DOWNHILL ONLY, OR UPHILL AND DOWNHILL?

What do you need a binding to do? Are you a resort-only skier who sees a binding that delivers solid downhill performance, or are you venturing into the backcountry and in need of a binding that has uphill capability as well?

If you’re looking for a binding that just goes downhill, it’s pretty straightforward: start by picking an alpine binding. Alpine bindings (like the Armada Strive Binding) are ideal for all-mountain, freeride and freestyle skiers and are lightweight while providing great feel and solid binding retention. 

If you’re a skier looking for uphill capability, you’ll want to choose an alpine touring binding that allows a skier to lift their heel for uphill travel and click back in for downhill skiing. There are a couple types of alpine touring bindings. For primarily backcountry use that prioritizes light weight and uphill efficiency, you’ll want to choose a pin binding like the tracer tour. If you mix backcountry and resort skiing and want a binding that balances uphill and capability downhill performance, choose a Armada Shift Binding with a DIN certified release and traditional step in downhill functionality. 

CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE DIN RANGE

Once you’ve chosen the right category of binding, find one with the correct DIN range for your needs. The DIN value refers to the amount of force required to release from bindings. 

Heavier or more aggressive skiers will typically need a binding with a higher DIN range, while those who are lighter or less aggressive can get by with a lower DIN setting. See the chart below for a general guideline of weight and skier ability to see which DIN range will work best for you. 

CHOOSE THE RIGHT BRAKE WIDTH

Once you’ve chosen the right category and DIN range, it’s time to determine the right brake width. The general rule is to choose a brake width that is as lease equal to, and no more than 15mm wider than the ski the binding will be used on. 

For example, if a ski is 90mm underfoot, you want to choose a brake width between 90mm and 105mm. Too narrow, and the brakes may not clear the ski edges and deploy when they release. Too wide and they may drag on snow during a turn or hook each other while skiing.

CHECK BOOT COMPATIBILITY

Lastly, check boot compatibility to ensure your boot and binding you choose will work together. Boots and binding compatibility is essential for proper retention and release. There are a few different standards, which can get a bit confusing, but the chart below should help. Contact customer service or a certified binding technician if you have questions about boot and binding compatibility. 

Keep in mind that for a boot to take advantage of uphill capability on Armada Alpine Touring Bindings, they need metal “Tech” or “Pin” inserts (only toe required for SHIFT, toe and heel required for Tracer Tour).

Traditional Alpine Boot: ISO 5355 — Compatible with Alpine ISO Standard 9462, GripWalk and MultiNorm bindings

Boots GripWalk Soles: ISO 23223 — Compatible with GripWalk and MultiNorm bindings

Alpine Touring Boots: ISO 9523 — Compatible with MultiNorm, and pin-style touring bindings if there are metal “tech” inserts in the toe (SHIFT) or toe and heel (Tracer Tour)