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Skis | Ski Boots | Ski Bindings

There are two ISO (International Standards Association) standards for ski bindings:

• ISO 5355 Alpine (DIN) Soles- The old (1997-2019) standard
  
• ISO 9523 Alpine Touring (AT) Soles - The new standard (2015-present)
  is a standard for downhill boots and touring boots. See terminology below. ISO 9523 is a pretty broad standard, developed for touring boots with sticky rubber and rockered soles (GripWalk, WTR, MNC)for much better walking on hard surfaces. Most touring boots meet the ISO 9523 standard.
  However, not all ISO 9523 boots meet the GripWalk or WTR standards, so they won’t work in those bindings.

The new ISO 9523 soles attach to the boot with 4 screws in the same pattern as ISO 5355 soles and can be purchased for about $70 to upgrade your boots.
However, you should not switch back and forth more than 4 or 5 times because the threads will become worn and loosen.

Terminology:

Alpine Touring (AT) / Randonnée Boots - Basically downhill boots (a stiff sole)
They frequently are a bit softer and allow for slightly more movement).
They fasten to bindings the same way downhill boots do, but the bindings can be released at the heel for level or uphill assents with skins.
• Telemark boots use different types of fastening systems that connect to boots in several different ways.

ISO 9523 Implementations:

• GripWalk - Tecnica, Nordica, Dalbello
• MNC - Multi Norm Certified - Salomon, Atomic
• WTR - Walk to Ride - Walk to Ride (WTR) Salomon, Atomic, Lange, Rossignol, look

ISO 9523 bindings are compatible with both ISO 9523 and ISO 5355 soles
ISO 9523 soles are compatible with MNC, ISO 9523, WTR, and GripWalk (ISO 9523) certified bindings, but not Alpine (ISO 5355) bindings.
However, not all ISO 9523 boots meet the GripWalk or WTR standards, so they won’t work in those bindings.

The adult ISO 5355 Type A sole is compatible with essentially all adult bindings and is the most common alpine ski boot around.

Junior skiers will need ISO 5355 Type C boots, as the Type A (adult) boots have a longer sole length than Type C (child) boots and will not fit into junior bindings.