightest ski bindings on our list and they have been designed for junior to intermediate adult skiers.
The skis feature an added speed step climbing bar which combines with the side towers to make these bindings easier to use in the mountains as well as extremely easy to step into.
These bindings have also been known for the quick release they offer and the fact that they are fairly easy to mount on your own, but we do recommend having a specialist technician mount the ski bindings the correct way to ensure that you are safe.
These bindings are also extremely easy to adjust and they will definitely be some of the most versatile bindings you could find.
We highly recommend these bindings for the value they provide and the fact that they are easy to use.
Intermediate and adults who are a little lighter will have the best use for these bindings, but they might be a little too expensive for the novice and beginner skiers.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- Offers an easy step in
- Promotes versatility
- Offers good release
Cons:
- Extremely expensive
6. Look NX 10 Ski Bindings White/Black Men’s 
DIN Range: 3-10
Last but certainly not least, we have the Look NX 10 Ski binding. This binding is not the most sophisticated ski binding on the market, but it is definitely one of the cheapest and also one of the top choices for beginners.
The binding is very lightweight and will be great for some of the younger skiers to start with. The bindings are quite easy to mount and they accommodate most of the common ski boots worn by beginners.
Unfortunately, the release is not perfect and it does have troubles, but since you will be a beginner or novice skier, this might not be necessary yet.
We highly recommend these bindings for the cheaper price and for the value they provide to some of the younger skiers as well as beginners.
Even though they can be self-mounted, it is recommended that you have them mounted by a skilled technician to ensure your safety.
Pros:
- Really cheap
- Easy to step into and mount
- Fairly lightweight
- Great for beginners
Cons:
- Does not offer the greatest release
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
We would like to thank you for reading this article and we hope you are now able to find the best ski bindings for your skill level and needs.
Even though many of these bindings can be self-mounted, it is still recommended that you have them mounted by a professional technician.
In terms of the best, we would definitely recommend the Look brand for their versatility in the bindings.
We would also like you to let us know what you think of our list and this is by no means all of the bindings, but it is the top ones we consider to be the best.
