Last tested
2023
Status:ongoing
2025

Karibou 14 Stopper

New for winter 23-24: a beefy, freeride-oriented binding with new elastic response system divided between the toe and heel
  • Buyer’s Guide reviews
  • In words
  • Technical specifications

Buyer’s Guide reviews

Comfort / Dynafit inserts
Step-in
Release with pole
Release with gloves
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The charts show our impressions from testing
Product info
Category average
Release test / Dynafit inserts
FRONT R + L average
Good
Heel cap
Excellent
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Release test / Other inserts
FRONT R + L average
Poor
Heel cap
Good
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Comfort / Other inserts
Step-in
Release with pole
Release with gloves
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In words

Intro
Brand new from the French manufacturer, but behind the new name lies the Summit 12 Stopper tested last year. The highlight is the new patented elastic response system, with a margin of 8 mm on top of the 4 mm heel gap. Hugely beneficial in case of strong shocks that deform the ski, as well as preventing accidental release of the toe piece. The overall robustness of this binding is also reflected in the brake, which has 3 jagged crampon-like teeth. 100% made in France.
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Fit
Just by operating the toe lever you realize the strength of the mechanisms, which require a certain amount of force to operate, but are extremely precise. Entry of the front and rear pins is excellent with Dynafit inserts. The shape of the lever makes it easy to handle even with gloves on, though it's not as good when using a pole to switch from walk to ski mode. To lock the brake you need to press it down and rotate the heel unit 90°. To use the climbing aids (two overlapping flaps), you need to rotate the tower 90°, which is also the way to find flat mode. The two risers are the highest of the set, especially useful for free touring wearing boots with limited ROM, which is effectively what the Karibou was born to do. The heel piece has adjustable lateral and forward release settings and a 35 mm adjustment track. The wide, high base under the heel and toe limit the ramp angle, which remains fairly high nonetheless.
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Technical specifications

Materials
aluminum 7075T6, stainless steel, POM
Type
full pin
Ski brake
yes (85-100, 100-120 mm)
Number of mounting screws
8
Crampon slot
Yes
Adjustable release range
Yes
Available versions
Karibou 12, Karibou 7 Stopper
Walking modes
flat, 59, 84 mm
Released in
2024
Price
619 €
Declared specsMeasured by us
N/A
Drop
XXXXX
565 gr
Individual weight
XXXXX
N/A
Toe cap weight
XXXXX
N/A
Heel cap weight
XXXXX
N/A
Mounting screws weight
XXXXX
N/A
Front pin height
XXXXX
N/A
Rear pin height
XXXXX
N/A
Minimum release range
XXXXX
N/A
Maximum release range
XXXXX
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