Bindings are an important piece of ski equipment. As a rule, the installation of bindings is done by a store, however, some skiers prefer to do it themselves. Let's find out how they do it.

Types of ski bindings

There are three types of ski bindings:

1. Rigid (welted) - Nordic Norm 75 mm.
2. Semi-rigid - straps, elastic bands and buckles.
3. Systemic:
   • SNS Salomon
   • NN Rotofella

Since the first two species are gradually falling out of use due to their total imperfection and moral old age, there is no need to talk about them. It is much more interesting to talk about system mounts.

It is worth noting that if the skier decides to install the NN 75mm, the installation instructions below will suit him.

Systems from Salomon and Rotofella

These binding systems have a different number of longitudinal components, functionality and boot stabilization indicators, and are also presented in various modifications. They are great for cross-country skiing - the most common in skiing.

• Rotofella system NNN appeared somewhat later than NN 75mm. The fastening and stabilization of the boots is carried out here, thanks to two longitudinal guides. The functionality of these mounts is not inferior to NN.
• In SNS Salomon only one hinge is used. Due to the nature of the soles of the boots designed for such bindings, the skier can control the ski, making any move. This is the most modern version of ski bindings.

There are no significant disadvantages or advantages between these systems. They are more convenient, more practical and more modern than their predecessors, so they cost a little more.

How to install bindings on cross-country skis yourself

To install the fasteners, you will first need the following inventory:

• cross-country skis and fastenings on them;
• Paper template for marking or jig;
• Screwdriver (cross bit + drill 3.4 - 3.6 mm);
• Marker;
• PVA glue;
• Ruler;
• Awl.

Installation instructions

Installation of ski bindings takes place in several stages.

Step 1: Center of Gravity

The first step is to determine the center of gravity of the skis. To do this, the ski is installed on the edge of the ruler and moves along this surface until the skis freeze, like balanced scales, parallel to the floor.

The middle lines of balance should be marked with a marker. The marked line will coincide with the axis of the bracket attachment.

Step 2: Markup

The next step is to mark the holes on the ski platform. This action is performed using a paper template, which is usually supplied with the mounts. If it wasn’t on your hands, it doesn’t matter, you can download it from the Internet, or mark the ski with an awl, attaching the assembled mount so that the center of gravity coincides with the axis of fixation of the shoe.

At the same time, in the NNN system, the holes are located in front of the axis of the center of gravity, and in the SNS, the axis lies directly under the mount. For professional marking, a conductor is used.

Step 3: Drill holes

Before drilling, you should check the distance between the holes located on the mount with the distance between the points marked during marking.

Holes for Rottefella are drilled with a drill with a diameter of 3.4 mm, and for Salomon - 3.6 mm. The depth of the holes is 10 mm. Drilling is performed at medium speed with light pressure. To ensure reliable fixation, the finished holes are blown and then filled with glue.

Step 5: Assembly

Now that the holes are ready, you need to attach the fasteners and tighten the screws tightly. After that, the ski is left to dry (about 10-12 hours).

Now cross-country skis are ready for use. As you can see, there is nothing difficult in this. The main thing is to exercise caution and attentiveness, as well as to have all the necessary tools.

Racing standards SNS, NNN, SNS Pilot and NIS - now not only professionals, but also amateurs go to them. Do you personally need them, given your tasks? What are the comparative advantages of SNS, NNN and their modifications SNS Pilot and NIS?

Do you personally need SNS and NNN mounts?

• Yes, if you improve the style. In this case, you will benefit from good control over the skis and the ability to adjust the stiffness of the connection between the boot and the ski.
• No, if skiing is not training for you, but a walk, and if you do not go skating. In this case, they have more disadvantages than advantages - durability is less, and boots must be changed before skiing. Choose inexpensive and reliable fasteners Nordic 75.

What is the difference between SNS and NNN?

The mounts of these two standards are similar to each other, like two refrigerators. Consider this a warning: not all stores are competent, and you may be sold, for example, SNS bindings and NNN boots that are incompatible with each other. You can distinguish them by turning the boot towards you with the sole. The SNS boot has a single wide groove running throughout the sole from toe to heel. NNN has two narrower grooves. The mount itself looks like a plastic strip with a longitudinal ridge and a lock in the front. SNS has one crest, NNN has two.

In terms of technical qualities, both systems are approximately equal here. According to reviews, NNN controls the ski a little better, especially when skating. However, in the SNS standard, in addition to the basic version of SNS Profil, there is a “professional” SNS Pilot, which has not one metal bracket on the boot, but two. She is not inferior to NNN.

NNN has a NIS version. In it, there is a mounting plate on the ski, on which the mount is placed, with the ability to adjust back and forth. Pros: no need to drill the ski when mounting the mount; You can very accurately balance the ski along the length. Now SNS is also sold in versions for the NIS mounting plate.

In terms of reliability, in SNS the brace on the boot is located closer to the toe and wears out faster if you walk in boots on asphalt, while in NNN the bindings themselves are more fragile and are prone to bumps and chips.

Choice according to the rule "price-convenience"

In fact, neither SNS nor NNNs have a decisive advantage. Both standards are equally popular among ski stars. It is much more important to choose the right shoes. The second subtlety: depending on the season and the store, the price of SNS and NNN boots and bindings can vary greatly, and it is important to evaluate the price of the set. That's why:

1. Start by determining the price you are willing to pay for the kit. It may be that NNN bindings are cheaper than SNS, and you can fit more "advanced" boots for the same price, or vice versa.

2. Try on all boots of both standards that fit into this price. The most comfortable boots will determine your choice of binding system.

When choosing fasteners, it must be taken into account that there are several standards: NN 75, NNN, Prolink, SNS Pilot and SNS Profil. After the choice of boots is made, you can proceed directly to the choice of binding model. It depends on them with what accuracy the force is transmitted and the direction of ski sliding is set. Poor quality bindings can ruin your riding experience, even if everything else is up to the highest standards.

NN 75 (Nordic Norm, 75 mm) is an obsolete standard. Such mounts are distinguished, first of all, by their low price. The toe of the boot is rigidly fastened with a metal bracket to the rods, however, the foot is poorly fixed relative to the ski. Skating with such a mount is almost impossible to ride. These mounts are not available in our store.

SNS system mounts developed by Salomon. These mounts have only one, but a wide longitudinal guide. SNS mounts are divided into two types: SNS Profile and SNS Pilot.

SNS Profile- these are universal fastenings, as a rule, of a walking orientation with one fastening axis. SNS Profil bindings are suitable for SNS Profil and SNS Pilot boots. However, SNS Profil boots only fit SNS Profil bindings.

SNS Pilot have a more sporty orientation and have two mounting axes. SNS Pilot bindings only fit SNS Pilot boots, while SNS Pilot boots fit both SNS Pilot and SNS Profil bindings.

NNN (New Nordic Norm)and PROLINK, have two longitudinal guides for stabilizing the sole of the boot and one engagement axis. There are various modifications of these mounts, designed for both classic and skating. NNN and PROLINK mounts are fully compatible with each other.

Skis are one of the most popular winter sports equipment. There is a heated debate among amateurs and professionals about the best mounting option - NNN or SNS. Which alternative is more reliable, and what is the difference between them? Differences are already visible at a superficial study of the issue.

Definition

NNN- This is a special system for attaching a boot to cross-country skis, proposed by Rottefella from Norway. A distinctive feature is the presence of two parallel flexors (stops), in which the toe of the shoe rests during the push. The binding is universal and fits all boots produced for NNN, except for children's and youth's.

Mount NNN

SNS is a system for fastening shoes to cross-country skis, created by Salomon from France. The most important design feature is the presence of a central protrusion, against which the toe of the boot rests when pushed. The presence of two brackets (one of which is in front of the toe) for fixing the shoes allows you to increase the controllability of the ski, which is more sensitive to the movements of the athlete.

SNS mount

Comparison

Thus, the question of choosing between NNN and SNS depends on the individual athlete, his requests and preferences. The technical differences between these types of fasteners are as follows. NNN has two parallel protrusions for fastening boots, SNS has one central one. This point must be taken into account when choosing boots, as they must be compatible with the fastening system.

At the same time, the NNN lock is located under the fingers, which makes the trip more manageable. The SNS has it in front of the toe and is considered a more reliable wear solution. NNN mounts are represented by 4 stiffness alternatives, while SNS has only 3. However, you can choose the appropriate option for professional sports only after training, since you need to take into account the anatomical features of the athlete.

Findings site

1. Location and number of guides. NNN has two parallel protrusions, SNS has one central one.
2. Fastening system. The NNN retainer is located under the toes, 10 mm from the nose of the boot, for the SNS it is directly in front of the toe.
3. Controllability. NNN provides more control over the ski when skating than SNS.
4. The number of species. NNN is represented by 4 stiffness options, SNS - by 3 options.

With the advent of winter, fans of active sports are beginning to reconsider their equipment and uniforms. Someone likes simple and easy trails, so that they can slowly drive down and admire the incredible beauty of nature, capturing the most interesting moments on the camera. Someone, on the contrary, cannot imagine their life without speed and extreme sports. But both one and the other need the right and comfortable equipment. If the suit is responsible for the comfort and coziness of the skier, then the boots need to be chosen more carefully and deliberately. After all, properly selected ski shoes contribute not only to comfortable skiing, but are responsible for human safety.

Today, sporting goods and clothing stores offer their customers a wide range of products from various manufacturers. What ski boots are considered the most suitable for sports lovers? How to choose? What nuances to pay attention to?

Features and Benefits

Ready to go skiing? What needs to be done first? The answer is simple: pick up the equipment. And if novice skiers immediately rush to the choice of skis, studying the incredibly diverse and multifaceted assortment of items offered in stores, then experienced winter sports enthusiasts focus their attention on the choice of boots. Of course, it is important to be able to choose the right skis, but initially you should choose a boot. After all, comfort, convenience and safety of the feet while skiing are the key characteristics that should be followed when choosing ski boots.

A ski boot is a kind of link between skiers and skis. Today, sporting goods and accessories stores offer their customers a large selection of different models of ski boots, which can be classified according to many criteria: by gender, by size, by skiing style, by type of skiing, by various technical characteristics, by type of binding, etc. d.

NNN and SNS

For a good grip between the boot and skis, you need to carefully consider the choice of binding. There are two types of ski boot attachments (now we are not considering outdated options) - these are NNN and SNS. Having studied a lot of information on this issue, we can conclude that both systems are highly professional devices. They should not be compared in terms of which type of attachment is better. Both systems guarantee excellent ski-to-boot grip.

• NNN- a system that was developed by the Norwegian company Rottefella. The key feature of such a mount is the presence of a pair of parallel clamps, or they are also called stops, against which the toe of the ski boot rests. Four different stiffness options have been developed.

• SNS– system for fastening with cross-country skis. It has three degrees of hardness. Developed by the French company Salomon. Feature - the boot rests on one central latch.

These systems are not interchangeable. Accordingly, when choosing a pair of shoes, a person should be guided solely by their preferences, requirements and wishes.

fashion models

Ski boot companies offer today's outdoor enthusiasts a wide and varied selection of boots. If you think that the key classification provides for a distinction exclusively between male, female and children's models, then such a conclusion is completely wrong.

There are two main directions according to which all ski boots can be divided into groups:

According to riding style:

• for skating;
• for a traditional style or for a combined move;
• universal model.

According to the intended purpose:

• for cross-country skiing;
• for sports tourism;
• models for professionals;
• for recreational skiing.

materials

We are all used to the fact that the most practical and high-quality shoes are necessarily made of genuine leather. But this rule does not apply to ski boots. Of course, if you wish, you can find models that are made of genuine leather, but such products are not worth buying. First, they are overpriced. And secondly, as you know, the skin tends to slightly deform and stretch, which is categorically unacceptable in ski-type boots.

All well-known brands involved in the production and sale of sportswear and footwear use exclusively artificial leather (leatherette), which is coated on top with special impregnations (to repel moisture, for greater density, with a special layer of insulation). However, don't skimp on ski boots. As the saying goes, a miser pays twice. If you have purchased cheap fake boots of a well-known brand, then do not expect any extraordinary miracle from them.

How to choose

Properly selected ski boots guarantee comfortable and enjoyable skiing. At the same time, they securely fix the skier's leg, thereby preventing the possibility of injury, for example, when falling. It is necessary to choose skis only when you have already purchased or decided on the model of boots.

Criteria for choosing ski boots:

• The size. The inside of the boot must match the size of the foot. In no case do not take wide or long models, as they will not be able to tightly fix the foot of the foot. The boot can be butted, over time, the inner filler settles a little and takes the shape of the foot.

To choose the right size, you can resort to a simple method: take a piece of paper, put your foot and circle it with a pen. We cut out the "imprint" and together with it we go to the store, where a good assortment of ski boots is offered.