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Naxo Backcountry Skiing Binding
Home Mounting Step-By-Step
Part 5 -- Binding Adjustment and Maintenance

Disclaimer: By using these instructions, you agree to not hold Wildsnow.com, its owners or associates liable for anything.

By Lou Dawson

Adjusting Naxo bindings for different boot sizes and release settings is easy. First, adjust the distance between the toe and heel units (see page one of these instructions for length adjustment). Once the length is correct and your boot snaps into the binding correctly, setting everything else for backcountry skiing or resort skiing is easy.

Naxo binding toe details.

1. Set the toe jaw height. Snap a boot into the binding, then slip a piece of paper under the boot sole, between the sole and the AFD (see photo). If the fit is too tight to slip in the paper, raise the toe jaw by rotating the screw counter clockwise (use a a wide flat-blade screw driver). Once the paper is in, lower the toe jaw (crank screw clockwise) until you can't pull the paper out, then raise a touch at a time until you can pull the paper out without tearing it. The idea is to have the toe jaw holding down the toe of the boot, but not wedging the boot down under tension, which can compromise the sideways (lateral) safety release.

WARNING: Setting the toe jaws too low and tight may damage the binding by placing too much upward stress on the toe unit. Likewise for snapping your boot in the binding with ice or snow built up under the toe. Such damage may include catastrophic failure of the toe unit where it attaches to the binding.

There are two ways to test your toe height setting to see if it's too loose. First, while on the workbench simply press the toe of the boot sideways with your hand, to the point where it releases laterally from the binding (this test is easier with lower DIN settings). Release should be smooth, with no catching or binding, and the AFD should move free. Next, lock the cuff of your randonnee boot in downhill mode, then grab the top of the cuff and attempt to rock the boot forward and backward, while observing up/down play of the toe where it's held by the binding jaws. A very small amount of play is necessary and acceptable (see warning above), while more than just a bit of play indicates you should adjust toe jaw height.

Warning: Some skiers make too big a deal out of small amounts of binding play, and may adjust the toe jaw so tight it compromises lateral release. Be careful -- your ligaments and bones depend on having the toe jaw height set correctly.

2. Set toe and heel release using DIN settings you choose. Set low and test at ski resort, if you pre-release increase DIN in small amounts. If you're an average skier and find you need to set DIN more than 1 step above that recommended in this chart, examine your bindings for defects in adjustment, and examine your ski technique. To set the release, use your wide blade screwdriver and move the heel and toe release barrels in our out, so the edge of the barrel lines up with the corresponding setting number on the scale that's printed on the binding.

Ski Binding DIN Setting Chart -- Use as Reference Guideline Only

Instructions: Choose your "Skier Code" using weight and height, then follow line to right and choose DIN that corresponds to your boot sole length. IMPORTANT: Pick your skier type below, then use following correction factor: Type1, use value you figured in table, without correction. Type 2, choose value one line below (one step higher number). Type 3, use value two lines below (two steps higher). Age correction: If over 50 years old reduce setting one step. And finally: if you choose to set your bindings yourself for backcountry skiing or resort skiing, subtract at least 1/2 din number from settings you figured from this chart, then ski bindings at resort to test. If you come out of toe or heel, slightly increase release setting of toe or heel (not both). Continue to fine-tune using this method. To be safe, have your binding settings checked by a qualified technician. Skier types: Type 1: Careful skier preferring moderate terrain, or a beginner skier. Type 2: Skiers preferring average speeds and somewhat difficult runs. Type 3: Few skiers in this category; racers, extreme skiers, prepared to take risks, ski at high speeds. Most backcountry skiers are Type 2.

[Back to Page One of Naxo Backcountry Skiing Binding Mounting Instructions]