This is an index and FAQ for the Salomon Guardian ski touring and freeride binding, as well as its rebranded twin branded by Atomic and named Tracker.
Salomon Guardian Tracker backcountry skiing and alpine ski binding. Blue version is the branded Atomic look. Click image to enlarge.
Guardian Tracker Boot Recommendations and Issues
Salomon Guardian Tracker home mounting template.
What is this binding called?
As seems to be typical with European backcountry skiing bindings, the Guardian has multiple naming conventions. Outside the retail box it says “N Guardian 16 S C130” while the papers inside the box call it a “Back Country” and “Back Country Binding.” We’ll call it Guardian. But. The same binding is branded by Atomic as the “Tracker” so keep that in mind while shopping, perhaps you’ll like the color of one or the other better (Tracker and Guardian are otherwise identical. For our purposes here we’ll usually call the binding “Guardian,” but may also call it “Guardian Tracker.”
When was the Guardian Tracker binding released?
Official introduction was during winter of 2011/2012, retail first became available in fall of 2012.
How much does the Guardian backcountry skiing binding weigh?
Size “N” (large?) Guardian, binding weight of 1480 grams (52.3 ounces) per binding with all hardware.
What is the Guardian stack height?
Stack height (boot above ski at heel) is 27 at the toe and 32 at heel (verified at WildSnow HQ on demo board). Compare to main competitor at 37 and +-37 (latter due to for/aft height adjustable AFD on competition). Thus, you get around 5 mm less stack with the Salomon, but you do get some binding delta (drop at the toe) while the competition has a virtually neutral delta.
What would the highest and best purpose be for this ski binding?
We recommend this binding for the alpine resort or helicopter skier (using approved boots) who may want to walk short distances on skis, on a binding system that allows heel lift while walking.