Marker Duke Review

**powder11** · 11-17-2007, 07:40 PM

I am happy to report these bindings seem to be all they were hyped to be. I charged pretty hard on them today, hooked a tip on pine tree, did a slight rollver and went down with no release at DIN 14. I weigh in at 200lbs. I have yet to take air as conditions were not good for hucking, but something tells me they'll be fine. These bindings are truely alpine 1st and touring 2nd, so weight weenies need not apply. I tried the touring function and switched it back to alpine with ease, only needing a quick bang on the side to clear out the snow.

The jury is still out for a day of touring, but the thing I wanted the most is there (strong clamp with no release). I cant believe this is a Marker product.

Thanks again PTex for making this happen!

**Vicious** · 11-17-2007, 08:25 PM

The tourability is perfectly fine for all purposes other than super long approaches and even then would be fine so long as the weight doesn't bother you.

**Phall** · 11-17-2007, 09:28 PM

they rule. my only gripe is not having a taller climbing post stock....on the straight up skins it was a little low

**AKBckntry** · 11-18-2007, 11:58 AM

Does it suck to have to step out of them to switch between modes?

I love that my Fritschis let me switch back and forth without taking my ski off, which is nice in deep snow.

My shop's Marker rep told us some story about not having your binding switch into touring mode while you were in a descent, but I never had that problem in a busy 6 years of Turnagain Pass use, including some time at Alyeska.

Thoughts?

**Phall** · 11-18-2007, 06:00 PM

no it dosent suck, cause you have to take skins off anyways......

**Poop~Ghost** · 11-18-2007, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by Phall

no it dosent suck, cause you have to take skins off anyways......

this move is easily mastered... putting them on is another story.

**AKBckntry** · 11-18-2007, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by Phall

no it dosent suck, cause you have to take skins off anyways......

Once you figure it out taking the skins off without removing your skis is very quick and easy.

**Phall** · 11-18-2007, 06:43 PM

alright, but usually after a skin i re apply layers, put my helmet on, gloves, stash skins in pack or jacket, rest fo a sec..so i tend to take my skis off.....oh well,

**Tyrone Shoelaces** · 11-18-2007, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by AKBckntry

.

My shop's Marker rep told us some story about not having your binding switch into touring mode while you were in a descent, but I never had that problem in a busy 6 years of Turnagain Pass use, including some time at Alyeska.

Thoughts?

I've had it happen to me on Freerides (insta-tele mode) and have heard of it happening to a few others around these parts as well. it's pretty damn scary and it always made me think twice before dropping into something eXXXtRemE to the M A X ! ! !

**AKBckntry** · 11-18-2007, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

I've had it happen to me on Freerides (insta-tele mode) and have heard of it happening to a few others around these parts as well. it's pretty damn scary and it always made me think twice before dropping into something eXXXtRemE to the M A X ! ! !

Interesting. I never had it happen to me in 6 years of use, so it made me wonder the first time I mounted a set of Dukes and fussed with them.

**Toby** · 11-18-2007, 06:54 PM

There are times I'd love to lock the heel while skinning. Traversing a ridgeline with up and down sections comes to mind. On a downhill if the heel's free you've gotta lean way in the backseat to avoid potential endos when the skins stop gliding == sore calves and toes. Or if it's extra sketchy sometimes you want to sideslip with the peace of mind of a locked heel.

But the inconvenience of these situations is a minor concern to me. I don't mind taking off the ski to lock down occasionally.

**murph** · 11-18-2007, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by AKBckntry

Does it suck to have to step out of them to switch between modes?

I love that my Fritschis let me switch back and forth without taking my ski off, which is nice in deep snow.

These are basically my thoughts as well. For the reason you mentioned, I think Naxo is a better alternative on a powder ski. No post-holing required at the top of a line.

**powder11** · 11-18-2007, 08:21 PM

these bindings aren't for the rando touring geeks who do that slick skin removal without taking skis off. what I'd really like to see is them put the skins on without removing the ski.

I went on a longish tour today and didnt notice any difference in weight or movement from my old Naxo 21's. I was racing Atrain to get first tracks on a line. I figured the switch from touring to alpline was going to slow me down, but it switched over with ease seemingly full of snow. This binding rules!

**Arty50** · 11-18-2007, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by murph

These are basically my thoughts as well. For the reason you mentioned, I think Naxo is a better alternative on a powder ski. No post-holing required at the top of a line.

Or you could do what everyone does anyway at the end of a skin in deep snow...

Stand on one ski while you get the other ready, click into the ready ski, and then get the other one settled. Balance, it's not just for Danielson.

I got to fondle the Dukes for the first time today, and there was a huge line of droll from my chin to the floor while I was caressing them. I can't wait to get rid of my Freerides.

**powder11** · 11-18-2007, 11:25 PM

oh yeah, I forgot... you know how when you rail on a ski with a Freeride or Naxo and you get that sloppy feeling? Doesn't happen with the Dukes! If you're worried about weight, stop eating so many pancakes!

**Arty50** · 11-19-2007, 12:08 AM

^ The number one reason why I hate my fucking Freerides.

**Sirshredalot** · 11-19-2007, 12:28 AM

I took my Dukes out for the first time today. I have mostly used Trekkers before and have some limited experience using friends Fritsches and Naxos in the past. It's a little bit inconvenient to adjust the climbing wires, but I typically do not play with mine very much. They toured trouble-free and I was unable to tell the difference between them and a normal alpine binding on the way down.

**Dickeymotto** · 11-19-2007, 12:47 AM

Originally Posted by powder11

If you're worried about weight, stop eating so many pancakes!

"What's this? Blueberries! Oh, oh my G ... oh, that's better than sex!"

**MnO** · 11-19-2007, 02:34 AM

I tried the Dukes head to head against a Marker 16 yesterday. Both where mounted on
-08 177cm equally tuned Mantras. Conditions where very hard, but not icy, artificial snow. I thought the solidness and feel for the edge and the ski was actually BETTER with the Duke than with the regular Markers. Even when pushed hard the feeling was still just solid and direct. This is a good downhill bindning even if you compare them with normal alpine bindnings. Nothing even close to the sloppy Naxo or Freerides. This is something totally different. It´s what the Naxos could have been. The only concern was the standing height which is quite high.

**Core Shot** · 11-19-2007, 05:52 AM

Only reason for Fritschi/Naxo is up down up down skins where you lock the heel for a short descent with skins on.
Otherwise, the superiority outwieghs all incovenience.
#1 reason = rock solid connection (no more toe wobble)
#2 reason = hopefully more bomber and tough than fritschis
#3 reason = no more highway star race stock 3" lift kit (Duke is wayyy lower than fritschi and naxo)
#4 reason = higher din is now possible

someday, the #5 reason = swappable base plates (you can now fly with 4-5 pair of skis with one pair of bindings)

**The Dad** · 11-19-2007, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by MnO

I thought the solidness and feel for the edge and the ski was actually BETTER with the Duke than with the regular Markers.

Coincidentally, this is the example of "damning with faint praise" in the new revision of Strunk & White.

**murph** · 11-19-2007, 10:26 AM

Question- how difficult is it to step into the Duke once you've switched it into touring mode?

**alaskakerry907** · 11-19-2007, 10:30 AM

heres my thoughts...

everyone in my shop seems to be pumped on these things. i haven't actually been on the dukes yet, so maybe i'm completely wrong. by for first impression i'm not feeling it.

1. taking your skis off to switch between modes - yes, it does lock it into ski mode so you don't get the insta-tele...but then again, i haven't had that problem on the freerides. on another side, when i'm up on the top of a narrow ridgeline or peak, or even on a steep traverse, i'm not going to want to take my skis off. snow can be deep and on something steep there is little room for error.

2. risers. from what i understand, there is not a high setting. on anything steep, you're going to need that or it'll be extremely uncomfortable. also, how the heck are you supposed to change it's position when it's under your foot?

3. weight. yeah, whatever though. they're heavy, but sturdy. i don't bitch about getting my gear light as possible, but either way it's not a binding you're going to want for a lot of touring. i would say it's a binding for someone that might do some lift-served touring, or someone who only goes every now and then.

i would ride fritschis or naxos before the dukes. that's just my thought. who knows, maybe i'll use them and get blown away, but i'm just not feeling it at first glance.

**snoboy** · 11-19-2007, 12:20 PM

1. So you'd rather do the balance trick to get your skins off with your skis on in the same spot?

2.Same way you do the heel riser on the 7TM tele binding I'd imagine. No high position is kinda sad though.

3.and...?

**laseranimal** · 11-19-2007, 04:14 PM

I've been pretty damn impressed with mine

They're not Dynafits but then again Dynafits aren't Dukes either. You wouldn't use a hacksaw to hammer a nail. Dukes were never intended to be used as a slog all day peak-bagging rig, and if you're using them that way then you have to be aware of their limitations in the same way you'd accept some limitations if you brought your Dynafits inbounds.

I do miss the rip and go ease that I get with Dynafits, but thats why if I'm going to be spending time doing yo-yo laps, or chasing tons of vert I'm probably not bringing my Dukes. But if I'm going to be splitting my time between inbounds and the sidecountry, or doing a one and done tour, I can guarentee that I'm not using dynafits.