We've been convinced for several years that 2-pin, or "tech", NTN designs are the future for telemark bindings. Combining the tech toe unit from alpine touring bindings with NTN's "2nd heel", this style of NTN telemark binding offers low weight and efficient touring alongside powerful, adjustable downhill performance. So we were intrigued to hear that the Italian alpine touring binding specialist ATK has produced a new 2-pin NTN binding: the ATK Newmark Lite.

ATK dominates the alpine touring binding market, with well-designed models for every variety of ski touring. They've built that reputation on light yet rigid designs that deliver both efficient uphill and downhill performance — exactly what we're also looking for in the freeheel world. So it's great news that ATK has been working behind the scenes on a new telemark touring binding, the Newmark Lite. We've been lucky enough to test a pair since February, so here are our initial impressions.

First Impressions and Design

First impressions of the ATK Newmark Lite are visual, and it looks great — the precisely machined, anodised aluminium oozes quality and modernity, like a modern, minimalist take on the beautiful Bomber "Bishop" aluminium bindings.

ATK's initial press release showed a toe unit with just four retaining screws, which raised concern over whether it would withstand the leverage forces of skiing — older freeheelers will remember the industry's move from four- to six-hole binding templates. We were relieved to see that the production bindings we tested have six retaining screws, with the front & rear screws having a wide 45 mm spacing to ensure good stability and power transfer even on wide skis.

 

The Newmark Lite consists of a tech toe unit and a narrow aluminium springbox housing two springs, with the NTN 2nd heel mounted on top.

Sizing and Setting Up the NTN 2nd Heel

NTN boots come in two sizes, and the Newmark Lite's NTN 2nd heel can be adjusted to fit either size S or size L. Boot size adjustment is very easy: just unscrew the single screw at the rear of the toe unit baseplate, reposition the attachment plate for the springbox, then reposition the metal lug for the 2nd heel on the springbox, held in place by two screws. It's quick and straightforward. ATK does insist on using Torx screws — we'd prefer cross-head screws, which stand up to frequent use better, but in practice most skiers will rarely if ever change size.

The springbox clips into a connecting lug at the back of the toe unit and can be removed for efficient climbing. The springbox weighs 220 g so removing these leaves just the toe unit for efficient climbing.
 

       

The light yet rigid toe units share several features with ATK's free-rando Evo bindings, including a mechanism for adjusting the tech toe release. You can tune the release setting to snow conditions and your skiing style, and ATK recommends skiing with the toe units in ski mode rather than blocked in walk mode.

Weighing only 680g a pair, the Newmark Lite is built for free-heel tourers and does not have ski brakes.

ATK Newmark Lite Review: On-Snow Performance

So, how did the Newmark Lite perform? We mounted the bindings on Voile Manti skis, 104mm underfoot, for versatile performance on and off piste.

Step In

Stepping in is very easy, up to ATK's usual standard, with the pins and holes aligning naturally and the jaws closing with a satisfying "clunk". Once the jaws are closed, engaging the 2nd heel is equally straightforward — just put weight on the boot and you're connected.
 

Walk Mode: Touring Efficiency

In walk mode there are two options: activate the heel lift, or remove the springbox entirely.

The spring cartridge can be removed by hand for a light, minimalist set-up that maximises climbing efficiency. Just pop the springboxes in a pocket or your pack for the uphill, then clip them back on while removing your skins at the top — quick and easy, with no tools required.

This telemark touring binding is excellent on the uphill; the low weight and clean design make skinning highly efficient. The toe unit has a crampon slot as standard, compatible with ATK's AT ski crampons. The heel lift is activated by pushing on the button at the back of the heel unit, and pops up with a satisfyingly loud “clack”. No chance of these collapsing half-way through the climb. The single heel lift gives 37 mm lift, more than enough for most skiers.
 

Ski Mode: Downhill Performance

We tested the Newmark Lite over the last two months of the season, across the full range of conditions from powder to hard, chattery snow.

Forward flex is similar to the Inwild Meidjo, though less than the Inwild Simpll (which has the most forward flex of any telemark binding). As with other 2-pin NTN telemark bindings, lateral stiffness is good, with the tech toe and NTN 2nd heel delivering direct power transfer to the ski.

We tried adjusting the release-adjustment screw on the toe piece and found it makes a real difference; we saw no pre-release issues skiing in ski mode (toe jaws unlocked). While not a release binding as such, there is an "Emergency Release" setting on the toe that lets the jaws open and release the boot when a certain load is reached, rather than keeping the telemark boot.

The narrow springbox helps prevent snow build-up underfoot, and we didn't encounter any problems here.

While there's plenty of forward flex and lateral stiffness, we found the springs are far too soft, providing very little support or boot-to-ski power transmission and feedback. Skiers used to stiff, active bindings will find them hard to adapt to, with no rebound at the turn exit. We had to power the ski by weighting the ball of the foot, reminiscent of old-school 3-pin and softer 75mm cable bindings. We understand ATK is working on stiffer springs, and we expect they will offer a range of springs next winter.

First Season Findings: ATK Newmark Lite 

It's great to see a new brand enter the telemark binding market. The ATK Newmark Lite is a genuinely interesting binding with lots of potential. With its emphasis on low weight and touring efficiency, the Newmark Lite is designed for gram counting backcountry freeheelers. ATK will no doubt keep refining spring stiffness, and we look forward to continuing our testing of this 2-pin NTN telemark binding next winter. 
ATK will also offer these bindings with an integrated alpine heel unit. Called the ATK Newmark Lite Freelock, this option lets you block the heel when tired or conditions are difficult.