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Lightest BINDINGS for Skimo Racing and Ski Mountaineering – comparison:

This page compares:

  • 30 lightest bindings that are suitable for light ski mountaineering and rando racing, and are currently on the market
  • All under 210g (we believe all weights are provided without screws)
  • Technical specs (weight, etc.) are from manufacturers’ websites and other trusted sources
  • “ISMF approved” indicates whether a binding complies with ISMF rules
  ATK Race World Cup binding ATK Race binding ATK Race SL World Cup binding ATK Race Lightweight binding
Brand ATK Race ATK Race ATK Race ATK Race
Model World Cup Vertical Revolution World Cup SL World Cup SL Lightweight World Cup
Weight / 1 Foot 105g 105g 110g 110g
ISMF approved Yes Yes Yes Yes
Crampon attachment No Optional Optional Optional
Size adjustable (mm) adjustment plates available adjustment plates available adjustment plates available adjustment plates available
Materials Alu 7075, Titanium Alu 7075, Titanium, POM Alu 7075, Titanium, POM Alu 7075, Titanium, POM
Price range (USD) $500-600 $500-600 $400-500 $400-500
         
Note no spring toe; heel allows boot on the ski position no spring toe; heel allows boot on the ski position compatible with ski brake; heel allows boot on the ski position suitable for lightweight skiers; compatible with ski brake; heel allows boot on the ski position
         
Buy at        

 

  ATK Race Trofeo binding ATK Race Trofeo Plus binding Black Diamond Helio 110 binding Black Diamond Helio 145 binding
Brand ATK Race ATK Race Black Diamond Black Diamond
Model Trofeo Trofeo Plus Helio 110 Helio 145
Weight / 1 Foot 145g 205g 110g 145g
ISMF approved Yes Yes Yes Yes
Crampon attachment No Yes No No
Size adjustable (mm) adjustment plate available 30 - heel plate included plates available plates available
Materials Alu 7075, Stainless Steel, POM Alu 7075, Stainless Steel, POM Alu, Titanium Alu, Steel
Price range (USD) $500-600 $500-600 $600-700 $450-550
         
Note 4 versions based on release force 4-10; heel allows boot on the ski position 4 versions based on release force 4-10; heel allows boot on the ski position rebranded ATK binding rebranded ATK binding
         
Buy at     Skimo.co Skimo.co

 

 

 

 Black Diamond Helio 180 binding Black Diamond Helio 200 binding Dynafit P49 binding Dynafit DNA binding
Brand Black Diamond Black Diamond Dynafit Dynafit
Model Helio 180 Helio 200 P49 DNA
Weight / 1 Foot 180g 200g 49g 62g
ISMF approved Yes Yes - Yes
Crampon attachment Optional Optional No No
Size adjustable (mm) Integrated Integrated No No
Materials Alu, Steel Alu, Steel Alu, High Tech Synthetic Carbon, Titanium
Price range (USD) $500-600 $650-750 $650-750 $700-800
         
Note rebranded ATK binding rebranded ATK binding compatible only with Dynafit DNA Pintech boots by Pierre Gignoux
         
Buy at Skimo.co Skimo.co Skimo.co  

 

 

 

 Dynafit Low Tech Race 105 binding Dynafit Low Tech Race 115 binding Dynafit Low Tech Race binding Dynafit Low Tech Race PDG binding
Brand Dynafit Dynafit Dynafit Dynafit
Model Low Tech Race 105 Low Tech Race 115 Low Tech Race 2.0 Low Tech Race PDG
Weight / 1 Foot 105g 115g 110g 115g
ISMF approved Yes Yes Yes Yes
Crampon attachment Optional Optional Optional Optional
Size adjustable (mm) No No No No
Materials Alu, High Tech Synthetic Alu, High Tech Synthetic, Stainless Steel Alu, Titanium Alu, Steel
Price range (USD) $500-600 $450-550 $400-500 $400-500
         
Note Manual and Auto lock versions Manual and Auto lock versions    
         
Buy at Skimo.co   Skimo.co Skimo.co

 

 

 

 Dynafit Superlite 2.0 bindings Fischer Tour Race binding Hagan Ultra binding Kreuzspitze SCTTT binding
Brand Dynafit Fischer Hagan Kreuzspitze
Model Superlite 2.0 Tour Race Lite Ultra SCTTT
Weight / 1 Foot 175g 110g 110g 124g
ISMF approved Yes Yes Yes Yes
Crampon attachment Optional Optional Optional Optional
Size adjustable (mm) No No adjustment plates available 14, 18, 40 plates
Materials Alu, Chromoly, Steel, Synthetics Titanium, Alu, Plastic Alu, Titanium Titanium, Steel, Technolpolymer
Price range (USD) $450-550 - $550-650 $450-550
         
Note   rebranded Dynafit binding heel allows flat position women's version comes in pink
         
Buy at Skimo.co   Skimo.co Skimo.co

 

  Kreuzspitze binding Maruelli M2 race bindings Pierre Gignoux Ultimate 3 Pierre Gignoux U 77 binding
Brand Kreuzspitze Maruelli Pierre Gignoux Pierre Gignoux
Model SCTT M2 Ultimate 3 U 77
Weight / 1 Foot 140g 70g w/ screews 62g 77g
ISMF approved Yes Vertical race only Yes Yes
Crampon attachment Optional No No No
Size adjustable (mm) 14, 18, 40 plates No No No
Materials Alu, Titanium, Steel   Carbon, Titanium Carbon, Alu
Price range (USD) $450-550 - $500-600 $500-600
         
Note heel allows boot on theski position      
         
Buy at Skimo.co    

 

  Plum Race R99 skimo binding Plum Race 120 bindings Plum Race 150 bindings Plum Race 170
Brand Plum Plum Plum Plum
Model R 99 R 120 R 150 R 170
Weight / 1 Foot 99g 120g 150g 170g
ISMF approved Yes Yes Yes Yes
Crampon attachment No Optional Integrated Integrated
Size adjustable (mm) 40-heel plate available 40 - heel plate available 40 - heel plate available 20 - heel plate is integrated
Materials 7075 Alu, Titanium 7075 Alu, Titanium 7075 Alu, Steel 7075 Alu, Steel
Price range (USD) $550-650 $500-600 $400-500 $400-500
         
Note        
         
Buy at Skimo.co Skimo.co Skimo.co Skimo.co
  SkiUphill.ca SkiUphill.ca SkiUphill.ca SkiUphill.ca

 

  Ski Trab Gara Titan WC Ski Trab Gara Titan binding    
Brand Ski Trab Ski Trab    
Model Gara Titan WC Gara Titan    
Weight / 1 Foot 103g 112g    
ISMF approved Yes Yes    
Crampon attachment Yes Yes    
Size adjustable (mm) plates available plates available    
Materials Ergal, Titanium, Steel, Plastic Ergal, Titanium, Steel, Plastic    
Price range (USD) $450-550 $400-500    
         
Note heel has flat mode heel has flat mode    
         
Buy at   Skimo.co  
    SkiUphill.ca    

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hi John,
    Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
    Yes I know of that binding, and we are updating this page right now. I have stopped by Kreuzspitze booth at the recent ISPO and they a very knowledgeable and passionate pair of engineers.

  2. Excellent list Stano. Have you thought of including the Kreuzspitze GT binding? Its 161g with fully adjustable release, flat on ski mode, optional extra riser etc. I’ve used them for about 100 days on a pair of wider (112mm ) skis and have been loving them for touring. They are available in North America from Skimo.com. The fully adjustable release was the reason I switched to these from a pair of Dynafit Superlite 2s.

  3. Tom, yes, somehow the spring-less design must work — intriguing!
    Testing various “Tech” bindings with the heel pins disengaged was very interesting, especially since I learned how some race bindings are more dependent on the toe than the heel for the lateral retention properties.

  4. Jonathan,
    It’s an interesting design for sure with the Revolution binding without having the springs. With a large majority of World Cup racers on the ATK Revolution binding it has to have enough strength and force for racers to feel comfortable using it, but it sure would be nice to have details on these kind of measures. There continues to be more details regarding the heel “z” force measures and “DIN”, but not much in regards to the toe pieces.

  5. “Does anyone know how the front binding clamping strength/force compares between the ATK Revolution, SL Evo or SLR binding in comparison to the Dynafit toe pieces found on the LTR, or LTR 2.0′s?”
    yes & no:
    – When I used a standard alpine downhill ski binding torque tester on the Hagan ZR rebranded version of the SLR and the Dynafit LTR “1.0”, the results with the heel pins entirely disengaged (i.e., testing toe pincer retention only) between those two models were essentially the same.
    – I haven’t tested the LTR 2.0 but when I mounted a pair, although the toe lever is now plastic and lacks the adjustable position of the 1.0, the retention seemed comparable.
    – The SL Evo has only one set of pincer springs, and the Revolution has none (how the heck can this possibly work?!), so I’d say my results for the ZR have zero relevance to those models (which I’ve also never seen in person).

  6. Does anyone know how the front binding clamping strength/force compares between the ATK Revolution, SL Evo or SLR binding in comparison to the Dynafit toe pieces found on the LTR, or LTR 2.0’s?

  8. Hello, is it difficoult to geht the apprived for a new bindings?
    How to get a ISMF approved for the bindings? (who does that make)
    thanks for your answer
    stefan

  9. Skimo Co also carries Plum race bindings that have a very similar part available to provide a higher heel riser position.
    However, by “my cross country skis” I sure hope you don’t really mean nordic skis!

  10. Josep – as long as the boots you use are tech-compatible, most race options will be a good choice. SKIMO.co carries the Kreuzspitze binding which can have an added heel riser attached to it.

  11. Hi! Good comparison! I’m looking for light bindings to mount in my cross country skis, specific for winter mountaniering (ice climbing, colouirs, etc.) I would like them to be durable and have comfortable heel risers – I won’t do any racing with them, it’s just not to have too much weight when carrying them in the backpack! What would be your choice?
    thanks!

  15. Peter, in my opinion they better change/simplify rules they cannot or don’t plan on enforcing. As if anyone was ever going to measure that binding-boot gap 🙂
    And then I see a change about outside help – seems like now it is legal to receive outside help in terms of a broken ski or a pole, you can receive it from anyone and anywhere! That is a bit strange since you can end up skiing on unsafe equipment which the rules are trying to avoid 🙂

  16. just got that email from dD and what I noticed is that they have changed the binding rule AGAIN. They took out the 4mm gap, requirements for ski leashes, and have used less ambiguous wording regarding lateral release.
    “ The front part must have a release system that allows the lateral exit of the boot from the rear
    part of the binding. The front release system must have a lockable and un-lockable position. ”
    My Dynafit lo-tech autos are still on the white list, and it appears they have updated the downloadable regulations to the 2013-14 version. So I’m not sure if anything really changed.

  17. I answered my own question with the purchase of the Trab Race adjustable: The whole heel piece turns to give you a flat mode. And the heel piece moves a full 3cm, for what it’s worth…

  18. Jed, from what I know I don’t think any of these have a “flat mode”. However, the heel posts are so low that if you have a flexible enough boot (nice ankle movement) you won’t need a flat mode. But I understand your concern. My problem is that for some spring touring it would be nice if I could have a higher post 😉

  19. Excellent list! Another question: This one about heel lifts, and it’s not what you’d expect. Do any of these light bindings allow one to go “flat on ski”? For mellower touring? I’m in no need of stilettos, but being able to go flat would be nice for sections…

  20. And a whole bunch of new Maruelli M2 toe and heel variations, seems all toes have “2 safety positions” = full ISMF toe releasability?
    http://www.maruelli.com/NaturalWalkingPlate/PRICE-LIST/MARUELLI-PRICELIST.pdf
    Price is now a whopping 500 euro incl VAT.
    You need the traditional 70g m1 toe for downhill races.
    m1 toe + m2 heel = 90g and the combo is ISMF approved for downhill?
    http://www.skiforum.it/forum/discussioni-generali/63441-se-vi-interessa-un-attacchino-per-le-vertical-race-da-50gr.html
    Maruelli is answering questions.
    M2 only for vertical races and seems to take a sweet minute to get in and out of, you are actually hand screwing one of the pins in to your outer boot insert?

  22. Thanks Jonathan, will fix the price right away.
    It seemed very low at 200 Euros for such a binding. 300 is seems more realistic.

  24. Updated the bindings’ notes – Plum 135 and both PHK bindings are recommended for maximum 70kg (154 lbs) users. This should be the racer’s weight including anything he or she wears/carries above the bindings (boots, backpack…), I would imagine.
    However, this does not mean other bindings have or don’t have such “restrictions”. It simply means that Plum and PHK are doing us a good services of letting us know.

  25. I’m pretty sure that the 70g split is for the Plum 135 vs 145, and is in reference to the lower effective forward release values for the Plum 135 Ti heel fork. (Lateral release values are the same for both bindings.) However, since Ti is stronger than steel, if anything the 135 would be more reliable for a heavier skier, although the 135 heel pins do become notched over time leading to some rattling (but they are replaceable).
    The same is probably true of the Dynafit Low Tech race with its Ti heel fork vs the Dynafit Low Tech Radical.

  26. Hi James, good question.
    During the research I noticed that some had notices about person’s weight. I will go back, collect the info and put it in the notes.
    From some that I recall there seem to be 70kg “threshold” that is common – that means that even me would be above, heck, the whole Canadian men’s team would be above 🙂

  27. Great stuff Stan. One question though. Since many people are choosing to use these bindings for other mountain objectives other than racing, are there any indications that any of the models have user weight restrictions. For example, some light race-oriented mountain bike components have weight restrictions (pedals, wheels, tires). As you know, I am a bigger guy but I still like to move fast through the mountains!!!!!