When you have the ATK Raider 13 Evo under your feet, you immediately feel like a pro. And, I tried skiing it like one, just to see what would happen. From wind-scoured high alpine in the Tetons and San Juans to more forgiving terrain around Monarch Pass, this binding quickly helped me remember the reason I started alpine touring in the first place: freedom, joy, and pow turns.
It’s not the lightest in its class, but it has as much safety and power as any alpine binding we’ve tested. Though I’ve never felt freer or more secure shredding big terrain in a new touring binding, I also love this binding for its uphill capabilities.
Getting into walk mode on this binding presents zero issues, no fiddling, fumbling, or mis-clicks. And perhaps my favorite feature is the magnetic heel risers. They’re so easy to flip with a pole basket and offer so much lift that you can travel efficiently over a range of terrain.
In short: The ATK Raider 13 Evo is a top-tier offering in the free touring category with customizable settings for those who demand high performance. It excels in ease of use, durability, and power transfer. If you like ATK’s previous models but want advancements in release, higher DIN, and easy transitions, this binding is for you.
Compare the ATK Raider 13 Evo with the rest in our guide to the best backcountry ski bindings.
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Simple -
Light -
Versatile for all types of skiers -
Durable -
Easy to click in
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Lesser-known brand -
Some larger skiers may want a higher DIN rating -
Not the lightest on the market
ATK Raider 13 Evo Review
First Impressions
Straight out of the box, the Raider 13 Evo is a stunning example of craftsmanship. The CNC-machined aluminum construction immediately signals its durability, while its relative light weight of just 370 g makes it easy to see why many serious skiers now favor this binding.
It feels solid but does not sacrifice weight for durability. It offers an ideal combination for a tech toe binding that, in my opinion, could replace alpine bindings for the all-around modern ski tourer. Mounting was straightforward and the design left an immediate positive impression, as attention to detail is evident in every part of the binding.
The EVO edition adds two key new features: an automatic brake retention system and a new toe piece with an adjustable release value, which we’ll dive into further. It also introduces several key updates that set it apart from the competition and past iterations.
Features & What’s New
Automatic Brake Retention System
Rotating the heel piece from uphill/walk to downhill/ski mode activates ATK’s Automatic Brake System, snapping the brakes down seamlessly and back up nicely when you click into the heel. The previous push-button activation was a bit cumbersome compared to other brands.
Its new Elastic Response System is another safety feature. This 14mm elastic sliding plate is designed to reduce pressure on the binding and improve release performance, going hand in hand with a DIN that can be set as high as 13.
Toe-Piece Redesign
Most notable is the redesigned toe piece featuring ATK’s Easy Entry System. Unlike most traditional tech bindings, the pins in the toe engage horizontally rather than in an arc, making it more accurate and less fiddly to click in, even with inserts that have some wear and tear. This is particularly useful for those who find it challenging to click in, whether you’re new to tech bindings or just when you can’t see due to low light or snow.
I found this especially helpful on days when ice can build up in the inserts. The system helps minimize snow and ice buildup around the toe, reducing the time you spend banging away at frozen components. This “easy entry system” is complemented by a marked toe indicator and quick-snap closure, further improving its reliability.
The toe piece also offers a range of adjustability, with the ability to change both forward and lateral release values. This means you can fine-tune the binding to your weight and skiing style, giving you more confidence and safety (reliable release) when skiing at high speeds and in challenging conditions.
Upgrades
Upgrades continue with the new walk-mode flip-lock, which makes transitioning from touring to skiing mode quick and efficient. The heel piece is also updated with a new, easy rotating tower and integrated automatic ski brakes, replacing the push-button mechanism of earlier models. This improvement enhances usability and smooths the overall transition process.
The Raider 13 Evo does retain ATK’s Cam Release System, which is designed to provide smooth step-in and precise release. While it’s difficult to quantify how it compares to other systems, I found it to be one of the least cumbersome I’ve used, falling into the “forget it’s there” category.
In the Field
What We Loved
I tested the Raider 13 Evo over more than a dozen days of skiing across all terrain and conditions in the Rocky Mountain West, including skinning at Monarch, Vail, and Steamboat resorts to ensure thorough testing uphill and down. The design features, the magnetic heel risers, and the ease of transitioning all add up to one of my favorite bindings on the market.
On the uphill, the weight savings were noticeable for such a powerful binding. The heel risers, with three height options, flip back and forth easily with the pole basket, which I find saves a lot of time and energy.
The Raider 13 Evo provided solid power transfer and control on the downhill. The increased elasticity of the toebox helps absorb impact in hardpack and icy, variable conditions. It could be said that the all-metal construction transmits more vibrations on firm snow, but I honestly didn’t notice this.
The ability to adjust the release values in the toe makes the binding unique, allowing you to tailor the binding to your specific weight (or skiing style), and your shop can help you get this set up.
Room for Improvement
While these bindings are a top performer, I found a few areas for improvement. While excellent for durability and power transfer, all-metal construction doesn’t absorb vibrations, and some bindings use plastic or rubber components. This means the ride can feel a bit harsh on very firm snow.
To the extent that you are skiing in soft snow, which is hopefully always, you likely won’t notice this, but it might become noticeable on harder snow like wind-affected slabs or icy in-bounds steeps.
Another consideration is ATK’s relatively lesser-known status in the U.S. market, although that is changing. While the brand has been gaining traction, mainly through its white-label partnerships with brands like DPS, WNDR, and Moment, it may still be off the radar for some skiers. There is also a Freeraider 15 DIN on the market for even larger, more aggressive skiers.
Finally, with Black Diamond no longer distributing ATK bindings, purchasing them could be less convenient for some.
Conclusion
For those who loved ATK’s previous models but wanted easier transitions and increased safety, the Raider 13 Evo is the perfect upgrade. It’s ideal for skiers who value ease of use, customization, and performance.
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