Binding Adjustment

Traditionally, bindings are mounted with a fixed position. However, many modern bindings now come with adjustable position. Typically, they are mounted at the "zero" position which corresponds to the traditional mounting. Additionally, they come with settings +1, +2, +3 in the forwards direction, and -1, -2, -3 backwards.

Adjusting the binding settings changes the balance of the skis and the contact points. This is a significant advantage because it increases the flexibility and broadens the range of use for the skis.

If you feel your kick wax is touching the snow while gliding, try moving the binding to -1 or -2 to get off the wax. When you move the binding back, you are taking some of the pressure off at the front of the kick zone and add pressure further back toward the effective kick zone. Most think by moving the binding forward, it will increase the kick, but most of the time it will just work against you. By moving the bindings forward, it makes it more difficult to get the skis in under you, and the skis will feel heavy, and skis less kick.

In skating, there is a lot more focus on the feel of the ski. By moving the binding on a skate ski there is mainly two things that change: stability and float. If the tracks are soft, the skis will easily dig in the snow, and they will feel heavy. Then you can try to move the binding to -1. You will then move the pressure towards the back, and it will be less pressure in the front of the skis. This will often result in a ski that floats better and will feel lighter and easier to control. 

For double poling, there is also a lot of focus on the feel of the ski, similar to skating. The best results are usually achieved by moving the binding towards the back.

The best way to find the right binding position is to keep on binding set to zero and adjust the other ski. You will be able to differentiate between the positions and have a feel for which one is better.  

It is good practice to return the bindings back in zero position after use.