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What types of ski bindings are there for touring skis and cross-country skis?
There are several different types of ski bindings and binding standards. A binding standard is a standardized design or specification used to ensure compatibility between ski boots and bindings from different manufacturers. In this guide, we briefly explain the differences between the different binding standards used in cross-country skiing and ski touring.
New Nordic Norm (NNN)
New Nordic Norm, or NNN as it is often abbreviated, was introduced by Rottefella in the early 1980s. NNN was developed as an alternative to the existing cross-country bindings on the market at the time (75 mm/3-pin bindings). They quickly became popular among both recreational and competitive skiers due to their simple design, reliability and comfort. Since then, NNN bindings have become the standard for most modern cross-country skis and ski boots.
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Launched in 2023 by Rottefella, SkateX is the first cross-country ski binding specifically developed for the skate technique. The connection interface has been moved under the foot pad (compared to the front of the toe on NNN and SNS systems) and consists of a cleat, similar to that used in professional cycling. The locking mechanism is almost twice as wide as other cross-country ski bindings, which helps to make the system extremely stable.
SNS bindings were introduced by Salomon in the late 1990s. The SNS system has a different toe design and locking mechanism compared to NNN bindings. SNS consists of specialized bindings mounted on the skis and compatible ski boots equipped with corresponding interface plates in the soles. One of the most well-known variants of the SNS system is the SNS Pilot, which has two connection points between the ski boot and the binding.
New Nordic Norm Backcountry, or NNN BC for short, was introduced by Rottefella in 1989. This binding standard was developed to meet the needs of cross-country skiers who wanted to explore terrain beyond groomed trails, where conditions could be uneven and more challenging. This type of binding has a more robust construction compared to regular NNN bindings and provides greater stability and power transfer to handle varying terrain and snow conditions.
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The Xplore BC is a new standard for off-piste bindings launched by Rottefella in 2021. The attachment system consists of SpringPins placed on the sides of the boot/sole, and the locking mechanism is wider than traditional NNN BC bindings. The SpringPin mechanism helps prevent snow accumulation, while the wider interface, placed further back along the foot, provides a more natural walking feel.
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Nordic Norm (NN) is a standard for ski bindings and boots that was previously used in cross-country skiing. It was developed to ensure compatibility between different brands and models of ski equipment. It was mainly used before the 1990s and is often referred to as the 75 mm or 3-pin system. The binding has three metal pins that fit into holes under the toe of the ski boot. Although it is still used by some for cross-country running and ski touring, it is no longer used in modern competitive cross-country skiing.
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