Icon 12 GW review

Overview

The Salomon Icon 12 GW is the GripWalk-compatible model in Salomon's Icon race binding family. Salomon describes it as a light binding with racing DNA: a V-shaped toe piece and GripWalk pads that, according to Salomon, centralise power transmission for up to 30% more power underfoot while relieving up to 15% of pressure at the tip and tail. The Icon 12 GW is a carryover, not a new 26-27 design: SkiTalk's Salomon/Atomic/Armada binding tables list it with the same specs in their 2025, 2026 and 2027 editions, with both Salomon (Race Blue/White/Safety Yellow) and Atomic colourways.

Who is it for?

• Advanced skiers on narrow carving or race-style skis who want a direct, race-derived interface.
• Masters and club racers who free-ski and train on the same boots, including GripWalk soles.
• Release values inside DIN 4-12; Salomon lists a skier weight range of about 49-120 kg (108-264.6 lb).
• Not for wide all-mountain skis: 75 mm is the only brake.
• Not a touring binding.

Specs and what they mean

• Type — alpine race: Salomon sells it in its Race/Clubs category. A fixed-heel binding with a full-flat race pedal.
• DIN 4-12: The standard adult window for intermediate-to-advanced skiers. A certified technician sets the value from your weight, height, age, sole length and skier type.
• Elastic travel — not published: Salomon gives no millimetre figure for this model, so elasticity can't be compared on paper with bindings such as the Salomon Strive 12, which Salomon rates at 47 mm.
• Brake width 75 mm: The only size offered. SkiTalk lists no optional brakes; its 2027 notes name this as the main minus.
• Weight ≈1190 g per binding (≈2380 g per pair): Salomon lists 2 lb 10 oz per unit, and SkiTalk lists 2380 g per pair. That is heavier than light all-mountain bindings; the mass sits in a stiff, reinforced chassis.
• Compatibility — ISO 5355 alpine and ISO 23223 GripWalk: Salomon says the binding adapts to alpine and GripWalk boots automatically.
• Materials: Glass-fiber reinforced polyamide with steel toe reinforcements and a full-flat race pedal. SkiTalk lists a toe height of 14 mm and a heel height of 17 mm.

On-snow performance

The Icon 12 GW is built around stiffness and a low, flat platform. The 14 mm toe and 17 mm heel heights keep the boot close to the ski and give a small heel-to-toe offset, which favours edge feel and quick edge changes on firm snow. The V-shaped toe centres the boot, and Salomon's claim is that the design pushes more force into the ski underfoot rather than the extremities. The trade-off versus all-mountain bindings is fit range: the binding is meant for narrow skis and for skiers who want precision over comfort features.

Durability and service

Steel toe reinforcement and a glass-fiber polyamide chassis are standard race-binding construction. GripWalk soles have a rockered profile, so check that the toe height is set correctly for each boot you use. As with any binding, have the release values and forward pressure checked at the start of each season.

Mounting and brake sizing

Salomon's rule is a brake width equal to the ski waist or at most 15 mm wider, so the 75 mm brake suits waists of roughly 60-75 mm. On a ski with a race plate, the shop must confirm that the plate accepts the Icon screw pattern before mounting.

Comparisons

The Atomic Icon 12 shares the DIN 4-12 range and 75 mm brake, but our catalog lists it for ISO 5355 alpine soles only, so the Icon 12 GW is the pick for GripWalk boots. The Look Spx 12 rockerace offers a similar DIN window (3.5-12) with published elastic travel, but needs Look's R22 race plate. For wider skis, the Salomon Strive 12 covers the same DIN range with 90-115 mm brakes. Younger racers below DIN 10 can look at the Salomon Icon 10.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Does the Icon 12 GW take GripWalk boots? A: Yes. Salomon lists automatic adaptation to alpine (ISO 5355) and GripWalk (ISO 23223) soles.

Q: Can I mount it on a 90 mm ski? A: No. The only brake is 75 mm, and a brake must be at least as wide as the ski waist. Use a Strive 12 for wider skis.

Q: Is the Icon 12 GW new for 26-27? A: No. It appears with the same DIN range, brake and weight in comparison tables for 2025, 2026 and 2027.

Q: How heavy is it? A: About 1190 g per binding, or 2380 g per pair.