ATK C-Raider 12 Binding
Like the renaissance in Europe, we too, as the backcountry skiing community, are experiencing a renaissance in technology after enduring the dark, dark years that saw the usage of such torture devices known as “frame bindings.” Front and center in this rebirth is ATK, who with their introduction of the Raider series, delivered a durable and lightweight binding that could satisfy the appetite of even the most demanding skiers. Fast forward in time, and they have delivered yet again with the introduction of the C-Raider 12. By utilizing more carbon in its construction, the binding artisans have produced an even lighter version -- for ATK, carbon means bombproof at the lowest weight. The designers kept the same wide mounting pattern, 12mm of rearward heel travel, and stalwart construction that made the original immensely popular. If you are done using torture devices masquerading as ski bindings and want a light binding that packs a punch, the ATK C-Raider 12 won’t let you down.
- Release values range from 5-12 to accommodate a wide range of skiers.
- Five riser heights ensure you get the right efficiency level for whatever the day has in store.
- 12mm of travel in the Elastic Response System gives you plenty of cushion for the pushin’.
- Easy Entry System makes stepping into your toe piece, well, easy.
- Snowpack Proof keeps snow buildup to a minimum.
- Cam Release System in the heel piece guides your boot in place for a more consistent vertical release.
- Magneto Heel Flaps keep the heel risers where they are needed.
- 25mm of adjustment accommodates a wide range of boots.
| Specifications | |
|
Weight |
326g [97mm] |
| Weight (pair) | 652g [97mm] |
|
Boot |
Tech |
|
Brakes |
86, 91, 97, 102, 108, 120 |
|
BSL |
25mm |
|
Riser |
4 + flat |
|
Vertical |
5-12 |
|
Lateral |
5-12 |
|
Crampon |
Included option |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
7075 aluminum, stainless steel, POM, 30% carbon fiber composite |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | All day everyday touring binding |
| Notes | Sturdy lightweight tourer |
| Bottom Line | Generously blessed with features but not grams |
| Compare to other Full-featured Bindings | |
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Questions & Reviews
4/29/2023
I usually ski with a release value of 6.5 or 7. Would it be better to buy the 10 version instead of the 12, since my value is more in the middle of the range of the 10 version? And: On the ATK page it says C-Raider 10: 40-80kg bodyweight, C-Raider 12: 50-100kg weight. I weigh 80kg but I think the materials used in both versions are identical? How come they have a different body weight range? Thanks a lot!
4/29/2023
Hi Tom, you'd be fine with the 10. Indeed, the materials are the same between the bindings, it's just a spring difference. ATK is just providing a guideline but calculating your RV is more precise.
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4/11/2023
1. Is there a downside to using the brake seat cover instead of the brakes (and using a leach), other than the actual braking mechanism?
2. I see a C-Raider 10 which would be more in the range of my usual DIN setting of 6. Is it otherwise identical to the C-Raider 12?
2. I see a C-Raider 10 which would be more in the range of my usual DIN setting of 6. Is it otherwise identical to the C-Raider 12?
4/11/2023
Hi Lars, no downside to using the Brake Seat cover if you don't want to use brakes! Plenty of folks are skiing that combination.
The C-Raider 10 and 12 are identical other than the release values.
The C-Raider 10 and 12 are identical other than the release values.
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2/17/2023
Curious how much weight you would save by removing the brake and adding the brake seat cover in it's place?
2/18/2023
Hi Parker,
I found the weight savings to be ~37g with the 91mm brakes. Thanks!
I found the weight savings to be ~37g with the 91mm brakes. Thanks!
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2/8/2023
Hi there-
Could I make a 102mm brake on the C-Raider work with a 105mm underfoot ski? I know sometimes there is some wiggle room depending on brand. Thanks!
Could I make a 102mm brake on the C-Raider work with a 105mm underfoot ski? I know sometimes there is some wiggle room depending on brand. Thanks!
2/8/2023
Hi Seth, it depends on the shape of your sidewalls and how long your boot is, but there is a decent chance that would work out of the box. A bit of bending might be required.
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2/6/2023
Hey I was wondering what material the other than carbon components are on the toe piece.
I thought this binding was mostly aluminum. How is ATK deal with galvanic corrosion between aluminum and carbon? This can happen pretty quickly when exposed to water (snow).
Best, Jesse
I thought this binding was mostly aluminum. How is ATK deal with galvanic corrosion between aluminum and carbon? This can happen pretty quickly when exposed to water (snow).
Best, Jesse
2/6/2023
Hi Jesse, the toe is a composite...carbon-infused plastic. It should not have corrosion issues.
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1/3/2023
Is the C-raider compatible with the freeride space?
thanks
thanks
1/3/2023
Catalina,
Yes, they are compatible with the Raider freeride spacers!
Yes, they are compatible with the Raider freeride spacers!
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12/22/2022
94 under foot, which brake would work?
12/22/2022
Hi Hollie, if you ski has a cap construction you could get away with the 91s. Square sidewalls I'd go with the 97s.
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12/14/2022
Is that weight with the brakes or without?
12/14/2022
Hi Shane, these are weighed with the 97mm brakes.
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9/6/2022
I have a pair of the c-raider bindings that i skiied on for a week and then removed from a ski i did not like and sold. I have a pair of dps pagoda tours with fritschi tecton bindings. I am wondering if i should put the atks on them to save a pound of weight. I know i will need to buy new brakes. Your thoughts?
9/6/2022
Hey Damon, I would remove the Tectons and add the C-Raiders. Lighter is always better and the DPS Pagodas would look great with them!
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5/16/2022
Hey
Im planing on putting these (Atk raider 12 c) on a pair of Ripstick Tour 94 s and was wounding with break length to go with (91 or 97)?
Im planing on putting these (Atk raider 12 c) on a pair of Ripstick Tour 94 s and was wounding with break length to go with (91 or 97)?
5/16/2022
Spencer, The ATK brakes fit a bit wider than the stated width. The 91 mm will fit fine.
12/23/2022
Will you have to bend them at all?
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5/14/2022
What brake size will fit a 100mm underfoot and a 90mm underfoot? Is there enough wiggle room to size down to decrease chances of the brake hitting on steep firm slopes? Also... what is the ramp angle of these? Thanks!
5/14/2022
Hey Greg, the goal is to get as close to the underfoot width as possible. You can size down and bend out the brake arms, but you can only stretch them so far. I would say max 4mm. For the 90mm underfoot ski the 91mm will work best and for the 100mm underfoot ski the 102mm would be ideal. We do sell brakes separately, here if the ideal brake width is out of stock. The ramp angle of the C-Raiders is 10mm.
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3/19/2022
Is there an ATK binding comparison chart available? So confused by all the variations of the ATK raider series accross ATK, Hagan, Black Diamond, DPS, etc. branding. How does the this version of the raider compare to the non carbon version of the ATK raider 12? Worth the extra $ for more durability?
3/19/2022
Hey Travis, click here for a comparison between the Raider series of bindings. In essence, the Raider type binding for DPS, ATK, and Hagan are all the same binding with different badging (though some of the bindings may come with freeride spacers and or toe shims in the packaging). The C-Raider uses a different toe piece compared to the other bindings, and it seems to be holding up quite well! If you're after most of the functionality of the Raider series, but want a little less weight, go with the C-Raider 12. If you like the idea of having an aluminum toepiece and or the added features found in the aluminum toepiece (such as the uphill hardness variator), go for any of the aluminum versions that match your desired release value.
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I've only skied these three days so far, but in a variety of late winter PNW conditions, including some great conditions for "testing" a binding: boot deep refreezing mank (yum!). I have them on Ogso Couturiers (185cm, 108mm underfoot) and skied mostly with Scarpa Maestrales and a half day of touring in Scarpa F1s. I'm 5'10", 175lbs, aggressive skier (but no big drops) and have them set at 7 on the release scale.
Short form review: strong, easy to use, very well made, and light enough.
Stepping into the toe is intuitive, and without skins on made easier by brakes holding the ski in place (relative to no brakes/leashes). Even on day one I had better than 80% success stepping into the toe in on first attempt. The hike mode lever is easy by hand and doable with the top nub of ski pole grip (especially with the Dynafit poles). Satisfying click sound and feel when locking in hike mode.
The heel in hike mode gives more riser heights than may be necessary, but it's nice to have the higher height riser without spinning the heel piece. Except for long flat approaches, hiking is comfortable on the flap over the heel pins on lower angle climbs and the higher height for steeper sections. Stepping into the heel for ski mode requires noticeably less force than other tech heels I've used (Dynafit, Ski Trab). Again, with a smooth, satisfying and confidence-inspiring sound and feel. The brakes are super slick and easy. For this ski and how I'll use them (shorter and softer tours + ~30% lift-served), I'm willing to carry the added grams in trade for convenience of brakes.
How do they ski? So far they've been flawless in a range of conditions, including aforementioned refreezing mank, 6" of fresh on a carvable base (both dry north face and wet south face), lift-served spring, and lift served firm. I haven't released yet, but also haven't fallen where I wanted to release. Maybe the most I've tested them - laterally, at least - was entering too fast into a narrow chute in the area with bigger and firmer moguls than I expected. I barely held it together as I got bounced around and scrubbed speed chattering on a steep icy patch, but the bindings held tight; hard to know, but guessing the elasticity in the heel helped matters.
All in all these are rock solid Italian jewelry. I'm psyched to have them.
Short form review: strong, easy to use, very well made, and light enough.
Stepping into the toe is intuitive, and without skins on made easier by brakes holding the ski in place (relative to no brakes/leashes). Even on day one I had better than 80% success stepping into the toe in on first attempt. The hike mode lever is easy by hand and doable with the top nub of ski pole grip (especially with the Dynafit poles). Satisfying click sound and feel when locking in hike mode.
The heel in hike mode gives more riser heights than may be necessary, but it's nice to have the higher height riser without spinning the heel piece. Except for long flat approaches, hiking is comfortable on the flap over the heel pins on lower angle climbs and the higher height for steeper sections. Stepping into the heel for ski mode requires noticeably less force than other tech heels I've used (Dynafit, Ski Trab). Again, with a smooth, satisfying and confidence-inspiring sound and feel. The brakes are super slick and easy. For this ski and how I'll use them (shorter and softer tours + ~30% lift-served), I'm willing to carry the added grams in trade for convenience of brakes.
How do they ski? So far they've been flawless in a range of conditions, including aforementioned refreezing mank, 6" of fresh on a carvable base (both dry north face and wet south face), lift-served spring, and lift served firm. I haven't released yet, but also haven't fallen where I wanted to release. Maybe the most I've tested them - laterally, at least - was entering too fast into a narrow chute in the area with bigger and firmer moguls than I expected. I barely held it together as I got bounced around and scrubbed speed chattering on a steep icy patch, but the bindings held tight; hard to know, but guessing the elasticity in the heel helped matters.
All in all these are rock solid Italian jewelry. I'm psyched to have them.
Comment on this review:
3/11/2022
Can you remove the brake from the atk raider 12c?
3/11/2022
Hi John,
Yes you can remove the brakes from the ATK C-Raider 12! All you need is a small torx screw driver, and a brake seat cover from our ATK Binding Parts listing.
Yes you can remove the brakes from the ATK C-Raider 12! All you need is a small torx screw driver, and a brake seat cover from our ATK Binding Parts listing.
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3/6/2022
Has anyone noticed a discernable improvement in dampness using these carbon-infused toe pieces in comparison to the standard metal Raider toes?
3/8/2022
Hey Ben, no one has commented that there is any improvement with dampness between the two toes. The purpose of the carbon-infused toes is purely to save weight.
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1/18/2022
Hey, do these work with Dynafit ski crampons?
1/18/2022
Hi Luca, they sure will! The Dynafit bar gets along nicely with the ATK crampon receptor.
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1/7/2022
Atk raider 12 c
Not sure if a should use brakes , and is the free ride spacer that much better .
What’s your pro and cons
Thanks
Rob
Not sure if a should use brakes , and is the free ride spacer that much better .
What’s your pro and cons
Thanks
Rob
1/7/2022
Thanks for your question, Rob. Typically, brakes are useful for helping arrest a runaway ski and to keep a ski in place when clicking in. The downside to brakes is that they provide the aforementioned benefits with irregularity, making their complexity and weight unattractive to some. Regarding the freeride spacer, it acts to transmit power to the ski, which would be noticeable in more variable conditions, or if you're driving a bigger ski. If you find yourself hucking cliffs or driving hard through variable conditions, go for the spacer. If you aren't doing big airs and mostly ski in more forgiving snow types (powder or corn) you should be fine without it. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
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