Although you can often get the ski shop or where you rented your skis to adjust the bindings on the ski to your boots, it is a really good idea to be able to do it yourself too! Both to make sure your bindings are set correctly so you don't get hurt if you crash or if they need to be adjusted out on the piste.
That is why we have created a simple and easy guide so that you can easily and quickly adjust your ski bindings in no time.
4 simple steps for setting the bindings
2. set the length of the bindings
3. Find your correct DIN value
4. Set the DIN value on the bindings
1. Find your boot length
It is incredibly easy to find your boot length, for adjusting bindings, you just need to know where to look.
Your boots have 2 lengths, which you can find in 3 places on the boot. You can find the length of your boots on the back, under the forefoot and on the heel. In this example you can see 3 sizes, 29.5cm, 335mm and 102mm. There are not all boots where you will be able to see all these 3 different sizes.
The 29.5 cm is the inner size, and it is the one you need to find out if the boot fits your foot. This number should not be used to set the bindings
The 335mm is the length of the sole of the boot and this is what you need to set the bindings.
The 102 mm is the width of the inner boot, and should not be used to adjust the bindings either.
2. Set the length of the bindings
Now that we know the boots are 335 mm, we can set the bindings on the skis to this size. On most bindings there is a rail in which the bindings run, so you will be able to set the bindings for all kinds of boots. On the rail there is a series of numbers that show how the bindings are set.
To be able to adjust the length of the bindings, there is a small flap on the dressing and behind the binding that you can pull up and thus adjust the length of the bindings.
The length of the bonds is shown at a number of different intervals, such as 315-322, which you can see the binding is set to in the right picture below. Here you have to move the binding forward and backward individually to adjust it to the correct interval. You know what range the bindings are set to by looking at where the binding intersects the range.
Below you can see that the binding has moved to the selected range, 331mm to 338mm, which is the desired length for our 335mm boots. Here it is important that the small flap goes back into place, so you know that the binding is locked in the right position. This is done for both bindings.
Once you have adjusted the bindings, you can put your boot in the bindings and check that everything looks good and the boot is properly tightened.
3. Find your correct DIN value (Weight of the bindings)
Now that the boots are attached to the bindings, it's time to find the right DIN value for your skiing. DIN value shows how tight the bindings are tightened. This means a higher DIN value, now more force is needed before the boots peek out of the bindings. If your DIN value is too low, you may risk the boots falling out in a sharp turn, and if your DIN value is too high, you may risk the boots not falling out at all if you have a nasty crash. It is therefore incredibly important that your DIN value matches your skiing and weight correctly.
DIN value is shown by a small table at the top and bottom of the bindings, which is shown in the picture below. Here you see a table, which often goes from 3-12 depending on the bond type, where 3 is the lowest and 12 is the highest. As a rule of thumb, a DIN value of 8 corresponds to a person of 80 kg. Here, the DIN value must then be turned up or down, depending on how fast you ski. If you weigh 80 kg and stand carefully, your DIN value should be lower as you will not topple with as much force as someone giving full throttle downwards.
The easiest and most accurate way to calculate your own DIN value is by using this chart below. Here are 3 steps that show you how to find your correct DIN value, so you avoid bad crashes!
Step 1: Find your weight/height on the chart. If your weight and height do not match horizontally, select the value that is furthest down the sheet.
Step 2: Start horizontally from your weight/height, and find the DIN value that matches your boot length in mm.
Step 3: Add your level to the DIN value. If you are a beginner/careful driver, keep your current DIN value. If you are practiced/driving at a good speed, go down one space vertically from your current DIN value to find your exact DIN value. And finally, if you are an expert/drive very fast, you must go down two spaces vertically from your current DIN value.
4. Set the DIN value on the bindings
Once you have calculated your DIN value, you are ready for the last step to get your ski bindings set 100% correctly for you and your boots.
When you need to set the DIN value, the bindings must be tightened, this is done most easily by inserting your boots into the bindings. Once the boots are inserted, you can now find a large star or flathead screwdriver (flat screwdriver) and set the DIN value to the desired choice.
If you find on your skiing holiday that you either think the bindings wear out too quickly or too early, you can adjust the DIN value yourself. Here I would recommend that you change the value by a maximum of 0.5 at a time, so that you don't end up making the bindings too tight or too loose for that matter.
If you have not yet found the right skis for you, you can see our large selection of used skis right here!
