Expert Review: Salomon Warden MNC 11 Ski Bindings · 2023

The Salomon Warden 11 MNC is an excellent choice in binding for resort skiing that allows a skier to utilize any boot they may have. The bindings are Multi Norm Compatible (MNC), allowing many ski boot soles to fit in the bindings. They are bindings for the intermediate to advanced level skier.

About the bindings I own

Model: 2023 Salomon Warden 11 MNC

About me

Height: 6’0”
Weight: 175 lbs
Preferred DIN range: 9–12
Experience: 26 years skiing, 16 years ski racing

Test conditions

When I bought these: November 2022
Days tested: 30+ days
Boots: 2021 Rossignol All Track Elite 130 LV
Boot Size: 26.5
Skis: 2022 Salomon Stance 92 Ti
Where I’ve used it: Mt. Bachelor
Terrain: Groomer, Mixed Snow, Light Powder

How they perform

Durability

4/5

Power Transfer

5/5

Release Reliability

5/5

Versatility

4/5

What I was looking for

I was looking for a binding that I could use for a multitude of my ski boot options with different boot soles. I wanted a highly-rated binding that was safe and reliable that fell within a DIN range of 8-12.

Why I chose this gear

The Salomon Warden 11 MNC allows a skier to ski different boot soles, making the bindings Multi Norm Compatible. These bindings have an easy step-in, making it easy to get into the bindings without compromising safety. They also have automatic wing adjustment on the toe piece, allowing the binding wings to adjust automatically to one’s boot width and height. These are extremely highly rated for dependability and performance and are a great choice for any skier.

What I love about them

Release Reliability: These give a little bit of forgiveness, so they won’t pop me out if I make a mistake. When I need to come out, they allow me to come out.
Downhill Performance: There is no gapping or movement as I ride on either the groomer or in the soft snow.
Uphill Performance: Being a downhill-only binding, this setup wouldn’t bode well with any uphill performance. Or it certainly would make it more difficult.
Durability: Having had these bindings for three seasons, they still look brand new. They feature durable plastic and a great design with an all-black look.
Weight: These bindings are fairly light and of good plastic quality. They’re fairly average weight for a resort binding.
Power Transfer: Using an oversized platform, they help transfer power and energy and energy from the skier to the edges of the skis.
Versatility:These bindings are versatile for a few reasons. One, they allow most ski boot soles to be compatible from the MNC addition. They are also lightweight, so they give the skier reduced weight, saving them energy. Lastly, these bindings go up to a DIN setting of 11, so it allows the user a great range to set the DIN to their preference. I can have two pairs of boots in my car and use both on one pair of skis thanks to the MNC technology.

Issues I’ve encountered

Other: This is a bulletproof binding and great for any resort skiing, but it doesn’t give the skier any ability to have a hybrid binding.
Any workarounds? The MNC adjustment does take some time to screw or unscrew the toe piece to accommodate most boots.

Toes of the Salomon Warden MNC 11 Ski Bindings · 2023.

Favorite moment with this gear

While skiing groomer conditions for most of the morning, it started to snow really hard midday—creating soft snow conditions quickly. The Warden 11 MNC allowed me to change boots with no problem. I had my boots on for groomer and hard turning, and as the soft snow came down, those boots became uncomfortable to cruise around in the soft snow. So, I grabbed my other free-ride boots and was able to jump in the bindings without any adjustments. The automatic MNC technology allowed me to get right to skiing.

Value for the money vs. other options

For a binding that can do it all for all types of alpine ski boots, the Salomon Warden 11 MNC is a great binding for riders with multiple boots with different soles. They are highly rated for safety and dependability. Another comparable option would be the LOOK SPX series, which isn’t an MNC binding. Or, the Marker Griffon 11, which are safe and reliable, too, but the Salomon Warden MNC bindings allow safety and diversification for different ski boots.

Final verdict

The Salomon Warden 11 MNC is a great binding to keep me safe. They’re extremely durable and long-lasting, and they look good too. For the versatility of different ski boot soles, these bindings are great, as the MNC allows for a multitude of sole compatibilities.