Fritschi Xenic Plus 12 – 26/27

Fritschi Xenic Plus 12 – 2026/27

The Xenic Plus 12 is a lightweight touring binding for skiers who spend plenty of time earning their turns but still want confidence on the way down. Its pin construction keeps weight low, while Fritschi’s safety-focused toe and active heel bring useful downhill performance to a touring-oriented setup.

A pin toe designed for easy entry and security

The Xenic Plus 12 uses Fritschi’s laterally opening pin toe. Rather than rotating around a fixed point, the pins open sideways, helping make step-in straightforward and improving resistance to unwanted release from impacts coming from below. The toe is also designed to allow vertical release in walking mode, and its guiding stops help position the boot for easier entry—even in steep terrain or when you cannot see the toe clearly.

The toe is reinforced with metal elements and made using carbon and modern polymers. It accepts compatible crampons in 85, 95 and 105 mm widths, and includes an attachment point for a safety leash when skiing without brakes.

An adjustable heel with an active design

The rotating heel offers an adjustable lateral release range of DIN 6–12. Its wide platform supports power transfer to the ski, while the independently rotating pins help provide consistent vertical release. The heel can deflect by up to 13 mm before release to help reduce unwanted release caused by impacts and vibration.

The active heel also moves to accommodate ski flex, allowing the ski to bend more naturally under load. The supplied climbing aids offer two heel-rise angles: 7° and 11°. Switching between touring and skiing modes is handled by rotating the heel, with the climbing support providing extra leverage.

Built for long climbs and proper descents

At a listed 290 g per binding without brakes, the Xenic Plus 12 is aimed at touring skiers who value low weight but do not want a stripped-back binding with no attention to downhill performance. It is a pin binding for compatible touring boots, not conventional alpine ski boots. Brakes are included in the package according to the supplied specifications.

Tech Specs

• Season: 2026/27

• Binding type: Pin touring binding

• Release setting: DIN 6–12, adjustable at the heel

• Toe release adjustment: No

• Safety toe and heel: Yes

• Active heel: Yes

• Heel travel before release: Up to 13 mm

• Heel movement to accommodate ski flex: Up to 10 mm

• Climbing aids: 2, with 7° and 11° heel-rise angles

• Crampon compatibility: 85, 95 and 105 mm widths

• Weight without brakes: 290 g per binding

• Weight with brakes: 335 g per binding

• Brakes included: Yes

• Compatible boots: Touring boots with pin inserts; not standard alpine ski boots

• Gender: Unisex

• Rental use: Not designed for rental fleets

Is This the Right Binding for You?

The Xenic Plus 12 makes sense for touring skiers who count grams on the way up but still want a safety-oriented toe, adjustable DIN 6–12 release and an active heel for the descent. It is not a binding for standard alpine boots, and it is best suited to boots with compatible pin inserts. If your priority is efficient climbing without giving up considered downhill performance, it deserves a place on your shortlist.