Which ski binding is still safe in 2026?
My binding is from 2019 and I heard that the TÜV certificates expire. Do I really have to buy a new one or can I still ride with it?
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Did you maintain the binding regularly or was it stored in the basement for years? That makes a difference.
A well-maintained binding from 2019 still rides just fine, the TÜV certificate is pretty much outdated at that point - what matters more is that the release mechanisms still work smoothly and aren't rusty.
Better get it checked before the season starts to see if the springs still have tension, then you'll know what's up.
You can still ride the 2019 bindings as long as the mechanics work and nothing's rusty or damaged. The TÜV certificate is more of a paperwork thing for selling - if you're just riding them yourself, that's not really the core issue. What matters more is whether the release values are still correct. You can get that checked by a ski technician, it's not expensive and gives you peace of mind.
What most people forget: it's not the certificates that age, it's the binding itself. If yours has been lying around in a heated living room since 2019 or constantly going back and forth between warm and cold, the plastic parts can become brittle. If it was stored in a basement or cold garage, that's way better. Salt and dirt also wear on older bindings - but if you ride regularly and rinse them off after the salting season, nothing too serious should happen.
My tip: take it to a technician for a check and have the values adjusted. If everything's fine, you don't need new ones right away. Saving money matters, even with kids at home, and riding bindings that work is better than throwing them out because some paperwork expired.
The TÜV certificate is actually less critical than it sounds. The binding itself doesn't wear out just because a piece of paper expires - if the spring, release mechanism, and fastening are still in good condition, it works exactly as it did before. The certificate was mainly relevant for sales, not for your personal use.
What really matters: How well has the binding been maintained? If it's been ridden regularly and hasn't been sitting wet in the basement for months, you don't need to buy new ones. Check the spring - if it still responds elastically and nothing looks rusty, go ahead and use it. Only if the release mechanism is sticking or no longer responding properly does it become a problem. But then it's more likely due to a defect than to age.
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