Are my ski boots compatible with my ski bindings?
The compatibility between ski boots and bindings is a key consideration when purchasing new bindings or ski boots. With various brands developing different solutions, there are numerous sole and binding systems available, and not all are compatible. This guide will help you navigate through them.
Table or contents:
- Alpine sole ISO 5355 standard
- Touring sole ISO 9523 standard
- GripWalk sole standard
- WTR sole standard
- Non-compliant soles
- Boots and bindings with inserts
- How to know if a binding is compatible with GripWalk or other standards?
- Overview of sole and binding standard compatibilities
- What is DIN on a ski binding?
- How to calculate this release value (DIN)?
- Which ski boot sole standard makes walking easier?
Alpine Ski Boot Sole ISO 5355 Standard
The ISO 5355 alpine standard is the most common for ski boots, both in rentals and sales. It consists of a flat, hard plastic sole, which can make walking uncomfortable and slippery. The ISO 5355 standard is compatible with all ISO 9462 standard traditional alpine bindings, (examples: Look NX 11, Marker Squire 11 ID, Salomon Z10).
Touring Ski Boot Sole ISO 9523 Standard
The ISO 9523 standard is found on most ski touring boots, offering better walking comfort. Touring soles are designed to allow for a more natural walking motion thanks to their rounded shape and grippy material. They are often made with materials like rubber (the most well-known being Vibram) for better traction on the terrains encountered in the mountain (snow, ice, or rock).
These lugged soles are compatible with the following multi-norm ski touring bindings:
- ISO 13992 binding standard (examples: Marker Tour F10, Diamir Scout 11, etc.)
- Sole.ID binding standard (examples: Marker Squire 11 ID, Marker Griffon 13 ID, etc.)
- MNC binding standard (examples: Salomon Warden MNC 11, Salomon Warden MNC 13, etc.)
- AT binding standard (examples: Tyrolia Attack² 11 AT, Tyrolia Attack² 13 AT, Tyrolia Attack² 14 AT, etc.)
GripWalk Sole Standard
Created by Marker, the GripWalk sole standard greatly enhances walking comfort and is quickly becoming widespread on traditional alpine boots, emerging as the new sole standard. With lugged toe and heel rubber soles and a friction plate at the front for better compatibility with alpine bindings bindings. Be cautious, as this sole standard may be easily confused with others by an untrained eye. Refer to our product sheets or brand catalogues to ensure you're making the right choice.
Ski boots with GripWalk soles are compatible with the following bindings:
- ISO 13992 binding standard (examples: Marker Tour F10, Diamir Scout 11, etc.)
- Sole.ID binding standard (examples: Marker Squire 11 ID, Marker Griffon 13 ID, etc.)
- MNC binding standard (examples: Salomon Warden MNC 11, Salomon Warden MNC 13, etc.)
- AT binding standard (examples: Tyrolia Attack² 11 AT and Tyrolia Attack² 13 AT)
- MBS binding standard (examples: Tyrolia MBS PR11, etc.)
- Dual binding standard (examples: Look SPX 12 Dual, NX 12 Dual, etc.)
WTR Sole Standard
Developed by Lange and Salomon to compete with GripWalk, the WTR sole standard can still be found on some freeride touring boots, though it is no longer in production. Like GripWalk, WTR soles feature lugged rubber toe and heel pieces, along with a friction plate for better compatibility with alpine bindings. Be cautious, as this sole standard may be easily confused with others by an untrained eye. Refer to our product sheets or brand catalogues to ensure you make the correct choice.
The WTR sole standard is compatible with the same binding standards as GripWalk, which are:
- ISO 13992 binding standard (examples: Marker Tour F10, Diamir Scout 11, etc.)
- Sole.ID binding standard (examples: Marker Squire 11 ID, Marker Griffon 13 ID, etc.)
- MNC binding standard (examples: Salomon Warden MNC 11, Salomon Warden MNC 13, etc.)
- AT binding standard (examples: Tyrolia Attack² 11 AT and Tyrolia Attack² 13 AT)
- MBS binding standard (examples: Tyrolia MBS PR11, etc.)
- Dual binding standard (examples: Look SPX 12 Dual, NX 12 Dual, etc.)
Non-Compliant Soles
Non-compliant soles are found on some touring boots and are quite similar to the ISO 9523 touring sole standard. However, they lack front and rear welts, making them incompatible with alpine bindings. Be cautious, as this sole standard may be easily confused with others by an untrained eye. Refer to our product sheets or brand catalogues to ensure you make the right choice.
Non-standard soles are not compatible with any particular binding standard. The only certainty is that a non-standard sole on a boot with inserts will be compatible with an insert binding (Low Tech). Therefore, as we will see, the sole standard doesn't matter if your boot is equipped with inserts and you intend to use an insert binding (Low Tech).
Boots and Bindings with Inserts
Inserts are not a sole standard per se, but boots equipped with this system work with insert bindings (also known as Low Tech bindings), regardless of the boot's sole standard. For example, a boot with a GripWalk sole and inserts will be compatible with all GripWalk bindings as well as Low Tech bindings.
How to Know if a Binding is Compatible with GripWalk or Others?
To check if a binding is compatible with a specific sole standard such as GripWalk, it's important to check the binding manufacturer's specifications. Compatibility information is typically indicated on the binding itself or in the user manual. To help you, here is a tool to test the compatibility between your boot soles and ski bindings.
Ski boot/binding compatibility checker
Overview of compatibilities between sole and binding standards
| Sole/Binding | ISO 9462 | ISO 13992 | Sole.ID | MNC | AT | MBS | Dual | Low Tech |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 5355 | X | |||||||
| ISO 9523 | X | X | X | X | ||||
| Gripwalk | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| WTR | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Non-compliant sole on a boot with inserts* | X |
What is the DIN on a Ski Binding?
The DIN is a release value that determines the force required for the binding to release the boot. This setting is crucial for ensuring both safety and performance for the skier. A properly adjusted DIN reduces the risk of injury by preventing the boot from releasing too early or too late during a fall.
How to Calculate this Release Value (DIN)?
The DIN value is calculated based on several factors such as the skier's weight, height, and experience level. For more information, visit our page dedicated to DIN settings, which includes a calculator!
Which Ski Boot Sole Standard Makes Walking Easier?
The ISO 9523 touring soles are the most suitable for easier walking, thanks to their rubber material, similar to hiking boots. However, these soles are specifically designed for ski touring. For alpine skiing, GripWalk soles offer better walking comfort compared to traditional alpine ISO 5355 soles. They are also compatible with some alpine bindings, making them an interesting alternative.