The Marker Griffon 13 bindings are on the indemnified list see more below.

Shining the Spotlight on Alpine Ski Bindings

Skis get all the glory. You obsess over their length, sidecut, stiffness, and graphics. You demo several pairs to compare performance and feel. You find the perfect pair. And then? You ask the ski tech, “What’s a good binding?” They point at something, you nod.

These little lifesavers deserve more respect! What piece of gear needs to function with utmost precision to keep you safe as you progress from your first wedge stop to schussing all over the mountain with confidence? Your bindings.

Whether you are buying, selling, or consigning your bindings on Geartrade, it’s important to understand the age, functionality, and specifications of your bindings—whether they are attached to that perfect pair of skis, or being sold separately. 

Unlike snowboard and most telemark, Nordic, and touring bindings, bindings that have a “DIN” setting are designed to keep your skis on your feet until that perfectly awful moment when forces dictate that it’s time to part ways for safety’s sake.

DIN stands for Deutsches Institut für Normung, which is the organization that sets the standards in cooperation with the ISO (International Organization for Standardization). The standards in question are the forces, loads, and methods that cause the binding to release.

DIN settings range from .5 for the youngest and smallest skiers to 18 for World Cup racers, freeskiers, and very large, strong skiers. Your setting will be determined by that fun chart you fill out at the ski shop, asking for your height, weight, and skier type (Type 1 is beginner or prefers the easiest release settings to 3, which is expert and prefers the least forgiving release settings). Other factors that determine your ultimate setting will be your boot size, type of ski, and additional information like previous injuries. The ski tech will also look at your boots to ensure the soles don’t have too much wear to prevent safely engaging with the bindings.

Binding manufacturers certify shops to mount, adjust, and test their bindings. There are specific tools used for each of these processes, and though it may look like the tech is simply turning a screwdriver, there are factors like forward pressure on the boot, the binding’s alignment on the ski, and vertical spacing that are important to the binding’s performance and how it pairs with your skis and boots.

Bindings are built to survive extreme forces and years of use. But like anything mechanical, they do break down over time. The plastic casing covers metal springs and screws that are tensioned at the factory and cannot be serviced later. As binding models age, manufacturers will no longer certify ski techs to work on them, due to the possibility that the internal mechanisms will no longer function correctly or consistently. That DIN setting means nothing of the binding no longer acts like the incredible feat of engineering that is.  “Indemnification” is the security against legal action, and once that binding ages out, it becomes a legal liability. Ski techs will not touch them.

How do you know if you should buy, sell, or consign a pair of bindings, or skis mounted with bindings?

Are the bindings on this list? https://www.skibum.net/do-it-up/gear-guide/indemnified-bindings/

If yes, proceed! Buy, sell, consign!

If no, do not buy, sell, or consign! Instead, honor the lives of these little miracles: upcycle them!

 

The Elan bindings are not on the indemnified list. 

Maybe you have a great ski under a non-indemnified binding? It is possible to have the bindings removed and replaced or to sell the ski without the bindings attached. Geartrade recommends removing any non-indemnified binding from skis before selling or consigning them. Geartrade can also assess and remove bindings for you. Always have a certified ski tech inspect and test your newly-purchased bindings before using them.

We have seen some great uses for old bindings like:

Gear hooks.

Wall-mounted ski or garden tool storage.

Door stoppers.

Cup holders (often on the arms of Adirondack chairs made from old skis).

Lawn and garden ornaments (we recommend painting and adding googly eyes).

Other fun ideas? Send them our way! (The ideas, not the non-indemnified bindings.)

 



Jackie Baker is an avid skier, just waiting for another classic Wasatch powder day. When not on snow, she likes to ride her bike long distances in remote places. Visit her Instagram profile, @ohjaybay, to see where she's riding and what snacks she's packing.

 

 

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Have Winter gear to sell? Get cracking. 

It is now easier than ever to sell your gear on Geartrade. With our new Consignment Selling option you can finally reclaim your gear closet. Send it in. We take care of the rest.

 

Geartrade is Climate Neutral Certified.