How to properly adjust your ski bindings?
As the interface between the skier and the skis, bindings play a crucial role in comfort and protection. Properly adjusting your ski bindings is essential to prevent the risk of injuries or unexpected releases.
Several criteria need to be considered for a correct adjustment: the skier's weight, the length of the boot sole, and the skier's profile.
Length and Push Adjustment
For length and push adjustment, start by placing the ski boot on the binding without engaging it fully. The boot should be properly engaged in the toe piece.
The second step is to release the locking system. To do this, insert a screwdriver to lift the tab and then turn it.
Next, slide the heel piece into its track until it's in contact with the back of the ski boot. You can then remove the screwdriver and gently tap the heel grip to ensure that the heel piece is correctly engaged.
Finally, fully engage the boot in the binding to ensure that the adjustment has been done correctly. If it's done correctly, the end of the push indicator should be within the window on the side of the heel piece.
If it's not in the correct position, move the heel piece forward or backward to achieve the correct adjustment.
To finish, put on and take off the boot to ensure that the push indicator has found its correct position.
Skier's Parameters
Adjusting ski bindings based on the skier's parameters requires taking several factors into account. To simplify the standard, the AFNOR ski chart allows for precise adjustments to accommodate each skier's specifics.
First, you need to know the skier's weight, height, and the boot sole length to properly adjust their bindings. You can then refer to the table below:
|
|
Sole length in millimeters |
||||||||
|
Skier's weight (kg) |
Skier's height (m) |
≤ 230
|
231 à 250 |
251 à 270 |
271 à 290 |
291 à 310 |
311 à 330 |
331 à 350 |
≥ 351
|
|
10 à 13 |
|
0.75 |
0.75 |
0.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 à 17 |
|
1 |
0.75 |
0.75 |
0.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
18 à 21 |
|
1.5 |
1.25 |
1.25 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
22 à 25 |
|
2 |
1.75 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1.25 |
|
|
|
|
26 à 30 |
|
2.5 |
2.25 |
2 |
1.75 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
|
|
|
31 à 35 |
|
3 |
2.75 |
2.5 |
2.25 |
2 |
1.75 |
1.75 |
|
|
36 à 41 |
|
|
3.5 |
3 |
2.75 |
2.5 |
2.25 |
2 |
|
|
42 à 48 |
≤ 1,48 |
|
|
3.5 |
3 |
3 |
2.75 |
2.5 |
|
|
49 à 57 |
1,49 à 1,57 |
|
|
4.5 |
4 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
3 |
|
|
58 à 66 |
1,58 à 1,66 |
|
|
5.5 |
5 |
4.5 |
4 |
3.5 |
3 |
|
67 à 78 |
1,67 à 1,78 |
|
|
6.5 |
6 |
5.5 |
5 |
4.5 |
4 |
|
79 à 94 |
1,79 à 1,94 |
|
|
7.5 |
7 |
6.5 |
6 |
5.5 |
5 |
|
≥ 95 |
≥ 1,95 |
|
|
|
8.5 |
8 |
7 |
6.5 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
9.5 |
8.5 |
8 |
7.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
11.5 |
11 |
10 |
9.5 |
9 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
11 |
10.5 |
||
If the weight and height are not on the same row, choose the higher row.
Once you have gathered this initial information, you can adjust the ski bindings based on the skier's level and age.
|
Level |
≤ 10 years old |
11 à 49 years old |
≥ 50 years old |
|
Beginner |
+1 |
0 |
+1 |
|
Intermediate |
0 |
-1 |
0 |
|
Advanced |
-1 |
-2 |
-1 |
-2: Go down two lines in the table
-1: Go down one line in the table
0: No adjustment
+1: Go up one line in the table
With these tips, you can now adjust your ski bindings yourself. If you are unsure about certain settings, don't hesitate to have them checked by professionals at a ski rental shop.