Black Diamond Helio 145 Binding
The Black Diamond Helio 145 is a rock-solid race binding that can be somewhat tailored to your size and aggressiveness. The binding is offered in three release-value settings and has three riser-heights to match your intended usage. Your choice of one of three predetermined release-values dictate the performance characteristics out of the box. The values are determined by a hidden lateral and swappable vertical heel-spring, both made of steel. The heel operates like a typical race binding with a flap covering the pins for uphill, but you can also spin the tower 180° to access a third, higher riser. Moving to the toe-piece, it had half of the wing-springs removed to reduce weight and complexity, but otherwise is a tried-and-true design that has the smoothest lever-action in the business. If you’ve never tried a race binding and are interested in having your mind blown, the BD Helio 145 is a great place to start.
- Your choice of 6, 8, or 10 in release values, both lateral and vertical.
- Roller bearings in the toe offer clean and crisp locking power.
- MonoLink Technology 1.0 removed half the toe-springs without sacrificing performance.
- Flat mode, heel-flap, and reversed heel-flap offer climbing versatility.
- Optional crampon slot takes Black Diamond Helio crampons.
| Specifications | |
|
Weight |
148g [8] |
| Weight (pair) | 296g [8] |
|
Boot |
Tech |
|
|
No |
|
BSL |
Optional plates |
|
Riser |
2 + flat |
|
Vertical |
6, 8, or 10 |
|
Lateral |
6, 8, or 10 |
|
Crampon |
Optional |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Aluminum alloy, stainless steel |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Speed touring, racing, mountaineering, adventure skiing, grand course racing |
| Notes | Extra riser accessed by spinning heel piece 180° |
| Bottom Line | The benchmark for versatility in a race binding |
| Compare to other Race Bindings | |
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Questions & Reviews
6/7/2021
My wife and I both have these bindings. We just got back from a multi-day ski tour and we both had heel pieces that we couldn’t rotate back from flat-on-ski to ski mode. No matter how hard we twisted (or banged) on the binding it wouldn’t rotate. In the end we removed the heel from the ski and disassembled the binding to get the pins pointed forward. After this happened a few times we gave up on the flat-on-ski mode. Neither of our bindings have seen much use and I don’t think we did anything strange to them. Any ideas? People praise the durability of the bindings but this is a major frustration. Thanks!
6/8/2021
Hey Chris, thanks for the question. Unfortunately, there seems to be an issue with the Helio 145 and now the older Helio 180 bindings. Lubing the binding with a tech binding specific grease or worst case scenario a silicon-based lubricant will fix the problem. Simply put a good amount at the base of the heel tower and rotate it back and forth many times. Let us know if you have any more questions!
6/8/2021
Thanks Zak, I’ll give that a try. How often do they need to be greased to prevent the problem?
6/10/2021
A few times a season should do it!
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I chose to get the Helio bindings because they are crazy durable, light, and they *do* have flat mode, which is super important for me because I use my race skis for long, flat traverses. I also like that they have a pretty flat delta angle for lightweight skis. I wanted bindings for 100+ mile traverses, so durability was super important to me. I have not been disappointed yet!
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Will update this review when I've got a hundred miles on them. Prior to mounting these, I was apprehensive about flat mode, stepping in, and the ease of switching between flat and heel lifters while skinning; I'd seen some people say you would have to bend over and turn the heel piece by hand, for instance, and there's a prominent review site out there stating that your boot would hit the heel piece in flat mode. However, so far I've had none of those issues. Flat more is truly flat, and to switch to the heel lifters, I just push the heel piece 90 degrees with my pole. It's easier than some flippy risers out there. Stepping in, for me, is as easy or easier than my Vipec Evos. Minus one star because the 30mm adjustment plates I have these mounted on really pick up snow in warm conditions. They're black with a matte, almost rough finish, rather than the polished, shiny finish of the other parts, and that surface has a lot more friction to the touch. That's not a problem with the bindings themselves, but since I'm guessing lots of people will be mounting these with the plate for versatility, I thought it was worth mentioning. Overall, these are awesome— really pleased with them so far.
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2/22/2021
I'm curious is the heel-flap/risers are swap out-able? Could you swap in a riser from the 200 for example for more flexibility?
2/22/2021
Hello Colin, the BD helio 145 risers cannot be swapped out with any other risers.
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I own the red Helio 180's which are just these with an adjustment base plate.
These are my favorite bindings yet because they're durable, simple, light, and have enough features for me. I'll be replacing my speed radicals with these and although I really enjoy the radicals I will not be looking back after skiing these. Any "race plus" binding is a worthy upgrade in my opinion.
The leashes suck and the closure gate broke on the first use but either don't use any or get the B&D leashes.
These are my favorite bindings yet because they're durable, simple, light, and have enough features for me. I'll be replacing my speed radicals with these and although I really enjoy the radicals I will not be looking back after skiing these. Any "race plus" binding is a worthy upgrade in my opinion.
The leashes suck and the closure gate broke on the first use but either don't use any or get the B&D leashes.
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1/5/2021
Do dynafit ski crampons work with these if you have the receptor?
1/6/2021
Hi Brian, yes but you may need to break in the fit a little for them to slide easily.
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11/28/2020
I’ve read that these have an issue touring flat- the back of the boot catches on the side of the spring. Does anyone have experience with this? Can you comfortably tour with the heel riser sideways and boot flat on the ski?
11/28/2020
Hi Ben, whether the flat-gap is large enough in soft snow (it's fine on hard snow) can depend on your size and the stiffness of your ski. It's possible to increase the gap if flat touring comfort is your primary concern.
3/21/2021
Yes, flat mode is flat and doesn't interfere with the boot, at least for me! Plus, you can turn the heel piece around with a ski pole to use the heel riser side.
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My new favorite binding for my non-race setups -- all my others are either Plum or a mix of Plum heels and Dynafit SSL toes.
Technically I have the 180, although since I initially mounted it without the adjustment plate, functionally I'm using the equivalent of the 145.
Details at my review of the 180, but everything just works really smoothly (as it should of course), and is nicely refined from ATK's constant evolution of its basic binding design over the years.
The big decision is whether to save $ initially and go with the 145, or spend a bit more on the 180 for all the accessories.
Technically I have the 180, although since I initially mounted it without the adjustment plate, functionally I'm using the equivalent of the 145.
Details at my review of the 180, but everything just works really smoothly (as it should of course), and is nicely refined from ATK's constant evolution of its basic binding design over the years.
The big decision is whether to save $ initially and go with the 145, or spend a bit more on the 180 for all the accessories.
Comment on this review:
3/22/2020
I'm thinking of replacing an old speed turn with Helio 145, will I be drilling new holes?
3/22/2020
Hi Kevin, for the Speed Turn 1.0, you'll be plugging a hole in the toes and completely re-drilling the heels. More info here.
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The Helio 145 and Helio 180 are extremely trustworthy bindings that are very lightweight. The changeable release value springs are a great way to reduce weight without sacrificing adjustability, all the while decreasing complexity. I skied the Helio 180 most of last season, and I decided to purchase another pair, just without the plate or crampon holder for a new pair of skis this season. I will say that I somewhat prefer the simpler, more elegant nature of the 145. These bindings have never pre-released for me (I am ~180lbs and 5'11", skiing an 8 release value), and I regularly trust them to hold onto my skis in all but the most extreme falls. Stop reading this bland internet review and get yourself a pair.
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1/30/2020
Do these come with the crampon receptor, or is that separate?
1/30/2020
Hey Brandon, the crampon receptor is sold separately!
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BD Helio 145 / ATK Trofeo - imo, one of the best pin bindings ever made. It's bombproof and weighs "only" 145g, a bit more comparing to other race oriented bindings but it's totally worth the 30g penalty. I'm 192cm tall, weigh 92kg and really abused two pairs of Trofeos during the last two winters. I use 8 spring and it's stiff enough even for very aggresive skiing, binding released only once when I crashed at high speed - toe remained locked though. They are super solid, after two winters (I train on skis 4-5 days a week) bindings still work just fine, no signs of wear or damage.
The only issue I find are the heel flaps which could be designed a little better, there is a bit of effort required to flip especially when cold.
The only issue I find are the heel flaps which could be designed a little better, there is a bit of effort required to flip especially when cold.
4/13/2019
Marek, the heel flap is meant to catch on the U-spring, but you could ease the flap with a bit of careful filing or grinding.
4/15/2019
Yes I'm aware of that, just mentioned it because obviously this should be designed better.
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3/12/2019
Could you please tell me the weight of one toe unit, no screws? thanks
3/13/2019
Brendan, Measured both toes , 81.8 and 81.9 grams. very close tolerance.
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1/28/2019
how wide is the mounting pattern on the toe piece?
1/28/2019
Hi Emily, it's 30mm wide. Details here.
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11/6/2018
will an atk crampon work with these bindings, provided i have the crampon receptor?
11/6/2018
Hey Mike! They sure will!
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10/22/2018
Are the release springs separately available? And are they swappable into any of the ATK race bindings (SL/SL-R)? Was hopping to put an 10 spring in mine (instead of the ~8 that's in there).
10/22/2018
Hi Brian, in theory the release springs are available separately though we have not seen them yet. However, the heel springs are not universally interchangeable and, specifically, the 145 springs will not fit in the SL bindings.
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