Several standards exist to help ensure ski touring boots and bindings are compatible. Learn about the various bindings and boot sole ‘norms’ here.
Backcountry boot and binding compatibility has been quite a complex issue for a while. And it is an important one – when leading ski touring in Scotland, I always make a point of checking clients’ boots and bindings at the start, because I don’t want any nasty surprises.
In this post, you will find a list of the current ‘norms’ (or standards) that are in use for alpine ski touring. Firstly is a list of binding norms. Secondly, boot sole norms. Thirdly is a backcountry boot and binding compatibility chart. Splitboarding and Telemark equipment follows seperate (and fewer) standards, so is not included. Alpine downhill norms are included, because they overlap with touring gear.
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Norms and Standards
To help manufacturers and consumers, the ski industry adopts certain standards or ‘norms’. ISO is the body that creates these standards. TUV and DIN provide separate safety certification (this is where your DIN settings come in).
‘DIN’ stands for Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Institute for Standardization), the body responsible for safety-testing.
Ski binding norms
ISO 9462
AKA ‘Alpine bindings’, the type most often used on-piste and in ski hire. DIN-certified.
Compatible with: ISO 5355 boots.
ISO 13992
AT/Frame touring bindings. Usually have manual toe height adjustment. DIN-certified.
Compatible with: ISO 9523 boots, ISO 5355 boots.
Pin/Low-tech
Boot held by metal pins via inserts in the heel and toe. Patent originally held by Dynafit. Not ISO-certified. Not DIN-certified.
Compatible with: Pin/Low-tech-equipped boots.
MNC
‘Multi Norm Certified’. Developed by Salomon. DIN-certified.
Compatible with: WTR boots, ISO 5355 boots, ISO 9523 boots, Gripwalk boots
WTR
‘Walk to Ride’. Developed by Salomon/Atomic in 2012, discontinued in 2021. Based on ISO 9523. DIN-certified.
Compatible with: WTR boots, Gripwalk boots
Gripwalk (ISO 23223)
Developed in 2016/17 by Dalbello/Marker. DIN-certified. Based on ISO 9523. Adopted by Atomic/Salomon in 2021 (so WTR discontinued). May become the dominant industry standard. Gripwalk was recently certified to ISO 23223.
Compatible with: Gripwalk boots, ISO 5355 boots
Hybrid bindings
Not a standard as such, but a newer type of binding offering pin compatibility, combined with downhill-like safety and security. DIN-certified. Eg: Marker Kingpin, Fritschi Tecton, Salomon Shift.
Compatible with various sole standards. CHECK WITH SUPPLIER.
Ski boot sole norms
ISO 5355
Downhill ski boots, flat hard plastic sole. DIN-certified.
Compatible with: ISO 9462 bindings, MNC bindings, ISO 13992 bindings, Gripwalk bindings.
ISO 9523
‘Alpine touring (AT)’ boots. Curved rubber walking boot-like sole. Pronounced lugs at heel and toe to clip into binding. DIN-certified.
Compatible with: ISO 13992 bindings, MNC bindings, Gripwalk bindings.
Pin/Low-tech
Not DIN-certified. See above.
Compatible with: Pin/Low-tech bindings. Hybrid bindings (if boot is also ISO 9523-compliant)
WTR
DIN-certified. See above.
Compatible with: WTR bindings, MNC bindings, ISO 13992 bindings.
Gripwalk
DIN-certified. See above.
Compatible with: Gripwalk bindings, ISO 13992 bindings, MNC bindings, WTR bindings. CHECK WITH SUPPLIER for compatibility with other bindings.
Boot/binding compatibility chart
| ISO 5355 sole (Downhill only) | ISO 9523 sole | Pin/Low tech sole | WTR sole | Gripwalk sole (ISO 23223) | |
| ISO 9462 alpine downhill binding | Yes | ||||
| ISO 13992 frame binding | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Pin/Low tech binding | Yes (if also Pin/Low tech sole) | Yes | Yes (if also Pin/Low tech sole) | ||
| Gripwalk binding | Yes | Yes | |||
| MNC binding | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| WTR binding | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Hybrid binding | Yes (if also Pin/Low tech sole) | Yes (if also ISO 9523 sole) | Yes (if also Pin/Low tech sole) |
When checking your bindings and backcountry boots for compatibility, there are several other sources of information:
- Check for ISO number on the boot sole
- User manual supplied with the boots/bindings
- Manufacturer website (although many do not state norms, frustratingly)
- Equipment reviews
- Reputable ski shop
Backcountry skiing is one of Scotland’s fastest growing adventure activities. It can be wild and unpredictable, but that’s what makes it special!
Why all the different standards?
First, a ski boot and binding works together as a single system. This system has to hold and release the boot reliably. In the case of ski touring boots and bindings, the system also needs to switch easily between skiing and skinning modes. The point is, you can’t use all boots in all bindings.
So, ultimately, it all comes down to economics. A huge variety of boots and bindings are made every year and companies innovate all the time. But without some form of standardisation, backcountry boot and binding compatibility would soon become a nightmare.
It’s worth knowing that a manufacturer’s boot or binding design doesn’t have to follow any ISO standard. The testing and certification process is quite expensive, so manufacturers face a balancing act.
They can design for well-known (but increasingly old-fashioned) norms, or bring a new norm to market. Although this might cause confusion or compatibility issues in the short term, it might gain traction and become popular across the industry (as in Gripwalk).
Warning
Using incompatible boots and bindings isn’t recommended. To begin with, they may not fit at all, or the walk mode might not work properly. At worst, serious injury or death could occur from binding prerelease or failed release. Furthermore, even compatible boots and bindings may not work correctly in some situations. This can happen if they are damaged, adjusted incorrectly, iced up or clogged with debris. Similarly, very worn toe pins (pictured) cannot support loads correctly, can’t rotate smoothly and won’t hold a boot safely. So, be sure to check them for wear every season.
Touring boot/binding compatibility FAQs
Several different touring boot sole standards exist, including ISO 9523, Pin and Gripwalk (ISO 23223).
For many years, touring boots with curved rubber soles have been incompatible with traditional downhill bindings. However, newer modern touring boots and Gripwalk-certified bindings offer incredibly good downhill performance.
A ‘DIN’ sole is a ski boot sole that can be safely fitted into a binding which uses the international safety release values (‘DIN scale’). Originally, these soles had to be hard, smooth plastic (ie: downhill, not touring boots). However, many modern touring boots and bindings are now also DIN-compliant.
ISO stands for the International Organisation for Standardisation, an international body that develops and maintains standards for various types of industry.
Ski boots are usually manufactured in Mondopoint sizes (a measure of volume). Sole length, on the other hand, is the precise length from the tip of the sole to the heel, in millimetres. The sole length is critical for fitting and adjusting ski bindings.
Read this guide to find out about the various standards. Check the boot sole for the ISO number. Check the manufacturers website or user manual. Better still, ask a good ski shop.
Summary
So, touring boot/binding compatibility has been a bit of a headache for a few years. But, hopefully, new developments will make things a bit easier. Wherever you tour, you will need a reliable interface between your boot and binding. And it needs to work in all weathers and snow conditions and on a variety of terrain. Therefore, purchase from a reputable dealer and seek current advice to ensure you get a safe setup.