Icon WC 24 review

Overview

The Salomon Icon WC 24, which Salomon also sells as the Icon World Cup 24, sits at the top of Salomon's Icon race binding family for 26-27 with a published release range of DIN 14–24. Salomon calls it the choice of its World Cup racers and says the DIN 24 version is set up for lighter athletes than the Icon WC 30. The main idea is Centralized Power Transfer. The mounting screws sit closer under the boot, and a redesigned toe piece concentrates the racer's force underfoot. A completely flat metal race pedal and steel reinforcement at the toe and heel complete the build.

Who is it for?

• FIS and World Cup racers whose calculated release value sits in the mid-teens or higher.
• Heavy, powerful masters racers who need release values above what a DIN 16 race binding offers.
• GS, Super-G and downhill skiers who want the stiffest Icon interface without moving to the 20–30 range.
• Not for recreational skiers. The scale starts at 14, which is above the correct setting for most adults, and running a binding outside your recommended value is a safety risk.

Specs and what they mean

• DIN 14–24: the scale starts at 14, so the binding only makes sense if a certified technician's calculation puts you inside that window. Below it, Salomon's next race bindings down are the Icon RS 19 (DIN 11–19) and Icon RS 16 (DIN 8–16).
• Elastic travel: not published. Salomon gives no millimetre figures. It says the redesigned toe has less vertical stiffness for more rebound at the end of the turn. Treat that as a description, not a number you can compare.
• Brake 75 mm (X75): a single race brake size, matched to the narrow waists of FIS race skis (Salomon's S/Race FIS skis are 65–66 mm underfoot).
• Weight 1460 g per binding (2920 g/pair): heavy by recreational standards and normal for a metal-reinforced race binding. The mass sits on a race plate, where it adds damping rather than costing you anything on a lift-served course.
• Compatibility: ISO 5355 Alpine adult only. No GripWalk and no touring soles. You need a race boot with a standard alpine sole.
• Materials and fit: steel reinforcement at toe and heel plus a fully flat race pedal. Salomon lists a stand height of 12.7 mm and 110 mm of length adjustment.

On-snow performance

Salomon positions the Icon WC 24 for the hardest turns on injected race snow. Centralized Power Transfer is meant to put more of the skier's force under the foot instead of at the tip and tail, which Salomon says gives a livelier, more reactive turn. The flat pedal gives a direct boot-to-ski connection with no ramp to manage, and the reinforced toe and heel stay rigid under the loads a racer puts through them at speed. What you give up is forgiveness. This is a stiff, direct interface meant for setups dialled in by a race service, not a comfort binding for mixed resort terrain.

Durability and service

Race bindings live on plates that get swapped, tuned and re-mounted often, and the metal-reinforced build is made for that. Salomon sells front and rear distance plates (lifters) from 1 to 4 mm specifically for the Icon WC 30 and WC 24, so stand height and ramp can be fine-tuned without changing the plate. Have a certified technician check release values and forward pressure at the start of every season and after any crash, and inspect the pedal for burrs from race-boot soles.

Mounting and brake sizing

The Icon WC 24 is built for Icon-interface race plates, the system Salomon uses on its S/Race FIS race skis. The 75 mm brake is the only option, which suits race skis but rules out anything much wider than about 75 mm underfoot. It is not a binding to put on an all-mountain or freeride ski. Retailer listings give a boot sole range of 262–361 mm, which covers adult race boots.

Comparisons

• Atomic Icon wc 24: Atomic's Icon World Cup binding with the same DIN 14–24 range. Atomic lists 1425 g per binding where Salomon lists 1460 g. Choose by plate system, team supply and price.
• Salomon Icon WC 30: the DIN 20–30 version for the heaviest athletes and the speed events. Salomon says the 24 is the one designed for lighter skiers.
• Marker Comp 20 rd: Marker's race binding with an 11–20 range. It overlaps the bottom of the Icon WC 24's window but stops at 20.
• Atomic Icon rs 16: the DIN 8–16 Icon race binding for U16 and U18 racers and expert skiers. The Atomic counterpart of Salomon's Icon RS 16, and a step down if your setting is well below 14.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is the Icon WC 24 the same binding as the "Icon World Cup 24"? A: Yes. Salomon's product page uses "Icon World Cup 24", while its catalogues and shop listings shorten it to Icon WC 24.

Q: Does it work with GripWalk boots? A: No. Salomon lists only the Alpine adult norm (ISO 5355). You need race boots with standard alpine soles.

Q: What is the difference between the Icon WC 24 and the Icon WC 30? A: The release range: 14–24 versus 20–30. Salomon lists the same 75 mm brake, 110 mm adjustment range and 1460 g weight for both.

Q: Can I mount it on a normal carving ski? A: It is designed for race plates and narrow race skis with a 75 mm brake. For a recreational carving ski, an alpine binding such as the Salomon Strive 16 is a better fit.

Q: Who should set the DIN? A: Always a certified ski technician, based on your weight, height, age, boot sole length and skier type. A 14–24 range is not a number to aim for.