| What they are | Touring bindings with a pivoting frame |
| Advantage | Accept regular alpine boots; stable descent |
| Drawback | Heavy (whole frame lifts each step) |
| Vs tech | Heavier but more boot-compatible |
Frame bindings are alpine touring bindings in which the toe and heel pieces are joined by a rigid frame that pivots at the toe for climbing and locks down for descents. Their big advantage is accepting standard alpine boots and feeling familiar and stable on the descent, but they’re significantly heavier than tech bindings, since the whole frame lifts with each step.
Versatile but heavy
A boot-flexible class of touring ski bindings for ski touring; the lighter dedicated option is tech bindings.
Frequently asked questions
What are frame bindings?
Frame bindings are alpine touring bindings where the toe and heel units are connected by a stiff frame or rail. To climb, the whole frame pivots up at the toe so you can stride; to descend, it locks flat to the ski. Crucially, they accept standard alpine ski boots, unlike tech bindings.
Frame bindings vs tech bindings?
Frame bindings work with regular alpine boots and feel familiar and stable on descents, but they're heavy because the entire frame lifts with every step uphill. Tech bindings are far lighter and climb more efficiently but require boots with tech inserts. Frame suits occasional touring and boot versatility; tech suits dedicated, weight-conscious touring.
Who should use frame bindings?
Skiers who tour occasionally and want to use the same boots for resort and backcountry, or who prioritize a familiar, stable downhill feel and don't want to invest in tech boots, may prefer frame bindings. Dedicated tourers and ski mountaineers who log lots of vertical usually choose lighter tech bindings.
Sources
- Touring bindings — The Mountaineers
- Binding systems — PSIA-AASI