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What Is GripWalk?

Jan 12th 2026

What Is GripWalk — and Why It Matters for Your Ski Boots & Bindings

If you’ve been shopping for ski boots or bindings lately, you’ve probably seen the term GripWalk everywhere. And while it does make walking easier, that’s only part of the story. GripWalk is a modern boot sole and binding standard designed to improve comfort, safety, and compatibility—without compromising how your skis perform on snow.

Let’s break it down.

What Is GripWalk?

GripWalk is a ski boot sole standard that replaces the old flat, hard plastic soles most of us grew up with. Instead, GripWalk soles are:

SKiers walking on the snow in Grip Walk boot soles The Result?

A ski boot that feels more natural to walk in and provides noticeably better traction on icy parking lots, stairs, lodge floors, and village sidewalks.

Think less ice skating through the base area, more normal human walking.

How GripWalk Is Different From Traditional Alpine Soles

Traditional alpine soles (ISO 5355) are:

  • Flat

  • Hard plastic

  • Slippery on anything that isn’t snow

GripWalk soles (ISO 23223) are:

  • Curved to support a natural stride

  • Rubberized for grip

  • Slightly taller and shaped differently at the toe and heel

That shape difference is key—and it’s also why bindings matter.

The Big Catch: Binding Compatibility

Here’s the most important thing to understand:

GripWalk soles must be used with GripWalk-compatible bindings.

Because GripWalk soles are rockered and thicker than traditional alpine soles, older bindings may not:

  • Hold the boot at the correct height

  • Release properly in a fall

  • Meet safety standards

That’s why newer bindings are clearly labeled “GripWalk Compatible” or “GW”.

Common binding labels you’ll see:

  • GW or GripWalk

  • Multi-Norm Certified (MNC)

  • Alpine / GW

If a binding is not GripWalk-compatible, a GripWalk sole should not be used with it. This is a safety issue, not a preference.

Why GripWalk Actually Matters

Safer Walking (Yes, Really)

GripWalk dramatically improves traction on:

  • Ice

  • Wet concrete

  • Packed snow

  • Stairs and ramps

This reduces slips, falls, and that sketchy feeling when walking from the lift to the lodge.

More Comfort Off Snow

The rockered sole supports a more natural walking motion, which means:

  • Less awkward clomping

  • Less fatigue in feet and hips

  • A much better village and lodge experience

It’s a small change that makes a big difference over a full ski day.

Zero Performance Loss On Snow

This is where people worry—and where the tech delivers.

GripWalk does not reduce skiing performance when paired with the correct binding. The interface between boot and binding is engineered to:

  • Maintain proper power transfer

  • Preserve release accuracy

  • Meets current Alpine ISO standards

When set up correctly, you’ll never notice a difference while skiing—only when you’re walking.

GripWalk vs Touring Soles (Quick Clarification)

GripWalk is not the same as:

  • AT / tech soles

  • Full touring boot soles

GripWalk is designed for alpine skiing; however, some ski boots utilize a GripWalk sole, allowing you to also use them in both a GripWalk-compatible alpine binding and a tec-fit pin-style touring binding. 

Do You Need GripWalk?

GripWalk is ideal if you:

  • Primarily ski lifts (resort skiing)

  • Want better traction and comfort off snow

  • Are buying new boots or bindings anyway

If you’re replacing boots and your bindings are older, you may need:

  • New bindings

  • OR a boot with interchangeable soles (depending on model)

This is exactly why boot-and-binding compatibility checks matter.

The Bottom Line

GripWalk is one of the best upgrades in modern ski equipment. It makes walking safer and more comfortable while keeping alpine performance exactly where it should be—on snow.

Just remember:

  • GripWalk boots + GripWalk bindings = yes

  • GripWalk boots + old alpine bindings = no

If you’re unsure what your current setup supports, ask a bootfitter or ski tech to check. It’s a quick look—and an important one.

Pro Tip from the Shop

If you’re buying new ski boots and bindings together, choosing a GripWalk-compatible setup is almost always the smartest long-term option. It future-proofs your gear and makes ski days better from the parking lot to last chair.

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