What is a DIN Setting?
No, DIN is not a word for a lot of noise. It's an acronym, one that stands for Deutsches Institut für Normung, or, the German Institute for Standardization. This is an industry wide scale of release force for ski bindings.
To help reduce the risk of injury, ski bindings are designed to release in the event of a fall. The DIN setting, which will be configured for you by a qualified ski tech at your local ski shop, is based on your height, weight, ability level, and boot sole length.
The lower your DIN level is set to, the sooner your bindings will release when force is applied to them. Therefore, if you are an aggressive, expert skier, your DIN setting should be relatively high to prevent premature release.
Check out the chart below to see what your appropriate DIN range should be, but an important note to consider: This chart is for reference purposes only, and DIN settings are meant to be precisely calibrated by a qualified ski tech.
DIN Setting Chart
How to Find Your Boot Sole Length
There are two ways to find your ski boot sole length (BSL): check the number stamped on the boot's heel or measure it yourself. The BSL is a critical measurement, given in millimeters, for correctly setting up your ski bindings.
Method 1: Find the BSL on your boot
The sole length is a three-digit number followed by "mm" that is molded directly into the plastic shell of the boot.
- Look on the outside or inside edge of the boot, typically around the heel area.
- The BSL is a three-digit number, such as "315mm".
- Do not confuse the BSL with the Mondopoint size, which is the internal size of the boot and usually contains a decimal point (e.g., 27.5).
Method 2: Measure the BSL yourself
If the BSL number stamped on your boot is worn off or difficult to read, you can measure your boot's length with a tape measure yourself.
- Use a tape measure to measure the distance from the very tip of the boot's toe to the back of the heel.
- Make sure you measure in millimeters for the most accurate result.
