Need Binding Advice for bump/all mountain skis

[Captain]

Hi!
I'm looking for bindings for my new skis, K2 Miss Demeanors. Any recommendations? I bought them to be my bump skis.

Looking at the Atomic Neox 614 Alpine bindings. Have heard Solomon is good, too, but lots of choices.

Any advice on what I should look for considering what I want to do? Any specific binding you recommend? Any specific brand?

Am a fairly agressive skier, but no expert.

Thanks!
Eileen

 

[SnowHot]

What is your usual DIN? I would suggest a Salomon Driver series binding either a 810 or 912. If your DIN is <7 the 810/811 will be fine, if you are over a 7 DIN, got to the 912. You should be able to find any of these on Ebay if you are looking to score a deal. The Driver binding does not have upward release out of the toe, but does have upward compensation. You do not want upward release from a binding that you will be taking in the bumps. Upward compensation will turn that rearward force into lateral force which is better for bumps.

The Neox is a fine binding, if you have your heart set on them, that is OK, but make sure you get a 412 that has the lighter chassis (there is "honeycomb" in the graphics.). The Look/Rossi Pivot bindings are also a popular choice.

 

[Captain]

My usual DIN is 6.5, I think. Or it's 8.5. Ugh - I can't remember! I'm 5'7" and 140 and I put type III for the settings.

I mentioned the Atomics b/c it was the one binding I knew about. The others seem hard to research and I can't seem to find reviews on them online.

Just curios - why are Atomic's just "ok"? Do they have the toe complensation? I noticed the 412s are more expensive than the 614s b/c - is it b/c they are lighter? Neither I nor the sales girl on backcountry.com knew why.

Thanks for the info on the toe release - would have never thought of that!

 

[SnowHot]

You are probably the 6.5 DIN, my top choice for you would still be the Salomon Driver, ideally any of the Ti (Titanium) models. But the Neox is one of the most under rated binding out there. I had them on my B5's and had no issues with pre release at all. I also never heard a complaint from anyone over at Epic either. Again the only one I would consider is the 412 with the aluminum frame, it is a good 1.1 lb's lighter than their steel counterparts and the 310 or 614.

 

[Captain]

You are probably the 6.5 DIN, my top choice for you would still be the Salomon Driver, ideally any of the Ti (Titanium) models. But the Neox is one of the most under rated binding out there. I had them on my B5's and had no issues with pre release at all. I also never heard a complaint from anyone over at Epic either. Again the only one I would consider is the 412 with the aluminum frame, it is a good 1.1 lb's lighter than their steel counterparts and the 310 or 614.

I can't seem to find that binding anywhere. Is it last year's model? Maybe they changed the name or discontinued it?

If I can't find it, is the Atomic NEOX my next option , or is there a better binding for bumps?

 

[Captain]

I found this binding: Salomon S914 Alpine Ski Binding. Any thoughts on this?

I've been looking for "toe compensation" and "toe release" in the specs, but I don't find it in the bindings I've been looking at. As a rule, I'm not finding anything written about skis or bindings that reference mogul use. I assume that's b/c mogul skiers are the minority?

In the Atomic 412 NEOX, it as "auto toe adjustment". The ski gear guy said it's adjustable. Can I adjust so it's good for moguls or is it still toe release?

 

[SnowHot]

the S914 has a din range of 6-14. That would put you at the bottom of the din setting which is not recommended. An 810 would be more in line with what you'll need.