When I started skiing in the 70s, LOOK bindings were cool equipment to have on your Dynastar Omeglass or Olin Mark 6 skis. Add to that a pair of Dynafit or Hanson boots and you were 'the' coolest dude on the local slope. LOOK were also too expensive for my 13 year old self at the time so I finally got a pair through mail-order 20 years ago. Those bad-boys did not disappoint albeit they are rather heavy-feeling on the skis it was worth the wait.
I used to be sponsored by a binding manufacturer in World cup dh and super g but now I only ski with Look Pivot bindings, safest bindings on the market, 40 years of pro skiing and my knees are great. On other bindings I have to put them at 13/14 DIN but on Pivots I ski at 9.5 DIN. Amazing.
Wonderful news Chip. I started skiing back in the early '60's when all there was for Bindings was the Bear trap binding, a nasty piece of work indeed. Then came an assortment of cable bindings including the Look Nevada Binding, Marker Tyrolia Rotomat and of course the Salomon Binding. But hands down, my opinion it was the Look Nevada Binding that was the safest on the market. The Binding provided the greatest amount of 'flex' too which we all wanted, especially when we skied moguls or powder. No pre release with a Look Nevada Binding. After all those years away not being able to ski due to a car accident, I am considering getting back on the boards and it was so reassuring to see Look Bindings are still around. I guess it goes to show ya just can't improve on perfection!
J'ai 66 ans et j'ai commencé à skier à 11 ans. Mes premières fixations étaient des lanières de cuir sur des skis en bois sans carre! Ensuite j'ai eu des skis en bois, avec une fixation Tyrolia. Finalement, vers l'âge de 15 ans, j'ai eu mes premiers skis en fibre de verre. J'ai fait installer des fixations Look Nevada. Depuis, je n'ai jamais eu d'autres fixations que des Look. Aujourd'hui, j'ai des Pivot 14 sur des skis Stöckli. Cette fixation est tout simplement extraordinaire. Elle est à la fois solide et très sécuritaire. Cette fixation pardonne toutes les erreurs de prise de carre, latéralement. On ne mentionne pas souvent ce point de conception. En effet, le talon de la botte est maintenu fermement des deux côtés par deux points fixes. De sorte que, si on ramène le ski extérieur brusquement suite à une erreur, la fixation ne va pas déclencher de façon intempestive; au contraire, c'est la butée avant qui va absorber le choc, grâce à sa grande élasticité. Pas surprenant que cette fixation soit choisie par tous les skieurs de saut. En terminant, j'ajouterais que je ne me suis jamais blessé en ski. Je ne tombais pas souvent, mais quand c'était le cas, c'était toujours un peu inquiétant. J'étais, entre 35 et 50 ans, du type slalom géant qui aimait la vitesse. Or, à chaque chute, mes Look déclenchaient sans que je ne m'en rende compte. Juste au bon moment. Aucune douleur aux genoux par la suite, rien. Quelqu'un demandait, plus haut, si cette fixation pouvait convenir pour tous les types de ski. La réponse est oui, sans aucune hésitation.
@@chipcamillo4034 I am 66 years old and I started skiing at 11 years old. My first bindings were leather straps on edgeless wooden skis! Then I had wooden skis, with a Tyrolia binding. Finally, around the age of 15, I got my first fiberglass skis. I had Look Nevada bindings installed. Since then, I have never had any bindings other than Look. Today I have Pivot 14s on Stöckli skis. This binding is simply extraordinary. It is both solid and very safe. This binding forgives all errors in edge grip, laterally. This design point is not often mentioned. Indeed, the heel of the boot is firmly held on both sides by two fixed points. So that, if the outside ski is brought back abruptly following an error, the binding will not trigger inadvertently; on the contrary, it is the toe piece which will absorb the shock, thanks to its great elasticity. No wonder this binding is chosen by all jump skiers. In closing, I would add that I have never injured myself skiing. I didn't fall often, but when I did, it was always a little worrying. I was, between 35 and 50 years old, the giant slalom type who liked speed. However, with each fall, my Look triggered without me realizing it. Just at the right time. No knee pain afterwards, nothing. Someone asked earlier if this binding could be suitable for all types of skis. The answer is yes, without hesitation.
I love these bindings I’ve mounted them on tons of skis! The only think I don’t like about them is if you’re skiing them really hard the brakes love to explode which pretty much makes the whole heel piece useless. I have enough broken heel pieces to make a nice coat hanger haha. Other than that they are by far the best binding for freestyle skiing!
Hey Matt, Sorry for delay, the ski season has been full gas and I haven't gotten back to check comments as often as I should. I just wanted to make sure you knew we make replaceable brakes for Pivot bindings, in all brake widths- 95, 115, 130 mm. Any Look dealer should have those or can order for you. Thanks for the support and have a great ski season!
I've been rocking the same pair of Pivot 15's since 2009 on my Armada AR6's. I can't even imagine using anything else at this point. I've been riding them for freestyle for over 12 years now and they are bombproof (so are the AR6's). I've got them set at 13 (I'm 130lbs) and they have only ever come off when I probably would have lost my leg. The pivot is also awesome for slightly over rotating spins and coming off rails a little skewed. I'm finally looking to move onto my next set of skis and I'm happy to see that Look is still keeping with their tried and true. I'm thinking of stepping down to the 14's, since my crazy freestyle days have slowed down to a few flips and spins here and there. My only concern is the plastic toe piece. I would much prefer the metal toe piece to ensure I get another 12 years out of them, but what are your thoughts on durability of the new 2023 14GW compared to the 15 or 18? Thanks for the review!
Thanks for the great support and review Ryan! I’d say keep with the Pivot 15, seems it’s a great match with your skiing style. Check out the new Rasta color way. What’s your home ski area? Have a great season!
@@chipcamillo4034 Thanks for the response! I ended up grabbing a new set of 15’s in the gold color way. They look great on my new Shaggy’s Sarge 95’s. I’m a Michigan local, so I had to support a ski company in my home state. I’ve been instructing at Snowsnake in Michigan for 15 years now. Mt. Bohemia and Nubs Nob are my go to’s in Michigan. I try to hit everything once though!
Hi Chip. Love the content and the video. I just bought and had the Pivot 15s in Gold mounted to some Dynastar 192 M-Free 108 skis. Gold bindings with skis with gold highlights. When I got my skis back from the shop, I was surprised at the 6.5 DIN setting. Then I ran the math at Level III skier and the key input is that 335mm sole plate. My ego told me to go for the gusto and now I feel silly for getting such a beefy binding. I am certainly not in the median range of the DIN settings. I also was considering bumping it up to 8 or something. I currently have skied the last 5 seasons on Rossi S7 with 115 under foot and some Marker Griffon bindings. Turns out those DIN are set at 7 or something as well and I never have had a pre release. Thoughts. And thanks for the great review.
Hi, sorry for the delay. It’s been a crazy busy ski season. Yeah boot dole length can make the setting change for sure. Even at a lower setting you still get the advantage of 1 piece metal toe piece. (Super tight boot/ski connection) if you’re not experiencing any pressure releases I would keep them where they are. If you ever do, and want to increase release setting, just increase .5 at a time. Thanks for the support! That’s a sweet setup, hope you get some big snow days this season!
@@chipcamillo4034 Thanks Chip, perfect advice and after the last consecutive 18 ski days at Snow Basin, Alta, Snowbird, Big Sky, Grand Targhee and finishing at Jackson Hole, the set up was great. The skis were amazing. Everyone but GTR and JHMR are hurting for snow but it is coming this weekend. I could not believe the amount of Pivots on the mountain. I never noticed until I had my own. Thanks for the response. I will be leaving the DIN right where it is and just be proud of my Gold Bindings matching the gold highlights on my Dynastar 192 M-Free 108 skis.
wow, very sorry for the very late reply. I missed the notification of your comment. Hopefully you were able to find out that the only difference is the spring and upper DIN limit between the Pivot 12/14. When you go to the Pivot 15, you get the 1 piece metal toepiece. (the heels are the same in all Pivots, aside from DIN max) Hope you had a great season!
since the pivot brakes are integral to the mounting, in other words you cannot remove or repair the brakes without unscrewing them from the ski, I use quiver killers (or binding freedom) inserts. otherwise I would hate these brakes. All of this is because the pivot heel is the best of the best, none are better for feel or performance (at for me personally!)
Hi Chip - Does Look make 85mm wide bindings with Pivot feature ? I have bought 82mm wide skis and wanted to mount LOOK Pivot bindings on the new skis. Looks like you make Pivot B95, but I have not even seen Pivot B90 yet. Pivot B95 may work for 82mm skis, but maybe B95 is too wide for my 82mm skis.. ? What is ideal Pivot bindings size for 82mm skis ?
Sorry for delay, busy season! We do B75(for mogul skis) then the next size up is B95 in all DIN and color options, which will be fine on an 82mm ski as they recess a bit when you step in. Have a great season!
The only metal on the heelpiece is the brake treadle under the boot and around boot lug. It doesn't add any overall weight or effect. In fact, since so much of the heelpiece is under the boot, the overall swing weight of the Look Pivot is noticeably lower that traditional heel piece bindings. Which make your skis feel more lively.
Hi Chip. I recently purchased 2 pairs of Pivot 15's in Forza and had them mounted on my new skis. They look great and I feel secure skiing in them. One thing I noticed though is that adjusting the DIN setting on the heel piece, in both pairs, required quite a bit of strength as the screw was very, very tight. That's in contrast to the toe pieces which were all very easy to adjust. I'm just curious if this is by design, and normal? Thanks.
Sorry for delay, the Pivot 15/18 toes have 2 points of contact in toe and 3 in heel. The Pivot 12/14 toes have 4 points of contact and 3 in heel. The 15/18 are 1 piece alloy construction, so they offer plenty of rigidity. Thanks, have a good ski season!
Hey I got the pivot 14’s recently and love them. But when lowering the din the pin fell out and I’m so confused how to fix them. You are the only place I found that might know???
Sorry for delay. It’s been a crazy busy ski season. Not sure what you’re referring to. By pin do you mean DIN adj screw? Can’t you just screw it back in? You could always take back to shop you got them from for an assist, or if you bought online, track down a nearby Look dealer for help. Hope that helps.
Not foolish at all. The heel pivots anytime the boot moves laterally in the system, the advantage is no friction ever is allowed to build up between the heel of the boot and the heel piece of the binding. Of course while skiing, this movement is slight and only when the boot is knocked off center by sideways forces. Thanks.
Too bad Chip doesn’t know the product. The pivot heal isn’t designed to allow for smoother pivot heal release. It’s designed for better retention - pivoting to maintain retention.
Can you alter the length of them for a different ski boot just bought a new pair of boots with a different sole length and the don't fit . Really like these bindings and don't want to take them to a shop if I can help it
Sorry for the delay...Yes, there is some longitudinal adjustment with the fwd pressure screws at the back of the heel piece. A shop can check that for you and if the boot sole length is not too different a redrill shouldn’t be needed. Correct fwd pressure is crucial to a Pivot binding functioning properly, so I would suggest a self adjust. Thanks and have a good season.
Hello Chip, just bought a pair of Head Kore 99 after a week of demos in Park City. Ski mainly in the east on piste, but wanted another ski for those rare powder days in the east and trips out west. Would you recommend the Look Pivot for an advanced 190lb all mtn skier? Din setting of 10
Sorry about the delay. Been a busy season...anyway, for sure the advantage of the Look Pivot will be realized on piste or all Mtn/ungrounded snow. A tight boot-ski connection and allowing the ski to flex more as it was defined helps you in all conditions. Have a good season and thanks for watching!
I bought the pivot 12s B95 and I’m mounting them on a ski with a waist of 98 because that’s what the ski company told me to do. Now I’m seeing recently that this might be a problem because apparently now I have to “bend” the brakes a little, is this a big deal or no?
I'd set them on the ski at the spot they'd be mounted and see if they hang up. Bending the brake/treadle really isn't the best option, as it can loosen the whole mechanism. If the brake does catch you'll need to go with a 115mm brake.
Pivots are perfect for all types of skiing. Look Pivot is by far the #1 used binding in Slopestyle, Halfpipe, and Big Air comps for X Games and Olympic athletes, so I’m positive they will work well for your skiing. Thanks much!
Sorry for delay. You said you mounted them, did you have a template and have the holes for toe/heel properly spaced? If so, the two fwd pressure screws have enough adjustment to allow you to get the correct fwd pressure. Any Look retailer can assist you with this. The correct fwd pressure is pretty integral to the system retaining/releasing properly. Good luck and have a great season!
I think the video explains pretty well. Basically: shorter mounting platform, tighter boot/ski connection, lighter swing weight of the ski and true vertical toe release.
All Look toe pieces offer multidirectional release. That includes both Pivot 12/14 and the one piece 15/18. Feel free to check out our website. www.look-bindings.com/technologies then scroll down toe piece technologies. Have a good season.
@@chipcamillo4034 in a pure vertical force the toe will come out of 14 not 18. a pure vertical force would need to have additional off axis torque or force applied to release from 18. this is why there are different toe piece models.
Sorry for the delay, good question. The Pivot 14 has a lower DIN range- 5-14 vs 6-15 for the Pivot 15, so if you are lighter, the 14 is more appropriate. Also the Pivot 14 is 329.00 vs 399.00 so a bit less expensive. The 15 being metal does allow some cool color ways! We sold out of both models in 20/21, so if you are going to pick up a pair of either, do it early. Let me know if you need to know a Look dealer near you. Thanks! CC
I got the pivot 15’s to upgrade to the touring kit and have a solid all-mountain, all-around ski for both in resort and side-country. I’m definitely an advanced skiier, but small af though so the DIN is at minimum setting for me heh heh
break width +118mm, pivot 12 etc. is the max din the binding can be set to. so depending on ur level u choose the 12, 14 etc (take into account u want ur actual DIN level to be the median of the DIN range of ur binding) with breaks width of probs 120mm
I use the 115mm brake width, and you can add a slight bend to each brake fork, but clamp them in a vice before you bend them so as not damage the attachment near the spring.
If it’s a true touring boot with DIN ISO 9523 sole, it probably will not be compatible with an any alpine binding. The curved sole and no smooth AFD interface are problematic. Any ski shop can tell you for sure. Cheers.
@@chipcamillo4034 you remove the toe piece and remount it on the CAST pillar. The CAST toe piece allows you to change the AFD. Alpine, GW or WTR. The WTR albeit not recognised is "compatible" with Touring Soles.
