ATK Freeraider 14 Binding 2020 – 2021 | Review
Why we chose the ATK Freeraider 14: Lightweight, powerful, reliable
Weight per binding: 360g
Release Value: 8 – 14
Riser Heights: flat, +38 mm, +41 mm, +48 mm, +58 mm
Brake Sizes: 97, 102, 108, 120 mm
Heel Adjustment: 25 mm
Price: £525
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Representing some of the finest ski touring binding craftsmanship out there, Italian born and bred ski touring binding manufacturer ATK have long been in the game inventing, developing and creating some of the most well-considered ski touring bindings out there. These, the ATK Freeraider 14, illustrate this pedigree perfectly.
These bindings are nothing short of sexy. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that they’d be just as well shown off around your neck as a piece of fine jewellery as they would be drilled to your skis. Saying that, these bindings aren’t just for show. Featuring a release value of 8 – 14, 12 mm of heel elasticity and a mean all-metal build, the ATK Freeraider 14 is more than capable of driving fat freeride planks at speed.
ATK Freeraider 14 Build
On first impressions, the ATK Freeraider 14 might look like your regular run-of-the-mill tech binding, but once you begin to peel back the aluminium and steel construction, you’ll start to see that the FR 14 is packing a handful of features that give this binding the edge over the competition.
First of these features is the Elastic Response System, which brings a total of 12 mm of elasticity in the heel. This elasticity will do wonders in preventing any unwanted pre-releases when you’re bending your skis around a high-speed carve, or hitting large drops in these bindings. Not only does a higher heel elasticity keep your boot in the binding when required, it also smooths out any chatter that’s typically felt when skiing tech bindings that are lacking any heel travel.
This heel elasticity is combined with ATK’s all-new Cam Release System in an effort to provide a smooth ride. The Cam Release System creates a reliable release in the heel, thanks to the cam profile that the heel pins sit in, they are able to move horizontally and down. This provides a precise resistance to the spring in the heel, meaning you’re able to tune the bindings exactly to your desired release value. Steep skiers will also come to love the lower force to step into these bindings, thanks to that Cam Release System.
Over on the front end of the binding, the toe features a bumper unit that’s built into the toe lever. It’ll help guide your toe into the pins as you step down. The underside of the toe unit has also seen a little redesign in an effort to keep any unwanted snow from building up, even after stepping in and out of the binding multiple times.
All of this results in a binding that barely tips the scales at 360 grams and packs a release value of 8 – 14. Yes, there are heavier weight bindings that are able to offer supreme downhill performance (such as the Marker Duke PT 16), and lightweight tech bindings that are a rocket on the skin track, but the ATK Freeradier 14 manages to uphold phenomenal downhill performance at a minimal weight penalty – and that to us makes for a pretty impressive touring binding.
What Is The ATK Freeraider 14 Good At?
Weight: 8/10
Downhill Performance: 8/10
Reliability: 7/10
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