Holy stoppers: the Atomic Backland Tour binding with an innovative brake! Weighing in at a svelte 325g per side, this binding flaunts one of the highest feature-per-gram ratios we’ve seen. It includes all the creature comforts necessary to coax you into doing just one more lap. In addition to all the bullet points from the brakeless version, the Backland Tour + Brake offers five widths to choose from to perfectly fit your skis. The brakes have a reliable on/off switch to change the sinister-looking arms from walk mode to ski mode (a move that can be accomplished without stepping out of the ski). The binding is refreshingly simple, straightforward, and has a logical approach to stopping a backcountry ski.
The toe piece is a sturdy beast that features uphill tech-efficiency and serious downhill chops. An oversized lever increases ice-breaking and socket-clearing power while a patented aid helps with step-in. The heel piece adjusts 30mm for different boots and offers a flat-on-ski mode to ameliorate those long approaches. Two risers help with climbing once you get there. An integrated crampon receptor has you ready for spring. Interestingly, the Backland comes with three release springs that let you swap between mens, womens, and expert level settings. The Atomic Backland platform is a simple, capable, user-friendly binding that includes a lot-a-bit of everything for just a little-bit of weight.
Three easily-swapped release-springs included: men’s, women’s, and expert.
Patented Step-In Aid means you won’t subject yourself to Dyna-fiddle during transitions.
Three climbing positions include a flat mode and two beautifully machined lifters.
30mm adjustment track offers plenty of flexibility to accommodate a boot-quiver.
Five brake sizes to choose from: 80mm, 90mm, 100mm, 110mm, 120mm.
Note: This binding accepts both Plum and Dynafit crampons, though with the latter the included crampon keeper clip must be used to prevent any lateral movement during use.
Update 2018/19: Just a new "gunmetal" grey color, the Backland stays the same otherwise.
The heel risers are born with a “clicking” action, where they snap into place beneath your heel. Its a cool little flip trick and you will be much quicker than your friends. This flipping clicking action wears out, and its hard to describe, but you will lose the ability to use your heel risers. I saw another review on a different page, same story. I have skied competitively with these bindings for 2 seasons and it just started happening. I really love these bindings, and I am sad that they broke and I will keep using my sad broken bindings without heel risers. If you do buy them, because they are rad, keep your receipt and try to break them under two years for the warranty claim. Don’t lose the proof of purchase :)
1. My wife and I are both looking at these bindings, but we are unsure if our current boots will work with them; we have K2 Mindbender 120 (mens) and Atomic Hawx Ultra 95 (womens)? Likely looking to get a lighter, touring specific boot in the future, just not sure we wanted to do it yet...
2. The new pair of skis my wife just got are 112 underfoot, that seems doable with the 110 brake... but my question is would that be better than bumping all the way to the 120?
Hey Tom, as long as your boots have metal tech fittings at the toe and heel, they should work just fine with this binding! Atomic has many boots with "Hawx" in the name, but only the "Hawx Ultra XTD" models have metal tech fittings. Finally, the 110mm brake option should be just fine for that 112mm underfoot ski, but bump up to the 120mm if she thinks she'll be on a wider ski in the future!
Hi Bruce, Atomic doesn't give any figures. There are variables such as with or without brakes, the boot and BSL. If you are looking for a specific release for you, please visit our binding finder.
Any chances I can stretch a 100 mm Salomon ski brake to fit a 105 waist ski? I have a pair of Scott Super Guide 105 skis..Just wondered. I already have the 100 mm brakes, bought from SkiMo. Or could I exchange the 100 mm brakes for a set of 105 brakes?
Hey Raymond! Yeah, in theory you could definitely bend them though obviously there's a limit to what they're capable of. Next size up from 100mm is 110mm and it looks like we have them in stock here.
Here's a picture of the Dynafit crampon keeper installed. It'll save the crampon and binding from marring each other up by keeping it centered, otherwise it has the potential to slide back and forth when lifted above ~45°.
