Featherweight Binding, Big-Mountain Power: Salomon MTN Pure/Atomic Backland Tour Bindings Review

Clicking into the MTNP Pure (whether you’ve purchased under the Salomon or Atomic brand name) makes it sound pure. It’s everything you need to feel confident, nothing you don’t. I’ve never skied so hard on touring bindings, and I didn’t even think about it.

I ripped groomers on early ups at Steamboat in the morning alpenglow. I shralped perfectly spaced aspen trees lap after lap, skiing as fast and hard as possible to keep up with my ski patrol escorts on newly opened terrain.

On the uphill, the Salomon MTN Pure/Atomic Backland Tour bindings are also dreamlike. Teetering on a windy ridgeline in the San Juans, I stepped in so easily that I had to wait for a while for my partners to be ready.

It’s lightweight and simple, powerful yet graceful, and beginner-friendly while delivering expert results. Through it all, the MTN Pure was, for me, a quiver killer. 

In short: The Salomon MTN Pure/Atomic Backland Tour bindings are a perfect blend of lightweight design and dependable functionality, making them ideal for skiers who value weight savings during long tours and challenging descents.

Compare the MTN Pure/Backland Tour Bindings with the rest in our guide to the best backcountry ski bindings.

Salomon MTN Pure/Atomic Backland Tour Bindings Review

First Impressions

Straight out of the box, these bindings impressed me with their lightweight yet robust construction. As a first-generation tech binding from Salomon, it’s clear that they took the time to get the details right. The MTN Pure’s robust construction combines lightweight materials with durability.

After extensive testing in diverse conditions, the binding has shown no signs of wear, maybe a few scratches, with no mechanical failures or performance degradation. Compared to competitors (like the G3 Ion or older Fritchi bindings), which have experienced durability issues in plastic components, the MTN Pure’s metal-heavy build is more reliable.

User-Friendly Simplicity and Engineering

The Salomon MTN Pure binding stands out for its simplicity and thoughtful engineering, making it one of the most user-friendly tech bindings on the market. Here are a few features that really stand out.

Semi-Adjustable Release System

A defining feature is the semi-adjustable release system, with interchangeable fork assemblies labeled “Women,” “Men,” and “Expert.” These forks (you’ll also see them called springs) adjust both lateral and forward release values, offering a degree of customization rarely seen in bindings of this weight.

Rotating Heelpiece for Easy Transitions

Another standout feature is the rotating heelpiece body, which ensures that risers always face forward. This design feels rock-solid underfoot and streamlines the transition between climbing and descending modes. It’s the only tech touring binding where the heel pins rotate out of the way for walk mode.

Another obvious metal lever snaps back into place for walk mode, along with the lifting and locking of the toe lever, which is easy to do with one or two fingers. It’s not a struggle to fully lock into walk mode like on some bindings.

Intuitive Step-In and Climbing Features

With a patented “Step-in Aid,” the minimalist toe piece makes stepping in intuitive, even in challenging snow conditions or uneven terrain, due to this solid metal, obvious toe placement indicator. It also allows for a straight downward, quick, and snappy click-in.

The heel piece offers three climbing levels: flat (2 degrees), medium (7 degrees), and high (13 degrees), which can be adjusted fairly easily with a ski pole. Another bonus: an integrated crampon receptor widens the scope of use.

In the Field

Over dozens of days of testing, I skied everything from steep powder lines to icy ridges in bounds and in the backcountry and got plenty of uphill skinning in on these beauties to boot.

In the Skin Track

The MTN Pure truly shines in backcountry efficiency. The flat mode makes long approaches smoother, while the risers offer just the right angles for steeper climbs.

Multiple risers offered excellent flexibility for rolling terrain, and switching between each with a flick of my ski pole was refreshingly straightforward. A robust, easy-to-operate toe lever and a metal toe guide streamline step-in ease, especially helpful on uneven technical transitions.

Downhill Performance

Despite its minimalist build, this binding delivers impressive downhill performance. The wide (40mm) toe mount helps ensure excellent power transfer, strength, and responsiveness, especially on wider skis (big skis, little bindings, as they like to say in the Tetons).

It holds its own on steep powder lines, swooping descents and high-speed turns in packed conditions. Even on bumped-out tree runs with variable snow, I felt able to drive my skis where they needed to go. The bindings held firm even with a heavy pack, never feeling loose or uncertain.

Room for Improvement

While the MTN Pure is a top-tier binding, there are a few trade-offs. The max release value of 12 may not be enough for aggressive freeriders, who may prefer a higher setting. Some skiers might find toe alignment tricky on uneven terrain, although the metal guide helps. Additionally, while the three preset U-springs work well for most, those seeking finer tuning may miss a true adjustable DIN setting.

Who’s It For?

This binding is a standout choice for skiers seeking a lightweight, user-friendly binding with exceptional power transfer and touring efficiency. Its durable aluminum construction, intuitive step-in, and reliable performance make it one of the best tech bindings available today.

While it’s not marketed toward beginners, I would argue that it’s an excellent option for them due to its easy step-in/click-in functionality and impressive power transfer, making it skis like an alpine binding. While aggressive free riders might seek a binding with a higher release range, the MTN Pure offers an ideal balance of simplicity, safety, speediness, and performance for most skiers.

Conclusion

For serious backcountry skiers, the Salomon MTN Pure is a game-changer that excels in uphill efficiency and performs admirably on descents. It delivers high-speed stability, user-friendly transitions, and customizable safety in a lightweight package, making it a trusted companion for any backcountry adventure.