Plum Race 170 Binding
The Plum 170 binding is the 150 with a built-in 19mm adjustment plate. If you plan on using more than one boot with your setup, this is the version for you. The re-designed toe pieces feature smooth-operating lock levers that have clear stops for skiing and skinning. The heel piece has a simple pin-cover flap for uphill skinning and can be turned sideways for flat-on-ski skating (shuffling?). All pins are steel with the heels being very resistant to notching. The Plum Race series has become a standard-setter for reliable racing and adventuring.
- Built-in adjustment plates let you shift +/-9.5mm, almost enough for 3 boot sizes.
- Toe pieces have a lever that is comfortable to grab and smooth to lock/unlock.
- Shortened heel-pedestal partially compensates for the adjustment plate thickness, keeping you closer to flat.
- Heels can rotate sideways for flat mode, with the plates preventing a negative ramp angle when skinning.
- Notch-resistant steel U-springs and a simple heel flap are robust and replaceable.
- Optional heel risers can help with steep climbs, or be removed for a big race.
- Optional crampon attachments (+9g) work extra-great with Plum crampons.
- Meets ISMF specs for racing and many people’s specs for mountaineering.
- 100% made in France.
Update 2017/18: Plum redesigned the toe lever to avoid unlocking problems with some boots.
Update 2018/19: All new toe piece, with material moved around to strengthen critical areas and streamline the rest.
Update 2022/23: Heel track now has 25mm of adjustment.
| Specifications | |
|
Weight |
174g |
| Weight (pair) | 348g |
|
Boot |
Tech |
|
Brakes |
None |
|
BSL |
25mm |
|
Riser |
1 + flat, optional high riser |
|
Vertical |
Fixed |
|
Lateral |
Fixed |
|
Crampon |
Removable Accessory |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
7075 aluminum, steel |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Racing, mountaineering |
| Notes | Integrated toe lever |
| Bottom Line | Hard-wearing adjustability |
| Compare to other Race Bindings | |
Related Products
Questions & Reviews
11/3/2023
Looking to built a lightweight setup for fitness laps, entry level racing, and longer missions most likely on the Atomic UL 78's. For bindings, I was hoping to get something more race like, but with the ability to add brakes. Given that, I was wondering if the 170's could possibly be paired with an Oazo 25mm brake compatible adjustment plate, and the 80mm Oazo/Pika brakes. Would that work, or would the brakes interfere with boot clearance due to lower pin height?
11/3/2023
Hi Erick!
The heel unit can be paired with an Oazo brake with the addition of an Oazo baseplate. The pin height difference is marginal, roughly +0.5mm. It is important to note that the release values may increase with the addition of the brake. From simple observations, it looks as if a lateral release wouldn't be impaired significantly, however no proper tests have been done.
Thanks!
The heel unit can be paired with an Oazo brake with the addition of an Oazo baseplate. The pin height difference is marginal, roughly +0.5mm. It is important to note that the release values may increase with the addition of the brake. From simple observations, it looks as if a lateral release wouldn't be impaired significantly, however no proper tests have been done.
Thanks!
Answer this question:
4/5/2023
Any idea what the release values are on the heels for lateral and vertical?
4/5/2023
Hi Conor, yes we have release tested all the bindings. Please note the toe matters so release value is not just "on the heel". Plum targets an RV 8 with this binding and it comes reasonably close. We recommend using our binding finder to find one in your range.
Answer this question:
Just hit 300 days and 4 different pairs of skis on these puppies. They are TOUGH!
Pros: Very tough, I'm never worried about them breaking or not being able to hold on. I've railed on them at the resort (not recommended) and they were the least likely thing to break on my kit. I've skied them with beef boots (1550g) and ultralight boots (800g), on 65mm skis and 110mm skis. Hooray Plum!
Cons: they're really stiff. Never got any easier to spin the heel, clamps down on your toe with the force of a chomping crocodile and just as hard to release
A great option that never wears out, I'll move onto a "smoother" operating binding next time... in 20 years or so when they wear out
Pros: Very tough, I'm never worried about them breaking or not being able to hold on. I've railed on them at the resort (not recommended) and they were the least likely thing to break on my kit. I've skied them with beef boots (1550g) and ultralight boots (800g), on 65mm skis and 110mm skis. Hooray Plum!
Cons: they're really stiff. Never got any easier to spin the heel, clamps down on your toe with the force of a chomping crocodile and just as hard to release
A great option that never wears out, I'll move onto a "smoother" operating binding next time... in 20 years or so when they wear out
Comment on this review:
5/23/2022
Joel
(downright abused product)
Great all around binding. The toe piece has solid holding power without needing to be locked. The only toe piece strong without the lock is the Trab. I like the simple heel.
Only complaint is that snow can get under the toe piece occasionally and I need a whippet or twig to get it out before it's usable again. This doesn't happen nearly as often as on the Superlite 150
Only complaint is that snow can get under the toe piece occasionally and I need a whippet or twig to get it out before it's usable again. This doesn't happen nearly as often as on the Superlite 150
Comment on this review:
2/6/2022
What is the right/safe way to attach leashes to these bindings? Thanks!
2/6/2022
Hi Charlie, the cutouts on the toe lever are a great place to girth hitch a leash!
Answer this question:
Simple, solid, lightweight bindings! Ive loved every day on these so far and couldn’t be happier with my choice. Ease of use is excellent and they feel great skiing. Hold when they need to and have released in appropriate settings as well.
The ramp angle is negligible from adding the adjustment plate on the 170 vs 150. Unless you’re positive your boot choice won’t be changing the 170’s worth it.
The ramp angle is negligible from adding the adjustment plate on the 170 vs 150. Unless you’re positive your boot choice won’t be changing the 170’s worth it.
Comment on this review:
I’m in love with these bindings. These are 4 pair. For reference I’ve used Dynafit speed superlite twice, Ski Trab and these.
This is actually my favorite pair. The engineering on this is amazing. I love listening to my buddy who is an engineer talk about the quality of work on these bindings.
As far as application is concerned I’ve ejected three times on these. All of them when I needed to. It has all the holding power I need and nothing else.
Another plus is I have found you can skin uphill unlocked most of the time. Nice feature in avy terrain.
Would highly recommend these. Super light, well engineered and they look great on my Voile Hyper V6.
This is actually my favorite pair. The engineering on this is amazing. I love listening to my buddy who is an engineer talk about the quality of work on these bindings.
As far as application is concerned I’ve ejected three times on these. All of them when I needed to. It has all the holding power I need and nothing else.
Another plus is I have found you can skin uphill unlocked most of the time. Nice feature in avy terrain.
Would highly recommend these. Super light, well engineered and they look great on my Voile Hyper V6.
Comment on this review:
11/6/2019
Hi,
I have a set of 170 bindings and have used them for 4 seasons. I have noticed the steel U fork is starting to seem a bit loose. When carrying the skis in my hand the fork rattles in the binding. I have seen some recommendations to replace the Ti fork but not the steel. It doesn't rattle a ton and it just seems like the steel fork has worn into the Al housing a bit which should be expected. Have you seen any issues with this or thoughts?
I have a set of 170 bindings and have used them for 4 seasons. I have noticed the steel U fork is starting to seem a bit loose. When carrying the skis in my hand the fork rattles in the binding. I have seen some recommendations to replace the Ti fork but not the steel. It doesn't rattle a ton and it just seems like the steel fork has worn into the Al housing a bit which should be expected. Have you seen any issues with this or thoughts?
11/6/2019
Hey Seth, sorry to hear the ol' reliable Race 170s are starting to lose their edge! We haven't heard of issues with the U-spring either, but maybe it's a tolerance issue with the U-spring or with the fixing pin holding it in place. Reach out to us by phone or at help@skimo.co to get a repair started!
Answer this question:
I have had this binding mounted on PDG's for racing then on to Trab Maestro's for long bike and ski missions, and this season they will be on the Dynastar mythic. Will last forever. Will give them to my two year old son in a few years and he will pass them on, and so on and so forth.
Comment on this review:
1/11/2019
Hands down the best lightweight ski mountaineering binding on the planet. Simple. Bullet proof and trusted. SM
Reply to this comment:
12/21/2018
Simplistic to a recent question: I’ve got the high lift pieces installed on my plum 170s. I can’t figure out how I’m going to spin this thing with a pole. I can barely spin it by hand. With a skipole there is nowhere obvious to get any purchase with the tip. Any thoughts?
12/21/2018
Hey David! Definitely don't try to spin it with a pole if you value the tips of your poles at all. They'll break in a little bit after some ski time, but no matter what, the best option by far is to spin it with your hand. The first time I tried to spin it with my hands after mounting them, I got so frustrated and had to take the skis off and even once I got there it pretty tough. Plum wants the bindings to last as long as possible and because there's no tension adjustment, they erred on the side of longevity which is why they're so dang stiff. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Answer this question:
12/3/2018
Hey you guys,
I (you) mounted up some Race 170s on some Fischer Hannibals last week and have successfully skied powder every day since. So that's great. I'm curious to know whether it ought to feel "easy" or "natural" to rotate the heel peices from flat mode to riser mode. I am finding the rotation to be very tight, such that I can't always do the move with my skis on.
Any ideas?
I (you) mounted up some Race 170s on some Fischer Hannibals last week and have successfully skied powder every day since. So that's great. I'm curious to know whether it ought to feel "easy" or "natural" to rotate the heel peices from flat mode to riser mode. I am finding the rotation to be very tight, such that I can't always do the move with my skis on.
Any ideas?
12/3/2018
Hey Chris! Nice, that's a sweet setup! They have a break-in period but are relatively stiff in general. I got impatient and sat in my living room with a wood clamp on the heel piece and spun it in circles for 20 minutes to break some heel pieces in at one point. Otherwise, give them a few weeks and they'll start to ease into their groove.
12/3/2018
Now that's some French engineering! Obviously the riser setting is fine for most Central Wasatch applications but I was in the Tetons over the weekend where the approaches are flat.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Answer this question:
10/27/2018
I'm considering these for a daily, lighter, set up. Boots are Atomic Backland Carbons. And I'm almost set on using the 170 as the binding. The release value is conveniently similar to what my alpine binding DIN is supposed to be. But I'm curious about how light the ski has to be before I need to worry about pre release and other binding issues. Would these work on a 6lb/pair ski like the hyper vector or dps tour 1 cassiar? I ski about a 177-180 length ski.
10/27/2018
Clancy, This binding would be a great daily driver. Pre release is a function of the binding and its elastic travel. It does not have to do with the weight of the ski or the setup. All tech bindings have less elasticity built in than an alpine binding. With that said dropping weight off the binding is an easy way to drop weight from your entire setup. These bindings would be a great match for either of those skis.
Answer this question:
8/24/2018
Hi, I have some Plum Race 170 bindings that are a three years old and want to purchase the crampon attachment, will both the new and old versions work?
8/26/2018
Hey Aidan! It *should* just be the new one, but send a picture to our email address at the bottom of the website or reply to the notification you'll get from this with a picture of the toe piece. Just want to make sure we get you the right one. It'll definitely be one or the other though, not both.
Answer this question:
5/3/2018
Why are these recommended only for "racing/mountaineering" and not "touring"? Other than the lack of two lift levels, they seem appropriate for touring use to me. Is there a durability concern? Are the toe pins steel?
5/3/2018
Hi Leo, lots of folks are touring using race bindings these days. But please remember they typically do not have adjustable release values; they may or may not be appropriate for you in terms of release/retention (visit our binding finder for help). This is a drawback for many skiers for general purpose usage. Durability is not more of a concern with these versus other bindings; in fact it's less in many cases.
Answer this question:
1/9/2018
Is it correct that these have the same mounting pattern as Dynafit? I'm in the UK and its pretty hard to source Plum bindings and impossible to find a ski tech with a Plum jig but plenty have Dynafit. Not keen to drill my own.
Also, is it possible to tell pre 17/18 toe pieces from the previous ones that had the issues?
Thanks
Also, is it possible to tell pre 17/18 toe pieces from the previous ones that had the issues?
Thanks
1/9/2018
Hi Mark, the Plum Guide binding could possibly leverage a Dynafit jig but unfortunately not the race bindings. The hole pattern does not match any Dynafit. It is possible to tell the difference in the lever, yes.
Answer this question:
10/16/2017
Does the little mounting plate on the race 170 produce a higher heel-toe delta than on the 150? Are shims available for plum toe peices, if I want the mount to be more or less flat? I'd like to get some 150s but I'm not sure I'm going to make it through the season on my current boots...
10/16/2017
Hey Chris, thanks for reaching out. The 170 heel is a mere 1.5mm taller than the 150. Shims are available, though even with the thinnest 3.2mm shim, you'll end up with a -0.7mm delta. The B&D Classic 3.2mm is the one that's compatible if you are looking to shim, but because it's so thin, you'll have to get some alpine screws and grind them down accordingly.
Answer this question:
2/23/2017
Hi, looking at these, the trab titan release adjustable or speed superlite 2.0 for a pair of 171 trab gara aero. Do you know the approximate release on the plums? I like the different heel release options for trab and superlite and need adjustability. Are there significant durability differences between the 3? Plum wins the weight contest but I'm wondering what you guys think would be most appropriate for long distance touring, that particular ski, infrequent racing, and occasional mountaineering. I prefer to ski with a release of around 8. Thanks!
2/23/2017
Hi Anthony, you shouldn't have durability problems with any of these. The Trab R8 would be closest do your desired value, with the Plum a little higher laterally. The flat-on-ski mode works best with Trab or Plum which might be helpful for long distance touring.
Answer this question:
12/26/2016
Do these come with a mounting template?
12/26/2016
Hi Darrow, one is not included in the box but we are happy to print one for you and include it with the shipment.
Answer this question:
12/1/2016
What exactly was the reason for the 16/17 update on the toe lever? (I have last years version) Are there particular boots that had an issue? Thanks!
12/1/2016
Hi JP, the levers were difficult-to-impossible to unlock with some boots. We don't have a complete list of models and sizes this affected.
1/22/2018
Just curious - is there any way to fix the impossible unlocking issue? (I am facing it every time I ski) - thanks.
1/22/2018
Hi Aaron, there is. We have replacement levers that we can send you or we can service your toes if you send them in.
Answer this question:
Earn store credit by writing reviews. Learn more.
