Cross Country Ski Bindings

Cross country ski bindings can be divided into 4 main categories:

1. Skate ski bindings
2. Classic ski bindings
3. Touring ski bindings
4. Backcountry ski bindings

Bindings can be further divided into distinct binding types:

1. Nordic Integrated System (NIS)
2. New Nordic Norm (NNN) [subset of NIS]
3. New Nordic Norm BC (NNN BC)
4. Salomon Nordic System (SNS)

Boot Compatibility:
Rossignol, Fischer and Matsu brands manufacture boots that are compatible with the NIS, NNN and NNN BC bindings. Salomon and Atomic manufacture boots that are compatible with the SNS bindings. However, old Fischer and Atomic boots once used the SNS system, so check the soles for the number of grooves before purchasing a binding. SNS boot soles will have one groove and NNN/NIS will have 2 grooves.

Ski Compatibility:
NIS bindings are mounted on skis with NIS plates built into them. NNN and SNS bindings are mounted directly onto a flat ski that does not have a NIS plate. To mount a NNN or SNS binding on a NIS ski, one can mount the binding directly onto the NIS plate or an Interface Adaptor Plate or Wedge (skate skis only; for SNS bindings) can be used between the ski and the binding.

NIS System

Ski Compatibility: The NIS binding fits on skis with a pre-mounted NIS binding plate (see above photo) allowing mounting of the binding without the need to drill holes into the ski. The NIS plate is found on skate skis, classic skis and touring skis. Generally the ski name will have the NIS designation to indicate this binding plate comes with the ski. For example "Rossignol X-ium NIS Skating WCS 2" is a skate ski with the NIS binding plate. One would then purchase a NIS binding to go with this ski.

However, a Salomon binding or NNN binding can be mounted on the NIS plate. An Interface Adaptor Plate can be mounted in between the NIS plate and the non-NIS binding, or the binding can be mounted directly onto the NIS plate.

Boot Compatibility: Rossignol and Fischer boots are compatible with the NNN/NIS binding system. NNN/NIS bindings have two ridge plates that marry with the two ridge grooves found on the boot sole (see below). If you have Salomon boot then a SNS binding would need to be purchased.

The following NIS/NNN Bindings are available:

Skate
Rossignol XCelerator Skate NIS	High End Race Binding - Skate
Fischer XCelerator Skate NIS	High End Race Binding - Skate
Rossignol F4 Skate NIS	Race/Performance Binding - Skate
Fischer Exercise Skate NIS	Race/Performance Binding - Skate
Classic
Rossignol XCelerator Classic NIS	High End Race Binding
Fischer XCelerator Classic NIS	High End Race Binding
Rossignol F4 Classic NIS	Race/Performance Binding
Fischer Exercise Classic NIS	Race/Performance Binding
Touring
T4 Auto NIS	Touring Ski Binding

Skate ski bindings
Classic ski bindings
Touring ski bindings

NNN System Ski Compatibility:

The NNN system fits on a ski that does not have a NIS plate on it. Some manufacturers call this a "flat skis". The bindings are drilled directly into the ski. If there is no NIS designation in the ski name, then one can assume a NNN binding (or SNS) can be mounted directly on the ski. If your ski has a NIS designation, then an Interface Adaptor Plate can be purchased or it can be mounted directly on the NIS plate.

The difference between the NNN and NIS binding as it related to ski compatibility is whether there is a NIS plate on the ski or not.

Boot Compatibility: The ski boot needs to be compatible with the ski binding. Rossignol and Fischer use the NNN/NIS system.

If you are purchasing a Rossignol or Fischer boot then purchase a NNN/NIS binding.

If you already have a ski boot you will need to determine if it is designed for a NNN/NIS or SNS binding. To do so flip over the boot. If the boot bottom has 2 grooves down the center then it is compatible with the NNN/NIS binding system. If it has only one groove then it is compatible with the SNS system. Salomon uses SNS, however old Fischer and Atomic boots may have the SNS system. Be sure to verify the binding compatibility before purchasing.

There is no difference between the NNN and NIS binding relating to boot compatibility. The difference lies between the NNN/NIS system and the SNS system.

 

The following NNN Bindings are available:

NNN Skate Bindings
Rossignol R3 Skate	Performance Race Binding - Skate
NNN Classic Bindings
Rossignol R3 Classic	Performance Race Binding - Classic
NNN Touring Bindings
Rossignol T3 Auto	Touring Ski Binding with Auto attachment
Rossignol T3 Manual	Touring Ski Binding with Manual attachment

SNS System

Ski Compatibility: SNS bindings can be mounted directly on a flat ski or on a ski with a NIS plate. An SNS Interface Adaptor plate (as well as SNS Wedge for skate skis) can be purchased to mount in between a NIS plate and the binding. The binding can also be mounted directly onto the NIS plate.
Boot Compatibility: Salomon and Atomic brand boots use only the SNS binding. SNS is divided further based upon the number of pins (axes) the boot sole has.
• Soles with 2 pins use the SNS Pilot binding or SNS Propulse RC (Pilot binding but classic racing only).
• Soles with one pin use SNS Profil binding.

SNS Binding/Skate Boot Compatibility

Skate boots may have one or two pins on the soles.

• One Pin: SNS Profil Equipe Skate binding should be purchased.
• Two Pin: SNS Pilot Equipe Skate binding or SNS Pilot Sport Skate binding should be purchased.
• Pilot (2-Pin) Salomon Skate Boots include:
  • Salomon S-Lab Skate
  • Salomon RS Carbon
  • Salomon Active 8/ Vitane 8 Skate

SNS Binding - NIS Ski Adaptor Mechanisms

SNS Wedge - A plate the is mounted between a NIS skate ski and SNS binding, creating 5mm of lift under the foot to improve ski acceleration and edge control. It allows a longer kick. Weight: 45g/pair.

SNS Wedge 60 (wide) - A plate that is mounted between a NIS skate ski and SNS binding, creating a 5mm of lift under the foot to improve ski acceleration and edge control. Allows a longer kick. Weight: 450g/pair.

SNS Interface Adaptor. Made for race skis. A plate that is mounted between a NIS ski and SNS or NNN binding. Recommended for use with the following bindings, but applicable with other bindings as well: SNS Pilot Sport, SNS Pilot Equipe Classic.

SNS Binding/Classic Boot Compatibility

Classic boots may have one or two pins on the soles. In classic boots, the Pilot and Propulse bindings are mostly used (2-pin). If you already have boot and it has only one pin then the SNS Profil Equipe Classic binding should be selected. This binding is compatible with both the Profil and the Pilot boots. New boot and binding purchase will likely follow the 2-pin standard selection (Pilot system).

The following SNS Classic & SNS Touring Ski Bindings are available:

Performance/Race Classic Bindings - Pilot (2 Pin Sole)
SNS Propulse RC	High End Race Binding - Classic
SNS Pilot Equipe Classic	Race/Performance Binding - Classic
Leisure to Expert Classic Bindings  - Pilot (2 Pin Sole)
SNS Pilot Sport Classic	Maximum comfort with control and stability
SNS Pilot Sport Classic for Women	Maximum comfort with control and stability
Leisure to Expert Classic Bindings - Profil (1 Pin Sole)
SNS Profil Equipe Classic	Fits both Profil and Pilot boots
Touring - Pilot (2 Pin Sole)
SNS Pilot Sport Classic	Touring binding with universal flex
SNS Pilot Sport Classic for women	Women's specific touring binding
Touring - Profil (1 Pin Sole)
SNS Profil Auto Universal	Touring binding with universal flex
SNS Profil Auto for Women	Touring binding with specific flex for women

If selecting a new Salomon boot for classic skiing the Salomon Active 8 Classic Pilot boot is an excellent mid-level classic boot.

SNS Binding - NIS Ski Adaptor Mechanisms

SNS Interface Adaptor. Made for race skis. A plate that is mounted between a NIS ski and SNS or NNN binding. Recommended for use with the following bindings, but applicable with other bindings as well: SNS Pilot Sport, SNS Pilot Equipe Classic.

SNS Binding/Touring Boot Compatibility

Touring boots may have one or two pins on the soles.

• One Pin (Profil): SNS Profil Auto binding should be purchased.
• One Pin Salomon Touring Boots include:
  • Salomon Escape 5 TR boot
  • Salomon Siam 5 TR boot
• Two Pin (Pilot): SNS Pilot Sport Classic binding or SNS Pilot Sport Classic Binding for women should be purchased.
• Two Pin Pilot Salomon Touring Boots include:
  • Salomon Escape 7 Pilot boot
  • Salomon Siam 7 Pilot boot

SNS Binding - NIS Ski Adaptor Mechanisms

SNS Interface Adaptor II. Made for touring skis. A plate that is mounted between a NIS ski and SNS or NNN binding. Recommended for use with the following bindings, but applicable with other bindings as well: SNS Pilot Sport, SNS Pilot Equipe Classic.

Backcountry Ski Bindings

Backcountry boots have two binding systems - the 75mm (3-Pin) and NNN BC. The 75mm binding system use boots are stoutier and heavier than the NNN BC system. Backcountry bindings mount on metal edge skis.

Backcountry Ski Boots - Binding Compatibility:

Backcountry ski bindings

Boot Name	BC Binding System
Rossignol BC X2	Rossignol BC Auto Fischer BCX Auto
Rossignol BC X5	Rossignol BC Auto Fischer BCX Auto
Rossignol BC X9	Rossignol BC Auto Fischer BCX Auto
Rossignol BC X5 75mm	Super Telemark
Rossignol BC X11 75mm	Super Telemark
Fischer Offtrack 3 BC	Rossignol BC Auto Fischer BCX Auto