Comparison Review 2024 Salomon/Atomic/Armada Bindings

[Philpug]

MODEL	TOE HEIGHT (mm)	HEEL HEIGHT (mm)	SETTING RANGE	WEIGHT (g/pr)	STANDARD BRAKE SIZES (mm)	OPTIONAL BRAKE SIZES (mm)	SOLE COMPATIBILITY
Stage GW 10	14	16.5	3-10	1710	80, 90, 100		DIN, GripWalk
Stage GW 11	18	26.5	3.5-11	1720	80, 90, 100, 115		DIN, GripWalk
Warden MNC 11	21	26.5	3.5-11	1990	90, 100, 115		DIN, WTR, GripWalk, AT
Warden MNC 13	21	24.5	4-13	2260	90, 100, 115, 130		DIN, WTR, GripWalk, AT
Strive 12 GW	21	24.5	4-12	1840	90, 100, 115	Vary by color	DIN, GripWalk
Strive 14 GW	21	24.5	5-14	1960	90, 100, 115		DIN, GripWalk
Strive 14 MN	21	24.5	5-14	1990	90, 100, 115	130	DIN, Gripwalk, MN
Strive 16 MN	21	24.5	7-16	2220	90, 100, 115, 130		DIN, GripWalk, MN
STH2 MNC 16	21	24.5	7-16	2450	90, 100, 115, 130		DIN, WTR, GripWalk, MN
Strive GW 11 (demo)	21	24.5	3.5-11	2200	90, 100, 115		DIN, GripWalk
Strive GW 13 (demo)	21	24.5	4.5-13	2360	90, 100, 115		DIN, GripWalk
Warden MNC 13 DT (demo)	27	30.5	5-13	2680	90, 100, 115, 130	80	DIN, WTR, GripWalk, MN

Note: All specs are based on information available at time of publishing and subject to change. Weights vary from brand to brand. Some of these bindings might be branded as Stöckli.

Z toe bindings like the Colt and "L" series have been limited to Junior and Junior Race applications

Stage GW 10

• Pluses: Lightweight design, multidirectional toe release, easy step in heel
• Minuses: Designed for lighter skiers
• Salomon color options: Black
• Atomic color options: Black/Smoke

Stage GW 11

• Pluses: Lightweight design, multidirectional toe release, easy step in heel
• Minuses: Designed for lighter skiers
• Salomon color options: Black/White
• Atomic color options: Black/Smoke, White/Grey

Warden MNC 11

• Pluses: Beefy toe & heel yet still lightweight, responsive return to center.
• Minuses: Slight delta changes when going to GripWalk/AT, no Pozi adjustment for heel. No Salomon version
• Atomic color options: Black/Gold
• Armada color options: Black

Warden MNC 13

• Pluses: Quicker return to center than STH2, 28mm adjustment range
• Minuses: Delta changes when going to WTR or GripWalk, no Pozi adjustment for heel. No Salomon version
• Atomic color options: Black/Gold
• Armada color options: Black

Strive 12 GW

• Pluses: Low center of gravity, auto AFD adjustment
• Minuses: Narrow heel screws from Warden 11 heel
• Salomon color options: Black, Copen Blue, Metal
• Atomic color options: Black, Black/Purple, Black/White
• Armada color options: Black/Sand, Black

Strive 14 GW

• Pluses: Low center of gravity, auto AFD adjustment
• Minuses: Narrow heel screws from Warden 11 heel
• Salomon color options: Black, Copen Blue, Metal
• Atomic color options: Black, Black/Gunmetal
• Armada color options: Black/Sand, Black

Strive 14 MN

• Pluses: Low center of gravity, manual MN adjustment
• Minuses: Narrow heel screws from Warden 11 heel
• Salomon color options: Black, Flame Orange
• Atomic color options: Black
• Armada color options: Black/Sand

Strive 16 MN

• Pluses: Low center of gravity, manual MN adjustment
• Minuses: No micro adjustments like Sth2 toe
• Salomon color options: Black, Purple Shifter/Orange
• Atomic color options: Black
• Armada color options: Black

STH2 MNC 16

• Pluses: MNC compatible. Customizable Transfer Switch. Most elasticity in the toe; holds you in from top of boot, a part that gets no wear; micro wing adjustments and toe height for solid power transmission; metal toe plate
• Minuses: Slight delta changes when going to WTR and GripWalk. No Pozi adjustment for heel
• Salomon color options: Red
• Atomic color options: Black/Gold
• Armada color options: Black

Demo Bindings

Strive 11 GW Demo

• Adjustment range: 253-376 mm
• Toolless length adjustment: Yes
• Sole compatibility: DIN, GripWalk
• Pluses: Stand height identical to retail counterpart, low center of gravity
• Minuses: First year design
• Salomon/Armada color options: Black
• Atomic color options: Black/Smoke, Black/White

Strive 13 GW Demo

• Adjustment range: 253-376 mm
• Toolless length adjustment: Yes
• Sole compatibility: DIN, GripWalk
• Pluses: Stand height identical to retail counterpart, low center of gravity
• Minuses: First year design
• Color options: Black

Warden MNC 13 Demo

• Adjustment range: 262-382 mm
• Toolless length adjustment: Yes, w/manual AFD
• Sole compatibility: DIN, WTR, GripWalk, AT
• Pluses: Full MNC
• Minuses: Slight delta changes from sole to sole, no Pozi adjustment for heel
• Color options: Black

 

[Paul Frede]

I never understood why Salomon made the Warden 13 and 11 screw pattern so close. Just use the wider one. I also find it strange why they went with the 11 pattern for the all new Strive. Salomon drives me nuts sometimes.

 

[Philpug]

I never understood why Salomon made the Warden 13 and 11 screw pattern so close. Just use the wider one. I also find it strange why they went with the 11 pattern for the all new Strive. Salomon drives me nuts sometimes.

I am also a bit disappointed that the Strive 14 doesn't have the better heel that the Sth2 13 and Warden 13 had.

 

[Paul Frede]

As the binding buyer at our shop I'm on a mission to put every binding in the category on one of my personal skis. Next up is the Strive probably going on a Blaze 106. I want to love it but we will see.

 

[Marker]

I am also a bit disappointed that the Strive 14 doesn't have the better heel that the Sth2 13 and Warden 13 had.

Would you have this concern on a narrower ski like the Brahma 82 or just wider models?

 

[Philpug]

Would you have this concern on a narrower ski like the Brahma 82 or just wider models?

Nothing to do with width of the ski.

 

[Marker]

Nothing to do with width of the ski.

So I bought Strive 14 for my new Brahma 82 since Pivots don't work well with this width and thinking they were an improvement over the Warden and STH2 with low height and no issues on delta due to GW. I'm disappointed to hear they may have a wimpy (?) heel especially being a larger male.

 

[Brian Finch]

Does anyone have an opinion on me going from a STH2 to a Strive 16 on a 107 ski? @Philpug

Tia

 

[Philpug]

Does anyone have an opinion on me going from a STH2 to a Strive 16 on a 107 ski? @Philpug

Tia

Both are very good, whichever you can get a better deal on.

 

[Magikarp]

Hi @Philpug, it's so cool we have such a resource on bindings and folks who are so passionate about it! There's really not much else like this out there (at least for alpine bindings).

I'm looking at adding the Strive 11 Demo or Strive 13 Demo bindings to my skis. I've own and use the Strive 11 Demo on another pair and thought they were quite nice. I have a few Qs:

• Do you know if the 11 and 13 use the same rails?
• Is the 13 heel that much better of a design compared to the 11? I'm 185lbs and usually set my bindings to a Din 7 to 8.
• Can the 100mm brake fit a 107mm ski? It's so strange that there's no in between from 100mm to 115mm in brake selection.
• I think the 13 also has a 130mm brake option out there, contrary to your table above. Is that so?
• Thanks!

 

[ZionPow]

I am trying to decide between the Strive 14 GW and Strive 14 MN. Looks like the only difference is the automatic AFD adjustment on the GW. If I use only GW boots and have no plan to use ISO 9523 boots, would I be better off to get the Strive 14 GW bindings? Would the manual AFD adjustment on the MN provide any advantage for GW boots? Thanks!

 

[Philpug]

Would the manual AFD adjustment on the MN provide any advantage for GW boots?

Yes, the manual adjustment can give you a better connection to the binding.

 

[ZionPow]

Yes, the manual adjustment can give you a better connection to the binding.

Thanks!

 

[Magikarp]

Hi @Philpug, it's so cool we have such a resource on bindings and folks who are so passionate about it! There's really not much else like this out there (at least for alpine bindings).

I'm looking at adding the Strive 11 Demo or Strive 13 Demo bindings to my skis. I've own and use the Strive 11 Demo on another pair and thought they were quite nice. I have a few Qs:

• Do you know if the 11 and 13 use the same rails?
• Is the 13 heel that much better of a design compared to the 11? I'm 185lbs and usually set my bindings to a Din 7 to 8.
• Can the 100mm brake fit a 107mm ski? It's so strange that there's no in between from 100mm to 115mm in brake selection.
• I think the 13 also has a 130mm brake option out there, contrary to your table above. Is that so?
• Thanks!

Gentle bump awaiting your feedback, thanks @Philpug!

 

[ARL67]

I'm sitting with 2 sets of new demo bindings with brakes that are too-wide and need to order some narrower. Just checking what I should be on the lookout for:

1. Warden 13 MNC Demo
- would this need what is known as the "C" brake

2. Strive 13 Demo
- would this need what is known as the "D" brake

I'm looking for 90 wide ( or 80 if it exists ).
If anyone has spares, new or good-used, I'll buy 'em and you can ship to my pal in Connecticut who will get them to me when he visits..

 

[Philpug]

I'm sitting with 2 sets of new demo bindings with brakes that are too-wide and need to order some narrower. Just checking what I should be on the lookout for:

1. Warden 13 MNC Demo
- would this need what is known as the "C" brake

2. Strive 13 Demo
- would this need what is known as the "D" brake

I'm looking for 90 wide ( or 80 if it exists ).
If anyone has spares, new or good-used, I'll buy 'em and you can ship to my pal in Connecticut who will get them to me when he visits..

There is not 80mm brakes produced for either of these bindings. There WAS an 80mm C brake initially, the only ones I ever saw was at Start Haus ... but that was years ago. Maybe give them a shout?

 

[EP4O]

I have a Strive 14 with 100mm brake, too much overhang for an Enforcer 88 or good to go?

 

[Philpug]

I have a Strive 14 with 100mm brake, too much overhang for an Enforcer 88 or good to go?

The brakes retract enough you should be fine but the 90mm would be better.

 

[EP4O]

The brakes retract enough you should be fine but the 90mm would be better.

Cheers, thanks for the quick reply.

 

[VladSki]

Do the Strives (regular, not demo) require a specific brake model, or are they "backward compatible" to work with Sth/Warden brakes?

Btw, Xspo in Europe is offering Armada Strives 12/14 at around EUR 100 or cheaper, if anyone's interested:

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