OBERSON BUYING GUIDE
How to Choose Alpine Touring Bindings
Here’s how to choose alpine touring bindings based on binding type, skiing style, and ski pairing.
AT A GLANCE
Choose frame bindings if you’re mainly focused on resort skiing but enjoy occasional backcountry outings, tech bindings if you always earn your turns, or hybrid bindings if you split your season evenly between lift-served and human-powered skiing. How you divide your time between the resort and backcountry determines the best binding type; touring objectives and ski weight further narrow the choice.
What type of alpine touring binding should you choose?
How you split your time between resort skiing and backcountry touring determines the best binding type. Each has different strengths in uphill efficiency and downhill performance.
| Binding Type | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Hinged toe/heel frame, DIN certified, alpine-level downhill performance, 1,600 g to 3,000 g per binding | Resort skiing with occasional backcountry days |
| Tech | Pin toe, ball-of-foot pivot, roughly 150–700 g per binding depending on subtype | Backcountry-focused touring |
| Hybrid | Tech toe paired with an alpine heel, about 900 g per binding, alpine-level downhill performance, certification varies by model | Good overall resort and backcountry performance |
Frame Bindings
Choose a frame binding if you’re primarily a resort skier who tours occasionally or a freestyle skier who needs shock absorption for big jumps and hard landings. The toe and heel pieces sit on a hinged frame. Unlocked, the heel is free for the climb. Locked down, frame bindings perform like an alpine binding. A key part of this downhill prowess is elasticity similar to that of an alpine binding (elasticity is the binding’s ability to allow the boot to move without releasing, which absorbs vibrations and impacts).
- Fully DIN certified—the same release standard as an alpine binding
- Excellent downhill performance
- Compatible with alpine ski boots, not just AT-specific ones
- At least 1,600 g per binding, which makes climbing tougher
- A pivot point ahead of the ball of the foot, which means more stress on your hips and glutes on uphills
Tech Bindings
A tech binding is the right choice if you ski almost exclusively in the backcountry or your budget covers a second, resort-dedicated setup. Metal pins at the toe give you a natural pivot point for the climb, and pins also lock down the heel for the descent. Their light weight and natural pivot point make climbing easier, so you can explore farther and have the energy for more descents.
- The lightest option at roughly 150 g to 700 g per binding, depending on subtype
- Pivot point at the ball of the foot for a natural uphill stride
- Often compatible with ski crampons for icy or hardpack climbs
- Requires AT boots with tech inserts
- Certification varies by model—some heavier designs are TÜV-certified to the touring standard, lighter minimalist ones often aren’t
- Minimal elasticity and shock absorption
Hybrid Bindings
A hybrid binding is best if you want one pair of skis that excels at the resort and in the backcountry. They can be the best of both worlds: you’ll have a tech toe piece for the climb and an alpine-style heel for the descent. Certain models can shift between toe pins and an alpine toe piece for even better downhill performance.
- Lighter than a frame binding, heavier than a tech binding
- Downhill elasticity close to an alpine binding
- Pivot point at the ball of the foot for natural uphill movement
- Often compatible with ski crampons
- Requires boots with tech inserts
- Some have standard alpine DIN certification, though not at the top of the alpine range
What type of tech binding should you choose?
The deciding factor is how much capability on the descent you’re willing to trade for uphill speed. Tech bindings range from ultralight race setups to burlier all-mountain builds.
Race Bindings
Choose a race binding if you’re a skimo racer or shaving time off the climb matters more than downhill stability. At under 150 grams each, they’re the lightest option on the market but can be jittery at high speeds on the way down.
- Under 150 g per binding
- Single release value, not adjustable
- Minimal shock absorption and stability on descents
Ski Mountaineering Bindings
A ski mountaineering binding is the right call if you’re all about skiing high peaks or racking up the most possible vert. Under 400 grams, they’re efficient on long approaches and climbs.
- Under 400 g per binding
- Multiple riser heights for efficient climbing on steep terrain
- Adjustable release value
- More substantial than race bindings
- Descends well in good conditions
All-Mountain Tech Bindings
Go with an all-mountain tech binding for the best turns in variable backcountry conditions. Weighing 300 to 700 grams, they trade some weight savings for extra features and better downhill performance.
- 300 to 700 g per binding
- Brakes, multiple riser levels, and more release values
- Better power transfer
- The strongest descent performance among tech bindings
How do you match bindings to your skis?
Match binding weight to ski weight. Heavy, wide skis need heftier bindings to control them on the descent, while light, narrow skis pair best with relatively lightweight bindings for an efficient climb. The exception is a dedicated powder ski in a multi-ski quiver. In this case, lightweight bindings can work on a wide ski because you’re going for efficient climbing and a surfy feel. When floating in deep powder, you don’t need much vibration dampening.
FAQ — How to Choose Alpine Touring Bindings
Should you install your own alpine touring bindings and set the release value?
No, have a technician install AT bindings and set the release value. Getting the mount position and release value wrong compromises release reliability and your safety in a fall. Make an appointment with our ski repair shop.
What’s the difference between an alpine touring binding and a regular alpine binding?
An alpine touring binding frees your heel so you can climb the mountain with a technique similar to that of classic cross-country skiing, then locks down so you can descend with alpine turns. A regular alpine binding has a fixed heel and is only for downhill use.
Can you use alpine boots with an alpine touring binding?
It depends on the binding type. Frame bindings accept standard alpine boots, since they use the same toe-and-heel design as a downhill binding. Tech and hybrid bindings require boots with tech inserts at the toe: without them, there’s nothing for the pins to lock into.
Do alpine touring bindings work with ski crampons?
Tech and hybrid bindings are usually designed to be compatible with ski crampons, which are hinged metal plates that bite into hardpack or ice so you can keep climbing when your skins start slipping. If you want to be able to skin up firm, icy terrain, crampon compatibility is worth checking before you buy.
Do I need brakes on my alpine touring binding?
Yes, brakes stop a released ski from sliding downhill without you. The alternative is a leash, which tethers the ski to your boot instead. You need one or the other to avoid losing a ski, which makes for a difficult return from the backcountry and means you’ll need a new pair of skis. Moreover, a ski careening downhill is a real hazard to anyone below you on the slope.
Can I ski at the resort with tech bindings?
Yes, tech bindings can work well if you’re skinning up the mountain for a few laps. However, for regular, lift-served resort skiing, it’s not advisable since the release mechanism isn’t certified to the same standard as an alpine binding. Furthermore, the lack of elasticity makes for unpleasant skiing on hard, bumpy on-piste conditions.
Alpine Touring Bindings at Oberson
The right binding lets you make the most of your setup and time in the backcountry. Oberson carries a wide selection of alpine touring bindings from top brands, such as Dynafit, Atomic, and Marker. Talk with our experts online or in-store if you need help with your choice.
