Icon RS 12 review

Overview

The Salomon Icon RS 12 is the entry point to Salomon's Icon RS race bindings: a flat-sold, alpine-sole-only race binding with a 4–12 DIN range and a single 75 mm brake. Salomon aims it at junior racers "on their journey to the top". It shares the Icon architecture of the higher-DIN RS models: a V-shaped toe piece, Centralized Power Transfer (the mounting screws sit under the boot instead of being spread fore and aft), a low-profile chassis and a fully flat race pedal. Salomon claims the V-shaped toe channels up to 30% more power underfoot and takes up to 15% of the pressure off the tip and tail. For 26/27 the RS 12 continues in Salomon's range under a new article number, alongside the Salomon Icon RS 16 and the new Salomon Icon RS 19.

Who is it for?

• Junior racers moving onto proper race skis and race plates.
• Lighter adult and masters racers whose release value sits inside DIN 4–12. Salomon lists a skier weight range of 49–120 kg.
• Racers in alpine boots with ISO 5355 soles. GripWalk soles are not supported.
• Not for all-mountain, freeride or touring use: there is one narrow brake and no walk-sole compatibility.

Specs and what they mean

• DIN 4–12: a junior and light-adult release window. Your actual setting comes from a technician using weight, height, age, boot sole length and skier type. Aim for a setting in the middle of the range rather than at either end.
• Brake 75 mm: the only width offered. It suits slalom, GS and narrow race-carve skis, which are well under 75 mm underfoot. On a ski wider than about 75 mm at the waist the brake arms will not clear the edges.
• Weight 1380 g per binding (about 2760 g per pair): heavy by recreational standards, normal for a race binding where mass and stiffness are part of the design.
• Elastic travel: Salomon does not publish toe or heel elastic-travel figures for the Icon RS 12.
• Compatibility ISO 5355 A: alpine adult soles only, which is what race boots use. No GripWalk, no touring soles.
• Materials: glass-fibre reinforced polyamide and steel, with metal reinforcements in the toe and heel. Salomon also describes a wide 50–60 mm toe pedal that gives the boot a larger contact zone.

On-snow performance

Pick-A-Ski compares published specs, so this section describes what Salomon says the design is meant to do. Centralized Power Transfer puts the screws under the boot, which leaves more of the ski free to flex at the tip and tail; Salomon's 15% pressure-release claim refers to exactly that. The full-flat race pedal and low chassis are meant to give a direct, precise connection on hard and injected snow, especially with a stiff race boot. Expect a firm, race-oriented connection rather than the cushioned feel of a recreational binding. Because Salomon does not publish elastic travel, you cannot compare its shock absorption on paper with bindings that do.

Durability and service

The steel and glass-fibre polyamide build is typical race hardware and copes well with the repeated mounting and adjustment that junior racing involves. Keep the toe pedal and boot sole contact areas clean and check them for wear, because a worn sole or pedal changes release behaviour. Have a shop check the release values at the start of each season and after any hard crash. Junior racers grow out of boots quickly, so ask the shop whether the length adjustment covers the next boot size before you buy.

Mounting and brake sizing

The Icon RS 12 is sold as a flat binding but uses Salomon's race mounting pattern, with the screws placed under the boot. It usually goes on a race plate, so check that the plate or ski matches the Icon pattern before you order, and let a race-service shop do the mounting and the release check. With only a 75 mm brake it belongs on race skis and narrow race-carvers, not on all-mountain skis. Salomon recommends pairing the flat race pedal with alpine race boots.

Comparisons

• Atomic Icon rs 12: Atomic's binding under the same Icon RS name, with the same 4–12 DIN range and 75 mm brake. Choose by colourway, price and what your team or ski brand uses.
• Look Spx 12 rockerace: a 3.5–12 race binding built for Look's Rockerace plate, so it mainly makes sense if your skis already carry that plate.
• Fischer Rc4 z14: runs up to DIN 14, which gives a stronger junior or light adult more headroom.
• Moving up: the Salomon Icon RS 16 starts at DIN 8 and suits heavier and older racers.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Does the Icon RS 12 work with GripWalk boots? A: No. It accepts ISO 5355 alpine adult soles only. Salomon sells a separate Icon 12 GripWalk model for walk-sole boots.

Q: Which ski widths fit the 75 mm brake? A: Race and race-carve skis up to about 75 mm underfoot. If your ski is wider, the brake will not clear the edges, and the RS 12 has no wider brake option.

Q: Is it only for children? A: No. Salomon aims it at junior racers, but it is a full-size race binding with a 4–12 DIN range and a 49–120 kg skier weight range, so light adults and masters racers can use it too. Young children whose setting falls below DIN 4 need a dedicated junior binding.

Q: How heavy is it? A: Salomon lists 1380 g per binding, so about 2.76 kg for the pair.