OUR REVIEW OF THE ATK HY FREE BINDING
With the HY FREE, ATK enters the hybrid freeride touring binding segment, combining pin efficiency for the ascent with a fully alpine system for the descent. Following the concept of the Salomon Shift or Marker Duke PT, it delivers both uphill efficiency and downhill performance. Weighing just 1,350 g per pair, the HY Free stands as the lightest hybrid binding on the market. On the climb, the weight savings are immediately noticeable — allowing for longer ascents with the same effort. It’s 500 g lighter than a Salomon Shift and 1 kg lighter than a Marker Duke PT, which is significant considering that 1 kg on your feet equals roughly 4 kg in your pack. To top it off, the mode transition (climb/descent) is faster and easier than the competition.
At the toe, switching to climb mode simply requires tilting the toe piece forward — the pins appear, and you engage them by pressing the lever while positioning the boot, then locking it like a traditional pin binding. In practice, it’s quite convenient. It gets a bit trickier on sidehills, but no more so than with any other pin setup. At the heel, once the unit is pre-engaged in ski mode, the brake locks automatically with the first step.
The HY Free features three climbing levels (-18 mm, +10 mm, and +34 mm) with risers that are easy to adjust using a pole. The only minor downside in climb mode is the toe height, which results in a slight negative ramp angle on the first setting. Still, it’s perfectly manageable and comparable to older frame bindings like the Diamir. On soft snow, it’s barely noticeable; on hardpack, you feel a bit higher off the ski, but during testing, it never caused real discomfort.
Switching to downhill mode is equally intuitive — simply tilt the front pins back and release the heel. Within seconds, you’re ready to ski. Stepping in is straightforward, and the feel is distinctly alpine. On snow, the HY Free delivers: the downhill sensation is almost identical to that of a traditional alpine binding. Power transfer is precise, retention is solid, and confidence comes naturally, even at high speed or in variable snow. The full-metal construction adds stiffness and stability, easily absorbing impacts and stress. Adjustments are straightforward and precise.
In terms of durability, after multiple test days in varied conditions — powder, crust, spring snow, and the occasional bump — the binding proved rock-solid, reflecting ATK’s emphasis on long-term reliability. It’s a true freeride-touring binding built to take abuse without flinching. Two DIN ranges are available (4–11 or 6–13). Finally, the HY Free is compatible with ISO 9523 and GripWalk boot soles but requires careful adjustment of toe height. ATK provides multiple shims for this purpose, which must be installed under the front rail — an easy process, but one best done at home, not in the field.
weight | ergonomics | fully alpine downhill performance | materials
price
MANUFACTURER’S OPINION
With the HY Free, ATK enters the market of “hybrid” freeride touring bindings. This means using pins for the ascent but a fully alpine system for the descent, similar to the Salomon Shift or the Marker Duke PT. Weighing only 1350 grams per pair, it positions itself as the lightest hybrid binding on the market. This innovation allows skiers to enjoy optimal efficiency on the ascent without compromising performance on the descent according to ATK.
One of the strengths of the HY Free is its smooth transition mechanism between ascent and descent modes, without requiring the addition or removal of extra parts. This intuitive system facilitates configuration changes, offering a simplified and efficient user experience according to the brand. At the front, the pins pivot to transform into an alpine ski toe piece for the descent.
In walk mode, the binding offers three positions: a flat position with a -18 mm differential, ideal for flat terrain and long approaches, and two riser heights (+10 mm and +34 mm) to adapt to steeper slopes.
On the descent, the HY Free offers performance comparable to traditional alpine bindings, thanks to its metal construction and robust design according to ATK. The vertical and lateral release values are adjustable, with ranges from 4 to 11 for the HY Free 11 or from 6 to 13 for the HY Free 13.
The binding is compatible with boots meeting ISO 9523 and Grip Walk standards, and has a 25 mm sole length adjustment range. Ski brakes are available in widths of 97 mm, 108 mm, and 120 mm, allowing adaptation to all freeride-touring skis.
The ATK HY Free also stands out for its durability, thanks to the use of high-quality metal materials, ensuring a long lifespan and increased resistance to the demanding conditions of ski touring.
FEATURES
- DIN: 4-11 (HY Free 11) / 6-13 (HY Free 13)
- Play compensation: yes
- Weight: 1350g per pair
- Length adjustment: 25mm
- Risers: 2
- Price: 799€
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