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Best park binding on the market??

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Pac2
Posts: 794 - Karma: 2,859
So I’ve been riding the look pivots for awhile now but every time I crash the breaks just get so fucked up and become an annoyance down the road. Are there any bindings people haven’t had this issue with? And any recommendations on some reliable ones? Might switch up what I have.
Nov 15 2019 3:35PM
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hippystinx
Posts: 937 - Karma: 167
wardens are the best most durable smooth releasing "park" binding i have ever skied. Screw marker, screw the pivot. The attack is an okay binding, but is breakable. I have skied 4 seasons on the same pair of wardens 40+ days a year on the binding and they are still good.
Nov 15 2019 5:58PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7099 - Karma: 17,043
I have a pivot 18, jester and Sth 16 currently mounted on my skis. To me they are pretty much interchangeable. I would and do happily ski any. Get which you can get the best deal on. Or add the attack to that mix too.
Nov 15 2019 8:16PM
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6176 - Karma: 62,594
hippystinxwardens are the best most durable smooth releasing "park" binding i have ever skied. Screw marker, screw the pivot. The attack is an okay binding, but is breakable. I have skied 4 seasons on the same pair of wardens 40+ days a year on the binding and they are still good.

You are the only person that likes the warden. OP look for pivots, attacks, or STHs.
Nov 16 2019 7:11AM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,092
There is no best, just differences.

Want huge power transfer? Marker.
Want great release? Look.

That's a simplified version, you can go way more in depth. Just don't get Attacks, they're light and the toe delivers a decent power transfer, but that twin cam heel is such old technology (a technology that only the attack is still using, and it's garbage).
Nov 16 2019 11:09AM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14477 - Karma: 10,515
I'm still a fan of the STH2. This will be season 7 on the same pair, no issues so far. I do with the brakes came up a little higher but that seems to be an issue with every binding except Marker.
Nov 17 2019 8:14AM
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rschultz88
Posts: 13 - Karma: 68
I don't really know how the rest of you feel about Marker, but I'm running some old ass Griffons, and they are absolute beasts. It may be difficult to find that year of them, but there are some out there on eBay. However, you may also get a junk pair of skis attached to them. Anyway, I have noticed that the bindings hold up really well, even if the release is not the smoothest. It kind of depends on what qualities you are looking for.
Nov 17 2019 10:08AM
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jimmyc95
Posts: 1 - Karma: 20
You can't go wrong with Pivots, Attacks, or STH's. Marker has an issue with passing function release tests. But since most park skiers are turning up the DINs in bindings anyway that doesn't matter much. Take a look at the brake width. Might just need a narrower brake. And the nature of park skiing your equipment is gonna get messed up, there is no avoiding it. I have skied on Pivots, Attacks and STH's, they're all high quality bindings. But the debate of what bindings are best will never end. Just gotta find what you like.
Nov 17 2019 11:08AM
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yhprum1720
Posts: 363 - Karma: 496
.nastyThere is no best, just differences.
Just don't get Attacks, they're light and the toe delivers a decent power transfer, but that twin cam heel is such old technology (a technology that only the attack is still using, and it's garbage).


This is the first time I'veve heard this opinion on the Attacks. Any more info on the heel?

Trying to decide if pivots are worth the extra chunk of change over a set of attack 13s.

Also curious if there is any reason to get a Pivot 14 over a Pivot 12 if I'm running 8.5 din
Nov 17 2019 12:17PM
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Grabfate
Posts: 39 - Karma: 45
yhprum1720This is the first time I'veve heard this opinion on the Attacks. Any more info on the heel?

Trying to decide if pivots are worth the extra chunk of change over a set of attack 13s.

Also curious if there is any reason to get a Pivot 14 over a Pivot 12 if I'm running 8.5 din


I have experience with both and can say with certainty that I am happy choosing pivots over Attacks. Why? My pivots has never pre-released or given me such problems while I've seen some pre-releases with attacks (heels). The attacks is still great bindings for the buck but if you have money for pivots, the choice is easy.

Pivot 12's and 14's are the exact same binding except for different DIN.
Nov 17 2019 2:30PM
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shin-bang
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 6,992
another vote for sth2 or pivot 18. not a marker fan.
Nov 17 2019 6:10PM
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skrtfest
Posts: 32 - Karma: 67
pivot 14 if your going to grow some balls and crank your bindings, pivot 12s if you're staying at an 8.5.... also the pivot 14 will only offer a higher release and a weee bit more weight at 10g more a binding which is nothing
Nov 18 2019 1:45PM
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grantn_
Posts: 296 - Karma: 3,293
rschultz88I don't really know how the rest of you feel about Marker, but I'm running some old ass Griffons, and they are absolute beasts. It may be difficult to find that year of them, but there are some out there on eBay. However, you may also get a junk pair of skis attached to them. Anyway, I have noticed that the bindings hold up really well, even if the release is not the smoothest. It kind of depends on what qualities you are looking for.


I agree that the marker griffon is good durability wise, but I rode last season (50-60) days with them and I’ve had them pop out about twice. The dins was on the correct setting. That being said, I have had countless times spinning off of rails and landing sideways with them. The release is not too good and always makes my knee feel a lil jarred. I don’t know if it had anything to do with the skis I was riding (arv 96s) but I didn’t have too good of an experience with the griffons. This year I am planning to get pivots on a pair of Vishnu wets so hopefully I get better release when needed.
Oct 7 2020 5:04PM
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broken_skier0
Posts: 132 - Karma: 287
What makes something a park binding?
Oct 7 2020 10:58PM
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rubberpantaloons
Posts: 506 - Karma: 3,097
hippystinxwardens are the best most durable smooth releasing "park" binding i have ever skied. Screw marker, screw the pivot. The attack is an okay binding, but is breakable. I have skied 4 seasons on the same pair of wardens 40+ days a year on the binding and they are still good.

Nope, my homie had a pair and he skied them 70+ days hard park and urban and he said they were the worst bindings hes ever used and i believe him. On multiple occasions he would land perfect and the binding would just release on him even with dialled settings.
.nastyThere is no best, just differences.

Want huge power transfer? Marker.
Want great release? Look.

That's a simplified version, you can go way more in depth. Just don't get Attacks, they're light and the toe delivers a decent power transfer, but that twin cam heel is such old technology (a technology that only the attack is still using, and it's garbage).

This is the truth fr, marker is shit on a bit too hard because of squires, but jesters and griffons are a solid option. And i agree attacks are pretty sketch, i had attack2s and they pre released like crazy every switch landing.

Tldr: buy pivots fuck wardens and markers are alright as long as they arent squires
Oct 7 2020 11:09PM
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animator
Posts: 4546 - Karma: 26,203
BasedSkierNope, my homie had a pair and he skied them 70+ days hard park and urban and he said they were the worst bindings hes ever used and i believe him. On multiple occasions he would land perfect and the binding would just release on him even with dialled settings.

This is the truth fr, marker is shit on a bit too hard because of squires, but jesters and griffons are a solid option. And i agree attacks are pretty sketch, i had attack2s and they pre released like crazy every switch landing.

Tldr: buy pivots fuck wardens and markers are alright as long as they arent squires


I second this, I have never had an issue with Markers. I have a Griffon and a Jester as well as Pivot 14s/Rossi FKSs (older ones) and new 15s as well. Don’t have any gripes about any of them. Attacks are a good budget choice but the heel tech is out of date like @.nasty said. STHs are fine but aren’t worth the weight IMO and wardens are garbage for anyone over 15
Oct 7 2020 11:15PM
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rubberpantaloons
Posts: 506 - Karma: 3,097
animatorI second this, I have never had an issue with Markers. I have a Griffon and a Jester as well as Pivot 14s/Rossi FKSs (older ones) and new 15s as well. Don’t have any gripes about any of them. Attacks are a good budget choice but the heel tech is out of date like @.nasty said. STHs are fine but aren’t worth the weight IMO and wardens are garbage for anyone over 15


Yeah, i didnt say this in my comment but attacks arent bad bindings, i mainly had trouble with them because im a 180 pound fuck who lands hard as shit and generally destroys gear. If ur a lighter skier or doing lower impact type stuff attacks are dank no doubt
Oct 7 2020 11:44PM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
BasedSkierNope, my homie had a pair and he skied them 70+ days hard park and urban and he said they were the worst bindings hes ever used and i believe him. On multiple occasions he would land perfect and the binding would just release on him even with dialled settings.

This is the truth fr, marker is shit on a bit too hard because of squires, but jesters and griffons are a solid option. And i agree attacks are pretty sketch, i had attack2s and they pre released like crazy every switch landing.

Tldr: buy pivots fuck wardens and markers are alright as long as they arent squires

Attacks, Markers and Salomon all have adjustment for DIN, forward pressure and toe height and toe height is MAYBE set properly about 25% of the time. The ties are not adjusted to get rid of slack and tricks like butters and twisting maneuvers make them pre-release when everything else set properly. When toe height set properly, the binding will feel super solid and connected and will still release when needed.

To properly set AFD height in the toe, put a business card under your boot toe and step boot into binding. Take one hand and pull back on the rear boot cuff HARD to try lift/wheelie the toe up and THEN try to remove the business card from under the boot. With the toe lifted to remove slack, you will find most bindings out there will have low AFD heights.

Now adjust the toe height/AFD height until you can be lifting the toe from the rear cuff hard and that business card is getting tough to remove but not ripping.

Guarantee your bindings will feel more solid and not pre-release after you do the “wheelie” step before adjustment.


Cheers!
Oct 8 2020 6:29AM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 8913 - Karma: 57,407
broken_skier0What makes something a park binding?


there's not really such a thing as a "park binding" but park/freeride skiing is demanding on bindings both in durability and release consistency. also stack height is at least somewhat important to most of us. so it's fair to say certain bindings are popular with park skiers but really it's just going to be high quality bindings that aren't race systems etc
Oct 8 2020 9:25AM
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rubberpantaloons
Posts: 506 - Karma: 3,097
Greg_KAttacks, Markers and Salomon all have adjustment for DIN, forward pressure and toe height and toe height is MAYBE set properly about 25% of the time. The ties are not adjusted to get rid of slack and tricks like butters and twisting maneuvers make them pre-release when everything else set properly. When toe height set properly, the binding will feel super solid and connected and will still release when needed.

To properly set AFD height in the toe, put a business card under your boot toe and step boot into binding. Take one hand and pull back on the rear boot cuff HARD to try lift/wheelie the toe up and THEN try to remove the business card from under the boot. With the toe lifted to remove slack, you will find most bindings out there will have low AFD heights.

Now adjust the toe height/AFD height until you can be lifting the toe from the rear cuff hard and that business card is getting tough to remove but not ripping.

Guarantee your bindings will feel more solid and not pre-release after you do the “wheelie” step before adjustment.


Cheers!


Buddy i work in a shop i setup my bindings everytime i go skiing, tyrolias are so much less reliable than looks even with fully proper settings
Oct 8 2020 10:18AM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
I’ve Adjusted hundreds of bindings over the last 30 years and I would estimate 75% of Tyrolia, Marker and Salomon AFD/Toe heights are set up improperly. Hopefully you’re one of the 25% that do that step and that’s great.
Techs often miss the toe lift step before adjusting and then there is play which can lead to issues. This caused huge pre-release issues On Alpine boots with all the Shift Bindings too.

I just had my bindings mounted at one of the largest online retailers in North America last week and they are usually great but this time the AFD was miss-adjusted. It happens. If this step is done properly, you only have to adjust maybe once every 50 days due to account for toe/heel wear.

So just wanted others to check the toe/AFD height before jacking up your DIN and possibly causing other issues. Only bindings in the last 30 or so pairs I’ve had that tested out of the box with issues has been one toe of a look pivot that was replaced without issue. Never had issues with almost 30 pairs of Tyrolias over the years.

Cheers
Oct 8 2020 11:04AM
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Potguy
Posts: 125 - Karma: 147
Idk if I'm just unlucky but I've had two pairs of Griffons get "loose" after 2 seasons. The toe just starts chattering around and doesn't keep my boot in place. Adjusting forward pressure didn't solve it and the screws weren't pulling out. Now I ride pivots and can't complain.
Oct 8 2020 12:15PM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
PotguyIdk if I'm just unlucky but I've had two pairs of Griffons get "loose" after 2 seasons. The toe just starts chattering around and doesn't keep my boot in place. Adjusting forward pressure didn't solve it and the screws weren't pulling out. Now I ride pivots and can't complain.

Another case of AFD on the toe not set correctly. They probably always had extra slack in the toe which got worse with boot sole wear etc. If they were adjusted properly in the first place and checked once or twice a year, they would have felt solid the whole time.

You don’t have to adjust the AFD on Look bindings as they auto adjust within a certain range so you only run into issues with those if the boot sole wear is severe. Might have to get replacement boot soles or even new boots then.
Oct 8 2020 6:20PM
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Potguy
Posts: 125 - Karma: 147
Greg_KAnother case of AFD on the toe not set correctly. They probably always had extra slack in the toe which got worse with boot sole wear etc. If they were adjusted properly in the first place and checked once or twice a year, they would have felt solid the whole time.

You don’t have to adjust the AFD on Look bindings as they auto adjust within a certain range so you only run into issues with those if the boot sole wear is severe. Might have to get replacement boot soles or even new boots then.

Should’ve mentioned this in my original post but I’m pretty confident it wasn’t AFD issue either because you could wiggle the entire toe piece by hand with like 5mm of play. The whole thing would get lose as a goose.

Could this have been cause by the AFD not being set correctly in the first place? For sure. But still, I’m on the fuck griffons bandwagon.
Oct 9 2020 1:09AM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
PotguyShould’ve mentioned this in my original post but I’m pretty confident it wasn’t AFD issue either because you could wiggle the entire toe piece by hand with like 5mm of play. The whole thing would get lose as a goose.

Could this have been cause by the AFD not being set correctly in the first place? For sure. But still, I’m on the fuck griffons bandwagon.

Yikes! Wouldn’t be the AFD if you could move the whole toe piece without the boot in it. There is a front shim toe piece that is installed with 2 screws first and then slide the main toe piece into and then screw the 2 visible screws on the main toe piece.

Maybe there was an issue with that shim tightness or something? 🤷

Definitely prefer Tyrolia and Look bindings too as they have lower stand height, less binding delta and never had issues with either once set up correctly.
Oct 9 2020 7:12AM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,092
I sounded so harsh a year ago against attacks, but I still would never really suggest them unless your sole purpose is have one of the lightest options that doesn't break the bank. The point still remains that the twin cam heel is old technology and I know I like better/smoother release, which attacks do not provide.
Oct 9 2020 10:04AM
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shin-bang
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 6,992
.nastyI sounded so harsh a year ago against attacks, but I still would never really suggest them unless your sole purpose is have one of the lightest options that doesn't break the bank. The point still remains that the twin cam heel is old technology and I know I like better/smoother release, which attacks do not provide.


Im intrigued by this. The attacks run a twin cam system for the heel? maybe you could explain more. I would really like to understand the mechanics of the twin cam, as well as the other systems of pivots and STH2. Im a pivot and sth2 fan, but it would be nice to know the mechanics of why the other bindings are better options.
Oct 9 2020 12:40PM
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