Marker Duke 16 Ski Bindings (Large) 2011

Comments about Marker Duke 16 Ski Bindings (Large) 2011:

The Duke has amazing power and responsiveness. Makes a fat ski feel like a carving tool on hard pack conditions, yet it's quick and easy to use for bc access. Beefy construction mellows out all the rough stuff on wider skis. I'll put it on any ski from now on.

Comments about Marker Duke 16 Ski Bindings (Large) 2011:

The Duke is definitely a game changer. This binding created a new category for those looking for all the burliness of a pro-level alpine binding while reserving the right to free the heel for a skin now and then to get to those hard-to-reach stashes.

This binding has wider mounting points than most which gives it a solid feel, even on the ridiculously fat skis everyone is riding these days. The 16-DIN spring is crazy burly and will accommodate whatever hucking, charging, ripping, or schralping you could possibly care to do at your next gnarbecue or brodeo. It will accommodate both standard alpine boots as well as AT-style soles with an easy adjustment. And when the time comes to try to remember how to put your skins on, the heels will unlock and they can get the job done and get your rad self back up to the top of that next line.

The Duke is not for everyone, though, in my opinion. This is clearly not a consideration for anyone counting grams, swapping out stainless screws for titanium, or putting their beacon on the postage scale. At close to 3 lbs per foot, these things add significant beef to your kit and you will feel it on the uphill in comparison to lighter gear out there (e.g. Fritschi FR Pro's at about 2.4 lbs or Dynafit Vertical FT at 1.2 lbs). Additionally, in tour mode, very little of that weight is left attached to the ski -- nearly all of the binding (including risers and all) moves with your foot, adding to the impression of weight. Be honest with yourself, and if you don't need the 16-DIN beef, you can always ski the Baron (DIN 12) instead and shave some weight.

As for tour-ability, I have found transitions between tour and ski modes to be quite slow compared to older Naxos and Fritschis since the track/lever design requires that there be absolutely no ice stuck to the plates or the top of the ski under foot -- here in the Northwest, that often means an extra 30 seconds or so per ski. If you're doing 10 total touring laps per year, maybe not a big deal, but if you're trying to keep up with your buddies on teles or make "yo-yo" laps on something, this is a pain.

Lastly, in terms of skiing, the feel of them is solid but very damp and dense, and I've found that they feel a bit on the "high" side like some of the old lifter-style bindings (but not as bad as the alpine trekkers that we used to have to use). I like skiing on them, but not as much as I like a standard alpine binding where your boot feels more connected to the ski.

Bottom line, if you are a hard-charger who skis mostly in the resort but doesn't mind paying a moderate weight penalty for the ability to get the occassional tour and the confidence to ski hard once you get there, the Duke's may be the very binding for you. If nothing else, they can turn your favorite pair of skis into your touring setup too, which is sure nice when you finally step in at the top of that untracked line.

Comments about Marker Duke 16 Ski Bindings (Large) 2011:

This binding is the real deal. It feels very solid in either position and inspires confidence. I'd buy this product again for sure.

Comments about Marker Duke 16 Ski Bindings (Large) 2011:

I love the flexibility of these bindings. They are sturdy enough from frontcountry and can also work in the backcountry.

Comments about Marker Duke 16 Ski Bindings (Large) 2011:

Seems very bombproof in construction. I am 6'4" and 210 lbs and want something connecting me to my skis that inspire confidence. The Dukes definitely do that.

Comments about Marker Duke 16 Ski Bindings (Large) 2011:

Was on a backcountry trip on Grey. Was easy to set up for touring up hills, strong and derable when hitting some air. A bit of a pain to lock back after put into tour mode, found brakes alittle to small for stock.

Comments about Marker Duke 16 Ski Bindings (Large) 2011:

If your looking for a binding that can adjust easily between randonee and downhill - this is it. You have to get out of your bindings before adjusting them, but thats easy enough. Theyre heavy, but what do you expect with this kind of binding? Any lighter and it would not be durable enough. Very reliable for anything you want to do, and if you're going be far from any rescue, this is what you want.

Comments about Marker Duke 16 Ski Bindings (Large) 2011:

Bomber AT binder on the heavy side but when you don't want to 'come out' this is the binder for you! If you ski aggressively and weigh a reasonable amount then you NEED this binding! Enjoy the back country and be safe out there! (Take an Avalanche course or two or three!)

Comments about Marker Duke 16 Ski Bindings (Large) 2011:

The Duke is the binding for anyone, intermediate to expert, looking to break into the AT/Backcountry ski scene from the frontside. Locked down, this bomber ski binding is a top-level alpine performer and feels sturdier, with greater power transmission, than some pure alpine bindings I have been on.

With a flip of the recessed heal release (located securely in the base of the binding beneath the boot), the binding allows for full free-heel touring. Though not as versatile as a pure AT or Telemark binding, due to its weight and limited step settings, the Duke is perfectly suited to days in the backcountry or quick jaunts to out-of-bounds areas.

I've done laps in Tuckerman's Ravine, Mt. Washington, NH and these bindings have stood up to everything from icy hard pack to the deep stuff. Infinitely preferable to my first backcountry experience during which I almost lost my toes after spending 5 hours slogging up the trail in alpine boots.

Slap this binding on some wide planks and you will feel right at home breaking trail to the summit and carving your way back down. If ever their were a quiver-of-one binding, this is it.

Comments about Marker Duke 16 Ski Bindings (Large) 2011:

I believe that this binding along with every other one on the market at the moment is too high for the skis we are skiing. hopefully someone will come to the party soon.