You are a skiing enthusiast who loves to blaze through the mountains. As you can realize, skiing is an extreme sport and your gears need to be at their prime every time you hit the downhill slopes. You need to make sure that the ski gear, ski bindings, release force settings are tested and are up to the mark.
Having well functioning gear will ensure your safety while you have fun. This article will give you an overview of the ski binding release test.
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When should you test your ski bindings?
To perform a release test you need to visit a ski shop. You need to ensure that you visit the ski shop before the trip, so they have time to fix it if the bindings are not releasing correctly.
In case you have faced an accident or a crash during any of your skiing sojourns, it is recomended to have the release test and gear checks done.
Regular ski binding release tests might sound like an inconvenience, but remember this is a matter of your safety.
DIN setting and how it works
The DIN standard measurements are followed worldwide to adjust the ski binding forces and release scales.
The International Standards Organization (ISO) did release a set of standard criteria to adjust ski binding scales but the DIN setting is still popularly followed globally.
When you go to a ski shop, the technician would adjust the bindings based on the following parameters:
- Expertise level
- Weight
- Height
There are a few other factors taken into consideration while adjusting the DIN but these are the primary ones.
For example, if you weigh anywhere between 50 pounds and 165 pounds, and your expertise level ranges from beginner to intermediate, your DIN will be adjusted between 2 and 7.
Similarly, if you weigh anywhere between 65 pounds and 250 pounds, and your level of expertise ranges from intermediate to expert, your DIN will be adjusted between 3 and 12.
Sturdiness is one of the most important aspects kept in mind during a ski binding release test. A high level of skiing expertise means you will have the ability to maneuver through challenging steeps at a faster speed. This requires a lot of strength and the gears have to be robust. Hence, the DIN is set at a higher level to accommodate more elasticity and robustness to the ski binding.
Can I adjust the DIN settings by myself?
If you are an experienced skier and know the in and out of how to set the DIN you can give it a shot.
It is highly advisable to pay a visit to a ski shop and get the ski binding release tested by a technician if needed. A professional will have wide-ranging knowledge of various DIN settings and can guide you well based on your requirements.
How ski shops do binding release test
Here is a step by step insight on how binding release test is done.
- First, the ski bindings are mounted according to the ski size and the size of the boot sole.
- Then the technician will check and adjust the DIN settings based on weight, expertise, and skier size.
- There are visual indicators to show each measurement and the technician sets the values and torque according to the industry standards.
- The toe and the heel equipment is mounted and set up according to the results of the visual indicator. The adjustments are done based on the age of the skier, size, and boot sole length, to name a few. The toe and the heel gears are fitted with a tension adjustment system to check the ease with which the ski binding will release.
Ski bindings gets worn out
How To Tell If The Ski Bindings Are Worn Out And Needs To Be Replaced?
A lot of it depends on the quality of gear you have purchased for skiing. If your skiing equipment is of decent quality then you can utilize it for longer time before the binding torque loses its force.
Here are some of the signs that will give you indications of replacing the ski bindings:
- If the equipment become none indemnified.
- If you se any visual cracks, broken parts or looks worn out.
- When the release mechanism not working correctly.
You can read more about when to replace ski bindings here.
As a ski-lover, you need to take care of your equipment and ensure that you have a safe skiing experience. Now that you know more about the importance of ski binding release tests, you might should book an appointment with a ski technician to take a look at your bindings.