Strive Brake Width: What Fits What (Salomon, Atomic, Armada)
Every winter we ship out a pile of replacement brakes, and the same question comes with almost all of them. Someone has a Strive binding, they need a wider brake, and they want to know whether the one from their buddy's Atomic setup will work, or whether the 14 brake fits the 12, or what size actually matters for a 106 underfoot ski.
Fair questions, and the answers aren't obvious from the packaging. So here's how Strive brakes work: which bindings share what, which ones don't, and how to pick the right width.
Is the Salomon Strive the same as the Atomic and Armada version?
Yes. Salomon created the Strive binding, and now everyone under the Amer umbrella is using it, including Armada and Atomic. The Strive 12 from Atomic, the Strive 12 from Salomon, and the Strive 12 from Armada are the same binding with different graphics.
So if you're comparing bundle deals across those three brands and the binding is the difference-maker in your head, it isn't. Buy the ski you want.
GripWalk or MN? Know which one you have
The one real distinction in the lineup shows up on the Strive 14, which comes in two versions:
- GripWalk — certified for GripWalk soles.
- MN (multi-norm) — certified for all boot soles: GripWalk, touring, and alpine.
We always prefer the MN. It costs you nothing in performance and it means the binding doesn't become a problem the day you switch boots. That's a bigger topic and it gets its own episode, but the short version is this: when you're buying a Strive 14, make sure you know which one you're looking at. It's easy to skim past on a product page.
Are Strive brakes interchangeable between models?
No. This is the one that costs people money.
Each model has its own specific brake. A Strive 14 takes a Strive 14 brake. A Strive 12 takes a Strive 12 brake. They are not shared across the lineup, and a brake that looks close enough in a photo is not close enough on the ski.
We sell a ton of replacement brakes from every brand, including Strive, so if you're not certain which model you own, send us a photo of the binding before you order. Thirty seconds of checking beats a return.
What size brake fits your ski?
Here's what's available across the lineup:
| Binding | Brake widths |
|---|---|
| Strive 12 | 90, 100, 115 mm |
| Strive 14 | 90, 100, 115, 130 mm |
| Strive 16 | 90, 100, 115, 130 mm |
Matching a brake to a ski is a little trickier than matching numbers, because some brakes have a few millimeters of wiggle room. A 100 mm Strive brake will usually fit a ski up to around 104 mm underfoot, for example.
There's no industry-wide standard here. Every manufacturer treats that tolerance a little differently, which is exactly why we keep a full brake width size chart on the site rather than repeating a rule of thumb that doesn't hold across brands.
What happens if you get it wrong
Two failure modes, and one of them matters a lot more than the other.
Too narrow, and the brake won't clear the ski. Too wide, and you get brake drag, or the arms sit far enough out that you can catch a pant leg on them. That second one is not a minor annoyance. Catching a brake arm mid-turn is how people get hurt.
So don't eyeball it. Check the waist width of your actual ski, in millimeters, and match it to the chart before you order.
Quick answers
Will a Strive 12 brake fit a Strive 14?
No. Each model takes its own brake, even though the bindings look similar.
Is the Atomic Strive 12 different from the Salomon Strive 12?
No. Same binding, different branding. Salomon designed it and the Amer brands share it.
What brake do I need for a 106 mm ski?
A 115. The 100 tops out around 104 underfoot, so a 106 needs the next size up.
Can I use a brake wider than my ski to be safe?
Not a good idea. Oversized brakes drag and can snag your pant leg. Size to the ski, not above it.
What's the difference between GripWalk and MN?
MN is certified for all boot soles... GripWalk, touring, and alpine. The GripWalk version is certified for GripWalk soles only.
Where do I buy a replacement Strive brake?
We stock them. Check the binding brakes and parts collection, or call and we'll pull the right one.
Full video transcript — Skiformation Series #2 | Strive Brake Width
Chris here from Ski Town All-Stars, and welcome to another exciting edition of Skiformation, where we take skiing and information and put them together. Skiformation. See what we did there?
Anyway, today we're talking about brakes, specifically the Strive models. Salomon created the Strive binding, and now everyone under the Amer umbrella, including Armada and Atomic, is using the Strive models as well.
First question we get asked: is there a difference between the brands? The answer is no. The Strive 12 from Atomic, Salomon, and Armada are the same binding. The only real distinction is in the Strive 14, which comes in GripWalk and MN (multi-norm) versions. MN means it's certified for all boot soles — GripWalk, touring, and alpine. We always prefer the MN, but that's another topic for another episode. Bottom line: when you're buying a Strive, make sure you know whether it's a GripWalk or an MN.
Second question: are the brakes interchangeable across the models? Here at Ski Town All-Stars we sell a ton of replacement brakes from every brand, including the Strive model. The answer is no. Each model has its own specific brake, so if you have a Strive 14, you need to purchase the Strive 14 brake.
The third and most common question is what size brake fits what ski. The Strive 12 comes in 90, 100, and 115 mm brakes, and the 14 and 16 add the 130 option. Matching brake size to a ski width is a little tricky. Some brakes have a few millimeters of wiggle room — for example, a 100 mm Strive brake will usually fit up to a ski around 104 mm underfoot. There's no industry-wide standard here, so sizing up too far can cause brake drag, or you could even catch your pant leg, which would lead to a serious injury.
We've linked a full Strive brake size chart in the description below. If you're not sure what brake size is right for your skis, please reach out anytime.
Thanks for tuning in to our new Skiformation series. We've got a lot more stuff in the works for you guys, and be sure to check out our channel for all your ski-related needs. And like always, be sure to like and subscribe.
The Skiformation Series
We get asked a lot of questions at the shop, and the answers aren't always easy to come by for the average skier. So we're taking everything we've picked up over the years in the ski industry and putting it in one place. Ski information. Skiformation. See what we did there?
Up next in the series: Phantom Glide, the permanent base treatment that replaces hot wax, and whether it's actually worth the money.
Not sure what brake size is right for your skis? Reach out anytime. Call 970-688-5485 or text 970-390-6224, or browse the ski shop and let us build the setup for you.
