Kitvore.com

Kitvore.com

Specs that matter. Gear that fits.

Ski Bindings · Brake Pad Width · 95 mm

Should I get the 95mm brake width for my all-mountain skis?

The 95mm brake is a great match if your ski waist falls between roughly 83mm and 93mm. The goal is to have the brake arms clear the edge of your ski by a small margin—usually 5 to 15mm wider than the waist—so they can deploy properly if the binding releases. If your skis are in that mid-80s to low-90s waist range, 95mm gives you that clearance without excess overhang.

If you go with a narrower brake on a wider ski, the arms won't drop past the edges and your ski could become a runaway. Go too wide, and the brake arms can drag in the snow during deep carves or catch in crud, which is annoying at best and potentially dangerous at worst.

One thing to keep in mind: if your skis are on the narrower end of that range—say an 84mm waist—you might notice slight brake drag when you're really laying over a turn. It's usually not a dealbreaker, but if you're a aggressive carver who spends most of the time on firm snow, an 85mm brake might be the cleaner choice.