Salomon MTN version of the binding, with optional brake.
MTN binding configured without brake.
In 2016 Atomic began retailing a classic tech binding they developed in partnership with Salomon (both companies are under the same ownership. The only difference in the bindings is color. The binding comes in a regular version with 30 mm of boot length adjustment, and a “Light” version with less boot length adjustment.
Salomon-Atomic MTN-Backland “light,” no boot length adjust, 236 gr
Salomon-Atomic MTN-Backland, no brake, 296 gr
Salomon-Atomic MTN-Backland, w/ brake, 385 gr
Heel unit (regular, with screws, without brake): 157 grams.
Toe unit, with screws: 130 grams.
Brake, 90 mm: adds 96 grams per binding.
Available brake widths: 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 millimeters.
Brake trivia: You can’t step into downhill mode with the brake stowed — the brake latch holds your boot too high. We’re told this is to satisfy nigglers at TUV who won’t certify a touring binding to DIN/ISO 13992 if it can be skied downhill with brake held retracted. That’s fine, except we don’t expect this binding to ever be DIN/ISO certified, so perhaps that’s mythology and the brake simply is, what it is? At the least, it’s idiot proof. You can’t take off down the hill unless it’s enabled.
Specs:
Boot adjustment length for Backland Tour, 30 mm.
Weight, Backland Tour, 280 grams per binding with screws (verified).
See our weight chart for toe, heel and other bindings.
Toe screw pattern width, 40 mm.
Brakes, none integrated, leash included (leash hook doubles as spacer or binding heel gap adjustment. Nice.)
Add-on brake is available.
Crampons, none OEM, accepts all major brand “Dynafit” compatible crampons.
Hand test of boot/pin action at toe, pass.
Release values are set with 3 different rear unit springs that are easily user swapped. As follows:
Women, marked as “W” is roughly equivalent to DIN 6
Men, marked as “Men” is roughly equivalent to DIN 8
Expert, marked as “Exp” is roughly equivalent to DIN 12
Stack height and ramp angles:
Tour: toe pin center to topsheet is 3.00 cm. Heel pin center to topsheet is 4.00 cm
Tour Light: same toe as Tour, heel pin center to topsheet is 3.50cm
Those are relaxed ramp angles, see our ramp angles post for comparo chart.
Ski crampon compatibility:
Dynafit, ATK, anything compatible with Dynafit.
Related blog posts and reviews, in somewhat chrono order:
First look 2015, Atomic Backland binding at Atomic’s European HQ.
Unboxing of Atomic Backland version binding.
Proof of concept, mod Atomic-Salomon brake to work on other touring binding setups.
Bob Perlmutter review of binding, X-Alp ski and more.
Backland MTN Binding Mounting template
Curious how the heel unit functions on this well engineered ski binding? Check here.
Atomic HQ visit, 2017, seeing the gear at the source.
Availability: Limited during summer of 2017, fully available starting autumn of 2017.