REASONS TO BUY
Light
Adjustable release
Three heel levels
REASONS TO AVOID
No length adjustment
No brakes
Heel levels are limited in function
ATK Haute Route 10 Review
Light, compact, simple bindings with adjustable heel release
Credit: Black Diamond
Price: $600 List
Manufacturer:
Black Diamond Equipment
By Jediah Porter ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Nov 8, 2022
Our Verdict
The basic design of the ATK Haute Route 10 has been around and available for a long time. Only in recent years, with better North American distribution has this form factor gained traction and visibility. For a long time this was the lightest binding with adjustable release value. That is no longer the case, but it is still a viable, proven option and should be on your radar.
Editor's Note: We tested the ATK Haute Route 10 through the middle portion of the 2021-22 ski season in the Tetons. The bindings we tested (and photographed) are the Haute Route 10 but were, at the time, mainly available as the "Black Diamond Helio 200 LT". That rebranding has since been dropped and they are available in the US now only as the Haute Route 10.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
ATK Haute Route 10 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | |  |  | |
| Price | $600 List | $599.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $600 List $599.95 at Amazon | $329.99 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Light, adjustable release, three heel levels | Light, solid, adjustable, three heel lifts, good brakes | Light, innovative downhill performance | Light, adjustable release, three heel elevations, included sturdy crampon slot | Surprisingly durable for how light they are, killer price, lighter than most |
| Cons | No length adjustment, no brakes, heel levels are limited in function | No certification, limited release adjustment | Unsophisticated heel lifters, untested aftermarket brake | Limited other features | No brake option, heel risers are more of a pain to learn |
| Bottom Line | Light, compact, simple bindings with adjustable heel release | This minimalist binding has exactly what most of you should want, and nothing you don’t need | These are excellent all around functioning bindings made for human powered skiing | The lightest bindings we know of with adjustable release | A simple binding design that has been proven over decades now, available for a fraction of the price of others |
| Rating Categories | ATK Haute Route 10 | Atomic Backland Tour | Marker Alpinist | Dynafit Superlite 150 | Dynafit Speed Turn 2.0 |
| Weight (35%) | |||||
| Downhill Performance (25%) | |||||
| Touring Performance (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
| Durability (5%) | |||||
| Specs | ATK Haute Route 10 | Atomic Backland Tour | Marker Alpinist | Dynafit Superlite 150 | Dynafit Speed Turn 2.0 |
| Weight (pounds for pair) | 0.86 | 1.26 | 1.18 | 0.79 | 1.63 |
| Weight of one binding and screws, grams. Lightest possible configuration (no brakes). | 196 | 286 | 297 | 179 | 370 |
| Weight of 2 bindings, grams. Multiple options are noted where we have tested multiple options. | 392 | 572. 770 with brakes | 594. 796 with brakes | 358. 492 with adjustment plate | 740 |
| Release value range | 5 to 10 | "Men", "Women", "Expert" | 4 to 10 | 4 to 13 | 4 to 10 |
| Stack height (mm. average of toe and heel pin height) | 31 | 37 | 36 | 36 | 38 |
| Toe/heel delta (mm difference in height between heel pins and toe pins) | 3 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 17 |
| Brakes? | No | Optional | Optional | Optional | No |
| Brake width options | N/a | 80, 90, 100, 110, 120mm | 90, 105, 115mm | 75, 90, 105mm | N/a |
| ISO/DIN Certified? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Ski Crampon compatible? | Yes. "Standard" style. Not all crampons will be cross-compatible | Yes. "Standard" style. Not all crampons will be cross-compatible | Yes. "Standard" style. Not all crampons will be cross-compatible | Yes. "Standard" style. Not all crampons will be cross-compatible | Yes. "Standard" style. Not all crampons will be cross-compatible |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Haute Route 10, made by ATK and imported to the US by Black Diamond, is a light binding with adjustable release value at the heel. It has three touring heel heights, but the two higher options are very close to one another. Otherwise, many of the features you might think you want are not present. There are no brakes and no native adjustable length.
Performance Comparison
High altitude ski mountaineering is just the place for the ATK Haute Route 10.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Weight
On our scale the ATK Haute Route 10, including screws, weighs 196 grams. This is very light for bindings with adjustable release. There is also a refreshing story in the weight. These used to be branded as a "200 gram" bindings. As you can see, it is less than that, even including the screws. Usually bindings are advertised and branded without screw weight included. Not only has the Haute Route 10 been branded with screws taken into account, it still comes in under the claimed mass. We dig.
Overall, the ATK Haute Route 10 fills a sweet spot in the market but other options are at least a little more sophisticated.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Downhill Performance
These are only one small step up from skimo race bindings, in terms of downhill performance. In routine downhill skiing we noticed no difference between these and skimo race bindings. The attachment is relatively rigid. There are no brakes. There is no lateral elasticity and, other than that provided by the inherent design of the standard heel pin attachment, there is no longitudinal elasticity or "forward pressure".
Heel pieces of the ATK Haute Route 10. Notice that our tester pair is branded by Black Diamond.
Credit: Jediah Porter
In terms of release characteristics, the ATK Haute Route 10 offers a small step up from race bindings. The lateral release values at the heel can be adjusted. This is good, but can be simulated in other bindings at purchase time.
Touring Performance
Once again, the ATK Haute Route 10 offers a small step up in touring performance from skimo race bindings. First, in line with other ultralight touring bindings, the toe pivot range is plentiful and the minimalist structure collects minimal icing. The upgrade is in the heel lifters; you get three levels. However, you can only readily switch between two of them at any given moment. Employing all three requires spinning the heel piece. Further, the two higher levels are only different by about one centimeter.
ATK Haute Route 10 toe pieces with now-irrelevant Black Diamond branding. These toe pieces are exactly the same as on many other lightweight ATK bindings.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Ease of Use
The ATK Haute Route 10 is simple. Simple is easy to use, after a learning curve. There is little in this binding to smooth out that learning curve. These aren't the bindings you choose for your first touring bindings. Learn the quirks on a different model. Once you have the basics down, though, the entry/exit and transitions required of the Haute Route 10 are very manageable.
Durability
These bindings are known for lasting a long time and staying intact through relatively serious skiing. Our experience was consistent with that reputation. We had no durability issues with our tested bindings, but we will keep testing.
Should you buy the ATK Haute Route 10?
Sure. They are solid, light, proven, and might just offer the features you want and none that you don't. They closely compete with one of our award winners, but come up just short. If that award winner is unavailable we have no reservations recommending the ATK Haute Route 10.
The ATK Haute Route 10 can be pressed into function across the whole spectrum of human powered skiing, but does best in sort of "classic" backcountry situations.
Credit: Jediah Porter
What Other AT Bindings Should You Consider?
If you like this feature set and weight range, you have to consider our Top Pick Dynafit Superlite 150. The Dynafit is even lighter with a sturdier toe piece and more customization options. The heel lifter configurations on both of these are unique and neither is appreciably better than the other. Each has three lifters. The Dynafit lifters are more evenly distributed in height, but tricker to switch between. The ATK lifters are slightly easier to switch around but the two high options are very similar to one another. If you like lightweight ATK bindings but want brakes check out the ATK Crest 10. The Crest 10 is the same main attributes of the Haute Route 10, plus integrated brakes.
—
Jediah Porter
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