Alpine soles with kingpins... thoughts?

I used alpine soles on my 2017/18 kingpins with no issues. Not sure about the new design tho.

I broke my Kingpins after using them for about a month, and couldnt get a warranty pair because they were so behind on replacing everyones broken bindings. I also pre-released a ton.

Definitely don't ski with them locked out, witnessed someone blow both knees at once doing this.

Just buy Shifts, IMO 100x better than any Kingpin.

The thing you should be aware of when using a traditional alpine sole with tech inserts is that when you step into the binding the boot's tech inserts are lower than normal (i.e. the touring norm) and the binding's pins will often miss the tech insert and dig into the plastic of the shell. Be sure to check that the pins are in the tech insert before you start touring up.

onenerdykidThe thing you should be aware of when using a traditional alpine sole with tech inserts is that when you step into the binding the boot's tech inserts are lower than normal (i.e. the touring norm) and the binding's pins will often miss the tech insert and dig into the plastic of the shell. Be sure to check that the pins are in the tech insert before you start touring up.

Gotcha thanks, will keep an eye on this

JAHBRADORI used alpine soles on my 2017/18 kingpins with no issues. Not sure about the new design tho.

I broke my Kingpins after using them for about a month, and couldnt get a warranty pair because they were so behind on replacing everyones broken bindings. I also pre-released a ton.

Definitely don't ski with them locked out, witnessed someone blow both knees at once doing this.

Just buy Shifts, IMO 100x better than any Kingpin.

Seems that the bad batch of kingpins put a bad taste in a lot of peoples mouths. Going on my third season on my kingpins and have had absolutely no issues. I think a lot of people also don't know that the kingpin heel has 2 different din adjustments. One for rotating, and one for upward release. Only time I've ever ejected from my kingpins was tomahahawking after dropping a cliff.

I've actually heard a bit about people pre-releasing from shifts. Not sure how accurate cause I've never used them.

onenerdykidThe thing you should be aware of when using a traditional alpine sole with tech inserts is that when you step into the binding the boot's tech inserts are lower than normal (i.e. the touring norm) and the binding's pins will often miss the tech insert and dig into the plastic of the shell. Be sure to check that the pins are in the tech insert before you start touring up.

I had alpine soles on my lupos for a while because I had alpine afd's on my pivots. Now that I have gripwalk afd's on my pivots, I have gripwalk soles's back on my lupos. I never had any issues with pins missing the inserts once I got comfortable clicking in.

You can get gripwalk and WTR afd's from a ski shop and have them put on any pivot 15/18.

finderSeems that the bad batch of kingpins put a bad taste in a lot of peoples mouths. Going on my third season on my kingpins and have had absolutely no issues. I think a lot of people also don't know that the kingpin heel has 2 different din adjustments. One for rotating, and one for upward release. Only time I've ever ejected from my kingpins was tomahahawking after dropping a cliff.

I've actually heard a bit about people pre-releasing from shifts. Not sure how accurate cause I've never used them.


I had alpine soles on my lupos for a while because I had alpine afd's on my pivots. Now that I have gripwalk afd's on my pivots, I have gripwalk soles's back on my lupos. I never had any issues with pins missing the inserts once I got comfortable clicking in.

You can get gripwalk and WTR afd's from a ski shop and have them put on any pivot 15/18.

Yeah, that’s fair. Sammy C rides kingpins still and he rips harder than anyone.