REASONS TO BUY
Two heel levels
Adjustable length and release
Optional brakes
REASONS TO AVOID
No certified release
No high-heel lift
Moderate weight
Plum Pika Review
Simple, classic bindings that employ a modern feature set and robust construction
Credit: Plum
Our Verdict
The Plum Pika is one of many, many choices. You have options up and down the weight spectrum from the Pika. Those close to the Pika on that spectrum are similarly equipped; basically, the Pika is similar to others that are similar in weight. You get a couple of heel lift levels, adjustable length and release, and optional brakes. The Pika sets itself apart with all-metal construction and machined parts that lend a look that many like.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Plum Pika | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | |  | ||
| Price | $539 List | $599.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $445 List | $350 List $349.95 at Backcountry |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Two heel levels, adjustable length and release, optional brakes | Light, solid, adjustable, three heel lifts, good brakes | Light, innovative downhill performance | Light, simple | Surprisingly durable for how light they are, killer price, lighter than most |
| Cons | No certified release, no high-heel lift, moderate weight | No certification, limited release adjustment | Unsophisticated heel lifters, untested aftermarket brake | Limited release functionality, no brakes, only one heel elevation | No brake option, heel risers are more of a pain to learn |
| Bottom Line | Simple, classic bindings that employ a modern feature set and robust construction | 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 | Superlight bindings for light to medium duty backcountry skiing; choose these for simplicity and their all-metal construction | A simple binding design that has been proven over decades now, available for a fraction of the price of others |
| Rating Categories | Plum Pika | Atomic Backland Tour | Marker Alpinist | Plum R170 | Dynafit Speed Turn 2.0 |
| Weight (35%) | |||||
| Downhill Performance (25%) | |||||
| Touring Performance (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
| Durability (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Plum Pika | Atomic Backland Tour | Marker Alpinist | Plum R170 | Dynafit Speed Turn 2.0 |
| Weight (pounds for pair) | 1.36 | 1.26 | 1.18 | 0.88 | 1.63 |
| Weight of one binding and screws, grams. Lightest possible configuration (no brakes). | 308 | 286 | 297 | 199 | 370 |
| Weight of 2 bindings, grams. Multiple options are noted where we have tested multiple options. | 616 | 572. 770 with brakes | 594. 796 with brakes | 398 | 740 |
| Release value range | 4 to 10 | "Men", "Women", "Expert" | 4 to 10 | 8 Fixed | 4 to 10 |
| Stack height (mm. average of toe and heel pin height) | 36 | 37 | 36 | 34 | 38 |
| Toe/heel delta (mm difference in height between heel pins and toe pins) | 9 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 17 |
| Brakes? | Optional | Optional | Optional | No | No |
| Brake width options | 85, 95, 105mm | 80, 90, 100, 110, 120mm | 90, 105, 115mm | N/a | N/a |
| ISO/DIN Certified? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Ski Crampon compatible? | With aftermarket part. Best with Plum brand. "Standard" Dynafit/B&D style ski crampons can be lightly filed to work. | Yes. "Standard" style. Not all crampons will be cross-compatible | Yes. "Standard" style. Not all crampons will be cross-compatible | With aftermarket part. Best with Plum brand. "Standard" Dynafit/B&D style ski crampons can be lightly filed to work. | Yes. "Standard" style. Not all crampons will be cross-compatible |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Plum Pika enters the binding fray right at the hot spot. In terms of weight and function, the category of stripped-down, adjustable bindings that weigh under a pound and a half for a pair (not counting optional brakes) is "going off". More and more options appear, and the quality and function continue to improve. Plum's entry is great, and we review it here.
Performance Comparison
The Plum Pika is great for all around ski touring and ski mountaineering. Carefully chosen equipment enables but doesn't distract. The Pika fits that description.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Touring Performance
We investigate heel lifters, pivot range of motion, and icing propensity when we assess touring performance. In all of these categories, the Plum Pika is almost exactly average. It can be toured flat on ski or with one moderate lift level. Beginner skinners and those in stiffer boots like a higher heel lifter that the Pika doesn't have. Lighter bindings don't have the options that the Pika has. The minimalist construction ices less than more involved bindings but more than ultra-simple options. There is absolutely no meaningful limit to the toe range of motion in the Pika.
Plum uses the same toe piece design across a number of their models. Thought the Pika is newer in our review, we have extensive experience with the toe piece. It works well in most cases, but isn't our favorite.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Downhill Performance
Downhill performance is a function of boot retention and of release value. Does the binding hold your boot in when you want and let it go when you need it to? We can speak with authority on the former. We skied miles of serious terrain and never came out of the Pika. We skied just enough firm snow to know that the retention "feel" is satisfactory. More sophisticated, bulkier bindings definitely feel both more secure and more "damp" in their retention.
The slick, clean, machined look of the Plum Pika is appealing and timeless. Some simple labeling notes branding and helps to remember different modes. Here, the toe piece lever in downhill "ski" mode.
Credit: Jediah Porter
We can't yet comment from direct experience on the release performance of the Pika. We can point out that Plum equips the Pika with adjustable lateral and vertical heel release. The release values seem to roughly mirror "DIN" numbers, but the binding is not certified to DIN standards. Certification in bindings this light is unheard of. You have to more than double this weight to get ISO/TUV certification to DIN standards.
Ease of Use
Can you get in, out, and make necessary adjustments? With the Plum Pika, the short answer is "yes". Entry and exit are average. Other, more sophisticated bindings are easier to get in and out of. But, none of them are as simple and light as the Pika. Length and release adjustments are clear and employ commonly available tools.
We paired the Plum Pika with relatively heavy skis and then tried a bunch of different boots in them. These bindings keep up with high energy downhill action but are light enough for uphill focused kit.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Weight
We measured, on a calibrated OGL scale, the Plum Pika bindings to each weigh 308 grams. That's 1.36 pounds for the pair. On a ranked list of all those we review, that is about halfway. The heaviest bindings are three times the weight, while the lightest are a little over half the weight of the Pika. The Pika is light but not ultralight. In comparison to those of similar weight, the Pika has similar performance and function. Nothing about the Pika is an outlier. This is a good thing.
The Plum Pika is more minimalist than you might think you want, but more robust and heavily featured than our highest award winners. If you are on the fence about minimalist AT bindings, the Plum Pika can be a good bridge.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Durability
Plum's primary appeal, in some circles, is that their bindings are all metal in construction. This gives many the "warm fuzzies", in terms of durability. The fact is that simple, well-built tech bindings are way more durable than their appearance might suggest, regardless of materials. Plum's all-metal construction is robust, but so are other options that include some plastics and composites.
Value
Bindings in this general category are proven, robust, and offer great performance. The Pika will last you long, won't break the bank, and employs proven technology and overall design. The initial purchase price might be shocking for how small the equipment is. However, all the truly comparable options are similar in price, and the performance belies the tiny form factor.
Conclusion
We recommend the Plum Pika. It isn't the most sophisticated, nor does it bring exciting innovation. The proven simplicity and carefully tailored selection of features is its appeal; this is a new product in a classic and reliable form.
—
Jediah Porter
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