Salomon Shift2 13 — Review

The Salomon Shift2 13 is a hybrid alpine‑touring binding: tech pins at the toe for the climb, a full alpine‑style toe and heel for the descent. It targets advanced–expert skiers who want one setup that tours efficiently and skis hard with true alpine confidence.

Highlights

• Hybrid toe with long elastic travel (≈47 mm) improves retention and damping on rough snow.
• MNC compatibility: Alpine (ISO 5355), Touring (ISO 9523), GripWalk (ISO 23223), WTR — tech inserts required for touring.
• Power Block AFD (micro‑adjustable aluminum) for consistent release across boot norms.
• Full heel rotation in tour mode, multiple climbing aids, brake lock, and crampon compatibility.
• Construction: carbon‑loaded polyamide, aluminum, steel; TÜV certified.

On‑snow performance

Uphill / touring

Pin efficiency is solid, stride feels natural, and transitions are straightforward once you learn the sequence. At ≈920 g per binding, the Shift2 13 isn’t ultralight, but it’s far more tour‑friendly than frame bindings and less cumbersome than a Duke PT. Icing around the toe can complicate mode changes in cold, deep snow; clearing the interfaces mitigates this.

Downhill

This is where the Shift2 shines. The alpine‑style toe with generous elasticity and the adjustable AFD produce confident power transfer and predictable release. Edge hold and ski damping feel close to an in‑resort alpine setup, especially on firm snow or chop. Heel elasticity (≈9 mm) is shorter than top race‑alpine binders, but overall downhill security is excellent for an AT binding.

Specs explained

• Type of binding — Alpine Touring (Hybrid/Tech): pin toe for efficient climbing, alpine‑like toe/heel for safety and performance descending.
• DIN / release — 6–13: suitable for strong/intermediate‑plus to expert skiers; very heavy or aggressive skiers may prefer a 16.
• Elastic travel — Toe ≈47 mm / heel ≈9 mm: absorbs hits, reduces pre‑release, and keeps skis calmer.
• Brake width — 90/100/110/120 mm: choose equal to or up to ~15 mm wider than your ski waist for best fit.
• Weight — ≈920 g per binding (≈1840 g/pair): mid‑weight; ideal for freerando and 50/50 use.
• Compatibility — MNC (ISO 5355/9523/23223, WTR): works with many boots; tech inserts required to tour and full lugs recommended.
• Materials — Carbon‑infused polyamide, aluminum, steel: balanced stiffness, durability, and weight; TÜV certified.

Comparisons

• Marker Duke PT (12/16): more alpine‑like at the highest DIN but heavier and fussier. Shift2 tours lighter and transitions quicker.
• Fritschi Tecton 13: notably lighter and faster on the skin track; its tech toe isn’t as alpine‑secure on the way down.
• Marker Kingpin 13: lighter with a tech toe; Shift2 offers more alpine‑style retention and a more consistent AFD‑mediated release.
• CAST Pivot: the downhill gold standard but heavy and complex; Shift2 is the practical one‑rig quiver.

Key takeaways

• Near‑alpine downhill confidence with long toe elasticity.
• Efficient touring with full heel rotation and useful risers.
• Broad boot compatibility via MNC and micro‑adjustable AFD.
• Trade‑offs: not the lightest for big vert; transitions can ice up.

Who is it for?

Advanced to expert freeriders and tourers who want a single binding for serious backcountry days and aggressive descents. Ideal for 60/40 or 50/50 backcountry–resort use and for wider all‑mountain/freeride skis.

Potential drawbacks

• Weight adds up on very long tours.
• AFD height must be tuned when swapping boots; take time to set it right.
• Snow/ice can hinder mode changes; keep the toe interface clean.
• Heel elasticity is good, but not on par with top alpine race bindings.

Setup tips

• Choose brake width equal to or up to ~15 mm over ski waist.
• Set Power Block AFD height precisely for your boots and verify forward pressure.
• Keep the toe hardware free of ice for smooth transitions; a plastic scraper helps.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Will the Shift2 13 work with GripWalk boots?
A: Yes. It’s MNC‑compatible (ISO 23223 GripWalk). You still need tech toe fittings to use touring mode.

Q: Is it good as a daily resort binding?
A: Yes, downhill performance is strong. Just note the extra weight versus pure alpine bindings and the additional moving parts.

Q: What brake size should I buy?
A: Match your ski waist or go ~5–15 mm wider. For a 102 mm ski, a 110 mm brake is ideal.

Q: What’s new versus the original Shift 13?
A: Shift2 refines the toe (power transfer, elasticity) and adds the Power Block AFD for more consistent release, along with optimized materials.