Backcountry bindings are the piece of gear that keeps your feet attached to your skis when you’re going backcountry skiing. Backcountry skiing, also referred to as ski touring, involves strapping specifically designed skins under your skis to allow them to have enough traction to go uphill. Once you’ve reached the top of the mountain you’re climbing, you can then remove the skins to turn your skis back into “normal”, downhill ones, and then slide all the way back down again. Backcountry bindings are of two different types. “Tech” bindings are made of two separate parts, one for the toe and one for the heel. The toe part holds your boot down with pins, while the heel can be rotated so it can be used as a regular heel clamp for when you’re going downhill or as a support for when you’re going uphill, providing your feet with a strong point to push on for leverage. The other option is “frame” bindings, which resemble alpine bindings very closely, with the only difference that the whole frame is detachable from the binding base to provide the freedom of movement that is required for ascending slopes. Both systems work well, and the choice between the two is often just a matter of personal preference. For some considerations about weight, check out our buying guide above for a more detailed explanation.