Atomic Backland Summit 12 Binding & Brake
The Backland Summit 12 binding offers a compelling feature set without all the extra weight. Being constructed primarily with glass-infused polyamide (PA), a thermoplastic known for its high performance-to-weight ratio, the Summit 12 keeps the weight down but is robust enough for season after season of use. With the introduction of the AutoFlex System, the Summit 12 compensates for ski compression, allowing you to lay the ski on edge and drop off features with confidence. The patented Step-in Aid makes stepping into the bindings so easy that you’ll be locked in and ready to climb while your pals are still fiddling around with their toe pin alignment. Compared to the Backland Tour binding, the Summit 12 has a PA construction, adjustable lateral release, and 8mm of total rearward travel. If you value reliability and performance in a binding, the Summit 12 very well may be for you.
- Adjustable lateral release values between 6-12 let you find the right setting.
- AutoFlex System helps prevent pre-releasing by allowing the heel piece to travel backward with ski compression.
- Step-In Aid helps you to step in the toe piece the first time, every time.
- Flat with two riser options lets you find the climbing position that's just right.
- Over-the-pin heel flaps mean you don't have to rotate the heel to climb.
- Heel adjustment track has a whopping 50mm range.
- Softer spring option available in the Summit 9.
| Specifications | |
|
Weight |
399g [90mm] |
| Weight (pair) | 798g [90mm] |
|
Boot |
Tech |
|
Brakes |
80, 90, 100, 110, 120 |
|
BSL |
50mm |
|
Riser |
2 + flat |
|
Vertical |
Fixed |
|
Lateral |
6-12 |
|
Crampon |
Yes |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Aluminum body, steel pins, high-strength plastic housing |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Touring, mountaineering, big missions |
| Bottom Line | Good features, lightweight, robust |
| Compare to other Lean Bindings | |
Related Products
Questions & Reviews
We haven't officially measured it yet, but from my very rough measurements, it's about 7mm. 34.5 in the front, 41.5 in the back.
Is this binding intended/marketed to be MORE beefy than the previous Backland/Pure/MTN binding from Atomic/Salomon? It's partially plastic/composite and the footprint seems a bit wider esp. at the toe, but I don't know if that makes it stronger. Is the lateral adjustment really the only difference functionally?
Thank you.
From a user standpoint, the brakes are essentially the same in terms of their mechanism/function. However, they do mount differently to the new heel of the binding. So they would not be backwards compatible with the old ones. I weighed one and it came in at 99 grams without the mounting hardware.
I do believe you could mount the binding without the brake and it would be functional. However, the brakeless version has a cover that fills in the gaps that would be left without the brake, whereas the braked model does not come with this cover. So if you want to run brakeless, I would just wait and grab the brakeless version. Without the cover you might have some more snow buildup on the heel plate.
Earn store credit by writing reviews. Learn more.
