ATK Crest 8 AP - Light Bronze 2024

Crest 8 AP - ATK bindings

For several seasons now the ATK Crest has been our most popular "efficient " category binding. Designed to offer practical light weight touring ability at a very good price, the Crest 8 features many of the technnical innovations normally found on more expensive bindings.
For 2024 ATK have built on the success of the Crest and developed the Crest AP, which is the same binding but with an automatic ski brake mechanism. The AP brake system really couldn't be easier to use. Simple press down on the brake plate and rotate the heel unit to block the ski brake. Activated in one simple movement, the AP Brake System guarantees safe and reliable transitions between walk and ski modes, improving the functionality of the bindings.
The new system only adds 15 g weight per ski, (but 60 € to the recommended retail price). We've used the regular Crest bindings in all conditions over the years, the manual push-button mechanism is simple and reliable but does require a little more care than the new AP system. If you prioritise ease of use then the Crest 8 AP bindings will be a good choice.

Apart from the brake system, the Crest 8 AP is identical to the regular Crest 8 bindings.

To save weight and also gain torsional rigidity the toepiece uses the MonoLink Technology 1.0 design developed initially for the SL Evo World Cup. This unusual design works well, providing reliable release from a lighter format than the traditional symmetrical design. In uphill mode the additional rigidity helps make the Crest even more resistant to knocks, you can be sure the boot will stay in the bindings during conversions. The one piece metal baseplate includes a slot for ski crampons. 
The toe piece has the same long lever that ATK developed last year that gives excellent step-in performance. This “Easy Entry System” is very positive, so knowing that you are correctly in the bindings has never been easier. When it's time to remove the bindings, the front lever design has a depression for easy pole tip placement and rapid boot step-out.

The heel unit uses individual cammed release pins giving superbly stable downhill performance and precise vertical release. Both vertical and horizontal release are adjustable with a range of 3-8 DIN. and benefit from ATK's excellent Cam Release System. This stabilizes the heel pins and provides the torsional stiffness ATK bindings are reknowned for. The special cam profile is pressed against the heel pins by a pre-tensioned spring: during step in, or on the event of a fall the pins are forced to go through the cam profile which provides a precise resistance to pin release depending upon the release value set on the bindings.  This mechanism provides the most stable downhill performance on the market with consistent reduction of boot torsion compared to any other tech heel unit design. It also provides the softest heel step in of any bindings. Heavier skiers should choose the Crest 10 which is identical apart from the higher release range of 5-10 DIN.

The heel unit offers 20 mm of boot length adjustment (+/- 10 mm) and like most modern bindings the baseplate includes a sprung mechanism, the Elastic Response System, to absorb ski flex. 
The Crest 8 AP comes complete with ski brakes and these are available in a choice of 4 widths from 86-102 mm. The plastic ends of the ski brakes are flared to offer a wider braking surface and ATK claim that these “Brake Caps” give 50% more braking power than traditional brakes.
The heel unit offers 3 positions in walk mode: flat, +28 mm and + 45 mm. (defining these in terms of height makes more sense than angle, which depends upon boot length.) 
ATK bindings with brakes have a unique design for the ski brakes. While most brands combine the ski/walk mechanism with the base of the heel unit tower. This automatically reduces the rigidity of the tower block. ATK have separated the ski brake function from the heel tower, allowing them to create torsionally stiffer bindings. Ski brakes are instead activated by a button on the side of the heel base plate. Push the button in, press the ski brake plate flat and the ski brakes are locked up. Push the button to unlock for ski mode. It works very well.

By focusing on their core expertise, over the last three years ATK have become the market leader in AT bindings, with an excellent choice of models for all touring categories.
With full release and adjustability, automatic ski brakes and weighing only 590 g a pair, the Crest 8 AP is bound to be in demand this winter.

See our TABLE ATK 2024 Binding Specifications for a technical comparison of all ATK 2024 bindings.

Features: ATK Crest 8 AP 2024

AP Brake System: ATK's AP brake system really couldn't be easier to use. Simple press down on the brake plate and rotate the heel unit to block the ski brake. Activated in one simple movement, the AP Brake System guarantees safe and reliable transitions between walk and ski modes, improving the functionality of the bindings.

EES Easy Entry System: Toepiece design gives easy and confident step in action with all tech boots, even when boot soles are worn.

Monolink Technology 1.0: Only one of the toe piece arms has springs, and this design provides a higher clamping pressure on the boot while also saving weight.

Magneto Heel Flaps: A simple yet ingenious magnet system provides stability to the heel unit and ease of use. Lightweight and comfortable to use.

Cam Release System: This mechanism inside the ATK heel units to facilitate both boot entry and binding vertical release in the event of a fall.