2018 Look Pivot 14 Dual Wtr Ski Bindings Review

Cicatrice Alpine Ski Binding Guide

Intro

Choosing the right binding can exist tricky.

Two years ago we published our Alpine Touring Binding Shoot-Out where we mounted five of the leading tech bindings (the Marker Kingpin 13, Dynafit Radical 2.0, Fritschi Vipec 12, G3 ION 12, and Dynafit Beast fourteen), to the aforementioned ski (the LINE Sick Day Tourist 102), then skied them dorsum-to-back-to-back and evaluated their uphill and downhill operation, ease of use, safety, and immovability. We'll be posting an update to that shootout soon to include a few of the new AT bindings released in the past two years, only today we're talking nearly the bindings we utilise in the resort, rather than the backcountry.

While "alpine" bindings (ski bindings that don't have an uphill / touring component) are simpler than "AT" bindings since at that place is no need to combine uphill efficiency with downhill reliability and condom, in that location are a dizzying number of alpine bindings on the market, and little information about why one particular alpine binding might be a meliorate option for you, which bindings are — and aren't — compatible with the new boots you just bought, etc.

Furthermore, at that place are many myths, bits of misinformation, passionate defenders, and very vocal detractors of certain bindings, which makes it even harder to get clear on what the actual characteristics are of these bindings, and how they actually differ.

So we've collected hither a number of the most popular alpine bindings, then listed the manufacturer's' stated:

• Cost
• Weights
• Stack Acme (how far off the ski the toe and heel of your boot will be when in the binding)
• Toe and Heel Elasticity / Travel (The corporeality of distance a binding can motion earlier the boot clears — i.e., "releases from" — a binding.)
• Boot Compatibilities (Which bindings work with rocker-soled AT boots, or boots that have WTR soles, Grip Walk soles, etc?)
• "DIN" (release value) range
• "BSL" aligning range (If yous purchase a new boot with a shorter or longer boot-sole length, will you take to remount your bindings, or is in that location enough adjustment range to conform the new boot?)

For more than on elasticity, travel, DIN, etc. and how they touch on on-snow performance, check out our Ski Bindings 201 commodity on how bindings work.

Nosotros've as well included some of our reviewers' personal experiences with some of these bindings, and nosotros'll continue to update this piece equally more bindings hit the market, and as we are able to get more time testing some of these bindings.

So to exist clear, this volition be an evolving certificate, and what we accept here is just a start. Merely we hope that it will help to clear up some confusion and permit all of us to make more than informed decisions.

SKI BINDINGS

Salomon STH2 WTR 16

Salomon STH2 WTR 16

• Price: $350
• Stated Weight: 1220 g per binding
• Stack Height: eighteen.v mm (toe); 24.5 mm (heel)
• Elasticity – Toe: 52 mm
• Elasticity – Heel: sixteen mm
• DIN Range: 7-16
• Range of Adjustability (for different-sized boots): 28 mm
• Kick Compatibilities: WTR and ISO Tall 5355

These are reviewer Paul Forward'southward go-to bindings for piece of work every bit a heli-ski guide in Alaska, since they are the easiest binding he'due south used to click into in deep snow (something that he has to do multiple times a day).

Function of what makes the STH2 so like shooting fish in a barrel to stride into is how like shooting fish in a barrel it is to articulate snow around the middle mail of the toe piece, and the relatively easy heel spring activation (peculiarly compared to the Marker Jester). This all also holds true for the older, non-WTR version of the STH binding, except for the lack of WTR-boot compatibility. In addition, the WTR-version of the STH2 works the best of annihilation we've used with rubber-soled alpine and WTR boots.

The only upshot we've had with two particular pairs of STH bindings (of the 6 or and then pairs we've used frequently over the years) is that some of them accept developed an consequence with the toe peak adjustment that results in not existence able to lower the toe enough for standard alpine sole blocks.

Salomon STH2 WTR 13

Salomon STH2 WTR 13

• Price: $275
• Stated Weight: 1145 yard per binding
• Stack Height: 18.5 mm (toe); 24.v mm (heel)
• Elasticity – Toe: 52 mm
• Elasticity – Heel: 16 mm
• DIN Range: 5-13
• Range of Adjustability (for different-sized boots): 28 mm
• Boot Compatibilities: WTR and ISO Tall 5355

These are very similar to the STH2 xvi, and like the 16-DIN version, they're much easier to click into in deep snow than whatever of the Marker bindings we've used. We have, however, had a few pre-release problems with STH 13's when gear up at the higher end of their DIN range, so if yous are running your DIN at 11, 12, or xiii, yous might consider bumping up to the STH2 xvi.

Salomon Warden MNC 13

Salomon Warden 13 MNC

• Price: $300
• Stated Weight: 1132 g per bounden
• Stack Peak: 21 mm (toe); 24.5 mm (heel)
• Elasticity – Toe: 30 mm
• Elasticity – Heel 16 mm
• DIN Range: 4-13
• Range of Adaptability (for different-sized boots): 28 mm
• Boot Compatibilities: WTR, Grip Walk, ISO Alpine 5355, ISO Alpine Touring 9523

The skiing experience of the Warden is generally similar to that of the STH2 16. The Warden's toe piece doesn't clear snowfall as well as the STH2, merely the Warden still seems easier to pace into in deep snowfall than the Jester.

Nosotros haven't noticed whatever issues with the lighter springs used in the heel slice of the Warden xiii compared to the STH2 16. However, Paul Frontward has had some pre-releases on the STH 13, which has a very similar heel to the Warden, then psychologically, he personally doesn't feel quite as comfy skiing the thirteen heels when running a higher DIN setting (xi, 12, or 13).

The biggest reason to choose the Warden over the STH2 is if you intend to routinely utilize AT boots with 9523 boot soles (i.east., not WTR, Grip Walk, or standard alpine soles) because these types of boots require an MNC (multi-norm compatible) binding like the Warden.

Expect Pivot eighteen

Look Pin xviii

• Toll: $475
• Stated Weight: 1245 one thousand per bounden
• Stack Height: 18 mm (toe); 19 mm (heel)
• Elasticity – Toe: 40 mm
• Elasticity – Heel: 28 mm
• DIN Range: 8-18
• Range of Adaptability (for different-sized boots): xx mm
• Kick Compatibilities: ISO Alpine 5355 (WTR AFDs are available)

The Look Pivot 18 is the preferred bounden of a lot of hard-charging skiers, and you'll often hear such folks say that they wouldn't dream of skiing on annihilation else. Why? Typically, the mention the Pivot 18'southward metallic toes and heels, the range of elasticity / travel of the toes and the heels, and the consistency of the Pivot 18'due south release — they release when they should, and not when they shouldn't.

While the Pivot 18 has long been revered as i of the "safest" options available, it's worth noting that the consistency of your release is impacted much more by how properly your bounden is adjusted to your boot than by what model of binding you lot happen to be using.

Over the years at Blister, reviewer Joe Augusten would swear by the Pivot 18, primarily for its metal toe; Joe doesn't trust plastic. Mike Masiowski and I even so very happily ski the Pivot 18, and don't mind or notice the boosted weight of the Pivot eighteen when skiing. Simply I also feel fine moving downwardly to the Pivot 14 (while running a DIN of 10 or 11) and dropping a flake of weight, and have switched back and forth between Pivot 18s and Pivot 14s for years.

Paul Forward all the same has a few pairs mounted up merely they have largely fallen out of daily utilise for a few reasons. First, the rotating heel slice of the Pivot bindings tin can be a bit of a nuisance in deep snow. Overall, he withal finds them to be easier to step into than the Marker Jester, only not as quick as the Salomon STH2 because sometimes the heel piece needs to exist re-aligned. 2d, the Pivot 18, 14, and 12 are also much harder to adjust to different boot sole lengths (and Pivots have a shorter range of aligning) than the other bindings listed here, which makes swapping between boots more difficult and fourth dimension-consuming. And relatedly, information technology is more complicated to adjust the frontward pressure on Pivot bindings than the other bindings here. Only once you learn how to do it (or if you aren't frequently swapping boots or adjusting your DIN settings) then this is a small cistron or a not-factor.

Wait Pin 14 AW

Look Pivot 14 AW

• Price: $425
• Blister's Measured Weight (with 110 mm brakes): 1155 g per binding
• Stack Height: 18 mm (toe); xix mm (heel)
• Elasticity – Toe: 45 mm
• Elasticity – Heel: 28 mm
• DIN Range: 5-fourteen
• Range of Adjustability (for dissimilar-sized boots): xx mm
• Kicking Compatibilities: ISO Alpine 5355, Grip Walk

The former (non-WTR or Grip Walk) Look Pivot 14 was a favorite of many Cicatrice reviewers, thanks to its elasticity and consequent release. The downside is that they are a little bit finicky to piece of work with, merely many of united states like the functioning and feel of the bindings plenty that this is what we keep to ski.

Nevertheless, information technology'due south worth noting that replacing the brakes on the Pivot family unit of bindings is a much more than involved procedure than on any of the other models listed.

Concluding twelvemonth'due south Pivot Dual 14 was compatible with WTR soles, but Wait made some minor updates to the AFD and then that the new Pivot 14 AW is compatible with both Alpine and Grip Walk soles, but not WTR. While the turntable design of the heel stayed the same with the final three iterations of the Pivot, the changes to the AFD for the "Dual" WTR version and then the electric current "AW" Grip Walk version required a substantial increase in the amount of plastic at the toe. The new Grip-Walk-compatible Pivot xiv AW has a nigh identical toe as final year's Dual version, merely with an updated AFD that works with Grip Walk soles. While some people aren't a fan of the decrease in metallic vs. the one-time Pivot 14, we've actually found that the new toe seems to exist more robust.

And then while some skiers (including reviewer Alex Mueller) used to carry an extra AFD with them since the erstwhile Pivot 14's AFD could be prone to failure, we oasis't experienced the aforementioned issue with the new version. The machinery is solid, and does not event in a departure in toe height (boot angle). Wait added the sliding AFD in order to aid with the presence of rubber soles on Grip Walk boots. We suspect that this will likewise brand the release on alpine boots fifty-fifty more reliable.

Look Pivot 12 AW

Await Pivot 12 AW

• Price: $375
• Stated Weight: 1135 yard per bounden
• Stack Peak: eighteen mm (toe); 19 mm (heel)
• Elasticity – Toe: 45 mm
• Elasticity – Heel: 28 mm
• DIN Range: four-12
• Range of Adjustability (for different-sized boots): twenty mm
• Boot Compatibilities: ISO Tall 5355, Grip Walk

The Pin 12 AW is very like to the new fourteen AW, just is a bit lighter and has a lower maximum release value. While we haven't skied the new Pivot 12, nosotros'd recommend this to lighter skiers looking for the toe elasticity and on-snow experience of Pivot bindings.

Tyrolia AAAttack2 18 Ten GW

Tyrolia AAAttack² eighteen X GW

• Toll: $525
• Stated Weight: 1215 one thousand per bounden
• Stack Height: 12-xv mm (toe); 17 mm (heel)
• Elasticity – Toe: thirty mm
• Elasticity – Heel: 16 mm
• DIN Range: 8-xviii
• Range of Adaptability (for different-sized boots): 32 mm
• Boot Compatibilities: ISO Tall 5355, Grip Walk

We've establish the whole Tyrolia Set on series to exist very like shooting fish in a barrel to footstep into — the heel has a much more positive engagement than the Mark Majestic Family. Only the Tyrolia toe doesn't articulate snow as easily as the Salomon STH2. For skiers looking for a loftier-DIN binding that works with Grip Walk soles, the Attack 18 X GW is a cracking selection. Tyrolia updated the unabridged Attack series for 17/18 with a new adjustable toe machinery that works with Grip Walk boots, and the bindings came dorsum unchanged for 18/19.

Tyrolia AAAttack2 16 GW

Tyrolia AAAttack² 16 GW

• Cost: $475
• Stated Weight: 1120 g per binding
• Stack Height: 12-15 mm (toe); 17 mm (heel)
• Elasticity – Toe: xxx mm
• Elasticity – Heel: xvi mm
• DIN Range: five-16
• Range of Adjustability (for different-sized boots): 32 mm
• Boot Compatibilities: ISO Alpine 5355, Grip Walk

We haven't spent time in the 16-DIN version of Tyrolia's Attack2 series, merely the only departure between it and the xiii-DIN version is the Attack2 16'southward higher DIN range and slightly heavier weight. So apart from that, everything we say virtually the Attack2 13 should hold true for the Attack2 16.

Tyrolia AAAttack2 fourteen AT

Tyrolia AAAttack² xiv AT

• Toll: $375
• Stated Weight: 1115 g per binding
• Stack Tiptop: 17-22 mm (toe); 24 mm (heel)
• Elasticity – Toe: 30 mm
• Elasticity – Heel: xvi mm
• DIN Range: four-14
• Range of Adaptability (for different-sized boots): 32 mm
• Boot Compatibilities: ISO Alpine 5355, Grip Walk, WTR, ISO Alpine Touring 9523

This is a good bounden for skiers who like the feel of the Attack serial but need more kick compatibility options every bit it works with Alpine, Grip Walk, WTR, and ISO Alpine Touring 9523 soles. It is worth noting that the Salomon Warden is compatible with nearly the same range of boots as the Attack 14 AT, just is a little less expensive at retail.

Tyrolia AAAttack2 13 GW

Tyrolia AAAttack² 13 GW

• Price: $275
• Stated Weight: 1035 chiliad per binding
• Stack Height: 12-15 mm (toe); 17 mm (heel)
• Elasticity – Toe: 30 mm
• Elasticity – Heel: 16 mm
• DIN Range: 4-13
• Range of Adjustability (for dissimilar-sized boots): 32 mm
• Kick Compatibilities: ISO Alpine 5355, Grip Walk

For skiers looking for a lightweight, simple, and affordable binding in the thirteen-DIN range, the Tyrolia Attack 13 is hard to beat out. It'south only compatible with alpine and Grip Walk soles, simply it's got a very proficient range of adjustment to fit dissimilar boot sole lengths, as well equally a low stack height. We've also found that the Tyrolia heels are much easier to open and shut, especially in soft snow, than whatever of the Marker Royal Family bindings, and the Tyrolia bindings don't have the upshot we've experienced with some Marker bindings where the heel closes role fashion but does not completely lock. This is especially noteworthy for lighter skiers.

The heel engagement of the Attack 13 is very solid and positive, and feels more similar to the Salomon STH2 series than the Marker Imperial Family unit.

If you're looking for a bounden with a like experience and weight but at a college DIN range, cheque out the AAAttack2 16 and xviii Ten. And if you need more boot compatibility options, check out the Attack2 14 AT — it's a little heavier and more expensive, but it is compatible with ISO Tall 5355, WTR, Grip Walk, and ISO Alpine Touring 9523 boots.

Mark Jester 18 Pro ID

Marker Jester xviii Pro ID

• Price: $475
• Stated Weight: 1195 1000 per bounden (110 mm restriction)
• Stack Height: eighteen mm (toe); 22 mm (heel)
• Elasticity – Toe: 30 mm
• Elasticity – Heel: 16 mm
• DIN Range: 8-18
• Range of Adjustability (for different-sized boots): xx mm
• Boot Compatibilities: ISO Alpine 5355, Grip Walk, WTR, and ISO Alpine Touring 9523

For 18/nineteen Marker updated their flagship 18-DIN binding with their "Sole ID" tech, which means the Jester 18 Pro ID is now compatible with Alpine, Grip Walk, WTR, and ISO Alpine Touring 9523 soles. While nosotros many Blister reviewers have hundreds of days in the Jester 16, none of us have skied the Jester eighteen Pro. Nosotros're hoping to become on the new binding presently, and we'll update if / when nosotros get time in it.

Marker Jester 16 ID

Marking Jester 16 ID

• Toll: $425
• Stated Weight: 1054 one thousand per binding (110 mm brake)
• Stack Top: 18 mm (toe); 22 mm (heel)
• Elasticity – Toe: 30 mm
• Elasticity – Heel: 16 mm
• DIN Range: 6-16
• Range of Adjustability (for dissimilar-sized boots): 20 mm
• Boot Compatibilities: ISO Tall 5355, Grip Walk, WTR, and ISO Alpine Touring 9523

The current iteration of the Jester now has increased ability to accommodate the pinnacle deviation between the AFD and toe piece so that it can now conform Alpine, Grip Walk, WTR, and ISO Alpine Touring 9523 boots. Other than that, it remains the same reliable binding that Marker has fabricated for years.

Our primary issue with the Jesters has been that they can be a bit difficult to footstep into, particularly when wearing whatever boots that have rubber pads on the soles. Getting into them in deep snow requires much more thorough clearance of the toe slice of the binding and the toe of the boot than the other non-Mark bindings we've used. This is compounded because the design of the toe piece doesn't clear out snow every bit well as some other bindings, so yous are essentially kicking your toe into a solid plastic pocket full of snow.

In addition, the heelpiece is designed so that information technology doesn't snap into place until the boot is relatively deep into the binding, and then it takes a bit more force earlier actuating. Larger skiers or those who are most ofttimes getting into and out of their skis on business firm surfaces are unlikely to have whatsoever issues, only lighter skiers and those who are frequently putting skis on and taking them off in deep snow may exist happier with other bindings.

Once they are on, nonetheless, we have for the virtually part found these bindings to be reliable and confidence inspiring, and many Cicatrice reviewers have skied the Mark Jester and Griffin for years and have hundreds of days in them.

Marker Griffon xiii ID

Marker Griffon 13 ID

• Price: $295
• Stated Weight: 1019 g per binding (110 mm brakes)
• Stack Superlative: 18 mm (toe); 22 mm (heel)
• Elasticity – Toe: 30 mm
• Elasticity – Heel: 16 mm
• DIN Range: iv-13
• Range of Adjustability (for different-sized boots): 20 mm
• Boot Compatibilities: ISO Alpine 5355, Grip Walk, WTR, and ISO Tall Touring 9523

While the Marking Griffon doesn't really stand out in any detail way, it is a fine, affordable binding that we take used quite a bit at Blister, and nosotros have experienced few reliability problems. It does take the aforementioned toe and heel issues in deeper snow as the Marker Jester, merely this issue is reduced the lower you happen to run your DIN setting (equally it makes the heel easier to appoint). The real selling point of the Griffon 13 ID is that information technology'south an affordable choice for skiers who demand 1 tall binding that works with their inbounds boots and a broad multifariousness of touring boots.

Bottom Line

While everyone has their personal preferences and biases with bindings — peculiarly since they're charged with saving your knees in the event of a crash — there is no single, ideal binding that's perfect for everyone. So cull a bounden based on your personal priorities and the right DIN range. And nosotros'll keep to add to and update this commodity equally we get time in more bindings.

Farther Reading: Ski Bindings 201

For more on elasticity, travel, DIN, etc. and how they affect on-snow performance, check out our Sk Bindings 201 article on how bindings piece of work.

brutonelvinew.blogspot.com

Source: https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/blister-alpine-ski-binding-guide