Ski touring bindings: Types and techniques at a glance
Ski touring is now on everyone's lips and is a popular leisure activity for young and old winter sports enthusiasts alike. Training, nature experiences and action can be combined. Are you thinking about buying ski touring equipment or would you like to buy new equipment? Then the question of the right ski touring binding will be of particular concern to you. We'll give you an overview of the types of ski touring bindings on the market and tell you which one is right for your personal skiing style.
Frame bindings vs. pin bindings
In recent years, two camps have formed: Some praise the lightness of pin bindings or tech bindings, while others swear by the safety of frame bindings. These are the two main factors that usually play a role when buying a ski touring binding.
While the lightness of the equipment is relevant for the ascent, safety is an important criterion for the descent. A mix of both is ideal, as this allows the ski tourer to have confidence in the equipment and really enjoy the ski tour with all their senses.
What is a frame binding?
At first glance, a frame binding doesn't look all that different from the binding on your alpine skis? That's right, because frame bindings are suitable for almost all ski boots. They work in the same way as alpine skis and do not require any special knowledge. The ski boots are simply pressed into the binding. The ski boot is “framed” at the front and back.
On the ascent, the boot is clamped to the platform in the front and rear jaws, while the rear can be lifted by adjusting the binding. When walking, the entire binding unit is lifted together with the boot. Depending on the weight of the binding, this can be a disadvantage, but more on this later.
What is a pin binding or tech binding?
Since the patent for the pin binding expired in 2012, a lot has happened on the market and there are now ski touring bindings for every skiing style. Before we explain the characteristics of tech bindings in terms of functionality and safety, we would first like to explain what a pin binding actually is.
The short English word “pin” means something like “peg” and it is precisely these that have been giving frame bindings a run for their money since the 1980s. The heavier metals used at the time prompted the inventor of pin binding to get creative. The frame is completely absent with this technology, instead the boot is held in place by two “pins” on the toe piece. These snap into the side of the boot when you step in.
During the tour, the boot is fixed at the front and natural rolling is easily possible due to the position of the pivot point. The touring skier only has to lift the boot, the back of the boot remains on the ski. On the descent, the ski boot is additionally fixed at the back.
Differences in the functionality of ski touring bindings
The differences in functionality between the two types of binding become apparent as soon as you step into the binding.While no special knowledge is required for the frame binding, the pin binding not only requires the necessary know-how for the technology of the whole thing, but also a surface that allows you to get in.On steep slopes or in deep snow, engaging with the ski boot can sometimes be a test of patience. Envious glances are then cast at those ski tourers with frame bindings.Once they have reached the summit, the lever for “ski mode” is simply flipped on the frame binding. This means that nothing stands in the way of an action-packed ride, as frame bindings often have a Z-value of over 10.
There are also differences in functionality on the descent itself: the pin binding can be switched to ski mode by switching the rear jaws.The release mechanism works differently to the frame binding.It must be switched on and off manually on the toe piece.On the descent, this is of course on to prevent the foot from turning in the event of a fall and to minimize the risk of injury.
On the ascent, the release is deactivated and you are firmly attached to the pins at the front. On the ascent, the boot is clamped to the platform in the front and rear jaws, while the rear can be lifted by adjusting the binding.When walking, the entire binding unit is lifted together with the boot.Depending on the weight of the binding, this can be a disadvantage, but more on this later.
Safety of ski touring bindings
When it comes to ski touring bindings, the key word is “safety”:Pin bindings are very stiff at the front, where a good grip is possible, but at the back there is often lateral play to the left and right due to the rotating mechanism for the climbing aids.If there is a lot of pressure, the power transmission is simply worse than with the frame binding and the safety aspect can suffer in the event of a fall.The deactivated release mechanism increases the risk of injury on the ascent, especially in the worst-case scenario, as we have already described.
Even on action-packed descents in deep snow with jumps, the frame bindings will keep the boot in the right position - high Z-values allow for a lot of fun in the snow.But pin bindings have become safer and safer in recent years. So there's no need to be afraid, because: before a binding of any kind can be sold, it is of course tested.
Buying a ski touring binding: You should pay attention to this
TÜV certification
Compatibility with boots and crampons: If you already own boots and crampons, you should point this out in the sales pitch.
Skiing style: Before buying, you should consider the conditions for which the ski will be used.In principle, the pin binding is very suitable for relaxed tours and action-packed deep snow descents.Only if you want to make high-risk jumps is the frame binding the better choice.
Z-value: This indicates the force impulse at which the ski automatically releases the boot. With some models, the Z-value can be set individually. Frame bindings generally have higher Z-values than pin bindings.
Power transmission: In order to achieve the ideal power transmission, the standing height of the boot and the pivot point of the boot on the platform in the toe piece should be taken into account. As a general rule, the lower the standing height and the further back the pivot point, the better the power transmission.
Weight differences: The weight differences are no longer extreme, but should still be taken into account. What can be saved on price is gained in weight: frame bindings are heavier than pin bindings, although different weight classes can be found here depending on the model.
We have presented the most important factors, but which one is right for you? The following table gives you an overview of the different features of ski touring bindings.
| Frame binding | Pin binding/Tech binding | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | + very easy, good comfort | - needs practice, rather difficult in deep snow or steep terrain |
| Compatibility | + easy to adjust | - rather compatibility problems |
| Stance height | - rather higher - lower power transmission | + rather lower - higher power transmission |
| Rolling motion | - natural rolling motion more difficult | + natural rolling motion easily possible |
| - Rear jaw must be lifted | + Rear jaw does not need to be lifted | |
| Safety on the ascent | + good safety solution | - - lack of safety solution on the toe piece problematic in the worst-case scenario of an avalanche or a fall |
| Downhill | + good power transmission in all conditions | - with icy and hard bindings, the loss of power transmission is a disadvantage |
| Safety on the descent | + svery safe due to the built-in release technology | +/- safe, but possible problem: Release force cannot usually be individually adjusted |
| Weight | - Generally heavier, as the frame has to be lifted by the tourer | + Very light bindings, some even weigh only 170g |
Features of ski touring bindings at a glance:
There are now all models of frame bindings and many different pin bindings from all manufacturers. The table therefore only shows the tendency of the two types:
Conclusion: frame binding or pin binding?
As you may have noticed, the choice is not that easy, the advantages and disadvantages of the two technologies balance each other out. In conclusion, we can only advise you to test both bindings as part of a specialist consultation and then think through the individual factors for yourself. The two aspects of usability and safety are perceived subjectively and no specialist advice can take the decision away from you. The important thing is that you trust your equipment, only then will you have fun with it.
Safety and/or lightness: Both are now combined in production, for example in the Ambition frame binding or the Tour Classic pin binding. Both are recommended for all-round skiers and, ultimately, personal preference decides which ski touring binding to buy.
