Dec 12th 2024

GET TO KNOW OUR BRANDS: ROTTEFELLA

The Vision of Rottefella:

Rottefella is a Norwegian company that is the world's largest developer and manufacturer of cross-country, telemark and alpine ski bindings and a pioneer in the outdoor industry. The bindings represent the basic values that shape Rottefella; the ability to think creatively and to embrace the joy of playing.

“With almost 100 years of experience and knowledge, we develop products that create great outdoor experiences and good performances. Our vision is to inspire everyone to an active outdoor lifestyle and ensure top performance for the best.”

Rottefella’s History:

Rottefella bindings are another one of our treasured brands with a long history. While you might not think as much about the bindings under your feet as you do about your skis or boots, they are critically important to the way you ski. The story of Rottefella is the story of cross country skiing; in Norway, and around the world, the two evolved hand in hand, adapting, innovating, and rising higher and higher to new levels of performance.

It all began in Norway in 1927 when Bror With (1900–1986), a mechanical engineer, became dissatisfied by the best available bindings. Inspired by the rat traps he had seen at the hardware store, he fashioned a three pin binding from an old bicycle seat, drilled holes for the clamp and secured everything with a strap. The following day at a ski race, the novel bindings, forged the night before in the fireplace, caught the attention of the Crown Prince Olav. When asked what he had on his skis, With joked that it was just a couple of rat traps from the store. The bindings performed well during the race, even on the toughest descents, and With knew he had created something special. Immediately after the race, he patented the bindings and, with encouragement from other racers, patented the name Rottefella (rat trap in Norwegian).

It was not long until production began on the binding that would become synonymous with cross country skiing at the highest level. In 1928, skier Ole Reistad, stopping by to fix his skis, noticed the binding hanging on the wall of the workshop. Intrigued, he requested enough for his military troop for the St. Moritz Olympics. After outpacing the other competitors on a groundbreaking descent, the team won gold, launching Rottefella into the global consciousness. Ski bindings for telemark, alpine and cross country skiing would never be the same.

The Norwegian military patrol at the 1928 Olympics in St. Moritz.

Over the years, improvements made the bindings more stable and durable, such as replacing the leather strap, that broke frequently, with an adjustable hook. Full scale production began in the 1930’s, and in the 1960’s the company started using aluminum which made it easier to try out new colors. Rottefella’s innovation inspired other companies to experiment with different binding designs. Adidas debuted a toe binding during the 1976 Olympics, which gained notoriety when Soviet skier Yevgeny Beljaev’s ski fell off during the relay because the binding failed to hold.

An Adidas ad for bindings (left) and an older Rottefella binding (right).

Rottefella reached a peak output in 1980, producing 1.6 million bindings. In the 1980’s fierce competition with Salomon, which claimed half the market of cross country bindings in Norway, spurred dual advancements in the SNS (Salomon Nordic System) and the NNN (New Nordic Norm) bindings. The integrated boot-binding system for cross-country skis was revolutionary and was made possible by the introduction of plastics to boot and binding manufacturing. The incorporation of flexible plastics into ski boot soles allowed them to be strong torsionally, while retaining flexibility and allowing the heel to rise as without the need for a cable. Additionally, Rottefella launched new bindings for skate skiing, telemark and backcountry touring, showcasing their creativity and technological advancements.

Rottefella Now:

Rottefella is the most popular and widespread nordic binding on the market, and for good reason. The quality, functionality, and ambition for new advancements to improve ski feel, make Rottefella the go-to for recreational and elite skiers alike. Currently two bindings stand out that highlight the company’s commitment to making your experience on skis the best it can be.

Rottefella Move Series: How many times have you wished for better grip, better glide, or preferably both, when you're out skiing? Rottefella MOVE can, with very simple steps, give you better grip and better glide, without having to take off your skis.

How does it work?

It's all about friction. For better grip on uphill slopes, you need more pressure over the part of the skis that has the grip lubricant or traps. This increases the friction between the cross-country skis and the snow. For better glide downhill, or sideways, you want less pressure and thus reduced contact between the snow and the skis.

By moving the binding forward, you achieve the pressure you need on uphill slopes, and when you move the binding backward, the pressure in the attachment zone is reduced and thus the contact between the skis and the snow. The introduction of the removable binding in 2007 allowed athletes in both classic and skate to adjust the position of their binding. With the Move binding, you can do this without ever taking your skis off. What makes Rottefella MOVE so special is that you can now quickly and easily move your binding forward or backward without taking off your skis.

With three specially adapted MOVE solutions, (Tune, Switch, Race) this binding is something that can give everyone a better skiing experience and increase their skiing performance, regardless of your skill level, age, weather, etc… If your skis start to slip, move the binding forward for better grip. If they slip, move the binding backward for better glide.

MOVE is also applicable to skating and you can fine-tune how your skis respond to different types of terrain. You can choose between nine binding positions – three forward, neutral and five backward. The result of the adjustments is improved performance and more skiing pleasure.

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