The 6 Best Ski Bindings for the 2021-2022 Winter

Ski bindings are simple, right? They just have one job, attaching your boot to your ski. Well, actually, it’s not that simple. There’s a lot more going on than we give our bindings credit for. Ski bindings have two main functions, along with a myriad of smaller responsibilities. The best ski bindings will keep your skis on through rough snow and fast skiing, but release them as soon as your skis start to go in a direction that could injure your knees. So they don’t just keep your skis on your feet, they also have to let go of them at the right moment. On top of that, they provide suspension, allowing your boot to float a little over your ski so that not every rough variance in the snow is transmitted to you. On top of all that, downhill ski bindings also need to be able to adjust to different boot lengths and shapes, as well as adjusting release values for different skier types.

So finding the right ski bindings for you can be a bit of a challenge as you try to balance all of those factors. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best ski bindings of 2022, and broken down what makes them special and how that helps each binding appeal to a different type of skier.

Armada STH2 WTR 13

If the name “STH2” rings a bell, you’re not alone. Salomon and Atomic have been making the STH2 for years, and recently Armada released their own branded version as well. That means, that even though you may not have heard much about Armada’s bindings, this is a tried and tested design. The STH2 is one of the most popular bindings on the market for good reason. It’s reliable, has smooth suspension to absorb impacts, and a consistent release to help mitigate injuries.

The WTR version can fit both regular alpine boots or Salomon/Atomic WTR boot soles. The 5-13 DIN range provides a good release value for most skiers, although heavy and strong skiers may want to bump up to the 16 DIN version. The STH2 is a tried and tested design and one of the best all mountain ski bindings, so if you’re looking for something reliable with a great pedigree, look no further.

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Tyrolia Attack 14 GW

When it comes to minimizing price and maximizing performance, the Tyrolia Attack series is hard to beat. They’re very affordable and lightweight, but ski very well, and release consistently. Their snappy heel action makes them easy to put on in deep snow, and the release range is adjustable from 4 to 14 so they’ll work for most skiers. In addition, they’re adjustable to fit standard alpine soles, as well as GripWalk, so you can use them with both your inbounds and touring boots.

If you’re looking for a great binding, and want some cash left over to pay for your ski lunch, you’ll be hard-pressed to do better than the Attack 14 GW.

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Look Pivot 15 GW

For years there’s been a “cult of the Pivot” among diehard skiers. That’s because the unique rotating heel assembly found on Pivot’s higher-end bindings delivers a unique ride feel and release characteristics that work well for a lot of skiers. The Pivot 15 is an all-metal version of the classic Pivot design, that can be adjusted to work with both GripWalk and alpine soles. This makes it more versatile than old Pivots that only worked with alpine soles.

This isn’t the best choice for smaller and lighter skiers, they might struggle to find a good DIN setting since it only goes down to 6, but for more aggressive skiers who are looking for the best ride quality on the market and don’t mind paying for it, the Look Pivot 15 GW is a great choice and one of the best park ski bindings out there.

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Marker Squire 11

In Marker’s “Royal Family” of ski bindings, it’s no surprise that the Squire is the lightest and most accessible binding. It’s perfect for kids and beginner skiers, it’s easy to get into and out of, and the low DIN range makes finding your value easy. It’s also very light, you’ll notice how much lighter your skis are when mounted with the Squire, and it’s adjustable to fit both Grip Walk and alpine soles.

Bigger and more advanced skiers will want to look elsewhere, the Squire’s max DIN of 11 won’t be enough to keep them from ejecting, and the mostly plastic construction means that it doesn’t hold up to repeated big hits and abuse as well as some of the heavier bindings on this list. That said, if you’re a smaller or younger skier in the market for new bindings, it’s hard to go wrong with the Squire.

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Salomon Warden MNC 11

The Warden is Salomon’s response to the proliferation of different boot sole standards, it’s the one binding that can be adjusted to fit any of them. That’s right, whether your boots are GripWalk, WTR, DIN, or Touring, the Warden can adjust to fit them. That makes it supremely versatile, especially if you like to swap between different boots on your inbounds skis. On top of that, it’s affordable and reliable. The 3.5-11 DIN range works well for most skiers, and it’s a little more substantially built than the Marker Squire.

So, if you have no idea what sole your next pair of ski boots will have, and you want to make sure your binding can handle them no matter what, the Warden MNC is one of the best alpine ski bindings and was made with you in mind.

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Marker Griffon 13 ID

Marker continues to tweak their Royal Family of bindings to optimize performance and safety, and shave weight. The latest version of the Griffon 13 ID is the most streamlined, easy to use, and safe version yet. The biggest changes to the Griffon 13 ID happened in the heelpiece. In the past, it could be challenging to lock out the heel of the binding, especially if you were trying to put your ski back on after a crash. You had to pull up the heel manually, which was not easy to do. So Marker redesigned the Griffon’s heelpiece to make it easier to snap into. Now it gives an audible “thunk” when your boot is properly in the binding, and it’s much easier to step into.

Beyond the redesigned heel, Marker made the Griffon compatible with as many boot sole norms as possible. Its AFD has a wide range of adjustment, so it can fit everything from touring boots to classic race boots. This makes it very versatile, you don’t need to worry about your bindings working with your new boots, just make sure a certified Marker technician adjusts them to whatever boots you may have. If you’re looking for a very versatile binding that’s at home with any boots, on any ski, the Marker Griffon 13 ID is your top choice.

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