Rating of bindings for cross-country skis. Types of ski bindings

Binding systems transmit power, determine the direction of the skis in any style of travel. Therefore, high-quality fastening is as important as good equipment and sports equipment. Therefore, before buying, it is recommended to study the NNN and SNS ski bindings, the differences of which can ensure safety and reduce the risk of injury.

Important! The choice depends more on the preferences and needs of the person. You can finally decide for yourself which option is better only after several years of training, based on different indicators, individual anatomical features.

What is and how NNN differs from SNS

Types and models

Both systems exist in the form of various models, both for beginners and for professional athletes. Therefore, when choosing, it is recommended to rely on specific indicators. Models differ in platform height, rigidity of flexors. NNN has 4 levels of rigidity, SNS - 3 levels.

SNS can be divided into Profil and Pilot models. The Profil system is designed for all types of travel, including mixed type. They are marked with the appropriate marks - "Classic", "Combi" and "Skate". They differ in the level of rigidity of flexors.

The Pilot binding is designed for skating. The structure of the device is the main difference. It has a double mounting axis, and instead of the usual rubber flexor, a spring is attached. It is acceptable to use Pilot boots with Profil bindings, but Profil boots cannot be used with Pilot bindings.

If we compare SNS PROFIL EQUIPE and SNS PILOT EQUIPE, then the second model has better geometry and mechanics, it is lighter, provides more precise ski control. Also on this model, repulsion is more powerful, rolling is better.

The SNS PILOT CARBON RC and RC2 systems have been upgraded to reduce weight and improve steering control as well as stability.

Tourist subtypes of the system usually fasten automatically. They are used for different styles skating, as they are universal. Such models have a flexor of medium rigidity. The main disadvantages are that the system is heavy and freezes at very low temperatures.

NNN is divided into models suitable for different styles of running, including mixed ones. They also differ in different rigidity of flexors. At the same time, an additional flexor was installed in the high-level R3 Skate and R4 Skate, specialized in skating. But it can be removed, adjusted, as a result of such changes, the fastener becomes universal. HHH also has self-closing touring models.

The Xcelerator Junior, which comes in classic skating styles, is suitable for athletes and beginners alike. exercise- simple model used by skiers of basic, intermediate levels.

The XCELERATOR is a state-of-the-art device, also available in "Skate" and "Classic" versions, used by professionals. The model is lightweight and comfortable. There are also modifications for the skating version - a specialized XCELERATOR SKATE SPACER platform is installed, which raises the toe. Thus stability and repulsion are increased.

Important! The New Nordic Norm boots fit almost all NNN systems except the backcountry model.

By riding style

As mentioned above, the style of riding does not depend on the type of fastener, but on the specific model. Moreover, many of them are universal, therefore they are used for different styles of skiing. They depend on the rigidity of flexors on a particular device. However, HHH systems help to better control skis when skating.

Brands

There are brands that make boots adapted to these systems. Ski boots for SNS are produced directly by Salomon, as well as Adidas, Fischer, Alfa. Brands producing boots for the HHH system are Rossignol, Alpina, Atomic and Karhu.

Material

Fasteners are made from modern materials However, the important difference lies not in them, but in various details. Namely, in the presence of brackets, flexors and lower fasteners. For example, flexors are made of rubber, or a spring is used instead.

For both systems I use high-quality plastic, rubber, metal parts.

Conclusion

Despite the points by which NNN and SNS can be distinguished, they are equally popular and are used almost equally in sports. Although HHH systems with automatic fastening. As the improvement progresses, the desires and abilities of a person are evaluated, based on which, he chooses the fastening system on his own.

Skiing is a great winter activity. Even if you are a fan summer heat and beach pastime, you are unlikely to refuse a ski run. And there is no need to talk about those who cannot imagine themselves without this sport. skiing is becoming more and more popular. Sporting goods stores have the richest assortment of accessories related to it. In this article, we will take a closer look at how to install a ski mount for boots.

A little about sports equipment

The choice of equipment largely depends on the style of skiing: mountain, flat walks or long hikes. In each of these cases, a certain type of ski is needed. If a novice athlete has minimal equipment requirements, then experienced skiers have incomparably higher requirements. When buying equipment, such nuances are taken into account that “dummies” don’t even have a clue about.

The most popular type of skiing is cross-country skiing. The reason is quite clear. A skier needs certain places to ski. And cross-country shoes can also be used for skiing in the forest or city park - as long as the weather is right. In addition to special sportswear, skis and poles, you need to purchase mounts for boots.

Classification

Mounts are important component ski designs. Through the attachment, the force is transferred from the leg to the ski itself. different models differ in their device, so the question of how to install bindings on skis for boots is quite natural.

Important! Older people remember primitive models that could be worn on shoes. There was no mention of convenience. Modern designs have a completely different task - to ensure stability and comfort when walking.

There are 3 types of fasteners:

Nordic Norm 75mm. These fasteners are also called welt fasteners. This is a morally obsolete model that is gradually losing ground. Fans of such a “retro” and people who are attracted by the low cost of an accessory prevent it from completely abandoning it.
The NNN system developed by Roteffella is a more recent one. It consists of two longitudinal guides that fix the boots.
SNS is an innovative, high-level system with a single longitudinal guide. This is the most convenient option. The foot is in full control of the ski. Their cost is higher than NNN, but they win significantly in terms of convenience and practicality.

To mount the fasteners, you can contact the experts. However, it's not that difficult. You can quite cope with this work on your own.

Set of tools

Before attaching ski bindings for boots, prepare the following tools (in addition to the skis themselves, of course):

Mounts.
Markup template.
Ruler and marker for marking.
Awl.
Screwdriver.
PVA glue.

Action algorithm:

First determine the center of gravity of the skis. Many manufacturing companies apply it immediately, but experienced athletes do not trust this marking, preferring to check it on their own. Use a marker to mark this location.

Important! This precaution is by no means redundant. With the correct determination of the center of gravity, the ride will be comfortable, the ski will not “outweigh” on the sides. The procedure for finding the center of gravity is extremely simple. Set the ski on the edge of the ruler and move until you get "scales" parallel to the lines of the floor. The location of the center of gravity is indicated by a ruler.

The resulting line coincides with the axis of the fastener. Attach the mount to the surface of the ski, mark the desired position. If you need to fix Nordic Norm 75, then there will be bracket screws on the marked line.
An important point is to correctly mark the holes. Here they often use a special conductor or a paper template that comes with fasteners.
The proverb “measure seven times, cut once” works in this case one hundred percent. Before you start drilling, check the distance between the holes on the fasteners and between the markings. Naturally, they must match.
The most crucial moment is drilling. As a rule, the instructions indicate the depth of the hole to be drilled and the diameter of the drill.

Important! When drilling, the drill should be used at low speeds.

Blow the drilled holes and fill with glue. Sometimes glue comes with fasteners. If there is no special glue, PVA is fine. The adhesive fills the microcracks formed during drilling, provides a waterproofing effect and improves fixation. However, some athletes argue that glue is completely unnecessary. Solve this question for yourself.

Important! Epoxy should not be used, as the solvent can damage the skis.

Reattach the binding to the ski cloth and start tightening the screws. At first - not very tightly, to make sure that everything is installed correctly, and then - finally.

Important! For NN 75 bindings, you will have to insert the boot and check how it is centered.

Now it remains only a little (about 10 hours) to wait until the glue dries completely.

Choosing ski bindings is becoming more difficult as brands struggle to retain customers. If until 2015 there was only a screwless NIS platform, which everyone drilled and installed any fasteners without any problems, then since 2016 everything has become more complicated. The IFP system has appeared with a new platform, on which it is not so easy to put screw fasteners without an adapter. Now the choice of mounts - headache for the user uninitiated in these marketing wars.

The article briefly and clearly talks about the types ski bindings, platforms, their compatibility and which one is better to choose.

Types of ski bindings: differences between SNS, NNN and Turnamic, compatibility

More than one generation of skiers has grown up on the competition between SNS and NNN systems, everyone is already used to this - the difference between SNS and NNN is in the number of guides. In 2005, NNN switched to the NIS screwless platform and phased out screw fasteners. In 2016, the IFP system with Turnamic mounts is released - only Fischer and Rossignol skis are produced with it. Salomon and Atomic release their Prolink system - an analogue of NNN, only with screws. Now let's look at this leapfrog so that everything becomes clear.

Ski bindings NN75

Outdated fastening system Nordic Norm 75. Has no advantage other than price. Rarely found on sale and even in ski rentals.

NN 75 standard fasteners

Ski bindings SNS (Salomon Nordic System)

The system of the French brand Salomon, over time, unknown manufacturers, including Chinese, began to copy it. SNS mounts feature one wide rail. They are divided into Pilot (2 boot brackets) and the rest with one attachment point (without the word Pilot in the title). All fastenings of this system are placed on screws in drilled skis.

SNS boots are compatible with bindings:

Salomon Profile and SNS Access
Salomon Pilot(Pilot bindings only fit Pilot boots, Pilot boots fit all SNS bindings)

Ski-binding compatibility:

SNS mounts are screwed onto any ski

SNS Pilot boot sole

Ski bindings NNN (New Nordic Norm)

System of the Norwegian brand Rottefella. NNN mounts exist on screws and screwless platforms. In 2016, the Turnamic binding system and boots with Turnamic soles (Fischer, Rossignol) were released - similar to the NNN sole, the boots are fully compatible. Salomon and Atomic did not stand aside, but released their Prolink mounts - the same NNN, but with screws.

NNN and Turnamic boots are compatible with bindings:

Rottefella NNN, NIS, Move
Fischer Turnamic and Rossignol Turnamic
Salomon Prolink and Atomic Prolink

Ski Binding Compatibility:

Rottefella NIS mounts for NIS platforms only
Turnamic mounts for IFPs only
Prolink mounts only on screws (any platform can be drilled, but more on that below)

Sole of NNN and Prolink boots. Turnamic is compatible but comes with no midfoot tread.

Skate and classic bindings

Mounts are divided into ridge and classic. On bindings for skate skis, the flexor (elastic band) is more rigid, and on the SNS Pilot there is a second boot fixation point. Bindings for classic skis have a softer flexor. In amateur combined mounts there is a universal flexor, which is suitable only for classic riding and walking.

In skating, the ski will dangle on the soft flexor during the sweep phase. In the classics, on the contrary, you need a softer flexor so that it does not interfere with the work of the foot and repulsion. Be sure to pay attention to when buying, for which style the mounts are intended.

Which ski bindings are better: mechanical or automatic

All manufacturers have automatic and mechanical fasteners in their line. Automatic latches themselves, and unfasten manually. Mechanical - fasten and unfasten manually.

Automatic mounts are less reliable and designed for skiing, they are much cheaper than mechanical ones. They can be unfastened at the most inopportune moment, if snow has clogged into the mechanism before riding.
Mechanical fasteners are reliable and durable, designed for training and competition, withstand heavy loads. They cost more, but they work like clockwork - they do not come unfastened at the wrong moment, the mechanism does not freeze.

SNS or NNN: which system is better?

Marketing and patent wars force skiers to compromise. In this war, only Salomon and Atomic did not fence themselves off - they released boots with different soles for different bindings. In the article, we wrote that it is better to choose bindings for boots, and not vice versa. It is impossible to say whether NNN or SNS is better - both are reliable and of high quality. The only thing that can stop you from buying SNS boots is that they are gradually losing popularity, there are fewer of them on sale. In addition, many people do not want to drill their new skis if they can not be drilled.

What brand of mounts should I choose?

The answer is probably predictable. If possible, choose fasteners from famous brands such as Salomon, Rottefella, Fischer, Rossignol, Atomic. They will be more expensive than Russian and Chinese counterparts, but they are made of durable, frost-resistant plastic and undergo strict quality control. Russian and Chinese counterparts have a higher defect rate, worse quality, but lower price.

What are the advantages of NIS and Turnamic over screw fixings?

The main advantage is not at all in simplifying installation, but in the ability to move the mount along the ski and adapt the ski to fit your needs. This is convenient in the classics, when you can adjust the hold of the skis by shifting. Moving forward a couple of clicks will give you a better grip, but the glide will suffer a little. Moving back - on the contrary, the glide will improve, but the hold will become worse. You can only adjust the holding and sliding by shifting the mounts.

In skating, by shifting the bindings, the stability / speed ratio is adjusted. Shifting forward increases ski stability, shifting back reduces stability, but increases rollout. The effect is not as significant as in the classics.

How to install NIS and IFP bindings on skis without a platform?

NIS and IFP platforms are sold separately and can be screwed onto any ski.

How to install SNS bindings on NIS and IFP skis?

How to use NIS mounts?

How to use IFP Turnamic mounts?

Play sports, move and travel! If you find an error or want to discuss the article - write in the comments. We are always happy to communicate. 🙂

The most popular winter sport is cross-country skiing. But in order for classes to fresh air brought only positive emotions, you need to take care of sports equipment. The article will focus on ski bindings. NNN and SNS are the most modern systems fasteners, and the debate about which ones are better has long been going on among professional and amateur athletes.

NNN

The Norwegian company Rottofella has developed a special system for attaching boots to skis - NNN. The originality consists in the presence of two rubber flexors that connect the boot to the binding, and two longitudinal guides that do not allow the boots to move to the sides. The toe of the boot rests against these springy cuffs, and after a push they return the leg to a horizontal position.

The NIS design used in the NNN bindings allows the binding to be mounted on a platform built into the skis. This is very convenient as the binding does not need to be screwed into the ski and can be moved to adjust the position of the boot in relation to the center of gravity. Many skiers use this feature to customize their skis. different characteristics snow. This system also allows the athlete to place their binding.

SNS

The French company Salomon introduced its fastening system - SNS. The difference of this design lies in the presence of a central rubber flexor with one against which the boot rests. The special sole of the shoe allows the athlete to control the ski and ride in any style.

The installation of the fastener does not provide for a special platform on skis, like the NNN binding, but original boots are required, suitable only for the SNS design. The usual SNS fastener has only one bracket in front of the sole of the boot, but there is also a modification of the SNS Pilot, which uses two metal axles that are fixed in two different grooves spaced 2.5 cm apart. This allows you to limit the lift of the foot into the air and thereby increase control over the skis.

System differences

In general, the differences between NNN and SNS mounts are minor and will be invisible to the average hobbyist, but there are nuances that a professional will pay attention to. For example, the SNS Pilot bindings are praised by many for the double engagement of the boots on the skis, which improves maneuverability, but at the same time, in not very cold weather, the snow gets packed under the second bracket and is compressed into an ice lump, preventing the boot from being properly placed on the binding. It also happens to unhook the second bracket when pushing. But in cold weather these mounts work great.

Many pros appreciate the NNN binding because thanks to the platform on the ski and the NIS construction under the binding, the boot rises and the leg seems to become longer. This increases the force of the push by lengthening the lever. At the same time, this effect reduces the stability of the skier, which is excluded in SNS bindings. What to choose: NNN or SNS binding, it is up to the skier to decide which boots and which bindings are more convenient for him to ride. it individual approach, and there is no clear answer.

Mounting installation

After choosing and buying a mount, you need to install it on your skis. You need to do this in the following order:

The center of gravity of the skis is determined. This is done as follows: the ski is placed flat on the edge of the ruler and shifted until it balances, like weights (parallel to the floor). If the mount is heavy, then you need to find the center of gravity by attaching the mount to the skis and shift until the balance line coincides with the locking groove of the boot.
Hole drilling locations are marked. For this purpose, there are paper templates included with the mount. If there is no template at hand, you can mark with an awl by attaching mounts to the skis, according to the center of gravity.
Holes are drilled to a depth of 10 mm. A drill is pre-selected: for NNN - diameter 3.4 mm; for SNS - 3.6 mm. Drilling is done carefully, slightly pressing on the drill so as not to go through the ski. It is advisable to put a limiter on the drill. Then sawdust is blown out, and the holes are filled with glue for a more secure fixation.
The structure is being assembled. For this, fasteners are applied according to the holes and screwed. After that, it is required to dry the skis for 10 hours before use.

Everything is ready, now you can go for a ride. Apparently, there is nothing difficult in choosing and installing mounts.

To date, there are different types cross-country ski bindings, among which there are several main ones, which we will tell you about in this article. For example, the NNN and NIS systems are mainly used by experienced athletes, but they are also available to beginners.

Ski attachment system New Nordic Norm

The cross-country ski binding system, called NNN for short, was developed by the Norwegian company Rottefella. The front part of the binding has rubber stops against which the toe part of the boot rests at the moment of push. The rigidity of these elements affects the handling of skis, so different rubber stops are used for different riding styles.

The NNN system differs from its SNS counterpart in having shoe guides along the bindings. NNN has two parallel protrusions, while SNS has only one. On the New Nordic Norm bindings, the boot fixing bracket is slightly shifted back under the toes, providing more precise ski control when skating.

It is important to understand what types of ski bindings are and what boots are needed for them. Among the advantages of the NNN ski mount are the following:

a wide range of shoes;
the presence of automatic and manual types of fastening;
there are children's and teenage models;
are a good combination of price and quality.

Among the disadvantages of NNN systems, one can highlight the fact that automatic models can freeze when water enters.

Nordic Integrated System Ski Bindings

This ski binding system (abbreviated as NIS) was developed in 2005 and immediately began to be used by such famous brands like Madshus, Rossignol and Alpina. This is an upgraded version of the NNN system that has a board fixed to the surface of the skis at the factory. This ensures easy installation fastening and the ability to shift it in the longitudinal plane. NIS bindings are compatible with NNN boots.

Among the advantages of the Nordic Integrated System mounts, experts distinguish:

ease of installation;
the ability to move the mount;
compatible with the NNN standard.

Ski Bindings Salomon Nordic System

This fastening system, which is abbreviated as SNS, was invented by the French company Salomon. The boot is fixed on a longitudinal wide guide, in front of which there are rubber stops. By changing their stiffness, you can change the stiffness of the ski control. Therefore, those who are looking for good mounts for skating should take a closer look at this option.

SNS mounts can be divided into two subcategories:

SNS Pilot- a good option for skating riding technique;
SNS Profil is a versatile option suitable for skating, classic or combined styles.

These types of ski boot bindings are considered very reliable. Well-known companies such as Atomic, Salomon, Adidas and Spine work with SNS bindings. Their advantages include:

good strength and reliability;
production of children's and teenage mounts.

These types of mounts for cross-country skis have their drawbacks:

need special shoes;
are used on the tracks processed by snowcats;
shoes suitable for this type of fastening are not represented by a very large assortment.

Ski bindings Nordic Norm 75 mm

Considering the types of ski bindings, it is impossible not to talk about the Nordic 75 mounting system, which was used back in Soviet times. It can use a fixing thrust pad, and one of the advantages of the 75 mm ski mount type is the low center of gravity of the skier.

Modern Nordic 75 systems are made of plastic, various alloys and composite materials. Among the advantages are:

low cost;
the best option for children (it’s not a pity to buy a new system every year).

If you're looking for the best ski bindings, look out for the disadvantages of the Nordic 75 binding system:

there are many cheap low quality models on the market;
difficult to operate;
shoes suitable for this mount are becoming less and less;
inconvenient separation of the left and right fasteners.

Now you know what ski mounts are. Experienced skiers usually prefer manual systems, while beginners and amateurs can opt for automatic models, as they are easier to operate. Given the low speeds and elevation changes, as well as riding on mostly flat trails, accidental opening or freezing of the binding is not as dangerous as downhill skiing for professional athletes.

Screws with the designation of load scales must comply with the tables that are attached to the fastening system. If you have any difficulties in choosing, contact professionals or consultants in the store who will always tell you what ski bindings are.