8 Best Ski Bindings for 2024

Winter is almost here! That’s why this is the best time to make some last-minute checkups when it comes to our ski gear. 

Let’s take it out from the storage, dust it off and make sure it all survived in good shape to get us through the next riding season’s adventures. 

If, on the other hand, you got to the conclusion you need to make some upgrades to your skis, bindings, pole, and skiing helmet, hurry up to make sure you’ll get it on time for the first ski session of the season.

If the ski bindings are the missing piece in your next season setup or you just want to upgrade it for your new skis, that’s where this article comes in really handy. 

Bindings are what connect your boots to your skis, so they are very important in terms of your safety. They also are designed to absorb shock and minimize vibrations.

Product

Details

Best Overall

Marker Griffon 13 ID Ski Bindings

• Item Weight: 1 Pounds
  
• Skill Level: Advanced
  

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Performance and Style

Look Pivot 15 GW Ski Bindings

• Item Weight: ‎4 Pounds
  
• Skill Level: Expert
  

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For Advanced & Intermediate

Tyrolia Attack 11 GW Ski Bindings

• Item Weight: ‎1 Pounds
  
• Skill Level: ‎Advanced, Intermediate
  

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Cult Classic

Salomon STH2 MNC 16 Ski Bindings

• Item Weight: 35.27 ounces
• Skill Level: Advanced-Expert

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Lightweight and Affordable

Salomon STH2 WTR 13 Ski Bindings

• Item Weight: ‎8 Ounces
  
• Skill Level: Advanced

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Freeride Beast

Marker Jester 16 ID Ski Bindings

• Item Weight: ‎8 Ounces
  
• Skill Level: newest generation

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Super Versatile

Atomic Warden MNC 11 Ski Bindings

• Item Weight: 5.2 Pounds
  
• Skill Level: Intermediate
  

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Reliable and Responsive

Armada Strive 14 GW Ski Bindings

• Item Weight: 1.002 Pound
  
• Skill Level: Advanced-Expert

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Best Ski Bindings – Top 8 Picks

We selected the best bindings to review so that to save your time and help you choose the right binding for your needs.

No matter your ski level (from beginner to expert), no matter your favorite playground (downhill, all mountain, park, or pow) or your budget, we’ve got you covered. 

Check it out!

1. Marker Griffon 13 ID Ski Bindings

First on our list is an excellent option for freeride ski enthusiasts: Marker Griffon 13 ID is one of the most reliable and safe ski bindings on the market.

These solid bindings designed for freeriding, are easy to operate and perform very well in tough conditions in all areas of skiing, both on and off-piste, as well as backcountry. 

You’ll enjoy how easy it is to get in and out of the Griffon 13 ID, thanks to their re-worked Inter Pivot 3 heel piece, with a magnesium heel bracket for improved power transmission and energy absorption. 

Also, this updated model comes with a redesigned Triple Pivot Elite 3 toe, equipped with a new metal bar over the toe to help knock off snow and ice from your boot.

You can count on their toe construction for impressive retention when freeriding, you’ll feel locked in and confident in approaching any variety of terrain or snow conditions, yet you know they will release when you need them to.

The binding’s metal parts make them sturdy for heavy use, they feel strong but surprisingly lightweight. 

The Griffon 13 ID bindings perform at a very high level, offering an immediate transfer of power down to the skis. They have a low enough profile that allows you to really feel your skis.

They are equipped with Sole.ID technology that accommodates almost every boot sole norm, which makes it really versatile.

Marker Griffon 13 ID ski bindings are great for click-and-go skiing. And they have a super cute color, too.

If you are an intermediate/advanced rider looking for a high-quality, reliable, and affordable product to have you covered for all your ski adventures, you can’t go wrong with Griffon 13 ID. 

Features

• Ability Level: Intermediate-Advanced
• DIN /Release value Low: 4
• DIN /Release value High: 13
• Boot Sole Type: Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), Alpine Touring (ISO 9523), Walk to Ride (WTR), GripWalk (ISO 23223)
• Warranty: 3 Years
• Heel Piece: Inter Pivot 3 Heel
• Toe Piece: Triple Pivot Elite 3 Toe, AFD Gliding Plate, Sole ID
• Ski Compatibility: recommended brake width equal to or at most 15 mm wider than the ski waist width.
• Recommended Skier Weight: 80+ lbs
• Stand Height – 24 mm

Marker Griffon 13 ID Ski Bindings

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2. Look Pivot 15 GW Ski Bindings

If you’re looking for a binding that can handle anything the mountains throw at you, Look Pivot 15 Ski Binding is the best choice. 

These bindings have everything that made the Pivot 18s from Look’s line-up so famously good: all-metal construction and tons of elasticity, due to their turntable heel and all-metal toe. This means more safety and better skiing performance, in a more approachable DIN range for many skiers.

This binding is mechanically very simple and has far fewer plastic pieces and connections than most other bindings. As a result, it is more durable and reliable.

The particular design of this binding allows for more elastic travel than any other binding on the market, and a quasi-lateral heel release due to the turntable heel, delivering unmatched shock absorption.

This means you can push it further without popping out or getting hurt, and the release has some friendlier characteristics. Sure, it weighs more, but that’s a small price to pay for their bomb-proofness.

You’ll be riding with so much confidence knowing the heel pivots, helping you prevent injuries. These bindings will never pre-release and always pop off when you need them to.

Look is the only binding ski brand to develop a true mechanical upward release that functions independently from the heel for the most effective 180⁰ multi-directional release in the case of a fall.

Add in 7 pints of contact with your snow ski boots, which results in increased lateral energy transmission, and more power to the edge of the ski, providing you superior control, response, and snow feel. 

These are great ski bindings, offering amazing endurance, performance, and style, looking dope with their 80s colorway. 

The Pivot 15 is the perfect binding for anyone that is an all-mountain skier or a park rider, providing maximum power, precision, and durability across all disciplines, from the Alpine World Cup to Freestyle, Freeride, and Moguls.

Features

• Ability Level: Advanced-Expert
• DIN /Release value Low: 6
• DIN /Release value High: 15
• Boot Sole Type: Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), GripWalk (ISO 23223)
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Heel Piece: Turntable Heel, 28mm Vertical Elasticity 
• Toe Piece: Aluminum Race Toe Piece
• Additional Features: Multi-Directional Release, Long Elasticity
• Ski Compatibility: recommended brake width equal to or at most 15 mm wider than the ski waist width.

Look Pivot 15 GW Ski Bindings

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3. Tyrolia Attack 11 GW Ski Bindings

The Tyrolia Attack 11 is a great option for beginner or intermediate skiers looking for a binding that is easy to use and performs well. 

The Attack 11 ski bindings are very lightweight and super easy to step in and out, essential features for beginning skiers.

With these bindings, Tyrolia brings a makeover to their Attack series: a new toe design, improved AFD plates and easier-to-adjust DIN at the heel.

These are reliable, secure bindings that do exactly what a good ski binding should do: they release when you fall and need them to, and stay attached to your ski boots when you are charging on the hill!

This binding is compatible with both traditional Alpine and newer Gripwalk boot soles.

They provide a good feel and hold great, qualities that make them the obvious choice for any rider at the beginning of their ski journey. And they are affordable, too!

Features

• Ability Level: Beginner-Intermediate
• DIN /Release value Low: 3
• DIN /Release value High: 11
• Boot Sole Type: Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), GripWalk (ISO 23223)
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Heel Piece: SX FR Heel, Heel DIN Adjustable in Open Posiiton
• Toe Piece: FR 3 Pro Toepiece 
• Additional Features: Optimized Weight and Improved Stability
• Ski Compatibility: recommended brake width equal to or at most 15 mm wider than the ski waist width. 

Tyrolia Attack 11 GW Ski Bindings

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4. Salomon STH2 MNC 16 Ski Bindings

Here is a pair of ski bindings designed for advanced and expert skiers: Salomon STH2 MNC 16, a cult classic.

With these bindings, Salomon brings new updates to their already excellent product: the bindings are compatible with every boot sole norm on the market, including rubber touring soles, due to a redesigned AFD. 

Salomon doesn’t hold back on its innovative features, making it possible for you to customize the bindings to your personal skiing style: you can choose between two different power transfer modes, fine-tuning the amount of vibration damping between the toe piece and ski, thanks to their new Transfer Switch Technology.

In the Progressive mode, you’ll get increased dampening to smooth out terrain and snow feedback, while in the Direct mode you’ll experience immediate response and the most direct edge engagement. This is a unique feature that no other ski-binding brand offers.

You can count on these bindings to provide you with a reliable and smooth ride, they are designed with superior elastic travel, +Elastic Travel, which keeps you in when you want, and lets you out when needed.

Simply put, Salomon STH2 MNC 16 alpine binding is the best in class for expert riders and it won’t disappoint any advanced skiers looking for their daily driver. 

Features

• Ability Level: Advanced-Expert
• DIN /Release value Low: 7
• DIN /Release value High: 16
• Boot Sole Type: Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), Alpine Touring (ISO 9523), Tech, Walk to Ride (WTR), GripWalk (ISO 23223)
• Warranty: 2 Years
• Heel Piece: Heel Flex Interface – Guarantees natural ski flex
• Toe Piece: Transfer Switch Technology, 3D Driver Toe, XL Wings
• Ski Compatibility: recommended brake width equal to or at most 15 mm wider than the ski waist width.

Additional Features

• Multi Norm Certified (MNC) – Compatible with ISO 5355 Alpine, ISO 9523 Touring, WTR (Walk to Ride) and GripWalk Soles.
• Not compatible with non-ISO 9523 standard touring soles with shortened toe and heel lugs. 

Salomon STH2 MNC 16 Ski Bindings

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5. Salomon STH2 WTR 13 Ski Bindings

As the little brother of Salomon STH2 MNC 16, the Salomon STH2 13 ski bindings deliver the same amazing hard-charging performance, precision, and power but in a lower, more accessible DIN range.

Also, these alpine bindings are lighter and more affordable, which makes them an ideal option for intermediate or advanced skiers looking for a trusty and solid binding.

The Salomon STH2 13 will give you the confidence to make hard charging turns down the fall line without worry of pre-releasing. You’ll feel secure in any condition: either you ski aggressively on steep and rocky terrain, or you like to send it in deep powder, Salomon’s STH2 13 have you covered. 

Not only is the release consistent and avoids the problems of pre-release, but the wide toe wings allow for better lateral force transfer than other binding’s construction. 

In order to avoid pre-release issues, be careful with their setup, Make sure the toe piece is adjusted properly and that your forward pressure is set correctly. You should also need to know how to mount bindings on a snowboard properly.

You’ll enjoy how easy it is to clip out of them, these bindings’ three-piece heel is a really good design feature.

These are great budget performance binding, solid, durable, secure and it’s no wonder the Salomon STH2 13 is the go to choice for expert level skiers, certified ski instructors and ex-racers. 

Features

• Ability Level: Intermediate-Advanced
• DIN /Release value Low: 5
• DIN /Release value High: 13
• Boot Sole Type: Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), Walk to Ride (WTR)
• Warranty: 2 Years
• Heel Piece: Heel Flex Interface, Easy Step-In 
• Toe Piece: 3D Driver Toe, XL Wings, Stomp Pedal 
• Ski Compatibility: recommended brake width equal to or at most 15 mm wider than the ski waist width.
• Additional Features: Oversized Platform – A super wide (71 mm) platform ensures maximum lateral power transmission, especially on wider skis. 

Salomon STH2 WTR 13 Ski Bindings

The price of “Salomon STH2 WTR 13 Ski Bindings ” varies, so check the latest price at

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6. Marker Jester 16 ID Ski Bindings

Jester’s ski bindings from the Marker line-up are a great choice for the hardest-charging free riders and aggressive skiers.

The bindings’ winning design, much appreciated since 2017 when it was launched, just got updated for even more awesomeness: they come with magnesium parts for increased stiffness and decreased weight. 

The result is a freeride beast, a top-notch binding, solid, trusty, and lightweight.

These bindings offer ease to stepping in and out and calibrating the DIN, without compromising on a spectacularly tight grip once you’re locked in. 

With Marker Jester 16 ID, you’ll feel confident to tackle any terrain: the hold is strong for fast runs, for the hardest charging big mountain lines, or for the biggest jumps in the snow park but also easy enough to pop off just using your pole.

You can count on their toe construction for impressive retention when freeriding, yet you know they will release only when you need them to.

The Marker Jester ski binding is a high-quality product, with a strong construction that just works flawlessly every single time, which makes it the best choice if you are an expert-level freerider looking for some adrenaline-fuelled ski adventures.

Features

• Ability Level: Advanced – Expert
• DIN /Release value Low: 6
• DIN /Release value High: 16
• Boot Sole Type: Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), Alpine Touring (ISO 9523), Walk to Ride (WTR), GripWalk (ISO 23223)
• Warranty: 3 Years
• Toe Piece: Triple Pivot Elite Toe, Stainless Steel AFD Gliding Plate, Sole.ID, Anti Ice Rail
• Heel Piece: Inter Pivot 3 Heel 
• Ski Compatibility: recommended brake width equal to or at most 15 mm wider than the ski waist width..
• Additional features: Magnesium Parts 
• Recommended Skier Weight: 130+ lbs.
• Stand Height: 24 mm 

Marker Jester 16 ID Ski Bindings

The price of “Marker Jester 16 ID Ski Bindings” varies, so check the latest price at

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7. Atomic Warden MNC 11 Ski Bindings

Atomic brings good news for powder enthusiasts and backcountry skiers: the Warden 11 ski Bindings are MNC (Multi-Norm Compatible), meaning you can use your touring or your alpine boots on the same pair of skis.

The fact that the bindings work well with any type of ski boot soles make them extremely versatile.

You’ll be able to enjoy your pow escapes using these bindings which are really easy to step in and out of.

Atomic reduced the weight of Warden 11 bindings by using plastic in the heel piece, which can be seen as a downgrade by some skiers, but for the price they are hard to beat.

The toe piece is still made with metal and is the same as their top-notch bindings, offering good, dependable performance. The U-Power Toe allows you to have powerful, precise steering, so that you’ll get a smooth ride.

Warden 11 bindings are reliable, affordable, solid bindings, a perfect fit for intermediate-advanced level skiers.

Features

• Ability Level: Intermediate-Advanced
• DIN /Release value Low: 3,5
• DIN /Release value High: 11
• Boot Sole Type: Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), Alpine Touring (ISO 9523), Walk to Ride (WTR), GripWalk (ISO 23223)
• Warranty: 2 Years
• Heel Piece: Freeski Brakes, Heel Flex Interface 
• Toe Piece: U-Power Toe, Automatic Wing Adjustment
• Ski Compatibility: recommended brake width equal to or at most 15 mm wider than the ski waist width. 

Additional Features

• Low Profile Chassis, Oversized Platform, Progressive Transfer Pads, Multi Norm Certified (MNC) – Compatible with ISO 5355 Alpine, ISO 9523 Touring, WTR (Walk to Ride) and GripWalk Soles.
• Not compatible with non-ISO 9523 standard touring soles with shortened toe and heel lugs. 

Atomic Warden MNC 11 Ski Bindings

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8. Armada Strive 14 GW Ski Bindings

Last but not least on our list, we have the best ski bindings option for advanced-expert downhill skiers: The Armada Strive 14 GW.

The Strive binding is the result of the upgraded Shift binding from Armada’s line-up. The Strive 14 GW design is super light, but still strong, due to the metal reinforcements in key areas, offering responsive, solid performance in tough riding conditions.

These bindings’ have a low profile, very close to the snow, allowing you really feel your skis, due to their LDN design which enhances power transmission. 

The manufacturer offers a 2 years warranty for this product, so you will be covered for the next 2 ski seasons.

If you are looking for a reliable, responsive pair of ski bindings to take you to the next level of downhill performance, the Armada Strive 14 GW is an ideal option for you.

Features

• Ability Level: Advanced – Expert
• DIN /Release value Low: 5
• DIN /Release value High: 14
• Boot Sole Type: Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), GripWalk (ISO 23223)
• Warranty: 2 Years
• Heel Piece: Locking Brakes
• Toe Piece: LDN Toe – (Low, Direct, Neutral) , SCP Slider Pedal, Automatic Toe Adaptation, XL Wings
• Ski Compatibility: recommended brake width equal to or at most 15 mm wider than the ski waist width.
• Additional features: Low Profile Chassis 

Armada Strive 14 GW Ski Bindings

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Buying Guide

To simplify your decision, we summarized the main criteria to consider when choosing the right ski bindings for you. 

It goes without saying that they must be compatible with your chosen boots. Let’s look at the other factors:

Skill Level

The best ski bindings should match your skill level:  if you are a beginner and intermediate skier, you don’t need the highest release setting or the most lightweight or impact-resistant materials.

You can stay safe by going with a lower-end to mid-range model. If you are an advanced or expert skier you probably require a higher release setting. Lightweight, strong bindings enhance your skiing at high speeds and on steep terrain.

Ski Style

The ski bindings should be designed for your ski style: asses what type of terrain and snow conditions you will be skiing on; alpine skiing, backcountry skiing, powder, all-mountain skiing.

Brake Width

Your skis’ waist width will determine the ski brake width (the distance between the two brake arms). For example, if your skis are 95 mm wide at the waist, you will need bindings with a brake width of at least 95 mm.

You want your brake width to be at least as wide as the waist (the middle section) of your ski, but no more than 20 millimeters wider than that. So if your ski waist is 70 mm, then you want to purchase bindings with brakes in the 70- 90 mm range.

Maintenance

• Have your skis and bindings inspected by a ski technician before each ski season. Bindings can’t be tuned and are maintenance-free. They can only be adjusted for release settings. 
• Keep the AFD (anti-friction device) clean and replace it immediately if it gets damaged.
• Do not attempt to wash out your bindings at the end of the season, as this can remove the factory lube. Only a certified technician should work on bindings.
• Store your skis in a warm, dry place in the off-season.

Boot Sole Compatibility

It’s important to make sure your ski boots and bindings are compatible and safe. Not all ski boots are compatible with all ski bindings. Using a setup with non-compatible components increases the probability that your skis will not release properly, creating the potential for serious injury.

You’ll find boot compatibility in the Features section for all the ski bindings we reviewed in this article

FAQs

How Wide Are Ski Bindings?

The width of your ski bindings depends on the width of your skis waist. Groomer skiers would need bindings in the 70- to the 90-millimeter range.

For off-piste deep snow skiing, you can choose bindings in the 105 – 130 millimeters range.

What Is a Good Weight for a Ski Binding?

On average, a pair of ski bindings weigh 2 kg (or 4.5 lbs) bringing the total weight of a pair of skis and bindings to approximately 5.5 kg (12 lbs)

Their weight depends on the type of material they are built in; they’re a lot less heavy nowadays.

Conclusion

When ordering your ski bindings online, it’s important to keep in mind that most of the time the bindings will not arrive mounted. So, you might have to mount them on your own or take them to a pro. It’ll come in handy to learn how to adjust your ski bindings to get the perfect fit.

Alternatively, buying from a local ski shop is your best bet. Moreover, look out for different types like frame binding or pin binding to find your perfect match.

Hope this article assists you in making a wise decision while picking the most crucial piece of your ski equipment.

Happy skiing!