By: Jordan Sunshine: Ski Buyer | September 1, 2022
For many skiers, choosing ski bindings is an afterthought. But ski bindings serve two really important functions, they keep your skis on your feet through big airs and rough snow, and then they release smoothly and easily as soon as there’s any sort of twisting force through your knee. A binding that fails in either of those tasks puts you at risk for injury. So the best ski bindings have plenty of elasticity to absorb impacts and are also carefully designed to release before enough force to injure anything that can be transmitted through your knees.
This newest crop of the best ski bindings steps things up a notch though. In addition to working well and releasing smoothly, manufacturers are offering new colors to match your skis, including more subdued earth tones. Additionally more bindings than ever support different boot sole standards like GripWalk and WTR. And finally, bindings like the all-new Armada Strive are getting lighter so you can get a more agile and responsive feel from your skis.
The Look Pivot 18's have long been the go-to binding for freeriders demanding the best performance and burliest construction, but very few truly need such a high DIN. Enter the Look Pivot 15 GW Ski Bindings, combining the stout all-metal construction of the 18's with a DIN range better suited to the vast majority of skiers. With its pivoting heel, long elastic travel, ultra-short mounting footprint, and bomber impact resistance, it's easy to see why skiers have been begging Look to make this binding. If you’re looking for a tried and proven ski binding that will work reliably for years, look no further than the Look Pivot 15 GW.
Boot Compatibility | DIN Range | Original Price |
Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), GripWalk (ISO 23223) | 6-15 | $429.95 |
The Armada Strive 14 GW Ski Bindings take everything you love about the Shift binding and turn it into a lightweight resort ripper for floaty and responsive downhill performance you'll love. At first glance, the toe piece looks familiar - its LDN design puts you close to the snow for maximum contact and response, enhancing power transmission for a smooth on-snow feel. The superlight design is reinforced with metal in key areas, and 45mm of elastic travel means this DIN destroyer can handle rough riding without letting you down. Up your game on the lifts this year with the all-new Armada Strive 14 GW Ski Bindings. The Strive is a lightweight, reliable, versatile binding that will feel at home on just about any style of ski.
Boot Compatibility | DIN Range | Original Price |
Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), GripWalk (ISO 23223) | 5-14 | $249.95 |
The popular Atomic Warden 11 Ski Bindings are now MNC compatible, and the world's a better place because of it. Where previous models were strictly ISO 5355 Alpine sole devices, the new version lets you use pretty much any type of adult standard sole. This means you can use your touring boot or your alpine boot on the same pair of skis (provided you have adequate length adjustment and the touring boot has ISO 9523 toe and heel lugs). The other Warden characteristics that make it a favorite among powder and sidecountry skiers remain the same, namely dependability and positive, low-effort step in action. If you like to use a variety of boots or lend your skis out to friends, the Warden is your best bet for a great binding that can adapt to nearly any boot.
Boot Compatibility | DIN Range | Original Price |
Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), Alpine Touring (ISO 9523), Walk to Ride (WTR), GripWalk (ISO 23223) | 3.5-11 | $139.99 |
This all-new design for the proven Marker Squire 11 gets modern shaping at the toe with an Anti-Ice Rail protective plate so you can safely scrape your boot sole on it without breaking the DIN window. With fresh colorways and improved step-in, the classic solution for women and lighter skiers is back, and it's better than ever. The Squire has a long, storied legacy for good reason, and this latest model builds on that to be even more versatile and reliable.
Boot Compatibility | DIN Range | Original Price |
Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), GripWalk (ISO 23223) | 3-11 | $229.99 |
A clamp is a clamp is a clamp, right? Not so fast. Some are easier to get back on in 2 feet of blower pow. Some work with all boot sole types, including touring soles. And some offer downright bulletproof reliability year in and year out. The Salomon Warden MNC 13 Ski Bindings check all three boxes, and then some, and have become a huge favorite among riders who move between boots depending on the day. Manual toe height adjustment lets you dial in the precise height necessary for your boot, from ISO 9523 Touring to ISO 5355 Alpine and Gripwalk boot soles. When versatility and reliability are top of your list, there's no better choice than the Warden 13 MNC.
Boot Compatibility | DIN Range | Original Price |
Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), Alpine Touring (ISO 9523), Tech, Walk to Ride (WTR), GripWalk (ISO 23223) | 4-13 | $279.95 |
When it comes to innovation, you can always count on Salomon to have some tricks up their sleeve. The Salomon STH2 MNC 16 Ski Bindings cement their reputation with several notable updates to an already winning formula. A redesigned AFD means the STH2s are now MultiNorm Certified and compatible with every boot sole norm on the market - including rubber touring soles. Meanwhile, the all-new Transfer Switch Technology allows you to choose between two different power transfer modes, fine-tuning the amount of vibration damping between the toepiece and ski. The result is a binding that enhances your skiing style and makes those booter-to-ice landings a little more palatable. There are ski bindings, and there are the Salomon STH2 MNC 16 Ski Bindings. You'll know. This is one of the most legendary and storied bindings on the market, it just plain works. So if you need the best, the STH2 should be high on your list.
Boot Compatibility | DIN Range | Original Price |
Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), Alpine Touring (ISO 9523), Tech, Walk to Ride (WTR), GripWalk (ISO 23223) | 7-16 | $319.95 |
Freeride enthusiasts looking to drive wider skis without fear of pre-release have long looked to the Marker Griffon 13 ID Ski Bindings for their fantastic performance and reliability. They return for 2021 with a reworked Inter Pivot 3 heelpiece that significantly improves step-in performance, thus eliminating the one qualm that some users had. Equipped with Sole.ID technology that quickly adjusts the AFD plate to accommodate almost every boot sole norm, the Marker Griffon 13 ID Ski Bindings have you covered every time you click in. The Griffon is proven, reliable, and strong without being too chunky. It’s a great choice for intermediate and advanced skiers.
Boot Compatibility | DIN Range | Original Price |
Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), Alpine Touring (ISO 9523), Walk to Ride (WTR), GripWalk (ISO 23223) | 4-13 | $269.99 |
Don't look now, but Tyrolia has re-shuffled their binding range. The Attack 13s have been replaced by the Tyrolia Attack 14 GW Ski Bindings which, with a DIN range of 4 - 14, will do the job for all but the biggest and baddest of freeskiers. The Attack range is known for precise power transmission, light weight, and ease of stepping in even in powder, good news for skiers exploring the steep and deep. Note: if you intend to use an ISO 9523 Touring sole, you'll need to purchase the Attack 14 MN bindings designed to accommodate the extra sole thickness, not this model. The Attack has long been a great default binding - don’t know what you’re looking for? An Attack will probably fit the bill. And this new Attack 14 is even stronger and more reliable than ever.
Boot Compatibility | DIN Range | Original Price |
Alpine DIN (ISO 5355), GripWalk (ISO 23223) | 4-14 | $249.00 |
Our ski buyers have an endless amount of knowledge on all things skiing stemming from years of experience in the ski industry in tandem with their countless hours spent on slopes everywhere from groomers to the remote backcountry around the world. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.