Today, Atomic and Salomon announced the newest version of the Shift2 hybrid ski binding — the Shift2 16 MN.
As its name suggests, the big story with this new binding is that it offers release values up to 16, whereas the existing Shift2 bindings went up to 13.
Overall, the core functionality is very similar to the Shift2 13 and Shift2 10. All variants feature a toe piece that can switch between uphill and downhill modes; in the latter setting, they’re certified to the same release standards as regular alpine bindings, hence the “hybrid” designation.
When you want to skin uphill, you flip the “Hike and Ride Switch” on the toe, which pops out the toe ‘wings’ to reveal pins that fit into touring boots’ tech toe fittings, allowing you to skin uphill like you’re in a traditional tech / pin binding.
When you want to ski downhill, you flip the switch to close the toe wings, and then the binding basically functions like a regular alpine binding.
As with the other Shift2 bindings, the 16-DIN version is “Multi Norm Certified” (i.e., “MN”), which means it can be adjusted to fit every normed boot sole on the market (ISO 5355, ISO 9523, & ISO 23223).
Aside from the higher release values, the Shift2 16’s other main point of differentiation is its heel piece, which Atomic and Salomon call the “3-Part Power Heel.” This is a variation of the heel piece found on Salomon’s STH2 and Strive 16 alpine bindings; the brake mechanism appears very similar to that found on the Shift2 13.
All of this does come at a weight penalty: we just got a Shift2 16 in for long-term testing, and ours weighs 1217 grams per binding (with 110 mm brakes). For reference, our Shift2 13 with the same brakes weighs about 925 grams per binding.
The MSRP for the Shift2 16 will be $970 USD when it sees its full release later in 2026.
For reference, below we’ve included the full press release from Atomic. As we start logging days on the new Shift2 16 MN, let us know in the comments section below if there’s anything you’re curious about.
Press Release Atomic
For immediate release
January 15, 2026
Atomic Introduces Shift² 16 MN
Pro-Level Power Meets Efficient Touring in a Next-Generation Hybrid Binding
Atomic today announces the launch of the Shift² 16 MN, a high-performance hybrid binding co-created with the Atomic Freeride team to meet the demands of the world’s most aggressive all-mountain and big-mountain skiers.
Developed in close collaboration with Atomic athletes Daron Rahlves, Tonje Kvivik, and Craig Murray, the Shift² 16 MN delivers uncompromising downhill power paired with efficient uphill performance. Designed for skiers who demand confidence at speed and reliability in technical terrain, the Shift² 16 MN sets a new benchmark for versatility in hybrid bindings.
At the core of the binding is a Micro AFD with an integrated aluminum Power Block, increasing lateral stiffness for superior power transfer and precision. A reinforced baseplate with metal and rubber components enhances stability while effectively absorbing vibration for a smoother ride in variable conditions. The 3-Part Power Heel maximizes shock absorption and improves retention in the most demanding big-mountain environments.
For seamless transitions, the Shift² 16 MN features a full-aluminum Hike and Ride Switch, delivering exceptional strength and smooth, intuitive changes between uphill and downhill modes. The binding is Multi Norm Certified (MN), ensuring compatibility with all normed ski boots on the market. Weight = 1210 grams. MSRP = $970 USD.
With its combination of durability, precision, and athlete-driven design, the Atomic Shift² 16 MN empowers skiers to climb efficiently and descend with maximum confidence, no compromises required.
Shame they didn’t fix the brake. That’s the weak point in the current shift imo, if the snow is wet it gets packed under the pedal and interferes with clipping in correctly. Surprising that this is a problem with so many of Salomon’s pro’s being based in wet Whistler.
Do the brakes extend as far as the regular Strive/STH2 brakes do? I have a friend who has the shift2 10, and through his various hijinks, have found the brakes to be uninspiring in their ability to stop a sliding ski.
Nope. I just compared the brakes on the new Shift² 16 to the existing Shift² 13, Strive 14, and old STH² 13. The brake arms on the Shift² 16 extend the same vertical distance as those on the Shift² 13, but about 15 mm less than the arms on the Strive 14 and old STH² 13.
I’m a 220# skier, had the original Shift, and learned quickly that I needed to stock up on replacement AFD modules. Fortunately SkiMoCo carries them for a reasonable price (like $30 each) so no big deal.
I also have the Shift2, and while it’s a definite improvement in terms of durability, I can’t help but wonder if this DIN 16 version is writing checks that the hardware can’t cash. It’s just not _that_ kind of binding IMO.
ok, so finally a proper heel piece for this binding. Looks like they attached Strive heel piece to shift toe. Sound good as most of the problems with original shifts were due to very poor heel hold
My somewhat snarky take is that if you need that much heel hold then you’re basically CAST’s target customer. Nothing Salomon offers can match a Look Pivot in that respect. Yes, the Shift transitions faster, but if you put that much emphasis on the down then you probably don’t care about that. You’re going to want to catch your breath anyway before you spend 90 seconds descending everything you just spent hours climbing (and vice-versa).
highly disagree here about the pivot’s power…its way more vague feeling and skiing high speed arcs in 2d snow it makes you wonder wether your fucken heel is wandering out the damn thing…its always a bit strange feeling wise.., you think your tail is washy but its not…its the damn weak pivot’s heel piece….of all heel pieces of the alpine binding market I would say its the weakest in terms of raw power, tail feedback and precision… A/B-ing all alpine bindings against each other is more or less a draw as far as similar power and speed/precision-besides the pivot, it loses against any other major binding, at least against the metal versions out there like strive 16, sth2, attack, marker jester pro etc…for me as an ex racer its just not on a equally nice or even acceptable level of control and locked in feeling and the bad thing is the trust in your connection to the skis goes down the drain together with those strange ass heel feelings…furthermore the contact points of the toe piece with pivots are fucken tiny on all boots I skied since 2015/2016 (Cochise 2 last versions, grey hawx ultra xtd 130s, blue xt3, rs130s) …almost like super small pin style contact patches where you even can look through the toe pieces and the toe welt of basically all boots while sitting in the chair…dont get me wrong though, pivots have a nice low and muted feeling, almost no delta -> good for progressive mounts …and they apparently are all metal but us for non-jibbers, street rats or comp skiers I think pretty much all other alpine binding solutions offer a better and cleaner entry (fucken important for safety!), power transfer, feedback, release safety and or feeling/trust.
I hear what you are saying about power of the pivot heel, it’s why Look racers use the PX series. You can deliver more power into hardpack with that heel. However, there is a reason why every WC mogul skier uses Pivots: the elasticity keeps you in the binding despite crazy forces for moments of hard hits that aren’t crashes that you recover from allowing lower DIN than any other binding. Same for freeride competitors. I know I need at least 2 din higher on my heels than Salomon ones so I don’t pre-release. After 4 knee surgeries, I also appreciate what you call vague and I call suspension muting the forces. My princess and the pea knees feel way more vibration and pain with a standard heel piece. I still can carve just fine with Pivots, you just have to trust them more when you don’t feel every vibration.
Now, for what these bindings are for, back country soft snow or off piste, you can argue that the feel you are talking about is unnecessary. I used to be a Salomon Driver guy, even while competing in moguls, then I drank the Pivot Koolaid and have been far happier. I do have some Strive bindings and think they are fine, especially on groomers, but I do have to have higher DINs with the heels.
Now back to the comparison to Cast, cast tours lighter with the toe swap than these Shift 16s. I think for the majority of people who buy these bindings for their aspirational plans but mostly or only use for resorts, they are just fine. For their pro freeride athletes, they finally are giving them something comparable to a CAST and that’s a good thing. CAST is kinda finicky for the average consumer and these Shifts will be an easier sell to the general market. But, they aren’t going to convince many Cast fans to convert as they are both disciples of Pivot and Cast. That loyalty is strong.
Cast=the hipster beanie of bindings, gnehehee…I heard about lozzo realibility probs regarding cast 2 and or pivot 2.0 as well…purple pins are breaking, front lever feel is vague/ shitty and breaking, on mine asym cast 2.0 I never now wether I am in ski or walk mode…no matter how clean my inserts are I have to jam the fucken lever to the max!…its like…ok… a pound more and I break the damn thing but if I pull with half the force its always open after a couple of meters…its a clusterfuck!!!…now they apparently had lozzo warranty cases so they gave the cast 2 symmetrical springs again…furthermore the pu base plate under the toe piece broke on at least two cases in Bavaria I personally know of…so no gorilla on acid, rather a panda on CBD here…
pivot 2 also has durability problems on the heel piece now, so for me its very clear that its actually the other way round…cast is for people who don’t tour into serious stuff like we do have here tons of from the gondola…its more the weekend warrior hipster system…its nice to have a hopefully more reliable option now to get into consequential terrain with heavy gear lets say for hikes under the 2hour mark….the garage cast indie thing is still nice to look at with its shiney aluminum pins but I prefer 1000% trustworthiness even if its made in fucken china
Why doesn’t Look simply come out with a hybrid binding based off the Pivot heel and snatch the market?
I’ve been pondering the question for a while now.
As far as questions regarding the Shift 16, durability and precision for heavier riders has to be focal point.