Plum Pika Review

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.

Photo: 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.

Photo: 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.

Photo: 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.

Photo: 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.

Photo: 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