Icon WC 30 review

Overview

The Salomon Icon WC 30, listed on salomon.com as the Icon World Cup 30, is the highest-release binding in Salomon's range, with a published DIN scale of 20–30. Salomon calls it the winning choice of its World Cup racers. Its Centralized Power Transfer layout places the screws closer under the boot, and a redesigned toe piece concentrates force underfoot. Salomon says this channels up to 30% more power under the foot while taking up to 15% of the pressure off the tip and tail, for a livelier turn. It shares its 75 mm brake, 110 mm adjustment range and 1460 g weight with the Icon WC 24.

Who is it for?

• Downhill and Super-G racers on the World Cup and Europa Cup circuits whose release values sit at the very top of the scale.
• The heaviest and strongest racers, for whom even a DIN 24 binding is near its limit.
• Race services building speed-event skis on Icon-interface plates.
• Not for anyone else. A scale that starts at 20 is far above the correct setting for recreational and most club skiers.

Specs and what they mean

• DIN 20–30: the highest range Salomon makes. Salomon publishes a single 20–30 range. Atomic's spec for its own Icon WC 30 lists 20–30 at the toe and 14–24 at the heel, so ask your race service how the Salomon heel is configured before you set it.
• Elastic travel: not published. Salomon gives no millimetre figures, only that the redesigned toe has less vertical stiffness for more rebound at the end of the turn.
• Brake 75 mm (X75): the single race size, for narrow FIS race skis. Salomon's speed skis are 65 mm underfoot.
• Weight 1460 g per binding (2920 g/pair): the same as the Icon WC 24. On a speed ski with a race plate, the mass adds damping.
• Compatibility: ISO 5355 Alpine adult only. No GripWalk, no touring soles.
• Materials and fit: steel reinforcement at toe and heel and a completely flat race pedal. Retailers list a stand height of 12.7 mm, and Salomon lists 110 mm of length adjustment.

On-snow performance

The Icon WC 30 exists for the loads of a speed event: long, high-speed turns, compressions and jumps where the binding must not release unless the skier really crashes. Salomon's claim for the redesigned toe is more power underfoot and less pressure at the tip and tail, which it says makes the ski more reactive through the turn. The flat pedal keeps the boot-to-ski connection direct. As with any binding at this level, retention comes first and comfort does not come into it. This is equipment set up and maintained by a race service.

Durability and service

The steel-reinforced toe and heel are built for repeated mounting on race plates and for the highest release forces. Salomon sells dedicated 1–4 mm front and rear lifters for the Icon WC 30 and WC 24 to adjust stand height and ramp. Release values at this level must be set and checked with calibrated equipment by a certified technician, at the start of every season and after any crash.

Mounting and brake sizing

Mount it on an Icon-interface race plate, the system Salomon uses on its S/Race FIS downhill, Super-G, GS and slalom skis. The 75 mm brake is the only size and is meant for race-ski waists. Retailer listings give a boot sole range of 262–361 mm, so standard adult race boots fit.

Comparisons

• Atomic Icon wc 30: Atomic's Icon World Cup 30 with the same 20–30 range. Atomic publishes the toe/heel split (20–30 / 14–24) and lists 1425 g per binding, where Salomon lists 1460 g.
• Salomon Icon WC 24: the DIN 14–24 version with the same brake, weight and adjustment range. Salomon says it is designed for lighter skiers, and it covers most technical-event racers.
• Marker Comp 30 rd: Marker's top race binding, with a 15–30 range that starts lower than the Icon WC 30.
• Look Px 18 wc rockerace: Look's World Cup race binding, which tops out at 18. It is an option for racers who do not need the very top of the scale.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is the Icon WC 30 the same as the "Icon World Cup 30"? A: Yes. salomon.com uses "Icon World Cup 30" in the page address, and Salomon's catalogues and shop listings use Icon WC 30.

Q: Does the 30 apply to both toe and heel? A: Salomon publishes one 20–30 range. For its own Icon WC 30, Atomic specifies 20–30 at the toe and 14–24 at the heel. Have a race technician confirm the heel scale on your binding.

Q: Do I need the WC 30 or is the WC 24 enough? A: If your technician's calculated setting fits within 14–24, the WC 24 is the one Salomon designs for lighter skiers. The WC 30 is for settings above that, typically heavy speed-event racers.

Q: Can I use GripWalk or touring boots? A: No. Salomon lists only the Alpine adult norm (ISO 5355).

Q: Which brake width do I need? A: There is only one: 75 mm, sized for FIS race skis.