Our Design Philosophy
What is Important in a Ski Binding?
We created this page to help you better understand why we think the ALPENFLOW 89 is the best ski binding ever made. We believe it all comes down to three main categories:
Downhill Performance
Uphill Performance / User Experience
Durability
Downhill Performance and Bindings
For optimal downhill performance, it is ideal to have a ski binding that has a controlled and predictable release, can absorb energy through elasticity before releasing, and can allow for seamless power transmission between your boot and your ski for optimal edge control.
A binding that performs well downhill should stay locked into your boot while skiing, only releasing in the event of a fall that generates a higher-than-acceptable amount of torque on the boot. A high performing binding keeps you locked in while skiing, only releasing in the event of a true fall. It's that simple, yet many bindings on the market suffer from pre-release issues.
You have probably heard about elasticity in bindings as a key metric in evaluating downhill performance. This is the distance a binding can deflect from its centered locked-in position while skiing without releasing. This allows the binding to absorb chatter and prevents against pre-release from sudden impulses. We believe that while elasticity is important it doesn't tell the entire story and that all elasticity is not created equal. Instead, we think a better measure is total energy absorbed before release. This takes into account both the distance the binding can travel and the torque applied over that distance. If the binding has lots of elasticity but has a low torque threshold, the elasticity is not as effective in absorbing energy as a binding with a higher torque threshold. The more energy a binding can absorb, the less likely the skier is to pre-release.
The boot-binding interface plays a major role in a skier's ability to transmit power to the ski. For optimal performance, it is ideal to have a torsionally stiff joint between the boot and binding that can be maintained throughout the flexion of the ski. An alpine-style heel piece accomplishes this well allowing for the heel, boot, and ski to act as one unit for optimal power transfer between the boot and the ski.
Binding Release
Release
ISO Standard and TUV Certification
DIN and ISO are organizations that create standards for a wide array of products across many industries. DIN is commonly known in the ski industry for the binding release settings, but the standards we are concerned with are administered by ISO. The standards commonly used for alpine touring bindings are ISO 13992 and ISO 9462, which specify a testing process to ensure bindings release in a way that prevents lower leg injuries to skiers. The result is a well-defined "Z Value" that relates binding settings to maximum allowable torque before release. Then another standard ISO 11088, defines how ski shops should adjust the Z value and corresponding torque, given a skier's height, weight, and ability.
Release
Release Definitions
ISO 13992 and 9462 define modes of release in the +/- Mz (lateral) and the +My (vertical/pitching forward) directions. It also defines a "Z value" (which is commonly known as a "DIN setting"). The Z value defines a correlation between a given boot sole length and a maximum allowable torque in the +/- Mz and + My that can be exerted by the boot on the binding before release. It also defines a testing procedure that bindings must pass to ensure reliable release.
Standard 11088 then defines a correlation between a skier's weight, height, gender, and skier ability to determine the Z value (DIN setting) that a binding should be set to for a given skier to prevent injury.
These standards were made in response to high incident rates of tibia and fibula fractures. The wide adoption of these standards has led to a significant decline in tibia and fibula injuries.
However, we believe the standard is imperfect and that, in practice, even TUV certified bindings cannot prevent injury while skiing. Additionally, the certification does not factor in energy absorption or how the binding will perform on snow. Other factors like elasticity and energy absorption play a large role in a binding's reliability and performance.
Release
The ALPENFLOW 89 Approach
The ALPENFLOW 89 is not TUV certified, and we make no guarantees that it adheres to any ISO standard for release.
With that being said, we have designed the binding with the ISO standards in mind. The ALPENFLOW 89 releases in both +/- MZ and + My directions and we have tried to match our release settings closely to the Z values specified in the ISO standard.
The maximum allowable torque in both directions is entirely controlled by large springs in the alpine style heel piece. These springs and the corresponding maximum allowable torque required to displace the boot before release are adjustable. This allows for adaptable settings for every skier in the +/-Mz and +My directions.
Additionally, our toe piece works to prevent pre-release by mechanically locking the toes in place until the heel piece has allowed the boot to rotate the toe piece completely. Once the toe piece has rotated, the toe arms are free to release.
Energy Absorption and Power Transmission
Energy Absorption
Elasticity and Energy
Elasticity is often discussed in the ski binding world as an indicator of how well a binding preforms while skiing. It is the distance that the binding can deflect while still retaining your boot before releasing. It helps prevent pre-release due to chatter and sudden impulses that would otherwise pose no immediate danger to the skier.
What needs to be talked about more is total energy absorption, which accounts for the torque required to deflect the binding over the complete distance.
Our belief is that the more energy a binding can absorb as you are skiing before releasing, the better the binding performs.
If you took two bindings with identical elasticity but with different energy absorption abilities, for a given Z value, the binding that absorbs more energy will retain the boot for longer, will be less likely to pre-release due to chatter, and will still not exceed the maximum allowable torque.
Energy Absorption
Release Curves
Taking it a step further, it is not just the total elasticity and energy absorption that impacts binding performance. The rate at which torque is resisted or energy is absorbed over the elastic travel distance changes the way the binding behaves.
For example, if a binding only absorbs energy at the beginning of its elastic travel, and then deflects all at once after it hits its threshold, then in practice the skier isn't getting any benefit from the elastic travel.
We believe a steep and then flattening curve is ideal for ski binding performance, allowing for maximum useable energy absorption for the skier.
Power Transmission
Power Transmission
The rigidity and design of the bindings influence how much force is transmitted without loss, which impacts both responsiveness and stability. A binding with effective power transmission allows for more precise control, especially at high speeds and on challenging terrain, where even small variations can make a significant difference. Additionally, high-quality bindings help maintain a balanced flex pattern across the ski, preventing "dead zones" that could otherwise disrupt smooth power flow from edge to edge.
This has been solved well in downhill bindings through alpine heel pieces and forward pressure control. This ensures a torsionally stiff joint is maintained as the ski flexes throughout the turn. The size and shape of the connection between the heel piece and boot also impacts the skier's ability to transfer power to the ski.
Energy Absorption
The ALPENFLOW 89 Approach
The ALPENFLOW 89 has +/-14mm Mz and +9mm My recentering elasticity controlled by the alpine heel piece and enabled through the rotating toe piece. This heel piece forms a wide, torsionally stiff joint that maximizes power transmission. We designed the binding to maximize energy absorption over the entire distance of the elastic travel. Allowing the binding to absorb chatter and take sudden impulses without releasing, while still controlling for the maximum allowable torque.
Uphill Performance and User Experience
At AlpenFLow Design, our design philosophy centers on creating bindings that elevate the entire skiing experience through seamless functionality and thoughtful design. We believe that a binding should be more than just a mechanical connection between boot and ski; it should be an intuitive extension of the skier, enabling freedom, control, and confidence at every point of the journey.
The core of our philosophy is user experience. In the backcountry, every moment counts—from the ease of transitions to the stability in descent. We prioritize smooth transitions, allowing you to shift effortlessly from uphill to downhill modes, even in gloves and challenging conditions. This isn’t an afterthought; it’s a central design feature. Every aspect, from the transition to the riser adjustments, is crafted to enhance ease of use, so the binding is never a distraction—only a facilitator of the experience.
We also focus on performance through reliability. Stability and control are essential on variable terrain, so our bindings are engineered for durability and responsiveness, ensuring they can handle whatever the mountain presents.
Finally, simplicity with purpose is a key pillar of our philosophy. We avoid unnecessary complexity and instead design with a streamlined approach, making our bindings highly functional, intuitive, and easy to use in the real world. This means fewer parts that could fail or cause confusion and more attention to the details that improve performance and enjoyment.
Transitional Flow
Toe Brake/ Step-In
Step into the ALPENFLOW 89 by lining up your heel with the heel piece and rocking your boot forward. The toe brake lever guides your boot into position for a reliable and repeatable setp-in. The toe brake then stowes away and sucks into the ski ensuring it's never in the way when skiing or touring, never coming down on the tour.
Flow Transitions
Experience Flow State with seamless transitions. Using only your pole, transition between touring, skiing, and back to touring in seconds without having to take off your skis. This is escpecially useful in rolling hills and transitioning in powder.
To enter ski mode simply step in and then actuate the heel piece with your pole. For Touring mode, raise the toe lever up and push the heel piece down with your pole.
Heel Risers
Easily engage heel risers using the same mechanisms as the transition. Tilt your boot forward and actuate the heel piece to engage the first "built-in" heel riser. Then for steeper slopes, flip down the second riser from the heel piece. Easily adapt to any slope angle in seconds.
Durability
Durable Manufacturing
We see durability as essential to sustainability. By crafting ski bindings that last, we minimize waste and resource consumption, fulfilling our moral obligation to protect the planet. High-quality, long-lasting gear allows skiers to engage responsibly with nature, empowering them to enjoy their adventures while making a positive impact.
