Anti-pre-release. ACL-integrity. Proven.
🌀 PROBLEM:
Today, no other alpine ski bindings can provide ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), MCL (medial collateral ligament), meniscus, tibial-plateau and/or femoral-condyle integrity during Slip-Catch, Phantom-Foot and/or backward-twisting 'events'.
☀️ SOLUTION:
Additional lateral-heel release combined with scientifically derived lateral-heel release-settings—assisted with patented anti-pre-release technology and patented low 21.5mm stand-height—only by Howell Ski Bindings. Proven. 🎯
To pre-order, click product image, above.
US$95 pre-order deposit price.
FULL-PRICE (not deposit-price) orders placed before September 1, 2026 receive bindings October, 2029 PLUS company stock-ownership proportional to the market-value of the company, Howell Ski Bindings, valued at US$9,893,922. Other provisions apply. Contact Rick Howell, President, Howell Ski Bindings, for details. Call 802-793-4849 — or email rick.howell@howellskibindings.com
To pre-order now, click binding model image above.
Revolution — skiing with ACL, MCL, meniscus and tibia-integrity.
Howell Ski Bindings provide revolutionary ACL, MCL, meniscus, tibial-plateau and femoral-condyle-integrity in alpine skiing—proven, biomechanically—through peer-reviewed and peer-approved scientific research conducted and presented by Rick Howell at high-level orthopedic research, biomechanical engineering, sports science, and skiing-safety conferences throughout the world during past 23 years — with peer-reviewed abstracts published in British Journal of Sports Medicine. See end-note references / citations 1 & 3.
How do Howell Ski Bindings provide revolutionary ACL, MCL, meniscus and tibial-plateau and femoral-condyle integrity?
By evolution — Revolutionary Evolution.
Howell SkiBindings feature a collection of proven, evolutionary, technologies by leveraging 57-years of ski-binding know-how from binding-category insider, Rick Howell — plus —revolutionary patented technology — to provide a new paradigm in skiing pleasure.
• Additional lateral-heel-release provides ACL, MCL, meniscus, tibial-plateau and femoral-condyle integrity during episodic Slip-Catch, Phantom-Foot and backward-twisting events. (No ski boot can release through the side-lugs of any pivot-turntable binding.)
• Scientifically scaled release settings for the additional mode of lateral-heel release provide integrity to the ACL, MCL, meniscus, tibial-plateau and femoral-condyles — during episodic Slip-Catch, Phantom-Foot and backward-twisting events. Only Howell Ski Bindings provide scientifically scaled release settings for the additional mode of lateral-heel release.
• Low, 21.5mm stand-height provides integrity to the ACL, MCL, meniscus, tibial-plateau and femoral-condyles during cumulative abduction-moments. Only Howell Ski Bindings provide low 21.5mm stand-height together with additional lateral-heel release and scientifically scaled settings. Utility patented.
• Zero-degree ramp-angle provides a balanced, natural, athletic stance. Each pair of bindings also includes optional toe-shims, optional heel-shims, adjustable toe-height and long brake-arms to provide individualized stance-tuning.
• Six powerful, real-time, overlapping, anti-pre-release functions:
1 — Decoupling anti-pre-release. All 3 modes of release — lateral-toe, vertical-heel, lateral-heel — are uniquely decoupled from each other and decoupled from ski-flex. Each mode of release has a separate spring/cam system. Each mode of release does not influence the other modes’ functions. Each mode of release doesn’t work to overcome adverse cross-linking. Each mode of release is not adversely influenced by ski flex. Only Howell Ski Bindings do not need cranked-up release settings to provide maximum anti-pre-release and maximum skiing control. Utility patented.
2 — Elasticity anti-pre-release. Possibly the best elasticity of any alpine ski binding, ever — provides maximum anti-pre-release unlike any binding, ever.
3 — Cantilevering anti-pre-release. Edge control is maximized by toe and heel support-surfaces that are so wide they are cantilevered. Cantilevering reduces the work to achieve maximum anti-pre-release in each mode of release. Edge control is 18% higher than other bindings, setting-for-setting. High release settings are not needed to gain maximum edge control.
4 — Anti-Friction anti-pre-release. Pure, thick, Nylon-11 is deployed at all boot / binding interfaces maximizing recentering, elasticity, anti-pre-release, edge control and skiing control.
5 — Asymmetric anti-pre-release. ACL-integrity is needed only during ‘double-internal-rotation’ of the lower-(tibia)-leg and upper-(femur)-leg. Therefore, external lateral-heel release is unnecessary. Only Howell Ski Bindings provide asymmetric—inward only—lateral-heel release—while outward lateral-heel release is blocked to maximize anti-pre-release. Asymmetric lateral-heel release cuts the probability of pre-release by 50%. Epidemiology shows that most ACL-injuries occur after 4-hours of skiing. Personally, therefore, we sometimes ski with the asymmetric-function reversed in the morning or during race-course inspection — then switch to a fresh edge after lunch or for each run of a race. When the ACL-integrity function is reversed and inactive the outcome is no worse than ordinary 2-mode bindings — it’s not better than ordinary 2-mode bindings, but it’s not worse than other bindings — and the other 5 anti-pre-release functions are always fully active. When the lateral-heel release function is active in Howell Ski Bindings, it's far superior to all other bindings. Typically, however, we ski with the left / right asymmetry fully-active all day. No other binding has asymmetric anti-pre-release.
6— Shared ‘Work’ anti-pre-release. The additional mode of lateral-heel release improves anti-pre-release in the toe. That’s right. The toe-piece does not have to work as hard to provide lateral anti-pre-release when the some of the lateral anti-pre-release ‘work’ is shared by the lateral-heel mechanism. The same effect applies the other way, too. Elastic-action in the toe shares elastic ‘work’ with the lateral elastic-action in the heel. Both the toe and the heel — working together — provide a new paradigm of anti-pre-release unlike all other bindings.
You get anti-pre-release unlike all other bindings.
Durability.
Howell Ski Bindings are pure, uncompromised alpine. No pins. No extra weight. Less parts than other alpine bindings. No complexity. Pure. Simple. Focused. Authentic. Scientific. Robust. Proven.
On-going, on-slope testing and continuous product improvement are essential elements of Howell Ski Bindings. This is why our first bindings are planned to be shipped August, 2029. Howell Ski Bindings are planned to meet all international safety standards, including DIN/ISO 9462, ISO 9465, ISO 11087 and ‘standard industry practice’ for durability and anti-pre-release. Howell Ski Bindings will begin being shipped only when they are fully ready for commercialization.
5-year Limited Warranty.
Howell Ski Bindings arise from 5 decades of insider ski-binding experience by Rick Howell — (1) co-developing worldwide #1-selling alpine ski-bindings for a major French company while in high school; (2) active in high-level East-coast USA regional alpine ski-racing; (3) engineering thesis on ski-bindings at MIT (see end note 2); (4) co-authoring the ‘DIN-System’ for ordinary 2-mode alpine-binding release-settings; (5) owning / operating a small ski-binding service shop at the base of an FIS-approved slalom racing trail; (6) working 8 years, full-time, as senior product manager at a major German ski-binding company; (7) developing 5 worldwide #1-selling high-tech sports products — including the world’s 1st hands-off clipless (clip-on) bicycle pedals, CycleBinding, and worldwide #1-selling high-tech Tubbs snowshoes; (8) conducting & presenting 23-years of paradigm-shifting biomechanical-engineering research on ACL-integrity in skiing. See end note 3.
All of this experience is parlayed into patented Howell Ski Bindings to provide exceptional — happy, healthy — skiing.
Recent developments
Howell Venus 2.75 - 8 DIN
ACL-integrity. Eco-friendly, plant-based housings.
Howell Planet-B 8 - 22 DIN
Maximum anti-pre-release. Aluminum-alloy housings.
Rick Howell, Pres., Howell Ski Bindings Principal co-author, ‘DIN System’.
Inventor / developer of five #-1 high-tech sports products, including worlds-1st hands-off clipless (clip-on) bicycle pedals.
Howell Recommended Release Settings. ONLY for Howell Ski Bindings with ACL, MCL, meniscus, tibial-plateau and femoral-condyle integrity, anti-pre-release, low 21.5mm stand-height. Also confirms to DIN / ISO 9462 and ISO 8061 — and includes special settings and testing-tolerances for additional lateral-heel release. No other bindings have it. To order separately, see ‘Catalog’ in menu at top-left of this page.
Howell Ski Bindings are planned to be shipped August, 2029. Pre-order deposits ($95) placed now are fueling, in-part, start-up manufacturing. The best compliment you can provide is a pre-order deposit. In exchange for a $95 deposit now, Howell Ski Bindings offers 30%-off full-price when the remaining net balance of US$465 for the Howell Mars and/or Howell Venus is due upon shipping — and when the remaining net balance of US$1305 for the Howell Planet-B is payable upon shipment, October, 2029. Deposits placed now gain excellent pricing.
All pre-orders are fully refundable at any time.
Introductory Howell Ski Bindings uniquely include a precision metal mounting jig ($100 value), DIN drill-bit, DIN tap, on-line mounting certification (or take the jig to your favorite ski shop), 2-widths of ski-brakes, 2-sets of Nylon-11-topped AFD’s and integral heel-pad / brake-treadles — FREE shipping — and the joy of happy, healthy skiing.
☀️ ❄️ 🏔️ 🎯 🌠 🌠 🌠
To select the model that’s right for you — click a model-image at the top of this page .
Venus DIN 2.75 – 8 Expressly and uniquely for women. Extra ACL, MCL, meniscus, tibia-plateau and femoral-condyle integrity for lite and average-weight, smooth-recreational, female skiers. Lite. Easy step-in even in champaign powder. 21.5mm low stand-height for neutral balance. Shims for stance-balance tuning are provided. Utility-patented.
Mars DIN 4 – 12 The only binding with a decisive mix of ACL-integrity AND maximum anti-pre-release. Super-wide toe-cup, heel-cup, toe-AFD, and integrated heel-pad / brake-treadle — provide powerful edge-control. Low stand-height to minimize cumulative stress — or — allow added lifters. Utility-patented.
Planet-B DIN 8 – 22 This is the real deal. The only all-metal race binding — with high-strength aluminum alloy housings. Powerful F1-adapted valve-springs. Super-wide toe-cup, heel-cup, toe-AFD, and integrated heel-pad / brake-treadle provide powerful edge-control. Solid stainless-steel inner-workings for maximum durability during harsh race conditions. Low, 21.5mm stand-height allows race-plates while complying with FIS stand-height rules. Race-plates not included. Cant-kit included. Utility-patented. Limited production.
CAUTION: HOWELL PLANET-B IS ONLY FOR EXTREME SKIERS AND HIGH-LEVEL ADULT RACERS.
_________________________
Footnote 1
Proven, biomechanically, through peer-reviewed / approved scientific research conducted and presented by Rick Howell, published in British Journal of Sports Medicine. Formalized as a legal-monopoly in U.S. Patent 9,463,370.
Presented at:
IOC (International Olympic Committee) World Conference on Prevention of Injury in Sport, Monaco, 2017 and 2021;
ICSS (International Conference on Science in Skiing) Voukatti, Finland, 2019; Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, 2023;
SITEMSH (International Society for Snowsports Medicine) Flachu, Austria, 2015; Barcelona, Spain, 2016; Inawashiro, Japan, 2017; Serre-Chevalier, France, 2022;
ESSKA (European Society of Surgery-Knee and Arthroscopy) Barcelona, Spain, 2016; and Madrid (virtual), Spain, 2021.
ISSS (International Society for Skiing Safety) Pontresina, Switzerland, 2003 (research grant-application and thesis promulgated by Rick Howell; research performed by University of Montréal researchers, Professor Nancy St-Onge, PhD and Professor Jacques DeGuise, PhD; presented by Professor Nicola Hagemeister, PhD, and Yan Chevalier, MS).
ISSS (International Society for Skiing Safety) — research conducted AND presented by Rick Howell at — Niigata, Japan, 2005; Aviemore, Scotland, 2007 (two papers); Bariloche, Argentina, 2013 (two papers); Cortina, Italy, 2015; Innsbruck, Austria 2017; Palisades (Squaw Valley), California, USA, 2019; Serre-Chevalier, France, 2022.
____________________________________
Biomechanical Proof of ACL Integrity:
The biomechanical proof surrounding the utility-patented ACL integrity provided by Howell Ski Bindings, Howell-specified lateral-heel release-settings, and Howell anti-pre-release functions — is simple:
During ‘Slip-Catch’ or ‘Phantom Foot’ events, large and dangerous ‘abduction-moment loads’ are generated when the center of forces that are produced by short shaped skis enter the inside-edge of a ski, laterally, directly-under or close-behind the projected-axis of the skier’s tibia.
“Events” means ‘crash’ or ‘loss of skiing control’. “Abduction-moment” is defined, below.
More specifically — during Slip-Catch or Phantom-Foot events, shaped-skis do not typically slide-out at one end. Both ends bite into the snow. Therefore, rotation of the ski about the long-axis of the tibia is minimal — but dangerous lateral (abduction-moment) loading is maximal.
An abduction-force — can be less than body weight — acting over the length of the lower-leg can generate an injury producing abduction-moment within the ACL, MCL, meniscus, tibial-plateau and/or femoral-condoyles.
The naturally-formed center of abduction-force that enters a shaped-ski under (or close-behind) the long-axis of the tibia — cannot be sensed by ordinary 2-mode alpine bindings — expressly because the center of the abduction-force is located in the same place as the center of rotation of an ordinary 2-mode alpine binding. This means a 2-mode binding has no lever-arm in which to produce lateral-toe release.
No binding release — while at the same time the abduction-moment located in the center of the knee is maximal = ACL, MCL, meniscus, tibial-plateau, and/or femoral condyle injury.
Said in another way ... during highly loaded Slip-Catch events, ALL ordinary 2-mode alpine bindings have a lateral-release blind-spot located in the same position as the location of the center of the applied abduction-force — which abduction-force acts over the length of the lower leg (the abduction-lever-arm) to generate an injury-producing abduction-moment centered in the ACL, MCL, meniscus, tibial-plateau and/or femoral condyles.
How ironic.
An ordinary 2-mode binding’s blind-spot is centered at the focal-point of the heel-cup’s radius (or, at the center of a pivot-turntable: no ski-boot can release, laterally, THROUGH the side-lugs of any pivot-turntable binding).
This is high-school physics (vector-analysis) applied to human anatomy and to ski-binding-mechanics.
(( Other types of skiing-ACL injury mechanisms involve very different kinematics — and are far less prevalent. For example, Boot-Induced-Anterior-Drawer (BIAD) skiing-ACL injuries comprise approximately 10% of all skiing ACL-injuries. Vertical-toe release can address BIAD events — as long as smooth recreational skiing is involved. Only Howell Venus model ski bindings provide vertical toe release. ))
Adding emphasis — ordinary 2-mode alpine ski-bindings have no possibility of release before ACL-injury when large abduction-loads enter a shaped-ski — irrespectively of an ordinary 2-mode binding’s release-settings. Even a small child’s release-settings block necessary-release for an adult during largely-loaded Slip-Catch events — leading to ACL, MCL, meniscus, tibial-plateau, and/or femoral condyle injury.
Only a special 3-mode binding with additional lateral-heel release can release a ski-boot when an injury-producing load flows along the kinematic-pathway between where an abduction-force is applied into a ski and where the ACL, MCL, meniscus, tibial-plateau and femoral condyles reside within the human leg.
Special, non-pre-releasing, 3-mode bindings with additional lateral-heel release — together with special lateral-heel release-settings scaled for different size skiers, large and small — can address this adverse flow of loading — by releasing the ski from the boot at a release-magnitude that is lower than the integrity-threshold of an ACL, MCL, meniscus, tibial-plateau, femoral-condyle (scaling involved).
That special non-pre-releasing 3-mode binding with additional lateral-heel release and special lateral-heel release-settings is Howell SkiBindings.
Actual product test-data. the thin black line represents the unique ‘release envelope’ of ACL-friendly Howell SkiBindings — operating in the white-space below the integrity-thresholds of the tibia, ACL and MCL — and above the pre-release threshold — of a 50th-percentile U.S. male as modeled in the Hybrid-III crash dummy of the U.S. Highway Traffic Safety Commission.
TWO IMPORTANT HOWEVER’S.
Anti-pre-release.
Special bindings with additional lateral-heel release MUST NOT pre-release. Pre-release can sometimes cause injuries that are worse than no-release.
Release-settings are only a small part of how a good binding properly mitigates pre-release — because if pre-release in a given binding is prevented by high settings, the purpose of the binding is squandered.
—> Only Howell SkiBindings mitigate dangerous pre-release — without high settings — in all 3-modes of release. See the above points regarding the 6 anti-pre-release functions within Howell Ski Bindings (near the top of this page).
Other bindings do not provide these combined features, benefits and advantages because only Howell Ski Bindings has refined them during more than 57 years of testing — including 24 years of testing bindings with ACL-integrity without pre-release.
Warnings.
No ski-binding, including Howell Ski Bindings, can ‘prevent’ all skiing injuries.
The term, ‘safety’ is a misnomer. A ‘safe ski binding’ can be very dangerous if it’s overly-focused on ‘release’ without mitigating adverse pre-release. Pre-release can sometimes be worse than no release.
Skiing injury can occur by simply falling down or by impact with an object — including impact with ‘firm snow’.
Advantages.
➡️ Uniquely, Howell Ski Bindings are proven, biomechanically, to (1) provide integrity to the ACL, MCL, meniscus, tibial-plateau and femoral-condyles by mitigating episodic (single traumatic event) non-release through lateral-heel release; (2) provide integrity to those same musculoskeletal elements by mitigating chronic (cumulative) abduction-moments through low stand-height — all while (3) mitigating adverse pre-release — and (4) providing integrity to the tibia-shaft through ordinary alpine binding function as defined by the international alpine ski binding safety standards, ISO/DIN 9462, ISO 9465, ISO 11087 and ISO 8061.
Howell Ski Bindings combine extraordinary new paradigm shifts together with planned-compliance to international standards compliance — to provide happy, healthy, pure alpine skiing.
Footnote 2
Rick Howell was never a student at MIT. Rick performed “dream research” at MIT at the extraordinary bequest of and sponsorship by MIT Aerospace Engineering Professor Lawrence Retman Young, Sc.D., who at the time, was also the Chairman of the interdisciplinary Harvard-MIT Biomedical Engineering Department involving human-machine interaction for space flight. The research performed by Rick Howell at MIT (1974 - ‘77) led to a groundbreaking method to measure aerospace wing fatigue — still in use, today. Rick is a graduate of New England College with a double undergraduate major in business and civil (structural focus) engineering.
Footnote 3
Peer-reviewed and approved abstracts on the extensive biomechanical testing of patented Howell Ski Binding technology:
Br J Sports Med 2017;51:283-412
Br J Sports Med 2021;55(Suppl 1):A1-A188
10.1136/bjsports-2021-IOC.367 [402]
Publisher’s 2nd correction: Br J Sports Med 2022;0:1. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2021-IOC.367corr2
Footnote 4
Recreational-skier release-setting chart:
To find Howell Ski Binding models that are best suited for you, click an image at the top of this page.
Howell Ski Bindings (sm)
PO Box 1274 • Stowe, Vermont 05672 USA
1.802.793.4849 • rick.howell@howellskibindings.com
Copyright © by Rick Howell and Howell Ski Bindings, 2016 through 2026. All rights reserved. U.S. Patent 9,463,370.
Contents subject to change without notice.
'ACL-integrity', ‘Anti-Pre-Release', 'It was inevitable.', ’Howell Ski Bindings’, 'Howell Venus', 'Howell Mars', 'Howell Planet-B', ‘Functional Decoupling’ — are Service Marks (sm) of Howell Ski Bindings and Howell Product Development Holding, Inc.
It was inevitable. (sm)