Bindings Compatibility for Cross Country and Roller Skis

When purchasing gear for cross country skis (also referred to as nordic skiing) and roller skis, it's essential to confirm that the bindings and boots you select are compatible. As much of the equipment is shared between cross country skiing and roller skiing, and since the same companies manufacture them, this guide applies to both categories.

Various Standards - NNN, SNS and Prolink

Rottefella from Norway and Salomon, based in France, are two firms that shape the standards for bindings and boot outsoles, such as measurements, specific mechanics, and individual solutions.

Rottefella

The NNN system, which stands for New Nordic Norm, is synonymous with Rottefella. This system is found both on the ski boot outsole and the binding. While Rottefella produces the bindings, they do not manufacture the entire boot. Instead, they license the boot technology to other producers. Companies producing cross country equipment using the Rottefella outsole system for boots include Rossignol, Madshus, Alpina, Alfa, Yoko, Fischer, and Peltonen.

Some of these companies place their brand name on the binding, so a Rottefella NNN binding might be branded as a Fischer NNN binding. For further details on the Rottefella NIS technology, refer to the section, “What is Rottefella NIS?” later in this article.

Salomon

The SNS system, which stands for Salomon Nordic System, is synonymous with Salomon's boot and binding designs. Additionally, they have developed another binding system known as Prolink.

The SNS system comes in two styles: one for classic skiing and another for skate skiing. In skate skiing, the bindings have an additional connection point, a spring-loaded arm linked to a pin in the boot under the foot, enhancing torsional rigidity. Thus, SNS skate bindings feature two connection points, and SNS skate boots have two pins for this dual connection.

Conversely, the classic SNS binding and boot system uses a single pin in the front of the boot connected to one point at the binding's front. The SNS classic binding lacks an additional spring-loaded arm.

In 2016, Salomon launched another boot and binding system named Prolink. While mounted similarly to the SNS binding systems, the Prolink is compatible solely with NNN boots. Thus, boots with an NNN outsole from Alpina, Fischer, Rossignol, Madshus, Alfa, and Peltonen fit the Prolink binding.

Note that Salomon SNS and Salomon Prolink products are not interchangeable. Salomon SNS boots can't be used with Salomon Prolink bindings, nor can Salomon Prolink boots be paired with Salomon SNS bindings.

Bindings for Combi Boots

Bindings for combi boots adhere to the previously mentioned standards and technologies. A Salomon SNS combi boot, for instance, features two pins and suits SNS skate bindings. They are also compatible with SNS classic bindings that lack a spring-loaded arm but possess a slot for the metal pin beneath the foot.

How Do NNN and SNS Differ?

Though SNS and NNN binding and boot systems may appear similar, they differ. Attempting to fit an SNS boot into an NNN binding reveals discrepancies at the connection point, with variations in width. The Rottefella NNN system is wider than the Salomon SNS.

Understanding Rottefella NIS

Rottefella has innovated the method of attaching the Rottefella NNN binding to skis. The adjustable system enables moving the binding slightly forward (enhancing grip, ideal for hilly skiing) or backward (improving glide, suitable for smooth skiing). This system, NIS (Nordic Integrated System), involves a plate you drill and/or glue onto the ski. The NIS plate may be preinstalled at the factory or manually mounted. The plate allows the NNN binding to click in by sliding it to the appropriate position with the NIS key. However, Rottefella NIS plates are incompatible with Salomon SNS or Prolink bindings.

Compatible Gear for Nordic Backcountry Skiing Beyond Trails

Besides those mentioned above, both Rottefella and Salomon offer robust bindings for cross country/Nordic backcountry skiing. Known as Rottefella BC (Backcountry) and Salomon BC respectively, these bindings are designed for more demanding conditions beyond the trails.

These bindings match special backcountry boots, which means BC bindings don't accommodate standard NNN, SNS, or Prolink. The pin in these boots and the connection point on the bindings are much wider, and this equipment isn't particularly suited for roller skiing.