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2021 Backcountry Magazine Editor's Choice!

Precise, Light, Fully Featured

Everything you want and need in a free touring binding: easy step in, cleanly integrated brakes and crampon slots, release value range up to 12, superb downhill performance, 5 climbing positions, independent vertical and horizontal release. All at an impressive 0.66 Kg per pair!

Exceptional performance, robust construction and a full set of features – at remarkably low weight. That is the Hagan Core 12 Pro.

• Description
• Reviews
• Technical Features
• Related Products
• How to Videos

• Wide toe and heel mounts precisely transfer power. The patented E.R.S. ® (Elastic Response System) system absorbs energy resulting in consistent release values while allowing the ski to flex naturally under compression for improved downhill performance. The heel pivots rotationally to provide consistent release and retention. 
  

  The unique - and patented - CAM heel system adjusts to impact forces, providing far better control and skiing precision than simple U Forks. The system ensures accurate, adjustable control of the release tension while maintaining very easy step in and solid power transfer. The design uses a CAM profile pressed against the heel pins by a pre-tensioned spring. When a fall requires vertical release, the CAM profile provides precise resistance to the pins.  

  Magneto® heel climbing aids are easily flippable for five climbing positions. Two climbing positions can be selected without twisting the heel piece, for safer adjustments in precarious situations. Easily - because the heel tower doesn't have the double duty of retracting the brakes - twist the heel, in either direction, for flat mode and two more riser heights.

  Adjustable toe clamping force creates more secure uphill retention than other tech bindings, especially as boot tech inserts wear. Toe step-in is easy. Integrated crampon hooks allow stress-free ascents up bulletproof snow or in no-fall zones. Two types of ATK toe shims are available if you would like to reduce the ramp angle - the ATK AL12 toe shim and ATK R16A Raider Toe Plate. 

  Constructed predominantly from alloy, the Core 12 Pro Freeride binding toe is solid and robust at a feather-light 120 grams – better performance at a fraction of the weight of other bindings. Go ahead, check the reviews tab.

  Note 1: If you are considering the Black Diamond Helio 350 version - why? 1. The BD Helio 350 is not the same. It does not have the new toe with improved step in, springless design, uphill retention adjustment, snow block system and lighter weight. 2. Despite the BD version being inferior, they charge more! 3. BD is a big, impersonal company. Shop small and get better customer service.

  Note 2: These will say Core 12 EVO. Don't worry. They are exactly the same.

• 2021 Backcountry Magazine Editor's Choice

  Core 12 Pro improvements on the Five Star-rated Core 12:

  1. The toe has a much wider mounting base, uphill retention adjustment, toe guides and "snow block" design to prevent snow infiltration and icing.
  2. The rear mounted brake is robust, easy to operate and lighter.
  3. Optional Freeride Spacers make the Core 12 Pro identical to the ATK FR14, other than the 5-12 release range.
  
  

  Reviews of the previous Core 12, before the Pro improvements!

  Backcountry Magazine:
  • "In spite of its infinitesimal weight, the Core 12 packs a bevy of punches that put other diminutive tech bindings on the ropes."
  • "This is a full-function, lightweight and solid binding," said our tech editor.
  • "Felt as powerful and stable as any tech offerings on the market, only being outperformed downhill by the Shift," another opined. My note: the Shift, without crampon mounts, weights 2.9 TIMES as much as the Core 12 Pro.
  Blister Gear Reviews:
  • I felt more confident skiing hard downhill on it than on any other binding in this test.
  • The only binding in this test with independently adjustable vertical and lateral release values in the heel.
  • The heel risers of this binding are easily the best in the group. Its overall performance makes it my favorite binding of the group.
  Read more here.

• The Core 12 Pro is made for HAGAN in partnership with ATK in Italy. HAGAN partnered with ATK, well respected for quality, craftsmanship and functionality, to bring what we feel are their best products to North America. The Core 12 Pro is identical to the ATK Raider 12 / R12 other than (a nicer) color and includes six ATK patents. Available ATK AL09 Freeride spacers /stomp plates effectively make the Core 12 Pro identical to the ATK Freeraider 14 / FR14 other than the release range. The Freeride spacers increase precision and power transmission to Alpine race binding levels.

  Easy Entry System®: new geometry of the toe makes step-in easy and confident with any tech boot available on the market, even in case of worn out soles.
  
  25mm ADJUSTMENT PLATE: integrated in the heel enables fast adjustment for boot substitution (up to 3 full sizes).
  
   SNOW BLOCK TOE®: prevents snow/ice infiltration and also limits snow build up on the toe piece.
  
   U.H.V.® System (Up-hill Hardness Variator): Uphill retention adjustment system built into the toe. It compensates for boot insert wear and tear, provides a proper locking strength for each user and reduces the pressures on the locking mechanism.
  
  CRAMPON SLOTS: built in.
  
  Optional ATK AL09 freeride spacers / stomp pads increase precision and power transmission to an Alpine racing binding level.
  

  Pure 10 and Core 12 Pro Differences

  TOE PIECES: The Core 12 Pro toe piece has a wider mounting plate, snow-block anti-icing system and uphill retention adjustment.

• • 70mm, 86mm, 97mm, 108mm and 120mm Crampons
  

  • 86mm, 91mm, 97mm, 102mm, 108mm and 120mm Ski Brakes

  • Freeride Spacer 

  
  

• Instructional Videos

  HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR CORE 12 PRO BINDINGS: The new Hagan Core 12 Pro bindings are the result of careful design studies and the application of the most innovative mechanical processing techniques. They meet the fundamental requirements of demanding ski tourers common to all Hagan products: lightness, performance and reliability. Thorough knowledge of the binding is necessary to make the most of the Core 12 Pro's functionality. In this video, ATK's Davide Indulti provides all the secrets of the Core 12 Pro/ATK R12/FR14, including useful suggestions for optimal use of your bindings. (Davide is Italian and our bindings are Italian-made. If your Italian isn't molto buono, use closed captioning.)

   

   

  How to adjust the heel length and retention values:

  (Notes: 1. This video is of the prior Core 12/Raider 12 model, but the steps are the same. 2. The labeling of the heel adjustment steps is in the wrong order.)

   

   

  How to use the magneto heel flaps:

   

   

  Heel Cam Release System and Easy Step In:

   

   

  Toe Easy Step In:

   

   

  Risers flipping forward when you don't want them to? There is a dead simple, "Why didn't I think of that!" solution. Stop it in one second:

  
  

   

  Brake operation:

   

  Operating the Hagan Core 12 Pro brake is is really easy, but perhaps counter-intuitive. The order is opposite what most everyone tries first – depress the brake pad, then try to push in the locking lever. That doesn’t work.

   

  The order is:

   

  1. Push in the locking lever - FIRST!
  2. Depress the brake pad.
  3. Release the locking lever, then the brake pad.

   

  This design enables releasing the brake at the top (climb to descend transition) just by pressing the locking lever/button. It requires some flexibility, but you can release the brakes without taking off your skis!

   

  Combined with our climbing skin's tip bungee attachment system, you can quickly remove skins, release brakes and descend without getting out of the skis. It takes maybe half a second longer at the bottom, but can save minutes up top – where it is often windier and colder – and minimizes the chance of a lost ski.