Compatibility of Bindings for Cross Country and Roller Skis

When purchasing equipment for cross country skis (also known as nordic skiing) and roller skis, it's crucial to ensure that the bindings and footwear you select are compatible. Since much of the same equipment is used for both cross country skiing and roller skiing, and the manufacturers are the same, this guide applies to both categories.

Different Standards - NNN, SNS and Prolink

Two manufacturers of bindings and boot outsoles set the standards, including measurements, specific mechanics, and unique solutions. These manufacturers are Rottefella (Norway) and Salomon (established in France).

Rottefella

The Rottefella system is known as the NNN, which stands for New Nordic Norm. This system is present both on the ski boot outsole and the binding. Rottefella manufactures the bindings but does not produce the entire boot. Instead, they license the boot technology to other boot producers. Manufacturers of cross country equipment that use the Rottefella outsole system in their boot production include Rossignol, Madshus, Alpina, Alfa, Yoko, Fischer, and Peltonen.

Some of these manufacturers print their own name on the binding. For example, the Rottefella NNN binding may be labeled as a Fischer NNN binding. Read more about the Rottefella NIS technology in the section “What is Rottefella NIS?” found further down in this article.

Salomon

Salomon is known for the SNS boot and binding system, which stands for Salomon Nordic System. They also designed a new binding system called Prolink.

The SNS system comes in two versions: one for classic skiing and one for skate skiing. The difference is that the bindings for skate skiing have an extra connection point between the binding and the boot, providing optimized torsional rigidity when kicking sideways during a skate skiing session. This extra connection point is a spring-loaded arm connected to a pin in the boot under the foot, in addition to the front pin that connects to the front connection point. Thus, SNS skate bindings have two connection points, and SNS skate boots have two pins for this double connection.

In contrast, the classic binding and boot system only has one pin in the boot's front that connects to one point at the front of the binding. Furthermore, the SNS classic binding lacks the spring-loaded arm as an additional connection point.

In 2016, Salomon introduced another binding and boot system named Prolink. This system is unique in that it is mounted like the SNS binding systems but is compatible only with NNN boots. This means that boots with NNN outsoles from Alpina, Fischer, Rossignol, Madshus, Alfa, and Peltonen will fit the Prolink binding.

Please note that Salomon SNS and Salomon Prolink products cannot be combined. Salomon SNS boots are not compatible with Salomon Prolink bindings, and Salomon Prolink boots cannot be paired with Salomon SNS bindings.

Bindings for Combi Boots

Bindings for combi boots follow the aforementioned standards and technologies. If it is a Salomon SNS combi boot, it will have two pins and thus fit SNS skate bindings. It will also fit the SNS classic bindings that do not have a spring-loaded arm but instead have a slot where the metal pin is under the foot.

What Is the Difference Between NNN and SNS?

Although SNS and NNN binding and boot systems may look similar at first glance, they are different. For instance, if you try to fit an SNS boot into an NNN binding, you will find that the width at the connection point does not fit - they have different measurements. Rottefella NNN is wider than the Salomon SNS.

What Is Rottefella NIS?

Rottefella has further developed the way you attach the Rottefella NNN binding to the ski. This system is adjustable, allowing you to move the binding a bit towards the front of the ski (providing more grip - good for hilly skiing) or a bit backward (providing more glide - good for smooth skiing). NIS (Nordic Integrated System) is the name of the plate you drill and/or glue onto the ski. This NIS plate might be preinstalled from the factory, or you might mount it yourself. When this plate is on the ski, it allows you to click in the NNN binding by sliding it to the right place with the NIS key. You can then adjust it to the preferred position. The Rottefella NIS plate cannot be used for Salomon SNS bindings or Salomon Prolink bindings.

Compatible Equipment for Nordic Backcountry Skiing Outside Tracks

Besides the above-mentioned, both Rottefella and Salomon make bindings for cross country/Nordic skiing outside tracks - Backcountry skiing. Rottefella has named their binding Rottefella BC (Backcountry), and Salomon has named theirs Salomon BC.

These bindings are made stronger and more powerful to withstand the harsher conditions outside the tracks.

These two binding systems are for special backcountry boots, meaning that BC bindings will not fit normal NNN, SNS, or Prolink boots. The pin in the boots and the connection point on the bindings are much wider. This equipment is not very useful for roller skiing.