Ski Bindings: Illustrations

Home > Equipment > Ski Bindings > Ski Bindings: Illustrations

Ski bindings have evolved from a basic toe strap to the inclusion of a heel strap made from natural materials. Later came the introduction of metal to add strength and stability. Some examples of the progression are shown in the illustrations below:

Early Toe Bindings:

Early toe bindings were just a loop of spruce tree root… looped through the ski
(Oslo Ski Museum)

This old ski had a scooped out foot pad and again the toe strap threaded through the ski
(Estonian Ski Museum)

A Finnish ski with leather toe strap … used in N.Ontario… over 100 years ago
(Canadian Museum of Nordic Skiing – Canmore)

Spruce root binding … first attempt at a heel strap
(Oslo Ski Museum)

A leather adjustable toe strap … again through the ski …
(Norway)

Double thong toe strap … better grip on the boot
(Estonian Ski Museum)

Early heel strap bindings:

A first attempt at a heel strap
(Oslo Ski Museum)