Review: Salomon Strive 14 GW Ski Bindings · 2023
Published on 07/19/2023 · 3 min readCurated Ski Experts share their experience using the 2023 Salomon Strive 14 GW Ski Bindings. Note that experts are not sponsored by any brands; these are their honest opinions.By Curated Experts
Leo Cocchiara, Andy Reiner and Davis Stryer
7 photos
The Curated Take
5.0/5
The Salomon Strive 14 GW Ski Bindings, geared towards aggressive skiers, offer exceptional performance across any resort-accessible terrain. They feature a low-profile design, ensuring seamless power transfer and responsiveness. With reliable release mechanics, a sturdy yet lightweight construction, and a DIN range between 5 and 14, they provide secure and versatile functionality. Skiers will appreciate the Strive's improvement over its predecessors, offering a significant weight reduction without sacrificing the power transfer Salomon is known for.
Ideal for
- Lightest weight binding in its class at 1960g per pair
- Really low profile and sits low to the ski for better feel and feedback
- Perfectly versatile for all-mountain skiing in any terrain or conditions
- Lots of adjustability
- Super efficient power transfer
- Effortless release when required
- Striking design
Not ideal for
- Not rated MNC and is only for Alpine and GripWalk boot soles
- 5-14 DIN range isn't appropriate for lighter weight or beginner skiers
- Not a fully metal design
- No touring mode
Power Transfer
Ski binding companies are racing to the bottom, in the sense that they're trying to put as little between your boots and the skis as possible so that the power...Read more
Release Reliability
I'm a skier that will look for the most exciting terrain on the mountain and point right towards it. If my skis fall off in a moment I don't want...Read more
Durability
There's always a give and take when it comes to keeping a binding light while still keeping it sturdy and durable for aggressive use. Salomon succeeded in creating a great...Read more
Versatility
The Strive doesn't care where you take it. If you can access it via chairlift, it's going to deliver exactly what you want, need, and expect from an alpine binding...Read more
Expert Reviews of the Salomon Strive 14 GW Ski Bindings
Leo Cocchiara The Salomon Strive is taking over as the gold standard model for resort skiing in the Salomon binding line up. (Fun fact, George Salomon created the first releasable ski binding.) This is replacing the Salomon Warden's nearly 10 year run having been introduced in 2014. The Strive completely changes the toe piece of the Warden to a more classic triangle design with cues coming from the super successful Salomon Shift hybrid touring binding. I was skeptical at first with Warden 11 and 13 being my personal favorite bindings, and I wanted to feel 100% sure that the Strive would do justice to their legacy. Any qualms I had fell by the wayside as I put the bindings through the paces in some of the most demanding situations. Top speed on icy hard pack, carved out moguls, deep powder, tight trees---they handled it all at peak performance, and the reduced weight gave me even more power and control to really drive my skis.
Andy Reiner I've never been obsessed with my alpine bindings---until I met the Salomon / Atomic Strive 14. These brand new bindings take inspiration from lessons learned from their famous Shift AT bindings. The ultra low profile toe piece brings your boots closer to the ski and the snow for a low center of gravity. This increases power transfer, and makes controlling the skis even easier and more fun. Release is effortless, and only happens when it should. The release feels incredibly responsive and safe, so you know you're making an investment to protect against injury with these bindings. Elastic travel on the toe wings holds boots tightly when the going gets bumpy and protects against pre-release. The wide stance and toebox is going to be an excellent choice for wider skis, and the huge DIN range of 5-14 makes it a perfect fit for most people and all kinds of skiing. Compatible with both GripWalk (GW) and alpine ski boot soles. Mount the Strive 14 to your favorite skis and feel the difference
Davis Stryer This binding is perfect for a wide range of skiers who are looking for a solid all mountain binding that releases consistently. It has a very low stack height which allows for a solid power transfer and takes inspiration from the Shift touring binding for the toepiece. It has lots of adjustability as well, and so far has been great for me. No complaints! Salomon, Atomic, and Armada all sell the same Strive 14 binding, and I personally skied on the Armada version.
Review Ratings
Power Transfer
5/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 5 of 5 stars. Ski binding companies are racing to the bottom, in the sense that they're trying to put as little between your boots and the skis as possible so that the power transfer and feedback are as responsive and seamless as possible. The Strive delivers all you could really ask for when it comes to taking your input and translating it directly to the ski so that you have total control.
Release Reliability
5/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 5 of 5 stars. I'm a skier that will look for the most exciting terrain on the mountain and point right towards it. If my skis fall off in a moment I don't want them to, I'm not going to have a good time. The Strive has a crisp step in that really lets you know you're secure before you take off at top speed. They keep you in when you want them to, and when you do need to pop out, they feel just as reliable as the step in.
Durability
5/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 5 of 5 stars. There's always a give and take when it comes to keeping a binding light while still keeping it sturdy and durable for aggressive use. Salomon succeeded in creating a great balance of those proprieties in the Strive. I've been able to put them through the same paces as my older Salomon Wardens, and the new design fixes a previous durability flaw that the Wardens have. All together, I think Salomon took a good step forward with these.
Versatility
5/5
Leo Cocchiara gave 5 of 5 stars. The Strive doesn't care where you take it. If you can access it via chairlift, it's going to deliver exactly what you want, need, and expect from an alpine binding that's geared towards the more aggressive skier. Whether you're looking to mob through the moguls, ski the trees, rip groomers, stomp park, or surf powder, as long as your DIN is between 5 and 14, you're in good shape.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Leo Cocchiara I was lucky to ski on Faction skis this year, and they mount with the Strive. They really shined on all of the skis across the line up to and including my favorites, the Mana series.
Why did you choose this product?
Leo Cocchiara I've always really liked the way Salomon heel pieces feel when you step in. They give a loud clack to let you know you're locked in there. They transfer power really well for driving the ski.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Leo Cocchiara The Strive is nearly half the weight of its predecessor the Wardens at 1960g per pair. They sit really low to the ski as well for tight responsiveness.
What do you love about this product?
Leo Cocchiara The Salomon Strive is the next generation of great bindings from Salomon. It takes design cues from some of their best models: the Wardens, the STH2, and the Shift. The Strive is almost half the weight of its predecessors and doesn't lose any of the power transfer Salomon is known for.
Leo Cocchiara
Ski ExpertAndy Reiner
Ski ExpertDavis Stryer
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