Recommended Bindings | 2023-24 Season Must-See! 15 Bindings with Highly Rated Reviews from Pro Shops

Professional shops are a great source of help when choosing new gear. They combine their extensive knowledge with user feedback to compare and evaluate products from multiple angles, making their advice persuasive. Choosing bindings that are compatible with your skis and boots is no easy task. Here we introduce the bindings that professional shops have selected as "highly rated" for the 2023-2024 season

TYROLIA | ATTACK 11 GW

If you're just starting out, this is all you need

◆Official website: https://www.tyrolia.com/ja_JP/

I think there are many high-end models featured in this theme, so I'd like to introduce a binding that is a "standard one that will do the job."
TYROLIA's ATTACK 11 GW is lightweight and has efficient performance. It's a binding that's difficult to compare, but for those just starting out, there's no need to think too hard about it; just use a standard binding in a color you like.

---

MARKER｜Duke PT13

No need to compromise on gliding even on hard packed runs

◆Official website: http://www.mdvsports.co.jp

The long-awaited new model with a maximum release value of 13. In downhill mode, it's virtually identical to the GRIFFON 13, so there's no need to compromise on glide, even on hard-packed slopes. The biggest weakness of typical tech bindings is their lack of reliability when skiing, so if you're primarily skiing and also venture into backcountry, the DUKE PT series is the right choice.

There are many pin-compatible boots that are designed for solid glide, and if your board is designed for speed, the balance with the binding becomes even more important. While one level of climbing support is often cited as a drawback, it's perfectly adequate for climbing both gentle and moderately steep slopes. The height is just right, so I don't think it's a major concern when using it.

The perfect hybrid for those who don't want to compromise on gliding

The DUKE PT series is the perfect hybrid binding for those who want to use alpine bindings for downhill and tech bindings for hiking and don't want to compromise on their riding. If you're worried about using pin bindings, then the DUKE PT series is the perfect choice. Whether hiking or gliding, you can perform at your best without any worries

---

MARKER｜Duke PT11

Combines direct gliding performance with smooth walking performance

◆Official website: http://www.mdvsports.co.jp

Introducing the innovative DUKE PT 11, a new addition to the DUKE PT series. It combines alpine bindings for downhill riding with tech pins for climbing. It offers
the same strong, stable, and direct gliding performance as traditional alpine bindings, while providing smooth walking performance when using tech pins. A must-have for skiers seeking both performance and performance! The lower release setting also reduces weight by redesigning the heel.

---

MARKER｜GRIFFON 13

A binding that combines high performance and practicality

◆Official website: http://www.mdvsports.co.jp

MARKER's ROYAL family was one of the earliest bindings for freeskiing. Among them, the GRIFFON is lighter while retaining the performance of the higher-end JESTER. It also provides excellent boot hold, allowing you to ride with confidence. In short, it's a binding that combines high performance with practicality

It provides stability at speed and holds the boots securely

Despite weighing just 1030g, it offers stability at high speeds and gives the impression of holding your boots securely. It comes in six different colors, so you can coordinate it with your skis

---

MARKER｜KINGPIN 13

High-level walking and gliding performance for peace of mind on the slopes

◆Official website: http://www.mdvsports.co.jp

This hybrid binding has a tech binding for the toe piece and an alpine binding for the heel piece, achieving a high level of both walking and gliding performance. Some people may think that it's fine for the backcountry, but on the slopes, the tech binding for the toe piece is weak, but unless you actively use it in the park, you probably won't notice any weakness in its holding power

A model that balances the lightness of the pin type with the stability of the edge stopper

The toe is fixed with a pin and the heel is fixed with a welt, so this model has a good balance of lightness due to the pin type and stability due to the welt. Switching between ski mode and walk mode requires little action, so you can change modes quickly

---

LOOK｜ PIVOT 15 GW

A complete binding that combines safety and performance

◆Official website: https://www.look-bindings.com/jp/

This binding is so classic it needs no further explanation. It's been perfected for years. This LOOK heel piece provides secure grip and a turntable that significantly reduces accidental release, making it a binding that combines safety and performance

---

ATOMIC｜SHIFT 13 MNC

High performance skiing takes any skier to the next level

The incredibly popular SHIFT hiking binding is a hybrid design that utilizes a TEC system for hiking and an almost alpine binding for skiing. For aggressive skiers, its superior gliding performance will boost performance, while also providing solid support for less aggressive skiers. This binding will take your skiing to the next level

Highly rated for its comfort and ease of installation!

This binding is recommended for everyone from beginners to advanced backcountry skiers. Lighter weight skiers and women can choose the SHIFT10, which has a smaller release value. Men and advanced skiers can also choose the SHIFT13, which is a great choice.

The best thing about this binding is that, even though it's a tech binding, it's highly rigid and resistant to twisting, since the front welt of the boot can be secured like a regular binding when skiing. It allows you to apply force to your skis effectively, especially on smooth terrain, icy slopes, and early spring granular snow.

---

SALOMON｜S/LAB SHIFT 13 MN

Can be used optimally in each situation

◆Official website: https://timetoplay.salomon.jp/

This hybrid model allows you to switch between touring and gliding modes. It's a binding that can be used optimally for both situations, with pins for touring and welts for gliding. Welts provide excellent gliding performance when gliding. The lightweight binding is also comfortable for touring. Compatible with multiple sole standards

For those who want to hike the slopes now, but want to try hiking later on

Both the toe and heel pieces are fixed with welts, making these boots ideal for those looking for stability when skiing. Furthermore, in ski mode, they can be attached and detached in the same way as alpine bindings, making them easy to use for those who use them primarily on the slopes.

Raising and lowering the climbing support in walk mode is extremely easy to operate. Since they can be paired with boots that are not Pintech compatible if you're only skiing, they're also recommended for those who want to use them on the slopes now, but would like to try walking and climbing later on.

---

SALOMON｜STRIVE 16 MN

The low center of gravity allows you to quickly detect the snow surface conditions

◆Official website: https://timetoplay.salomon.jp/

The extremely low center of gravity allows you to quickly grasp the snow surface conditions. The quick response allows you to ski according to the conditions. The lightweight binding makes it extremely easy to handle

---

ARMADA｜ N STRIVE 14 GW

Although it is the latest model, it is also very cost-effective at around 30,000 yen!

This is the latest freestyle binding, a long-awaited first in a binding market where full model changes are rare. Its low center of gravity provides a great sense of unity with the skis, and while it's a vertical spring binding, it's easy to operate like a horizontal spring binding. It's lightweight (960g 1/2 per) for a binding with a 14-speed. Despite being a cutting-edge binding, its retail price of less than 30,000 yen makes it an attractive choice for its excellent cost performance

---

SALOMON｜STRIVE12 GW

Another recommended point is that it is cheaper than the best-selling models of competing brands

The STRIVE series was released in the 2022-2023 season. Its clean design, low stand height, and direct contact with the snow surface when actually in use all earned it high praise at the test ride event. For the 2023-2024 season, an even more affordable version, the STRIVE12, will be released (though it only goes up to release value 12!)! It
feels the same as the STRIVE14, but is easier to handle and lighter! Another reason we recommend it is that it's cheaper than best-selling models from competing brands!

ARMADA｜STRIVE12 GW

Available in three colors and great value for money

We've just released the new "STRIVE 12 GW," which retains the basic performance and structure of last year's STRIVE 14 GW, but with a release value of 4-12. The STRIVE's distinctive feature is its low center of gravity! The boot sole and ski are closer together, allowing for more contact with the snow surface, resulting in direct maneuverability and power transmission!
The wider toe piece allows for more precise turns and is also designed to withstand strong landing impacts. It's available in three colors, making it a great value for money!

---

DYNAFIT ｜ST ROTATION 14

This is definitely the spec that all skaters have been waiting for!

◆Official website: https://rexxam.com/dynafit/

There must be many skiers who have been waiting for this spec! Combining safety, lightness, and riding performance, this is the ultimate TEC BINDHING! Social media is increasingly reporting that riders both in Japan and abroad are using the ROTATION 14, and its reliability is well-established, even in situations where separate freeride bindings would normally be used.

This spec is sure to attract the attention of "climbers with a strong skiing mindset." The weight distribution between the toe and heel pieces is nearly 1:1 compared to welt-type bindings, making it easier to balance when attached to a backpack. Furthermore, with the added benefit of guaranteed safety while riding, this may even bring about changes in the conventional concepts of climb & ride, ski riding, and ski setup! While this may be a bit of an extreme example, it's certainly a spec that skiers of all stripes have been waiting for.

---

ARMADA｜ N TRACER TOUR

These full-pin bindings are machined from aluminum. Because they're mostly made of metal, they're less likely to break suddenly due to deterioration, making them safe to use on the mountain. They're extremely lightweight and easy to operate. They offer
superior grip and rigidity compared to other full-pin bindings, making them a fun ride. Full-pin bindings are still the best choice for long hikes. These days, these bindings are mostly used on touring skis between 80mm and mid-100mm.

---

TYROLIA | TX 10 GW

It is lightweight and reasonably priced!

◆Official website: https://www.tyrolia.com/ja_JP/

It is characterized by its lightness, yet it is sturdy. It is Grip Walk compatible, so it is compatible with most boots. It is also reasonably priced!!!

---