Release 4 to 12 All-Mountain Alpine Binding
Atomic Strive 12 GW Alpine Binding
The Atomic Strive 12 GW is an all-mountain alpine binding for skiers who want a light, well-sorted resort binding without paying for a freeride release range. A 4 to 12 release range covers most adult skiers between 49 and 120 kg, and the 3-Part Heel Light holds that range at 930 g per binding. Automatic toe adaptation handles alpine and GripWalk soles without a part being changed, which is one fewer thing to get wrong at mounting.
Expert Review Setup and compatibility reviewed by CCBB technicians.
Is This the Right Binding for You?
Best For
Intermediate to advanced resort skiers between 49 and 120 kg who want a light, reliable alpine binding for a daily-driver ski.
Consider Another Binding If
You need a release value above 12, you want a touring mode, or your boots have touring soles rather than alpine or GripWalk soles.
CCBB Binding Ratings
Descent Security
4 to 12 release range, TUV certified
Power Transfer
Low profile chassis, 3-Part Heel Light
Ease of Entry
Automatic toe adaptation, step-in
Serviceability
Locking brakes, 28 mm adjustment range
Rating scale: 5 = top of its class, 4 = excellent, 3 = good, 2 = specialized or below average, and 1 = limited.
CCBB Binding Profile
Release Range4 to 12, TUV certified
CertificationTUV certified to ISO 13992 for adult alpine soles
Brake Width90, 100, and 115 mm
Riser HeightsNone, alpine binding
Crampon CompatibleNo
Boot CompatibilityAlpine and GripWalk adult soles
Adjustability28 mm
Skier Weight49 to 120 kg (108 to 264 lbs)
Why We Like It
- The 4 to 12 range covers most adult resort skiers, and it is TUV certified across the range rather than extended past a tested limit.
- Automatic toe adaptation handles both alpine and GripWalk soles without a part being swapped, which removes a common mounting error.
- At 930 g per binding the Strive 12 GW keeps a daily-driver ski light without giving up a proper 3-part heel.
- The 28 mm adjustment range absorbs a boot change within a size or two without drilling the ski again.
Best Uses
- Daily-driver resort setups
- Intermediate to advanced skiers, 49 to 120 kg
- All-mountain skis 80 to 100 mm underfoot
- Boots with alpine or GripWalk soles
- Skiers who want a light binding without a freeride release range
Mounting and Setup Advice
We mount the Strive like any alpine binding, and the 28 mm adjustment range covers a boot sole length change within a size or two without a remount. Brake width should match the ski waist or run to 5 mm wider. Bring the boots you will ski so the shop can set forward pressure against the actual sole.
Auto GripWalk compatibility is the part worth understanding. The toe adapts to an alpine or a GripWalk sole without a part being swapped, which removes the commonest mounting error we see on bindings that need a manual change. It does not extend to touring soles: an ISO 9523 sole is outside what this binding is certified for, whatever the toe appears to accept.
Mounting and release settings must be set and tested by a certified technician against your boot sole length.
📏 Technical Specifications Manufacturer specs · Click to expand
Release and Fit
Weight930 g per binding
Release Range4 to 12, TUV certified
Skier Weight Range49 to 120 kg (108 to 264 lbs)
Adjustment Range28 mm
Brake Widths90, 100, and 115 mm
Heel3-Part Heel Light
Features and Compatibility
Boot CompatibilityAccepts ISO 5355 (Alpine) adult soles and GripWalk (ISO 23223) adult soles. Not compatible with ISO 9523 (Touring) soles or with pin/tech boot fittings.
CertificationTUV certified. Auto GripWalk compatible, so the binding adapts to the sole rather than needing a part changed.
ToeLDN toe with automatic toe adaptation
ChassisLow profile chassis with light construction
BrakesLocking brakes with a snow scraper
FeaturesLDN toe, 3-Part Heel Light, light construction, automatic toe adaptation, locking brakes, snow scraper, Auto GripWalk compatible
Riser HeightsNone. This is an alpine binding with no touring mode.
Compare the Atomic Strive 12 GW
Strive 12 GW vs. Atomic Strive 10 GW
The Atomic Strive 10 GW covers 3 to 10 for skiers between 31 and 100 kg at 920 g per binding, with a Mono Heel Light. The Strive 12 GW reaches 12 for skiers to 120 kg with a 3-Part Heel Light, for 10 g more. Skier weight and setting decide it.
Shop the Atomic Strive 10 GW
Strive 12 GW vs. Atomic Strive 14 GW
The Atomic Strive 14 GW reaches a release value of 14 for skiers to 140 kg, at 1,002 g per binding and with a wider brake range. The Strive 12 GW is lighter and covers to 120 kg. Choose on the setting your shop calculates rather than on headroom.
Shop the Atomic Strive 14 GW
Strive 12 GW vs. Marker Griffon 13 ID
Skiers cross-shop these as all-mountain alpine bindings. The Marker Griffon 13 ID reaches 13 with a wider brake range. The Atomic Strive 12 GW is lighter at 930 g per binding and adapts to GripWalk soles automatically. Release range and weight are the trade.
Shop the Marker Griffon 13 ID
Common Questions
Who should buy the Atomic Strive 12 GW?
Intermediate to advanced resort skiers between 49 and 120 kg who want a light, reliable alpine binding for a daily-driver ski. The Atomic Strive 12 GW covers most adult settings without the weight of a freeride binding.
What boots work with the Atomic Strive 12 GW?
Alpine and GripWalk soles, in adult sizes. Accepts ISO 5355 (Alpine) adult soles and GripWalk (ISO 23223) adult soles. Not compatible with ISO 9523 (Touring) soles or with pin/tech boot fittings. The toe adapts between alpine and GripWalk automatically, with no part to change.
Can I use touring boots in the Atomic Strive 12 GW?
No. The Atomic Strive 12 GW is certified for ISO 5355 alpine and GripWalk adult soles only. A touring sole is rockered differently and sits outside what this binding is tested for, so it must not be used even if it appears to fit. Touring soles need an MNC binding.
Does the Atomic Strive 12 GW have a touring or walk mode?
No. The Atomic Strive 12 GW is a resort alpine binding with no touring mode, no climbing risers, and no crampon compatibility. Skiers wanting a binding that tours should look at the Atomic Shift2 range.
What brake width should I choose for the Atomic Strive 12 GW?
Choose a brake that matches your ski waist width or runs to 5 mm wider. The Atomic Strive 12 GW is offered in 90, 100, and 115 mm. A brake narrower than the waist will not close around the ski.
Does the Atomic Strive 12 GW need to be set up by a technician?
Yes. Release values must be set and tested on a calibrated jig by a certified technician against your boot sole length, and forward pressure is set to the specific boot. This is not a setting to dial by eye.
Our Verdict
The Atomic Strive 12 GW is a sensible daily-driver alpine binding. The 4 to 12 range is TUV certified and covers most adult resort skiers, the 3-Part Heel Light holds it at 930 g per binding, and automatic GripWalk adaptation removes a mounting step that gets missed elsewhere. There is no touring mode and no crampon provision, and touring soles are outside what it is certified for. As a resort binding for an all-mountain ski, it does the job without excess.
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