Tyrolia Protector+ Attack 16 GW — Review

The Tyrolia Protector+ Attack 16 GW is the higher-DIN sibling of the Protector+ Attack 14 GW in Tyrolia's new 26/27 Protector+ line: same FHR (Full Heel Release) safety mechanism, same redesigned 21 mm stack height (down from the original Protector's ~34 mm), but with a DIN range of 5-16 for heavier and more aggressive skiers. Aimed at expert resort skiers and freeride users who want injury-protection technology at race-adjacent release values.

• Expert and aggressive advanced skiers in the 5-16 DIN range who want lateral-heel-release injury protection.
• Heavy freeride users on resort skis 95-120 mm waist.
• Skiers who set above 14 DIN and previously had to choose race bindings without safety features.
• Not suited to touring; this is a fixed-heel alpine binding.

• Type: Alpine (GripWalk-compatible) with FHR safety heel.
• DIN 5-16: Top-end of the Protector+ Attack line. The 16 DIN ceiling matches Look Pivot 14 or Marker Jester race-feel headroom while keeping the Tyrolia FHR safety profile.
• Elastic travel: Toe 5 mm Z / 30 mm X (Attack-chassis standard); heel 7 mm lateral elastic travel before the FHR rotational release engages. Vertical heel travel is not yet published.
• Brake widths: Tyrolia uses the new [R] brake type, shared with the Protector+ Freeflex line. Brake width availability at launch is 95 / 110 mm; wider brakes may follow during the season.
• Weight: Not yet published by Tyrolia. Expected slightly heavier than the Protector+ Attack 14 GW (different spring) but lighter than the Protector+ Freeflex 16 GW.
• Compatibility: ISO 5355 Alpine and ISO 23223 GripWalk. Standard auto-adjusting AFD.
• Materials: Metal AFD, metal heel track, FHR rotating heel mechanism, reinforced polymer.
• Stack height: 21 mm.

The Protector+ heel offers 7 mm of lateral elasticity before FHR rotation — a meaningful safety margin even at DIN 16-class release values. The 21 mm stack keeps the binding close to a regular Attack chassis feel, which matters for the freeride and aggressive resort segment where skiers care about edge sensitivity and quick reactions. Retention under hard loading should match the FR PRO3 / SX FR-class mechanism the regular Attack chassis is known for; the FHR adds a knee-protection layer without compromising release predictability.

The Protector+ heel adds rotating components that need to be kept clean and free of grit. The Attack 16 GW chassis uses metal AFD and metal heel track for durability under impacts and high DIN loads. As a new product line, long-term durability data is not yet available — expect early-season retailer reports to be the first signal.

Mounts as a standard flat alpine binding. The narrow launch brake range (95 / 110 only) is the same constraint as the Protector+ Attack 14 GW — skiers with sub-95 mm waist skis must size up to 95 mm; wider brake kits (130 mm) are likely to follow during the season for skiers running 115+ mm waist freeride skis at DIN 16-class.

Compared to the Tyrolia Protector+ Attack 14 GW it's the same chassis with a higher DIN ceiling — pick the 16 if you set above 14 or weigh enough to need the extra spring. Against the Tyrolia Attack 14 the Protector+ Attack 16 GW adds the FHR safety heel and one DIN step up; the regular Attack 14 gives you 17 mm stack and a slightly lower weight without the safety mechanism. Cross-brand, the Look Pivot 14 is the established premium freeride binding at this DIN class — the Pivot uses a different safety approach (rotating heel elasticity, no FHR-style lateral release) and has been the freeride benchmark for years; the Protector+ Attack 16 GW competes head-on for the same expert resort/freeride buyer.

Q: When is the Protector+ Attack 16 GW available? A: Tyrolia's 26/27 collection ships in fall 2026 alongside the rest of the Protector+ line.

Q: How is the FHR heel different from a regular Attack heel? A: The FHR rotates laterally during a fall to release the heel sideways, reducing torque transmitted to the knee. The regular Attack heel uses standard vertical heel release.

Q: Can I use it with GripWalk boots? A: Yes — the metal AFD auto-adjusts between ISO 5355 alpine and ISO 23223 GripWalk soles.

Q: Should heavier skiers pick this over the Protector+ Attack 14 GW? A: Yes if your release values land above 14 DIN. The chassis is the same but the heel spring covers higher release ranges.