First, clear any snow or ice from the toe piece and boot toe. Step into the heel piece as you would with an alpine binding—the brake will deploy. Then flip the lever on the toe piece to close the toe jaws over the boot toe. You should hear and feel a positive click. Make sure the jaws are fully closed before skiing. Practice this at home before heading into the backcountry.
Ski Bindings · Hybrid AT Bindings
How do I transition from tour mode to ski mode?
Related gear types
If this answer nudged you toward a different style, these guides compare specs and trade-offs.
Alpine/Downhill Bindings
$120 – $450
Standard resort ski bindings designed for lift-served downhill skiing with fixed heels and reliable release performance.
fixed heelDIN-certified releaseISO 5355 boot compatibility
Alpine Touring Frame Bindings
$300 – $650
AT bindings with a hinged frame that allows heel lift for uphill travel and locks down for alpine-like downhill performance.
hinged frame designwalk mode with heel liftalpine-like downhill mode
Tech/Pin Bindings
$300 – $900
Lightweight touring bindings using metal pins at the toe for uphill efficiency, favored by dedicated backcountry skiers.
pin toe interfaceultralight constructiontech-compatible boot required
More questions
- Can I use my regular alpine boots with hybrid AT bindings?
- Are hybrid AT bindings safe for resort skiing?
- Will I notice the extra weight compared to pin bindings on tours?
- Do hybrid bindings work well in icy conditions?