Bindings are a foundational piece of ski gear, playing a fundamental role in power transfer, responsiveness, and safety as the connection between boot and ski. When purchasing an alpine binding, you’ll want to pay attention to DIN, boot sole compatibility, brake width, and more. The Tyrolia Attack 13 stands out as a versatile and reliable option for skiers of all levels. It’s a top pick for those seeking a balance of performance, ease of use, and value.
The Attack 13 is light, and skis light, with a compact lateral spring toe, it is actaully light but also has a low swing weight so again it skis light. The toe is also very laterally rigid so it creates a very solid interface between the boot and the skis. The twin cam heel is easy to step into, a design that works well in deep snow. Delta angle, the Attack 13 has a 2mm differential from heel to toe which is relatively flat creating a modern stance on the skis.
Tyrolia on average produces some of the most dependable well engineered bindings out there and they are just about the only company with consistent technology all through the line. As opposed to, say, Salomon which makes top notch STH binding for the higher end and highly mediocre stuff such as Z12 for the lower end. Also, Attack demos being hugely popular right now push people towards the other offering in the line (plus everything Phil said). I personally still give a slight advantage to the FKS and STH binding becuase of the longitudinal spring toe (as opposed to transverse spring in Attacks and Marker Royalty) but that is a rather marginal advantage.
What about Freeflex models (and other manufacturers comparable system)? Is there no real benefit?
It seems like binding selection is too often left to brand-loyalty, hearsay and aesthetics. (Not that aesthetics should be ignored! Probably best to not be the #1 criteria, though.
Read also: Battle Bindings: Performance and Value
For those like me who prefer not to concentrate on anything besides skiing, here is the shortest version of this review. These AAATTACK bindings-I’ll just type Attack so I don’t wear out my keyboard-are lightweight, give you fantastic control of your skis, and are very easy to step into. If you want these bindings, get them! Now for a few details.
The Tyrolia Attack binding is optimized for wide skis that will spend time off-piste and in the park, so these bindings are durable enough to take a beating no matter where they are. I haven’t had enough time to test how many times you can back-flip into a tree without breaking these, but I really hope you aren’t worried about this anyway.
The secure feeling of the binding is due in part to a very low 17mm stack height that keeps you close to the ski, and a 77mm wide metal AFD plate which creates a large contact area with the sole of your boot. Additionally, the Freeride Pro Toe piece is constructed with a horizontal spring, highlighting the modern design of the Attack. These features add up to a precise and connected feel with the ski while also delivering consistent and accurate release values.
Tyrolia makes brakes available with widths of 88mm, 97mm, 115mm, 130mm, and 150mm. The official Powder7 scale gives a weight of just 4.05 pounds per pair without brakes. Keeping the binding weight low is beneficial in the park and pipe for keeping the total swing weight of the ski low. However, I noticed the weight - or lack thereof - all over the mountain.
If there was a moral to this review, it would be to love each other and get outside more often.
Read also: All About Twin Tips
Key Features and Benefits
The Attack 13 boasts several features that make it a standout choice:
- Ease of Entry: Known for being exceptionally easy to step into, even in deep snow conditions.
- Reliable Release: Offers consistent and accurate release values, enhancing safety.
- Low Weight: Lightweight design reduces swing weight, improving maneuverability.
- Low Stand Height: A low stand height of 17mm provides a solid and stable platform, allowing for better feel and control of the ski. It makes it so you can really feel the ski, and gives you a solid, stable platform to menuever the ski with. This adds to the solid interface.
- Durable Construction: Built to withstand the demands of various skiing environments, including off-piste and park skiing.
Here's a look at how the Tyrolia Attack 13 compares to other popular ski bindings:
| Binding | DIN Range | Sole Compatibility | Brake Sizes | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrolia Attack LYT 11 GW | 3-11 | Alpine, GripWalk | 85, 95, 110mm | Well-made, budget-friendly for intermediate skiers |
| Look Pivot 15 GW | 6-15 | Alpine, GripWalk | 95, 105, 115, 130mm | Standout elasticity, high-quality metal construction |
| Salomon S/Lab Shift2 MN 13 | 6-13 | Alpine, Touring, WTR, GripWalk | 90, 100, 110, 120mm | Uncompromised uphill and downhill performance |
Comparing to the 2 other bindings you mentioned? The Attacks brother, the PRX 12 which has a longitudinally mounted spring in the toe is a fine binding for sure, it is the design that Tyrolia uses on all of theyr system skis and their race skis is great binding but the delta is much more significant at 6mm, not as obvious with a bigger boot but with a smaller shell, you can feel like you in high heels. This can be corrected with a toe shim. The Salomon Z12 is totally out classed here. The plastic encased heel track has been shown to weaken and come apart and loosen on skis over 90mm underfoot. The attack is also just a dependable work horse.
Tyrolia ski bindings are known for their dependability and engineering.
Pros and Cons
Like all products, the Tyrolia Attack 13 has its tradeoffs:
Read also: Safely Remove Bindings
- Pros:
- Easy to step into
- Reliable performance
- Lightweight design
- Great control of your skis
- Cons:
- Brake screws directly into the ski, which can be annoying if you need to swap them
- Adjustment isn't as fine as on some bindings
However, for many skiers, the advantages outweigh these minor inconveniences.
How to Choose Ski Bindings | Powder7
Ski Binding DIN Setting Chart