Compare at 2 sellers
Compare at 2 sellers
| Awards | | | | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $575 List | $549.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $445 List | $539 List |
| Overall Score |
59
|
63
|
73
|
70
|
69
|
| Star Rating |
|
|
|
|
|
| Pros | Surprisingly durable for how light they are, killer price, lighter than most | Super light, adjustable for length, proven design, widely available | Light, solid, just the right set of features | Light, simple | Two heel levels, adjustable length and release, optional brakes |
| Cons | No brake option, heel risers are more of a pain to learn | No brakes, limited release adjustment, no heel lifters | Not ideal for truly hard-charging downhill skiers | Limited release functionality, no brakes, only one heel elevation | No certified release, no high-heel lift, moderate weight |
| Bottom Line | Through all the turmoil, its lineage remains reliable, simple, and affordable | If your backcountry binding criteria list extends no further than “do they hold the ski to my boot?”, the Helio is for you | If you truly need more performance features than this lightweight binding provides, you fall into a tiny sliver of skiers at the hard-charging end of the spectrum | For moderate backcountry skiing, these bindings could be just the ultralight ticket you need | Plum’s proven construction is available here in a mid-weight, all-around ski touring configuration |
| Rating Categories | Speed Turn 2.0 | Helio 180 | Atomic Backland Tour | Plum R170 | Plum Pika |
| Touring Performance (30%) |
7
|
6
|
8
|
7
|
8
|
| Downhill Performance (25%) |
4
|
3
|
6
|
3
|
5
|
| Weight (25%) |
5
|
9
|
7
|
9
|
7
|
| Ease Of Use (15%) |
7
|
7
|
8
|
10
|
7
|
| Durability (5%) |
10
|
9
|
9
|
8
|
8
|
| Specs | Speed Turn 2.0 | Helio 180 | Atomic Backland Tour | Plum R170 | Plum Pika |
| Weight (pounds for pair) | 1.63 lbs | 0.8 lbs | 1.26 lbs | .88 lbs | 1.36 lbs |
| Weight of one binding, grams | 199g | 308g | |||
| Release value range | 4 to 10 | 6, 8, 10 | "Men", "Women", "Expert" | 8 Fixed | 4 to 10 |
| Stack height. (mm. average of toe and heel pin height) | 38 | 33 | 37 | 34 | 36 |
| Toe/Heel Delta. (mm difference in height between heel pins and toe pins) | 17 | 7.5 | 10 | 4 | 9 |
| Brake options | No Brakes | No Brakes | 80, 90, 100, 110, 120 | No brakes | 85, 95, 105 mm |
| ISO/DIN Certified? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Ski Crampon compatible? | Yes. "Standard" Dynafit/ B&D style. | Yes. "Standard" Dynafit/ B&D style. | Yes. "Standard" Dynafit/ B&D style. | With aftermarket part. Best with Plum brand. "Standard" Dynafit/B&D style ski crampons can be lightly filed to work. | With aftermarket part. Best with Plum brand. "Standard" Dynafit/B&D style ski crampons can be lightly filed to work. |