THE ATK FREERAIDER 15 EVO, Features, Design and Setup// DAVE SEARLE

[@robvolk]

ATK should def pay you for this video. It's by far the most comprehensive explanation of the binding.

[@DaveSearle]

I'll let them know!

[@stephen-he4iw]

@@DaveSearle let them know I agree!

[@tjb8841]

The people DO want to see the kitty cat! 😅

[@DaveSearle]

I know that’s why I kept that part in. Maybe I’ll do a review video of him.

[@jonhodge9270]

Ive gotten about 40 days on my pair of FR with the spacer and it has completely changed my trust in pin bindings

[@JesseStarrPhoto]

Love the tips on safely stepping in

[@fadet0green]

BUILD quality and materials in ATK are top-notch! Functionality is superb.

[@DaveSearle]

👊

[@Strandlaeufer77]

interesting, just recently saw Nikolai talked a mouthful of the new ATK. What a coincidence :) They know their job obviously

[@CaydeSki]

I fitted these bindings to my 4Frnt Ravens last season and I fully concur. They’re epic! I fitted the toe shims because ultimately they’re for touring so more level comfort and I’m also older so who am I kidding trying to be ‘aggressive’ 😂. For clearing snow and ice out of them I use an MSR pot/pan scraper. It’s palm size, flat, costs about a tenner and you don’t notice it in your pocket. It worked on my Ions and Zeds and works on these too. See you around Cham’ 🤙🏻😎

[@Huddorenge88]

I love that you made this video. I find that there isn't a lot of discussion/videos on YT regarding ski bindings as compared to the actual skis or even ski boots. Particularly in the Backcountry/Alpine Touring space it can be difficult to find good information. A detailed video like this goes a long way towards educating new or prospective backcountry skiers and I'm sure those with more experience can find something useful in here as well. Thanks for making and uploading this video.

[@DaveSearle]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tee918]

The best ATK binding video out there

[@DaveSearle]

Thanks!

[@themullerfiles]

Mounted these last season. Most easy to use, no fuss solid touring binding ever!

[@PaulBeiser]

This was fantastic, Dave - I learned a lot. Great tip on removing ice from the front pin holes. And I wish more toe pieces had the 'No Snow' feature. Thanks!!

[@DaveSearle]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@scowcral]

Nice one Dave. I'm on the ATK Crest and love it !

[@DaveSearle]

Nice! good choice.

[@tobitest7259]

I would like to see a full setup video of one of these Bindings on a new Ski. This wold be really helpful to see if the Binding is set up correctly.

[@DaveSearle]

The Full setup requires a Ski Jig for making the holes that I don't have unfortunately.

[@benorfaz]

Own a pair of these and another Kuluar one for lighter touring skis, they are amazing. It's expensive, but I'm sold to ATK.

[@leangrypoulet7523]

Great video Dave. Rocking the gringo ‘tache as well. 🤘

[@DaveSearle]

Oh yeah! 🙌

[@leonelfinger]

what an amazing Video this is!! Thank you so much for your effort in this Videos😍 i‘m currently searching for a new touring setup - and not quite sure about which atk binding to get… is there a chance we could get a video on the different kind of ATK bindings and when to use which? Cheers!

[@DaveSearle]

It would be a pretty big video! Reach out to the guys at ATK and they can advise you. My top picks are the raider series or the rt 11 evo (ski Alper binding of the year 2025)

[@leonelfinger]

@@DaveSearlethanks! In your eyes, are the extra 25g per binding worth the Upgrade in downhill Performance from the Raider 13 to the Freeraider 15 ? Thanks a lot!🤗🤗

[@DaveSearle]

Yes. The Freeride spacer makes a big difference for me.

[@OutOfCollective]

yes to all of this.

[@DaveSearle]

👊

[@tjb8841]

Instead of keeping special shims in various thicknesses on hand to check binding gaps, just use something you already own: a set of metric Allen keys.

[@DaveSearle]

Great tip. 👊

[@dominicneeson1613]

Ace video Dave, thanks so much. Love how indepth you go! Would you be happy skiing these all day on piste? I know they'll not be as safe as an alpine binding as designed for a different purpose, but just curious after your comment of them being the perfect do it all binding. Gonna stick some on a set of echos so well excited!

[@DaveSearle]

Absolutely. For me this is the perfect binding for a one ski quiver.

[@tarfeef101]

I got the Raider 12s last season, and was very impressed vs others I've tried before. Feeling slight fomo on the new evos, but i expect to stay on these for quite a few seasons. Got em on a couple pairs of skis now (Also you still don't have snow over there? I probed 170cm while skiing in BC, Canada last weekend 😁. I'm often feeling the lack of infrastructure/access we have vs the alps so gotta take the wins where they come)

[@mathiasbucher6102]

Well done Video. I may go for this one should I replace the Marker Alpinist

[@DaveSearle]

If I had to choose one binding for the rest of time it would be this.

[@mathiasbucher6102]

@@DaveSearle Dave, would you know by any chance if the drill hole distances are compatible with the marker Alpinist, or sufficiently different for safe redrilling?

[@DaveSearle]

@@mathiasbucher6102 I don't know sorry. Normally your local ski shop can tell you. You might have to mount + or -1cm

[@Ssadesc]

again, awesome content!

[@DaveSearle]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@markingles5194]

Brilliant vid Dave I loved all the technical info. I've just gone over to ATK Binding from Shift , all skis previously mounted with quiver killers. I've got the 13s on Scott Superglide 95s but have some heavier and wilder skis that these 15s would suit . Are the 15 evos a more heavy duty binding compared to the 13 evos ? I have spacers. I don't intend to go as high as 13 Din Are the mounting points the same ? Could I use quiver killer inserts on the ATKs for the 13 & 15 ?

[@DaveSearle]

The 13 and 15 have the same mounting pattern. The only difference is the release value and that they come with the Freeride spacer stock. You can always buy that aftermarket to upgrade the r13

[@markingles5194]

Thanks Dave. I'll stick with my Evo 13s then with spacers & get quiver killers installed on my other skis

[@jordipujol2524]

Great video Dave! I enjoy it a lot to see all ATK binding details on this specific model. I am set up in the Pyrenees and normally we go up (from car park) to reach a peak and go down back. I was thinking to get ATK RT 11 EVO to get benefit of the EVO system and because it is more touring than freeride. Do you think is it a good selection? Thanks!

[@DaveSearle]

Yeah that sounds like a good plan! That’s what I would do

[@hughdavidson4069]

Great video! I've heard rumours that the length of the front lever isn't so friendly towards bulky toeboxes like on the mindbender boot - are these valid or do they work well with any boot with tech inserts?

[@DaveSearle]

I’ve not heard that but the hivemind might be able to answer it!

[@DAniloMichailov]

Hi! Could You please make a quick review of the Faction La Machine 2 for us?

[@chrisgoetzman8660]

Random opinion: it's not very good. It's hard to justify an overpriced simple paulownia core/carbon weave combo for that high of a price it still comes in as heavy as 1550g in a 184cm. There's pure Poplar core skis that are almost that weight and/or hybrid cores that ski far better if the snow is anything but pristine which is what the La Machine 2's absolutely require. Spent a season on them and sold them.

[@JackCastle]

Would also like to see a la machine video!

[@ThomasKushner-vt7rq]

i wish you would've talked about the adjustability in the toe. it was the biggest reason I went for the EVO instead of the old raider design

[@DaveSearle]

The release value adjustment?

[@Bladewarr]

Excellent information.

[@DaveSearle]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gm.m]

Thanks for the super comprehensive video. I myself have toured the last season on a FR15 binding, was super satisfied and it’s good to know what has changed in 24/25 model. Just got myself some real powder skis that are a bit heavier (around 2100g per ski) and am stuck between choices of bindings for it. Do you think the FR15 can handle them? ATK only recommends them for skis weighing below 2000g

[@DaveSearle]

I have some Faction Dancer 4 which are 2100g and I’m probably going to chuck a set of Cast freetour 2.0 on them. That’s mostly because I want to ski my Nordic’s dobermans with them!

[@gm.m]

@ I see, so if hypothetically the Dobermanns have pin inserts, you would mount the Dancers with ATKs as well. Thanks!

[@martinottosson6583]

Great video! But still, if you are somewhat into tech bindings, and you don’t already know basically every letter and number of this video, you must have been living under a rock for the last five years. I was hoping for more detail, like really deep dive into the differences between u-springs and fully functional heels, elasticity curves and characters compared to the competition, what has changed in the last 2-3 generations of Freeraiders, more about the difference to the lower end Crest series and the lighter HR options and so on. Also the toe release adjustment and how that works in technical details. This was as I said a very nice video, but it was just straight up standard info.

[@DaveSearle]

I tend to disagree…Unfortunately the level of detail you are describing would go over the head of 99.999% of skiers. Sorry you were disappointed but there is a limit to what people will sit through and I’m not psyched to spend hours diving into those topics. If you are interested, ATK will indulge you with the specs!

[@tjb8841]

Why do you have the Kuluar? Like you said, stepping in is harder, it doesn’t have the newer closed toe piece design. It also creates a high ramp angle. Haute Route Plus is similar weight, nice easy to step and easy to turn heels, and now has the new toe piece design too.

[@DaveSearle]

I wanted to try it out and at the time when I got it didn’t realise how much harder it is to step in and also it predates the lighter snow free bindings that ATK make.

[@tjb8841]

@@DaveSearle I also just realised you have the high release value bindings, and the Haute Route only goes to 10.

[@gioradetsky9857]

My Scarpa Maestrale RS actually presses with the sole against the spacer - so, I guess I should lower that spacer. How can I do that as I see there are no shims (pre-installed) to remove? Does that mean I'm already at the lowewst possible shim's height?... Great video and thank you.

[@DaveSearle]

It come stock with no spacers so you won’t be able to lower it more… just make sure you can pull a piece of paper out otherwise it might be too tight.

[@gioradetsky9857]

@@DaveSearle Cannot pull it out... what can I do, if anything. Thanks again Dave.

[@DaveSearle]

@gioradetsky9857 options are take off the Freeride spacer, trim some rubber off the bottom of the sole, buy new boots or live with it. I can’t help with the choice I’m afraid!

[@gioradetsky9857]

@@DaveSearle Luckily it does work now... I was placing the paper sheet wrongly - beneath the heel plate... If I place it above it, in line with the top edges of the spacer, I can pull the paper sheet OK. Thanks again.

[@garrettobrien6962]

Do you not ski with leashes on the Kuluar? Noticed no leashes/brakes when you showed it. Have been contemplating this move for my pow skis as I find brakes less effective than one would hope and leashes too fiddly.

[@DaveSearle]

Never leashes for me. I really dislike them. Fiddly and also not good in an avalanche.

[@colinress]

And the toe piece can have a DIN set unlike the other light weight tech bindings

[@DaveSearle]

Yes it has a release value at the toe. (It’s not DIN though as that pertains to plastic on plastic) very nice to be able to set both the back and front though.

[@Benzknees]

Doesn't that freeride spacer inhibit the sideways release of the rear binding, especially if the ski is compressed against the boot heel?

[@DaveSearle]

It’s on a slider to help with release. Normally you don’t want the ski coming off when it’s under compression (mid way through the turn)

[@Vlog-pd5ht]

I have a set of these bindings and boots, and I noticed a strange issue with their combination. When the skis are placed on a stand (with the brakes fully deployed), the brake ends up catching on the heel of the boot, preventing the brake from being pressed down. I noticed that in this video, the author intentionally places the skis on the table when pressing down the brake, and I wonder if it’s for the same reason. Indeed, if the brake is partially retracted (for example, when placed on the ground and pushed upward slightly by the surface), all brake functions work as expected. However, I am unsure whether it would be easy to press down the brake on soft snow, where the brake might not have enough support. Could this be an issue in such conditions?

[@DaveSearle]

Yeah that’s totally normal. Same with any ski brake really. It’s also not a problem in deep snow, that I’ve found.

[@gioradetsky9857]

Another question - regarding the release values "DIN". The ski-man who set up my ATK on Blizzard skis suggested values of 8 for vertical as well as lateral releases (i.e., the heel part), but a value of 7 for the front piece. I am not arguing about the absolute values, but the DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BACK AND FRONT. Is this customary, and what would be the rationale for that? Thanks again and regards.

[@DaveSearle]

Here is the official word from ATK - VERY IMPORTANT: never ever ski the binding with a different toe - heel release value. All the systems in the bindings must be adjusted at the same values, if it’s 13 it must be 13 for both the lateral release values (the one in the heel piece and the one in the toe piece) and the vertical release value on the heel piece.

[@gioradetsky9857]

@@DaveSearle They also told me so on the phone. Do not understand how a reputable (he is) ski man can make such a sugestion. I'll set them all at same value, so.

[@gioradetsky9857]

To close the circle... Given the top apps for setting DINs suggest, in my personal case, values at 7.5, do you agree it makes sense for me to go for 8 on the ATK Evo (taking into account that ski-alp bindings are not TUV-certified...)

[@DaveSearle]

@gioradetsky9857 sounds like 8 is a good starting point.

[@gioradetsky9857]

Good. Thanks and good Cham.

[@albertgarr]

Hello dave. What position you mount the binding in faction la machine 2 and 4, i thinking to buy this faction skis and i am between new school or progresive. What is your experience. Thanks

[@DaveSearle]

I’m progressive for both and it feels good for me.

[@jakobmelchior6701]

Too bad that they require turning the heel. The Front12 is a much better binding in my view. Hopefully they bring back a Front15 EVO. Also in the manual it states that the freeride spacer can have up to one mm of pretention to the boot sole. But sounds a bit much in my view to I set them up with less but still couldn't do the paper test.

[@gioradetsky9857]

Sorry to bother you again... Something I had already noticed is the difficulty in reading the "DIN" values, especially on the toe piece. The tiny window is definitely too small and the digits printed underneath follow suit - moreover, in some cases half of the print is outside the window's contour so you cannot be sure about what number are you seeing. .Not only that, it seems that passing from e.g. value 7 to 8 requires much more screwing than shifting on other couples of digits. Is this "variability" normal?. When I think I see number 8, my appropriate value, I feel unsure that it's really 8. Are we sure about the gauge system even despite these quirks? Thanks again.

[@gioradetsky9857]

... Please disregard this last question - I later realized that 7 and 8 are not "glued" to each other but that you have to keep screwing in til the digit 8 comes "fully" into view, and ditto for any other coupe of consecutive numbers. I think the ski man who sold me and mounted these bindings should have showed me then these few "tricks", but he did not.... May be in the hope I will keep going back to him and thus, eventually, buy some more stuff?🤣

[@gabrielmarias972]

I use atk for more than 10 years...and yeah, they have good and prizey products...but not enough quiality for this prize rate and not good aftermarket standarts. i have the freerider 14 evo and in 2 seassons the sliders and the freerader spacers of my 2 skis broke...so really poor quality for a 600€ binding..but worse, cant be replace by myself so need to send to a distributor and the replacement its 70€ more...not fun and not fair for a 75k skier that even having a "freeride binding" didnt jump at all:) Another improvement will be brakes...are too soft, thin and short for the skis we are talking about...just falling in alps and see my ski with the brake released and in soft snow cant stop after 300m sliding...happy to my partner can catch it before go straigh into a crevasse... So i vote for a much stronger brake spring, longer pauls, and bigger and rugered plastic brake ends in my opinion. Thanks for your channel

[@DaveSearle]

The problem with bigger is that it’s heavier and this type of binding still needs to be light. No brakes really work in powder in my experience… I’m sorry to hear about the service I’ve always had great service and I’m sure they will take on the feedback!

[@PNWAscents]

🐈 ⛷️

[@DaveSearle]

😺

[@Photosbydrew]

*if you only tour* . Would never ski that in a real freeride setting or at whistler.

[@DaveSearle]

I think if you are only ever downhill free riding then something like a look pivot would be better but there are no legitimate reasons you can’t take this binding anywhere that skis have already been.