How to choose cross-country ski bindings?
When choosing cross-country ski bindings, there is one unpleasant pitfall for the layman. It is the existence of two mutually incompatible systems of cross-country binding SNS and NNN. It is very important to be clear in advance which binding system to choose, as both systems use their own types of boots and, thanks to the integrated binding mounting plates, skis. Therefore, you can easily end up buying cross-country boots that do not fit your chosen binding type.
Apart from the two most common systems SNS and NNN, you can still sometimes find old bindings like "75" etc. These older bindings are not recommended due to their obsolescence and will not be discussed further.
If you would like to ask for further details or consult your choice of cross-country bindings, we will be happy to help you directly in our brick-and-mortar shop.
SNS versus NNN
The only difference in the SNS and NNN systems is that the SNS system has one longitudinal protrusion that fits into the guide groove in the boot, the NNN system, as it is called by the manufacturer Rottefella, has two protrusions, which logically correspond to the two guide grooves in the boot.
While the SNS bindings are drilled to the ski, the NNN system offers the possibility of mounting the bindings on the so-called NIS (Nordic Integrated System) plate, which is already part of the cross-country ski from the factory.
The advantage of the NIS plate is a more gentle connection between the binding and the ski, easier and faster assembly (no drilling) and the possibility to shift the centre of gravity of the binding in the forward direction at any time. This is especially useful for combi skis, where you can conveniently adjust the centre of gravity at any time depending on whether you are going classic or skating. You can also adjust the centre of gravity in different snow conditions.
The disadvantage of a ski with a NIS board is that you cannot install bindings other than NNN. You can do it, but by non-standard mounting by drilling the SNS binding over the NIS plate. In many cases, especially with skate skis and SNS Pilot bindings, this mounting is done, and shouldn't bother anyone. One of the manufacturers of skis with NIS plate, Madshus, has a similar opinion.
You can install a drilled version of either binding system in a ski that doesn't have an NIS plate.
Which system to get?
When it comes to recommending whether to get SNS or NNN, there is only one thing we can say. The choice between these two binding systems is purely subjective, both systems coexist at all performance levels and it cannot be said that one or the other is better or worse.
We recommend starting with the boots and choosing a binding system based on which boots fit you best. For information on choosing shoes, see the separate article How to choose cross-country ski boots.
If you already have a piece of cross-country equipment, make sure you know what system it uses and purchase the rest of your gear accordingly. If you don't yet have skis, boots or bindings, decide first which system you prefer and then buy everything accordingly.
Classic, combi, skate
As for the differences in bindings designed for classic and skate, they differ only in the hardness of the rubber flexor in the front part of the binding.
The flexor for skating is harder than the one for classic.
If you want to do both styles and use a combo of skis and boots, choose a classic style binding, i.e. a binding with a softer flexor.
Flexors can also be purchased separately and changed in the binding as needed.
Recreational and racing bindings
For recreational skiing, both systems are designed for drilled bindings, for sports and racing it is good to reach for a ski with a NIS plate (higher models of skis from individual manufacturers are already made only with a plate).
The plate improves the contact of the boot with the ski and its control, in addition to the ease of fitting. The SNS system, on the other hand, offers for skiers with higher ambitions the so-called Pilot system, which fixes the boot to the binding via not the standard one but two metal traps located on the sole in the front part of the boot. The result is also a better connection between the boot and the ski, and thus better control of the ski.
The existence of the Pilot system, however, brings with it another pitfall, as this system is only compatible with certain models of the same boot brand. A summary table of compatibility between Salomon boots and bindings can be found below. In any case, any boot marked with the word Pilot will be compatible with any binding marked the same way.
Care must be taken by those of you who use the RS 10 classic technique boot and want to use the new Propulse binding. This is because it is located further under the shoe, so you need to squeeze the flexor hard to get into the binding. In fact, on the new version of the RS 17 racing sole, the first cleat is moved an additional 7mm further than on the original RS 10 (as the name RS 17 - 17mm from the toe of the shoe and RS 10 - 10mm from the toe of the shoe). Salomon will be offering a replacement flexor to solve this problem, or you can simply trim the flexor.
Interestingly, World Cup classic ski racers use the RS 17 boots with the new Propulse binding on cold days and the classic Pilot bindings in temperatures where they lubricate the klister and don't risk ice problems.
Recreational and racing bindings also differ in the materials used. Recreational bindings are made mostly of plastic, sport-recreational models combine plastic and metal, and race bindings are mostly metal to withstand higher applied forces. Recently, carbon components have also been used in racing bindings to reduce weight.
Special women's and children's bindings are of course also available. Compared to the standard types, they differ with softer flexors. The children's bindings are of course also smaller.
Boot clamping systems for cross-country ski bindings
Basically, you can come across two systems of attaching boot to bindings:
AUTO binding - automatic clamping
The first is popular among recreational and recreational-sport skiers. The clamping to the binding is done by simply "snapping" the boot into the binding. The boot is released by simply pressing the release button on the binding with the spike of the poles. This system is very easy to operate.
Binding MANUAL - manual clamping of the binding
The second system is used by performance skiers and the clamping of the boot into the binding works by the skier placing the boot in the clamping groove and clicking the binding lever by hand. The boot is released in a similar way. You bend down to the binding and lift the locking lever on the binding with your hand.
The operation of this system is not as comfortable, but the possibility of accidentally releasing the shoe from the binding during mass starts at races is completely eliminated. You won't have one of your competitors sticking a stick right into the release button of your binding in the heat of the ride.
Overview of SNS and NNN bindings on the market
In this table we provide an overview of the different models of market coupling within the SNS and NNN standards:
Compatibility table for SNS bindings and cross-country ski boots
The compatibility of the different models of boots and SNS bindings is not entirely straightforward. The following table should help you get a basic idea.
