Black Diamond’s line of Helio bindings is exciting and the 180 represents an impressive amount of innovation and versatility, all while staying below the 200g benchmark. First, choose your release value: 6, 8, or 10. Next, feel how simple it is to enter a toe-piece that only has springs on one wing, and feel the smooth operation of the toe-lever as you lock it into uphill mode. Then, adjust the heel to whichever boot you want to use that day. Finally, go ski anything you feel like for years to come because it’s durable and has easily-replaceable wear-items. It even has multiple riser-heights: a flat-mode plus two climbers. If the standard race-style heel-flap isn’t cutting it for you, spin the heel piece 180° and reverse the heel flap for a third position and a boost up the hill. The Black Diamond Helio 180 comes with a pair of adjustment plates, crampon receptors, and leashes, making it a more versatile version of the 145 (otherwise it’s the same aside from the color).
- Your choice of 6, 8, or 10 in release strength, both lateral and vertical.
- Included adjustment plates and leashes for BSL changes and security.
- Monolink toe piece is as powerful and smooth as it is light.
- Replaceable steel fork is durable and easily swapped.
- Included crampon receptor (+8g) is compatible with Helio ski crampons.
- A pair of Helio Leashes is also included.
| Specifications | |
|
Weight |
188g [8] |
| Weight (pair) | 376g [2] |
|
Boot |
Tech |
|
Brakes |
None |
|
BSL |
28mm |
|
Riser |
2 + flat |
|
Vertical |
6, 8, or 10 |
|
Lateral |
6, 8, or 10 |
|
Crampon |
Removable accessory |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Aluminum alloy, stainless steel |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Speed touring, weekly racing, adventure skiing, light 'n fast use and abuse, grand course racing |
| Notes | Extra riser accessed by spinning heel piece 180° |
| Bottom Line | Helio 145 with bonus features |
| Compare to other Race Bindings | |
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Questions & Reviews
3/15/2021
12/19/2020
I just switch from cable bindings to at gear. I like the step in binding and don't mind the locked heel when going down hill, but having to take your ski off to release the heel seems totally restrictive. Anyone out there have suggestions for a way to release heel without taking off the ski? Seems like a sliding heel plate would do the job, but I'm not much of an engineer. The heel would only have to move back a quarter inch and the mechanism would need to "lock" in forward position. This would probably add to weight of binding but would sure make the at gear more back country friendly.
Thanks
Thanks
12/19/2020
Hi Dave, that can take a bit to get used to! Andrew McLean had a pole trick that I never mastered (or don't want to try with carbon poles).
FYI there are a few bindings with a heel-exit feature. The Fritschi Tecton, Ski Trab TR-2, Marker Kingpin all have it. Nothing in the super lite category though.
FYI there are a few bindings with a heel-exit feature. The Fritschi Tecton, Ski Trab TR-2, Marker Kingpin all have it. Nothing in the super lite category though.
Answer this question:
My favorite binding model now for all-around use. My pair is mounted on an 87mm waist ski, with Scarpa Alien 3.0 boots. Everything about it is so nicely evolved via ATK's constant refinements over the years to its race line-up. But a bit more robust than an all-out race model with a weight penalty that isn't noticeable.
The steel pins avoid any wear issues (i.e., as opposed to the Ti pins on so many all-out race models), and the 8 release setting seems about right. (Just be warned though that the pins are *not* compatible with the all-out race models from ATK, as the interface is a bit different.) The ability to skin with a slightly higher heel elevator (i.e., via flipping the heel cover all the way back then rotating the heel 180 degrees) is also a nice plus, as is the closely nestled heel piece contour when in flat mode. (Just be sure to mount the heel correctly as shown in ATK pictures, *NOT* in the backwards BD picture -- but since the mounting pattern is symmetrical fore/aft, you can fix any mistake by reusing the same holes.)
The toe springs seem a bit softer than on the all-out race models, or at least I have twisted out while skinning with the toe lever in ski mode, which has never happened on my race bindings -- then again, that could just be the difference in skintracks, but either way, you definitely want to pull the toe lever up into tour mode when skinning.
The accessory package that comes with the binding is also impressive, and everything the accessories is first rate. Plus you can mount the binding directly to the ski initially, then add the plate later. Ditto for the crampon clips.
my pair seems about right
The steel pins avoid any wear issues (i.e., as opposed to the Ti pins on so many all-out race models), and the 8 release setting seems about right. (Just be warned though that the pins are *not* compatible with the all-out race models from ATK, as the interface is a bit different.) The ability to skin with a slightly higher heel elevator (i.e., via flipping the heel cover all the way back then rotating the heel 180 degrees) is also a nice plus, as is the closely nestled heel piece contour when in flat mode. (Just be sure to mount the heel correctly as shown in ATK pictures, *NOT* in the backwards BD picture -- but since the mounting pattern is symmetrical fore/aft, you can fix any mistake by reusing the same holes.)
The toe springs seem a bit softer than on the all-out race models, or at least I have twisted out while skinning with the toe lever in ski mode, which has never happened on my race bindings -- then again, that could just be the difference in skintracks, but either way, you definitely want to pull the toe lever up into tour mode when skinning.
The accessory package that comes with the binding is also impressive, and everything the accessories is first rate. Plus you can mount the binding directly to the ski initially, then add the plate later. Ditto for the crampon clips.
my pair seems about right
Comment on this review:
This is pretty much the perfect touring binding imo. There isn't any single killer feature, but there are no gimmicks, and everything about it is exactly as you'd want it. The rotation into flat mode isn't so stiff as to be unpleasant like with Plums. The heel flaps stay in place, but can still be lifted with a ski pole handle at transition time to avoid wearing out your gloves / bending over again. The toepiece is easy to step into and once you're in, you stay in. These can be skied very hard without the toes locked. The adjustment plate offers lots of sizes, more than I can imagine a single person needing unless their feet are still growing. Flat mode + single riser (technically it has a "high" riser too via 180º rotation but I've never bothered to try it), BSL adjustment, 6 8 or 10 RV, simple transitions. The price point for the BD branded version is a little high, but they're basically perfect. Maybe if you're racing you go lighter, or if you're a huge dude you get something like a Tecton, but for me this is basically the only binding I can see myself buying from here on. Unlike all the other bindings I've used and liked (Kreuzspitze SCTT, Trab Gara Titan, Plum 150, Speed Superlite, Radical ST, Ion LT, etc etc) there's no tiny nitpicky improvement I can think of.
Comment on this review:
3/30/2020
hey folks...this is my second season on the Helio 180 and I've really liked them. I've noticed this season toward the end of longer tours that the heal piece does not want to rotate into flat mode. Anyone else have this problem? Is there some maintenance routine I can do to improve this function? Thanks!
3/30/2020
Thanks for your question, Justin! This is not a common problem we have seen with this binding. Black Diamond does recommend lubricating the rotating parts after extended storage or inactivity. Please click here for more information on their maintenance procedures and recommendations.
4/23/2021
Came to ask the same question, did you ever solve this Justin? I've have had the same problem with the heel piece on the Helio 145's not rotating back into flat mode and only have about 6-7 tours on them.
4/26/2021
Yep...i got some lube from ATK, took the heal piece apart, cleaned it up and applied the lube. They've worked well all season.
2/11/2023
Justin - I'm having the same issue. How did you disassemble them? Is it just a matter of removing the bolt inside of the heel tower? Mine won't budge..
2/14/2023
Hi alex...yes, that's right. I had to spray some wd-40 in there to loosen it up. Then the bolt went easy and applying the lube was straightforward. Good luck!
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3/27/2020
Do you know if BD will rebrand the ATK Raider 12 2.0 bindings. FYI, in 20/21, ATK will move the brake from the toe to the a heal mount?
3/27/2020
Hey Charlie,
Black Diamond will not be rebranding the ATK Raider 12 2.0. We do have the Hagan Core Binding which is that binding rebranded by Hagan. For next season the brake will move from the toe to the heel and we will have it available as the Hagan Core Ultra.
Black Diamond will not be rebranding the ATK Raider 12 2.0. We do have the Hagan Core Binding which is that binding rebranded by Hagan. For next season the brake will move from the toe to the heel and we will have it available as the Hagan Core Ultra.
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3/5/2020
The binding release value calculator tells me 8.5 if I say I am a type III skier. Is it crazy to go up to release value 10 if i'm planning to use these as a more mountaineering / high consequence oriented ski?
3/6/2020
Hey Nick, we don't usually recommend a big jump up in RV, but going to a higher RV and/or locking your toes might be worth it to you if it's better to break a leg than have a ski come off! It's very challenging to make that individual risk management decision on behalf of another person.
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2/26/2020
Are crampon receptors compatible with Dynafit bindings? Thank you!
2/27/2020
The crampon receptors included with the Helio 180 are compatible with Helio, Dynafit, and ATK ski crampons!
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1/20/2020
How hard is it to rotate the heal piece. And does a higher din setting make it more difficult to rotate? I tried rotating the heal piece unmounted (din 10) and it was almost impossible to rotate. Thanks
1/21/2020
Hi David, while we don't have a Newton-meter measurement to give you for the lateral release on the Helio 180, the 10 release-value on the Helio 145/180 will definitely be harder to rotate than the 6 or 8. You may also be experiencing difficulties with the machined detents on the heel piece. Feel free to fill out our Binding Finder to get a recommendation on what might work well for you!
12/18/2020
Problem solved after mounting. This gives added leverage you don’t have when unmounted.
12/18/2020
Ah yes, David, turning some of these race heels unmounted can be quite difficult! We often use clamps to get them turned for mounting purposes.
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12/11/2019
How usable is the flat touring mode on this binding? Is there a detent? I read one review that mentioned hitting the back of the boot against the binding a lot in flat mode, but I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else.
12/11/2019
Hey Michael! We've had good results with the Helio 180 (and its fixed-mount sibling, the Helio 145) going into flat mode using a small composite nubbin on the rear of the heel post that rotates through a track in the base and sits into a small detent in the rear of the binding. As with any binding, there is some risk that your ski will flex while in flat mode and your boot heel will hit the binding heel, but I wouldn't say it's a particular problem on the Helios.
1/15/2020
Michael, if we're referencing the same review, that problem was because the reviewer mounted the binding backwards, as shown in the BD promotional picture.
The plate difference is just cosmetic with the BD graphics. But the base of the binding pedestal is not symmetrical.
If you look at the BD picture for the Helio 145, that orientation is correct. But in the picture for the BD 180, the plate needs to be flipped 180 degrees, and then the binding flipped 180 degrees on its pedestal.
Otherwise, the contours of the heel unit when spun 90 degrees will not allow for sufficient clearance of the boot heel, as one part of the heel unit hits the boot heel before the rest of the heel unit. When mounted correctly, the contours of the binding are cleverly designed to mimic the contours of the boot heel when the binding is rotating 90 degrees.
The plate difference is just cosmetic with the BD graphics. But the base of the binding pedestal is not symmetrical.
If you look at the BD picture for the Helio 145, that orientation is correct. But in the picture for the BD 180, the plate needs to be flipped 180 degrees, and then the binding flipped 180 degrees on its pedestal.
Otherwise, the contours of the heel unit when spun 90 degrees will not allow for sufficient clearance of the boot heel, as one part of the heel unit hits the boot heel before the rest of the heel unit. When mounted correctly, the contours of the binding are cleverly designed to mimic the contours of the boot heel when the binding is rotating 90 degrees.
1/15/2020
Makes sense, that's good to know. Thanks Jonathan!
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11/15/2019
What is the height of the tallest riser? How does this compare with Kreuzspitze EL?
11/16/2019
Hi Patrick, the tallest riser is ~48mm off the deck, with an effective delta of around 39mm. Check out our chart of riser heights to compare it to everything else.
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11/9/2019
Are these compatible with the ATK R15 ski brake? Knowing that ATK makes these and they look just like the ATK Trofeo Plus. Thanks!
11/9/2019
Greg, yes the ATK touring brake will work with this. Unfortunately, we do not have any.
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9/20/2019
Would these be appropriate to mount on a wider ski for all-mountain, deep pow skiing conditions in the steeps? I have a pair of Atomic Backland 109s that I want to put these on.
9/20/2019
Hey Dylan, as long as the release value is appropriate and you aren’t legitimately hucking massive cliffs, these bindings can handle it! Sounds like a great powder setup.
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5/29/2019
Cal
(used product a few times)
Just got a set of these bindings on Voile V6 skis. I only have two laps on them, but I really like them! Very nice build quality, they work great, and are very light-weight. The single-sided swing arm design seems to make them easier to step into than other tech pin bindings I've tried. Nice that they include the adjustment plate for the heels. The flap gives you two different riser heights, but one is only a little higher than the other. If they made the flap a little differently (thicker), then the "spun" position could give more lift. Usually I don't need that, though.
Comment on this review:
3/20/2019
jaudall
(used product regularly)
I've loved the helio 180 binding. I've had them on helio 95 skis. It clips in and out smoothly. Until recently, it was a five star binding for me. I have skied them quite a few days this year and I had a few good drops in British Columbia. Now the articulating pins on both sides of the toe piece now works its way loose as I skin. It makes an annoying click when engaged and skinning. I have to be sure to check them, and often bang them into place before skiing down. I'm waiting to hear from BD warranty. Maybe I'll revise the stars based on my interaction with the warranty.
Comment on this review:
3/11/2019
I'm not positive, but it looks like the rear baseplate (the part just on top of the adjustment plate) is mounted 180 degrees the wrong way in the photo. Most of the ATK photos have it mounted the other way around.
3/11/2019
Good eye, Charles, you are correct. The BD stock photo is a little off, hehe.
Reply to this comment:
2/11/2019
does the helio 200 offer any features this doesn't have? besides the obvious adjustable release setting. As in, besides the adjustable release value, why would someone get the helio 200 over the 180?
2/12/2019
Hi Dano, release adjustability and more riser options are the main additional features. It also has a lighter toe piece as well, if that matters to you.
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2/9/2019
Can this be mounted without the rear adjustment plate? Will my local shop need a HELIO 180/145 specific jig in order to mount this or is the bolt pattern somewhat universal and similar to other more common bindings for which they might have a jog for?
Thanks!
Thanks!
2/9/2019
David. Your shop Would need a jig for Helio, Hagan or ATK bindings to mount any Helio. The adjustment plate on the 180 does not match up with any other binding. IF they do not have any jigs, mounting the 180 with the adjustment plate is easier. Mounting a fixed heel would not be recommended without a proper jig.
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11/30/2018
What range of boot sizes will the adjustment plate accommodate?
11/30/2018
Hi Nick, it has 28mm of adjustment so you can comfortably cover three whole sizes of the same boot model.
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8/9/2018
It looked like in promo materials this binding would come with the crampon receptor. But here it appears that is inaccurate.
Do you know how much the crampon holder will cost?
Do you know how much the crampon holder will cost?
8/9/2018
Hey TZed. It's definitely confusing. According to BD it sounds like the Helio 180 and 200 will both come with crampon receptors. We will see if that's accurate when the bindings show up in house, but it sounds like it's going to come with it.
2/13/2019
Is there a definite answer on this? From the description, it looks like it comes with the crampon receptor.
2/13/2019
Hi Charles, it does! In fact, it's already installed in the box.
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