I have rode these binding about 10 times this season and I really love them. They are by far the easiest touring bindings to get into. I have put them into some majesty carbon supernova's, skied 1 foot deep powder, ice crust and open corn fields and they have delivered great power transfer.
My ONLY complaint are the dang heal risers, they seam to have a mind of there own when skinning through flat terrain. When the binding is rotated for touring, the magnets want to hold the risers engaged. This is great for when your climbing, but when you are going on long flat approaches or downhill skinning they flip up and then you have to flip them back. I just have a little rubber band that I clip from the break to the risers if I go on long approaches now.
All in all, if you have to pick a pin binding for your skis that's lightweight and sturdy, I would pick these.
If you often use the words "easy," "durable," and "lightweight," when describing your ideal touring binding, your profile match may be the Core 12 Pro from Hagan. Featuring quite possibly more metal in its construction than Iron Maiden, these are built for the long haul while still retaining a streamlined look and athletic weight. To help with unwanted toe release while skinning, Hagan uses the patented "Uphill Hardness Variator" allowing the user to select the level of force the toe piece exerts as boot pin sockets start to wear. If you find yourself following a skin track set by an overcaffeinated 18-year-old track star (as seems to be common in the Wasatch), the binding comes with magnetic heel risers allowing for 5 climbing positions. When the time comes to point the skis from whence they came, the Elastic Response System provides elasticity in the heel, helping absorb compressions and bumps to keep your skiing experience feeling smooth and consistent. With 25mm of adjustment in the heel, the binding comes with ample range to accommodate different boot sole lengths. If your dream binding is fully featured without a significant weight penalty, step up to and into the Core 12 Pro.
- Adjustable lateral and vertical release reaffirms your love for your knee ligaments.
- Snowpack Proof toe piece fights the buildup of snow under the toe piece for an easy time stepping in.
- Integrated Crampon Receptor keeps you climbing when the going gets icy.
- Uphill Hardness Variator lets you adjust the toe pressure to accommodate worn out toe inserts.
- Elastic Response System provides consistent release with harder skiing.
- Optional freeride spacer (aka stomp pad) offers more heel support for landings.
| Specifications | |
|
Weight |
341g [86mm] |
| Weight (pair) | 682g [86mm] |
|
Boot |
Tech |
|
Brakes |
86, 91, 97, 102, 108, 120 |
|
BSL |
25mm |
|
Riser |
4 + flat |
|
Vertical |
5-12 |
|
Lateral |
5-12 |
|
Crampon |
Yes |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Aluminum alloy, stainless steel, thermoplastic |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Ski touring, free touring |
| Notes | Sealed toe piece prevents snow creep |
| Bottom Line | Ruggedly good looks in a lightweight package |
| Compare to other Full-featured Bindings | |
Related Products
Questions & Reviews
2/22/2023
Micah Melkonian
(used product a few times)
8/21/2023
FYI -- the heal risers clip into the pins of the binding. They shouldn't be flopping around.
Comment on this review:
12/30/2022
Are the brakes swappable? And if so, is it possible to get the ATK Raider 12 108 brakes and swap them onto the the Hagan Core 12 since 108 seems to be out of stock for Core 12?
12/30/2022
Hi Patrick, yes they screw on and off and those models use the same touring brakes.
Answer this question:
Gotta love ATK bindings, with or without the Hagan name attached! The Hagan Core 12 Pro is my favorite binding; have them on several skis, both resort/sidecountry and backcountry use. They even support my 200 lbs for small jumps. I use have them on black crows freebirds Navis, Voile Drifters, Voile Vectors, and most recently on 185 dps Wailers. Moderat ramp angle. Easy to step into, look great, not a single problem with any. Hard not to like, except for the price! Be aware the minimum din you can set the Core 12 to is about 5.
12/14/2022
Forgot to mention, the 108 brakes are working great on dps Wailer 106 Tour1 skis. Also, I use the optional stomp pads for more support in landing jumps.
Comment on this review:
These are the best all-round touring bindings in the game. They're relatively lightweight, have a good range of adjustment (both in terms of length and release), have middle and high risers without turning your heelpiece (flat, middle and high if you do), and are incredibly confidence inspiring to ski (for a full pin binding).
The all metal construction 1) makes these things look like a work of art and 2) makes them incredibly durable. I've skied at least 100 days (probably more) on mine with no issues whatsoever.
I run these with the brake removed (it's very simple to take off), which leaves a bit of a funny looking vestigial piece behind. I was planning on getting the (separately sold) cover to cover this up, but haven't had any more problems with snow buildup here than I would expect from any other binding so have just left it.
If I could only choose one touring binding to mount on all of my skis, this would be it.
The all metal construction 1) makes these things look like a work of art and 2) makes them incredibly durable. I've skied at least 100 days (probably more) on mine with no issues whatsoever.
I run these with the brake removed (it's very simple to take off), which leaves a bit of a funny looking vestigial piece behind. I was planning on getting the (separately sold) cover to cover this up, but haven't had any more problems with snow buildup here than I would expect from any other binding so have just left it.
If I could only choose one touring binding to mount on all of my skis, this would be it.
Comment on this review:
These bindings are absolutely rock solid and an absolute pleasure to use. I love how the brakes are super light and easily removable, but they can be difficult to deploy when transitioning so I usually don't have them on my skis. The toe is confidence inspiring, and I really like how you can adjust the "uphill hardness." My favorite feature is the risers. The best part is that they are MAGNETIC. It makes them so much easier to use. I also have the ATK Crest/Hagan Pure and the risers are not magnetic and it takes more effort to use them. I also LOVE how there are 2 riser options that flip over the heel pins, so you can have 2 riser options without ever having to rotate the heel piece. This is a game-changer feature. I pretty much never turn the heelpiece, unless I want a flat mode for an approach, and having 2 options without having to bend down is so so nice. I am not aware of any other binding that has 2 riser options that flip right over the heel pins, so you never have to rotate or mess with the heel piece. I used to have to rotate the heel on the Crest to get the high riser and I never have to do that with the Core. The +12mm delta is noticeable if you're coming from flatter bindings, but ATK now makes the AL12 toe shims which raise the toe pieces 4mm. My Core 12's were bought last year before the shims were available, and I may purchase some soon.
Comment on this review:
11/11/2021
112mm underfoot ski, which brake size do you recommend? Will the 108 stretch to fit? Will the 120 stick out?
11/11/2021
Thanks for reaching out, Jens. For a 112, either the 108 or 120 would work. Unless you plan on using the binding with bigger skis in the future, the 108 will stretch and would be my first choice. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Answer this question:
3/6/2021
Team-
What is reasoning behind the side button needing to be pushed in to disengage the brakes for downhill? What is gained? Just another moving part to get iced is my initial reaction.
Thank you,
Mike
What is reasoning behind the side button needing to be pushed in to disengage the brakes for downhill? What is gained? Just another moving part to get iced is my initial reaction.
Thank you,
Mike
3/6/2021
Mike, First, I am neither an engineer nor work at ATK. Dynafit and G3 use the heel piece rotating to hold the brakes while in hike mode. That doesn't fit with this heel piece design. ATK also engineers some of the lightest bindings and THE lightest with brakes. This is what they came up with. Their front toe brake was amazingly easy to use.
The best design is no brake at all. No moving parts or extra things to break or complicate the transition.
The best design is no brake at all. No moving parts or extra things to break or complicate the transition.
Answer this question:
Skimoco put these on my AT 106s; I have the old Core (front brake) on my AT 100s. I really liked the front brake, especially during transitions, until I found it somewhat problematic in deep snow--the front lever is narrow to fit inside the brake-lever loop and can be hard to find with a pole tip and the space is so small my pole grip doesn't work. Snow also tended to pack under and around the lever. The narrow lever in a small loop and packed snow under the toe made it pretty difficult to get out of the skis after a fall in deep snow. Both problems have been fixed in the Core 12 Pro with brakes at the heel, a snow sealing plate under the toe, a wider lever, and a much softer (and adjustable) clamping force on the pins. Boot goes in effortlessly and quietly and ability to get out of the binding is great. So far snow buildup under my boot heel has not been as big a problem with either binding as I have had with a variety of other makes and models in our West Coast maritime snow.
Comment on this review:
Hagan/ATK bindings are game changing. The toe pieces are great, and easy to step into, but the easy heel step in is remarkable, and brilliant, and I suspect there really is no comparsion with anything else. (I have experience with multiple Dynafit bindings, both old and new, Salomon MTN, Salomon Shift). I've seen people unable to get into their MTN bindings at all, in soft snow, because they are using the "Expert" spring. Hagan heel piece is not noticably any less easy to step into when set at 12 as when set at 5 (admit I've tested this statement on carpet only). My only complaint is that they don't accept Plum Crampons, which are the best (by a long margin), but that's easily addressed with the Plum Universal Crampon mount. Unless I somehow discover problems with more use, I expect I'll be gradually replacing my quiver with Hagan Core Pro 12s, or other related models from ATK.
Comment on this review:
2/8/2021
Hello,
Want to use this binding without the brakes. How doable is this?
Do you know where I can get the free ride spacer? Haven't been able to find it on your site.
Thanks
Want to use this binding without the brakes. How doable is this?
Do you know where I can get the free ride spacer? Haven't been able to find it on your site.
Thanks
2/8/2021
Hi,
It is very doable. there are just 3 small screws that hold the brakes on, just remove those and give it a bit of a wiggle and the brake pops right off. As far as the free-ride spacer goes, Hagan has been out for a bit now and we are trying to get a hold of some as soon as they are available. Should have some in a few weeks.
Tim
It is very doable. there are just 3 small screws that hold the brakes on, just remove those and give it a bit of a wiggle and the brake pops right off. As far as the free-ride spacer goes, Hagan has been out for a bit now and we are trying to get a hold of some as soon as they are available. Should have some in a few weeks.
Tim
Answer this question:
Now that we finally have enough snow in the Wasatch to use my new skis/bindings, I can write a review about the Core 12 Pros. I have about 10 days on them so far and they have been flawless. They have released consistently on a couple of crashes where I would expect a release (including getting a ski stuck under a tree limb, luckily at moderate speed. No real issues with icing up or snow interference so far. The 1st and 3rd riser positions (heal rotated backwards) have worked just fine for some steep skin tracks.
Comment on this review:
1/2/2021
Is the stated weight with or without brakes?
1/4/2021
Hi Peter, the weight is out of the box, with 86mm brakes.
Answer this question:
11/25/2020
Hi, interested in what the mount pattern width is (always looking for what bindings might fit in the Völkl BMT/ V-Werks "H" pattern. Thanks!
11/27/2020
Hey Christian,
Great question! The mounting pattern for the Hagan Core 12 Pro is as follows. Toe = 45mm x 44mm & Heel = 45mm x 60mm. If you have any more curiosities about hole patterns, feel free to reference our hole pattern recognition article!
Great question! The mounting pattern for the Hagan Core 12 Pro is as follows. Toe = 45mm x 44mm & Heel = 45mm x 60mm. If you have any more curiosities about hole patterns, feel free to reference our hole pattern recognition article!
Answer this question:
11/17/2020
Hmmm, that's about double the height differential I'm comfortable with. Are there any adapter plates or shims you can recommend to get the toe higher? Looks like the toe binding hole pattern is 45mm wide by 44mm long.
11/18/2020
Hi Calvin, sadly there are no shims made yet for the new Pro hole pattern. You could get the B&D Vipec shims which are currently shipping without holes and then drill some to match the Core toe. It does have enough surface area to support the binding.
12/22/2020
That worked great, thanks! Very nice bindings, burly yet lightweight.
Answer this question:
11/17/2020
what kind of a ramp angle would I be looking at with these bindings?
11/17/2020
Hey Calvin, the heel pins are 12mm higher than the toe pins on this binding, and the angle will depend on the boot sole length!
11/17/2020
Hold on, I just mocked it up with my Dynafit boots, and the delta I measure is only 7mm. That's not so bad. Would still be nice to have a 5mm or so shim/plate under the toe.
Answer this question:
11/10/2020
I have a pair of the Hagan Core 12’s. Do you guys have a jig there to mount my skis? I’ve been having a tough time finding one.
11/10/2020
Hi Matt, yes we have a nice ATK jig that supports the Core 12 Pro!
Answer this question:
9/26/2020
Any insight on how well this will work with the brake removed?
i.e. any weird tabs sticking out, weird flat angles in flat skinning mode, etc?
i.e. any weird tabs sticking out, weird flat angles in flat skinning mode, etc?
9/28/2020
Hey Camden, if you're wanting to use the freeride spacer without the brake that tends to stick out a little. Other than that there don't seem to be any issues.
Answer this question:
9/19/2020
Hi - I believe this binding is made by ATK, the Raider 12 maybe? (Their names are confusing). The Raider 12 has an optional freeride spacer.
It looks like from the picture that this Hagan branded, "pro" version includes the "freeride spacer" as ATK calls it. Is that correct?
It looks like from the picture that this Hagan branded, "pro" version includes the "freeride spacer" as ATK calls it. Is that correct?
9/19/2020
Hi Ian, yes it can be confusing, especially when some brands play mix and match with toes and heels, essentially creating a binding that ATK doesn't offer. For example, the BD Helio 350 uses this heel paired with an older toe piece for backward compatibility with jigs that Black Diamond had distributed previously.
The Hagan Core 12 Pro is the real deal and requires a new jig, which BD dealers likely will not have. It's what ATK has been calling the Raider 2.0 with an adjustable tension toe piece that is more sealed to prevent snow creep. It has a wider and elongated hole pattern to help distribute freeride forces over a greater area.
The optional stomp pad "spacer" sits on either side of the brake AFD which is not in the primary photo above. It will be sold as an accessory, linked here.
The Hagan Core 12 Pro is the real deal and requires a new jig, which BD dealers likely will not have. It's what ATK has been calling the Raider 2.0 with an adjustable tension toe piece that is more sealed to prevent snow creep. It has a wider and elongated hole pattern to help distribute freeride forces over a greater area.
The optional stomp pad "spacer" sits on either side of the brake AFD which is not in the primary photo above. It will be sold as an accessory, linked here.
Answer this question:
9/11/2020
I see there are 4 riser positions & ~flat mode (-2.5, +36, +41, +49, +59).
It looks like there is race mode (pins forward) + 2 risers, or you can turn the heel to have ~flat + 2 risers. What combination of the above riser heights match with each mode?
It looks like there is race mode (pins forward) + 2 risers, or you can turn the heel to have ~flat + 2 risers. What combination of the above riser heights match with each mode?
9/11/2020
Hi Chris, we haven't measured the Core Pro yet as it's a new binding which has not yet arrived from Austria. It should be very close to the Core numbers you referenced.
The heel works the same way as the Core, whereby the 2nd and 4th listed heights are with the pins forward, and the 1st, 3rd, and 5th measurements are rotated 180 degrees.
The heel works the same way as the Core, whereby the 2nd and 4th listed heights are with the pins forward, and the 1st, 3rd, and 5th measurements are rotated 180 degrees.
Answer this question:
8/24/2020
Are the lower portion (part that mounts to ski) on the heel piece aluminum? just looking for something mostly metal that wont break easily in super cold conditions.
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
8/24/2020
Hi Kyle,
The base of the heel unit is actually a carbon infused polymer. The polymer is incredibly strong stuff and is much more shock absorbing than steel in cold conditions.
The base of the heel unit is actually a carbon infused polymer. The polymer is incredibly strong stuff and is much more shock absorbing than steel in cold conditions.
Answer this question:
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