Bindings Compatibility for Cross-Country and Roller Skis

When purchasing gear for cross-country skiing (also known as Nordic skiing) and roller skiing, it's crucial to ensure compatibility between the bindings and the footwear. Considering that much of the same gear is used for both cross-country and roller skiing, and the manufacturers overlap, this guide is applicable to both sports.

Various Standards - NNN, SNS, and Prolink

There are two main manufacturers that set the standards for bindings and boot outsoles, defining measurements, mechanics, and specific solutions. These companies are Rottefella from Norway and Salomon, which originated in France.

Rottefella

Rottefella's system is known as NNN, or New Nordic Norm. This setup is integrated both into the ski boot outsole and the binding. Although Rottefella crafts the bindings, they do not create the entire boot, instead licensing the boot technology to other boot producers. Companies like Rossignol, Madshus, Alpina, Alfa, Yoko, Fischer, and Peltonen incorporate the Rottefella outsole system into their boot production.

Some of these companies brand the bindings with their own names, so a Rottefella NNN binding might be labeled as a Fischer NNN binding, for example. Dive deeper into the Rottefella NIS technology in the section titled “What is Rottefella NIS?” which is located further along in this article.

Salomon

Salomon is recognized for the SNS boot and binding system, short for Salomon Nordic System. They have also designed a new system known as Prolink.

The SNS system is manufactured in two variants: one for classic skiing and one for skate skiing. The skate skiing bindings include an extra connection point which enhances torsional rigidity while kicking sideways during use. This additional connection is a spring-loaded arm linking to a boot pin located under the foot, complementing the front pin linking to the front connection point. Consequently, SNS skate bindings possess two connection points and the boots have two pins facilitating this dual connection.

In contrast, the SNS classic system has just one pin at the front of the boot connecting to a single front point on the binding, and lacks the additional spring-loaded arm for connection.

In 2016, Salomon introduced another system called Prolink. Although it mounts similarly to SNS bindings, it is only compatible with NNN boots. Therefore, boots with NNN outsoles from manufacturers like Alpina, Fischer, Rossignol, Madshus, Alfa, and Peltonen will align with Prolink bindings.

Keep in mind that Salomon SNS and Prolink cannot be interchanged. This means Salomon SNS boots won't fit Prolink bindings, and vice versa for Prolink boots and SNS bindings.

Bindings for Combi Boots

Combi boot bindings adhere to the previously mentioned standards. If the combi boot is from Salomon under the SNS system, it will feature two pins and fit SNS skate bindings, and it will also be compatible with SNS classic bindings that lack a spring-loaded arm but have a groove for the metal pin under the foot.

How Do NNN and SNS Differ?

SNS and NNN binding and boot designs may seem similar initially, but they differ. Attempting to fit an SNS boot into an NNN binding highlights the disparity at the connection width—their dimensions do not match. Specifically, Rottefella NNN's width surpasses that of Salomon SNS.

Understanding Rottefella NIS

Rottefella has innovated the attachment method for their NNN bindings with the ski through an adjustable system called NIS (Nordic Integrated System). You can shift the binding slightly forward for extra grip (ideal for hillier terrain) or backward for better glide (preferred for smoother terrain). This system involves a plate, possibly pre-installed or self-mounted, which allows easy NNN binding attachment by sliding it using an NIS key. Rottefella NIS plates are incompatible with Salomon SNS or Prolink bindings.

Compatible Gear for Nordic Backcountry Skiing Off Tracks

Apart from the previously covered systems, Rottefella and Salomon also produce bindings for Nordic backcountry skiing. Rottefella labels theirs Rottefella BC and Salomon names theirs Salomon BC.

These bindings are built to withstand tougher terrain compared to in-track skiing. However, these systems are uniquely paired with special backcountry boots, as BC bindings feature a wider pin and connection point, thus making them unsuitable for conventional NNN, SNS, or Prolink setups. This specific type of equipment is not intended for roller skiing.