What is the release value ?
A ski binding has a delicate job to do. On the one hand, it must release your boot instantly to prevent injury in an unexpected fall; on the other, it must stay locked in and absorb the forces in turns or on jumps, so you can drive your skis at full speed. To strike this balance, bindings can be adjusted within a standardised range. This is known as the DIN setting, or release value, and it depends on several factors defined by the ISO 11088 standard: your weight, your height, your age, your ability and the sole length of your boots. Simply set the heel piece and the toe piece to the right value and your binding is perfectly adjusted.
Note that the DIN setting isn’t everything: for the binding to release properly, it must also be adjusted to the sole length of your boot, by positioning the heel piece until the heel’s forward pressure indicator sits within the zone specified by the manufacturer. Too little or too much pressure affects the release, even with the right DIN setting.
DIN Calculator
Indicative pre-setting value under ISO 11088. It does not replace adjustment and bench testing by a qualified technician, who alone can confirm that the binding actually releases at the value shown.
DIN setting for women and men
The setting is the same for women and men: the ISO 11088 standard is based on weight and height. Find the letter for your weight and the letter for your height, then take whichever comes first in the alphabet. For example, for 80 kg (L) and 1.65 m (J), take J.
| Skier code | Weight (kg) | Height (cm) | Weight (lb) | Height (ft/in) |
| A | 10/13 | 22/29 | ||
| B | 14/17 | 30/38 | ||
| C | 18/21 | 39/47 | ||
| D | 22/25 | 48/56 | ||
| E | 26/30 | 57/66 | ||
| F | 31/35 | 67/78 | ||
| G | 36/41 | 79/91 | ||
| H | 42/48 | < 149 | 92/107 | < 4′11″ |
| I | 49/57 | 149/157 | 108/125 | 4′11″/5′1″ |
| J | 58/66 | 158/166 | 126/147 | 5′2″/5′5″ |
| K | 67/78 | 167/178 | 148/174 | 5′6″/5′10″ |
| L | 79/94 | 179/194 | 175/209 | 5′11″/6′4″ |
| M | > 94 | > 194 | > 209 | > 6′4″ |
Then apply the correction for your profile (next table) and read your DIN setting in the column for your boot sole length. An empty cell means the setting must be determined on a test bench by a technician.
| Boot sole length Ski boot (mm) |
< 231 | 231 to 250 | 251 to 270 | 271 to 290 | 291 to 310 | 311 to 330 | 331 to 350 | > 350 |
| A | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.75 | |||||
| B | 1 | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.75 | ||||
| C | 1.5 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 1 | ||||
| D | 2 | 1.75 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.25 | |||
| E | 2.5 | 2.25 | 2 | 1.75 | 1.5 | 1.5 | ||
| F | 3 | 2.75 | 2.5 | 2.25 | 2 | 1.75 | 1.75 | |
| G | 3.5 | 3 | 2.75 | 2.5 | 2.25 | 2 | ||
| H | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 2.75 | 2.5 | |||
| I | 4.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | |||
| J | 5.5 | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | ||
| K | 6.5 | 6 | 5.5 | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | ||
| L | 7.5 | 7 | 6.5 | 6 | 5.5 | 5 | ||
| M | 8.5 | 8 | 7 | 6.5 | 6 | |||
| N | 10 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 8 | 7.5 | |||
| O | 11.5 | 11 | 10 | 9.5 | 9 | |||
| P | 12 | 11 | 10.5 |
Adjusting the DIN setting to your skier profile
| Skier profile | ISO 11088 equivalent | Age group | Correction to apply to the table |
| You want an even easier release than Type 1 (for example, coming back from an injury) |
Type -1 Extra cautious |
10 to 49 years Under 10 or 50 and over |
Move up one row Move up 2 rows |
| Moderate speeds, easy runs You prefer an easy release |
Type 1 Cautious or beginner |
10 to 49 years Under 10 or 50 and over |
No correction Move up one row |
| Varied speeds, most runs Neither Type 1 nor Type 3 describes you |
Type 2 Intermediate |
10 to 49 years Under 10 or 50 and over |
Move down one row No correction |
| Fast, aggressive skiing on steep terrain You favour retention |
Type 3 Aggressive |
10 to 49 years Under 10 or 50 and over |
Move down 2 rows Move down one row |
Up to 13 kg (29 lb, code A), no correction applies. Type -1 is not intended for skiers of 17 kg (38 lb) or under.
Your ski boot size in mm
You’ll find this on one side of your boot, near the heel. Otherwise, measure the length of the sole in mm (from heel to toe) of your ski boot.
Be careful not to confuse the sole length in mm with your boot size (24 - 24.5 - ... - 28 - 28.5 - 29 - ...).
| Boot sole length Ski boot (mm) |
< 251 | 251 to 270 | 271 to 290 | 291 to 310 | 311 to 330 | > 330 |
| Mondopoint size (cm) |
< 20.5 | 21 to 22 | 22.5 to 24 | 24.5 to 26 | 26.5 to 28 | > 28.5 |
| EU size | < 33 | 34/35 | 36/38 | 39/41 | 42/44 | > 45 |
| UK size | < 1.5 | 2 to 2.5 | 3 to 5 | 5.5 to 7 | 7.5 to 9.5 | > 10.5 |