Best Ski Bindings of 2020

BEST FOR: ALL-MOUNTAIN WIDE SKIS

If you’re riding All-Mountain Wide skis, a great option for those wanting to ski a variety of terrain, then these bindings will match perfectly. 

Since All-Mountain Wide skis are wider than most other types of skis, they require wide bindings to match. If you mismatch, you could end up with bindings that are too narrow, which could result in the ski brakes not deploying properly during a wipeout. The ensuing result? A runaway ski!

These bindings are also a perfect pairing when you’re skiing fresh powder. Wide skis “float” easier in soft snow but require the right binding. If you use traditional bindings, you may not get the responsiveness and control out of your skis that you need to ski smoothly. The Salomon Warden 11 MNC’s will make sure you shred any terrain with ease.

BEST FOR: TRUE BEGINNERS

If you’ve never set foot on skis before but have decided to invest into a first set of skis, boots, and bindings, then the Marker 10.0 TP should be your go-to binding. 

These bindings are perfect for whatever type of conditions you plan on skiing: groomed runs, fresh powder, terrain park, or off-piste (backcountry). As a true beginner, you’ll likely want to try out all of these conditions before you specialize, so having versatile bindings such as these is especially important. 

The Marker 10.0 TP’s are also relatively lightweight for a binding of it’s class. Most beginner gear tends to be heavier (which can be an advantage for balance) but it’s nice to have some lighter gear, especially if you plan on trying out your skills in the terrain park. 

Lastly, the toe portion of these bindings include a horizontal spring, allowing for multi-directional forces to free your foot from the binding should you wipeout. Let’s be frank, as a beginner you’re bound to wipeout a couple times (or several) and these bindings will make it a lot harder to hurt a knee when you hit the snow.

BEST FOR: EASY IN-N-OUT

The heels on these bindings are the bees knees! I’m not sure if bees actually have knees, but I know that the phrase means “awesome.”

Why the heels? Tyrolia has made it even easier to snap-in and snap-out of your bindings, meaning you’ll spend less time fidgeting with locking mechanisms and more time hitting the mountain. Beneath the soles of your boots, you’ll also find anti-friction devices (AFDs) that help get you in and out of your bindings quicker. 

The Attack2 13 GW’s also come with a brake width of either 85mm, 95mm, or 110mm, meaning they will mount to just about any ski (except super wide skis above 110mm in width). This makes them superbly versatile as well as easy to use.

BEST FOR: DOWNHILL POWDER SKIS

For all you dreamers and adventurers in search of fresh powder, the Look SPX 12 GW’s are your match made in heaven. Since skiing powder requires wider and specially made skis to perform well, it comes as no surprise that those skis will also need some special bindings.

Since powder skis are wider than All-Mountain skis (read: traditional skis), they also require wider bindings. The Look SPX 12 GW’s are offered in both 100 mm and a whopping 120 mm ski brake width. This means you can mount them to powder skis up to 120 mm wide! 

These binding also come with built-in shock absorbers, perfect for those hitting small (or big!) jumps and landing in deep snow.

You may say that I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.

BEST FOR: CHILDREN’S SKIS

The earlier you start ‘em, the better they’ll be! It’s never too early to introduce children to the beautiful world of snowsports (I’ve seen kids as young as 4 skiing Green slopes). It’s also a great idea to get them their own gear so you can stop hassling with the ski shop every weekend. 

Worried about your kid outgrowing their bindings the way they outgrow their shoes? Well lucky for you they can scale up as your kid grows up. The Marker Free 7’s support a weight range of 53 – 165 lbs. Meaning that they can reasonably use these up through high school (they’ll need to be remounted and properly adjusted by a certified ski shop, of course). 

Lastly, the ski brakes are 85 mm wide, meaning that they will fit most skis including powder and even freestyle skis should your little shredder want to hit the terrain park. Overall, the Marker Free 7’s are an awesome choice for a kid needing their own setup.

BEST FOR: DOWNHILL BACKCOUNTRY SKIING

Looking to up your ski game and hit the trails less traveled? The Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC’s are the premier binding for backcountry pursuits. 

What makes backcountry bindings different from their traditional downhill counterparts is the ability to lock in the toe while leaving the heel free to move up and down. This allows you to use your skis as snowshoes as you trek up the mountain before locking in the heels and skiing back down. 

The S/Lab Shift MNC’s offer climbing bars that can be adjusted beneath your heels, giving your heels between 2° – 10° degrees of “lift” when climbing. That means that your heel doesn’t have to go all the way back down to the ski/binding when you’re climbing uphill, making it feel a little more like walking up stairs. 

Lastly, these bindings are in an elite and rare category when it comes to compatibility with boot soles. The MNC in the title stands for Multi-Norm Compatibility meaning it will play nicely with almost any boot you buy. This translates to being an excellent investment for long-term use as when it comes time to buy new ski boots you won’t be sweating over if they’ll be compatible or not.

BEST FOR: BACKCOUNTRY TOURING

Are you someone who enjoys the mountains for the mountains? Are you looking for something a little different from your traditional downhill, groomed runs at resorts? Are you looking to get away from the crowds?

Ski touring is a combination of hiking, mountaineering, and downhill skiing. In order to tour properly, you’ll need a backcountry binding like the G3 Ion 12 Alpine Touring. With free-heel range of movement to aid in uphill trekking and fixed-heel security for downhill skiing, you’ll have the perfect pair of binding to tackle any backcountry adventure. 

What makes these particularly suited to backcountry use is the wide ski brakes (115mm) which accommodates skis designed for use in powder, which you’re most likely to encounter on the trail.

BEST FOR: INCREASED BACKCOUNTRY PERFORMANCE

The Marker Kingpin M-Werks 12 are some of the most advanced backcountry bindings on the market. Blending lightweight design with an intuitive multifunctional system puts these bindings into a category of their own.

What makes this binding system so impressive is its ease of use. The “Kingpin” is a single mechanism that can be used in so many different ways to achieve the results you want, including free-heel for uphill travel, heel lifts for assistance when ascending, fixed-heel for downhill shredding, and easy unlocking for stepping out of the skis.

The bindings also support crampon attachments for increased assistance and grip when ascending icy and treacherous paths. Lastly, the Kingpin M-Werks 12’s come in two brake widths, 100mm and 125mm (super wide) for those who require wide skis or have powder skis for ultimate float.

BEST FOR: BUDGET-MINDED SKIERS

Whether you’re renting or buying, snowsports can be a pricey hobby. By buying, you can help save money down the road on the price of rentals but that typically means dropping some hefty coin up front. If you’re trying to save money both now and later, then the Look Pivot 12 GW’s are a great choice.

These downhill bindings are a great standard won’t-break-the-bank piece of gear that will age well. They feature multidirectional toe releases to spring your boots free in case of a fall and sport shock absorbers to make landings easier on your feet. 

While these bindings are definitely on the heavier end of the range, they are compatible with most ski boots, including GripWalk soles and Alpine boots (ISO 5355). They can also be purchased in varying ski brake widths including 75mm, 95mm, and 115mm for mounting on the widest variety of skis.

BEST FOR: ULTRALIGHT BACKCOUNTRY TOURING

Calling all ultralight enthusiasts! The Black Diamond Helio 200 are some of the lightest backcountry bindings available. At just 14.2 oz. for the pair, you’ll feel light in the legs on both steep ascents and when tearing downhill.

Be forewarned however, that these bindings have no ski brakes built in, but they do have a Kevlar leash to keep your skis from running away in the event of a fall. The minimal design has its advantages and disadvantages. 

The upside is that you have a very simple, streamlined system but the drawback is only a single point of adjustment. This can be a dealbreaker for those making steep ascents who need some heel lift. As with any ultralight gear, there are sacrifices to be made and most enthusiasts will enjoy these bindings regardless.