Compatibility of Bindings for Cross Country and Roller Skis

When purchasing gear for cross country skiing (also referred to as Nordic skiing) and roller skiing, it's essential to ensure that your chosen bindings and footwear are compatible. Owing to the overlap in equipment used for cross country skiing and roller skiing, and as they share the same manufacturers, this guide applies to both types.

Various Standards - NNN, SNS, and Prolink

Two companies that produce bindings and boot outsoles set standards involving measurements, distinctive mechanics, and exclusive solutions. They are Rottefella (Norway) and Salomon (established in France).

Rottefella

Rottefella's system, known as NNN, stands for New Nordic Norm. This system is incorporated into both the ski boot outsole and the binding. While Rottefella produces the bindings, it does not create the entire boot, licensing the boot technology to other manufacturers. Brands that use the Rottefella outsole system in their boot production include Rossignol, Madshus, Alpina, Alfa, Yoko, Fischer, and Peltonen.

Some of these brands print their name on the binding, leading to products like the Fischer NNN binding, which is the Rottefella NNN binding under a different name. Explore more about Rottefella NIS technology in the segment titled “What is Rottefella NIS?” further in this article.

Salomon

Salomon is renowned for its SNS boot and binding system, which stands for Salomon Nordic System. They also created a new binding system called Prolink.

The SNS system offers two variations: one for classic skiing and another for skate skiing. The skate skiing bindings differ as they possess an additional connection point between the binding and the boot, offering optimum torsional stiffness when pushing sideways during a skate skiing session. This extra connection employs a spring-loaded arm linked to a pin in the boot beneath the foot, besides the front pin tying into the front connection point. Thus, SNS skate bindings feature two connection points, and the SNS skate boots contain two pins enabling this double connection.

Conversely, the classic binding and boot system under SNS includes just one pin at the front of the boot that links to a single front point on the binding. Moreover, the SNS classic binding lacks a spring-loaded arm as an additional link point.

In 2016, Salomon unveiled another binding and boot system dubbed Prolink. Unique as it mounts similarly to the SNS bindings, it only fits NNN boots. So, boots with NNN outsoles from Alpina, Fischer, Rossignol, Madshus, Alfa, and Peltonen fit the Prolink binding.

Be aware that Salomon SNS and Salomon Prolink products are not interchangeable. Thus, Salomon SNS boots won't fit Salomon Prolink bindings, and vice-versa for Salomon Prolink boots and Salomon SNS bindings.

Bindings for Combi Boots

Bindings for combi boots conform to the standards and technologies mentioned earlier. A Salomon SNS combi boot will have two pins, thus suitable for SNS skate bindings. It also fits SNS classic bindings that lack a spring-loaded arm but instead have a slot at the place of the metal pin under the foot.

Contrasts Between NNN and SNS

Although SNS and NNN boot and binding systems may look similar superficially, they differ. For instance, if you attempt to place an SNS boot within an NNN binding, you will notice the connection point's width isn't compatible due to differing measurements. Rottefella NNN is broader than Salomon SNS.

Explaining Rottefella NIS

Rottefella has advanced the method of attaching the Rottefella NNN binding to the ski.  This adjustable system allows binding movement slightly forwards (for increased grip - beneficial for hilly skiing) or slightly backward (for improved glide - advantageous for smooth skiing). NIS (Nordic Integrated System) is the title of the plate mounted or possibly preinstalled at the factory onto the ski. When present on the ski, this plate permits clicking in the NNN binding by sliding it to the wanted position using the NIS key. It can then be adjusted to the desired stance. Salomon SNS bindings or Salomon Prolink bindings are incompatible with the Rottefella NIS plate.

Compatible Gear for Nordic Backcountry Skiing Off-Track

Besides what's previously mentioned, Rottefella and Salomon produce bindings for Nordic skiing off-track - Backcountry skiing. Rottefella's backcountry binding is referred to as Rottefella BC, whereas Salomon's is named Salomon BC.

Crafted sturdier, these bindings cater to more demanding environments outside standard tracks. These bindings are compatible with special backcountry boots; thus, BC bindings will not fit standard NNN, SNS, or Prolink. This is due to broader pins in the boots and connection points on the bindings. This equipment is largely unsuitable for roller skiing.