I’m guessing the release was due to demo bindings and a shop tech possibly not setting them correctly. The last time I rented skis (years ago now) they adjusted the bindings on my left ski and not my right and I had to do it myself in lift line. You shouldn’t be releasing at a 13 din with your weight from a 5 foot drop.
For reference, I’m like 190 and ski at 9.5. I toss my weight around, ski fast, and jump off anything I can find and don’t have release issues. The 14 is a solid binding from what I’ve heard. It’s new and I’ve only owned the 12 and 13 but I would try the 13 or 14 based off the heel angle being higher on the 11 or 12. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong but it makes your stance feel weird when clicked into the skis.
I won’t try to talk you out of the attacks because they are great bindings which I’ve owned but if you can find look pivots in your price range I would heavily consider them as well.
PooPooVooDooI had some trouble flying out of my skis when dropping 5-6 feet off a cornice on some bent chetler shop skis with shitty bindings on 13-13 DIN so maybe that just left a bad taste in my mouth. Was a simple drop and came flying out of my skis like a sped.
i just don’t see a downside to having the higher din if I need it: 6-17, keep around 9 for everything and can go higher when I graduate to bigger jumps and cliffs.
for an extra $200 less though the 14s might be better