ATK Launches All-Metal Hybrid Freeride Binding

ATK’s new HY binding looks to be truly revolutionary, combining full alpine downhill performance and pin-binding uphill performance in a package that really won’t slow you down in the backcountry. The ATK HY weighs a mere 675 grams per foot. For reference, the Shift 2.0 weighs about 900 grams, the Duke PT weighs about 1200 grams, and the CAST Freetour 2.0 tips the scales at 1340 grams (1000 in tour mode). The HY’s weight is comparable to what most full-featured Dynafit bindings like the Rotation 14 weigh. It’s even lighter than a Marker Kingpin, and lighter than the popular Salomon Strive–currently one of the lightest alpine-only binding out there!

The entire binding (except the brakes and AFD plate) is made from CNC-machined aluminum, and ATK designed each piece to be replaceable in case of damage. That’s a huge plus for longevity, plus it allows ATK to shave weight in very strategic areas without compromising strength.

So how does the binding work? We haven’t actually gotten our hands on a sample yet, but speaking with ATK and looking at photos and videos, it looks to share a similar toe design to the Shift. In walk mode, the pins flip up on either side and lock using the toe lever. To switch into downhill mode, the pin arms fold down, transforming into an alpine toe that grabs your boot’s toe lug as normal, and provides traditional vertical and lateral release–plus some elasticity. The heelpiece looks more Kingpin-esque, with brakes and vertical and lateral release, plus two heel riser options for touring. To tour, the heel lever comes up, locking the brakes up, and allows you to use the heel risers.

Transitioning between modes is a bit more complicated than with a traditional pin binding, but it’s nice to see there’s no step of swapping out or removing parts like with the CAST Freetour or Duke PT.

Speaking of heel risers, there’s no flat mode for touring. Instead, there’s actually a negative rise mode, where your boot heel sits 18mm below your toe. ATK decided on this to provide a more natural stride, especially when using the binding with stiff freeride boots that don’t offer much in the way of walking range of motion. There’s also a 10mm and 34mm riser for steeper skintracks. In ski mode, the boot sits completely flat on the ski, with no ramp angle.

The HY Binding is designed to be compatible with a wide range of alpine, touring, and ski mountaineering boots. AFD toe height is adjusted using different spacers that come with the binding to ensure a good fit–similar to the adjustment on the ATK Freeraider 15 EVO’s freeride spacer.

So what does this mean for skiers? That there’s a promising new option on the market for those who don’t love the current freetouring binding options out there. It’s a step up in performance from the already mind-blowing ATK Freeraider 15 EVO, and offers additional safety and skiability with the alpine-style toe and its elasticity, plus full vertical and lateral release. I’m excited to ski this thing in person soon, and will report back.

The ATK HY Binding will be fully available next season, with two colorways and both 4-11 and 6-13 release value options. Brake options will be 98mm, 108mm, and 120mm. The binding is compatible with ski crampons.

For more info, head to ATK Bindings.