Marker never stops! While the 2019/2020 season hasn’t even started, the German brand unveils its flagship novelty for winter 2020/2021. After releasing the Kingpin, then the Alpinist last season and finally the Kingpin V-Werks this season, Marker unveils the DUKE PT.
This evolution (or rather revolution) of the famous Duke offers a hybrid operation that allows you to climb with inserts and descend with a completely alpine binding like the Salomon Shift.
On paper, the operation seems interesting for skiers who make no concessions on the descent with all the advantages of an alpine binding.
On the ascent side, even if the weight is contained, it remains quite significant for use on big hikes, judge for yourself:
– 1700g per pair in ascent mode (2180g in descent mode) for the DUKE PT 12
– 2000g per pair in ascent mode (2560g in descent mode) for the DUKE PT 16
It should be noted that it is possible to remove the front of the binding on the ascent to save weight, hence the ascent/descent difference.
For comparison, the old Duke 16 weighed 2790g per pair. The weight saving is therefore significant but compared to the Salomon Shift, the DUKE PT is a bit heavier (1700g per pair for the Salomon). Only the DUKE PT 12 version in ascent mode is on par but with 500g more in the bag.
To better understand the operation of the binding and its characteristics, we let you read the very complete presentation of Marker below
MARKER PRESENTS THE NEW DUKE PT
The success of the Royal Family range continues: Marker, the ski binding specialist, presents the new version of the legendary Duke, thus setting new milestones in the binding market. The company from Penzberg in Germany offers unprecedented versatility to freeride enthusiasts with the Duke PT, a hybrid binding, thus expanding its product range with yet another revolutionary binding.
The ski industry in general and the binding sector, in particular, have already experienced more than one upheaval. For several years, it has been constantly evolving, the general basic conditions are no longer oriented solely on the needs of the freeride ski market, but on all aspects of skiing. The product managers, developers, and designers of the company from Penzberg constantly keep these evolutions in mind and work tirelessly to offer skiers bindings that meet their needs. Duke, Baron, Jester, Griffon, KingPin, Alpinist, this is just a glimpse of the products with which Marker has revolutionized the binding market while decisively shaping it. A new flagship product from the Marker house will join this impressive portfolio for the winter season 2020/21: the Marker Duke PT (Pin Technology).
All-in-one: uncompromising in descent, light and manageable in ascent
The manufacturer draws on all the experience accumulated in the freeride ski domain with the Royal Family to set additional milestones in a new category: hybrid bindings for freeride. This is where Marker sees the future, as no other type of binding allows the combination of ski touring and freeride with such elegance and responds to current trends. The Duke PT combines the downhill performance as we know it from the Jester and the properties of an insert binding in ascent. The result: the Duke PT 16 and the Duke PT 12 that Marker presents for the 2020/21 season. Both models guarantee a certified release function according to the DIN ISO standard, both on the toe and on the heel, for ranges of 6 to 16 for the Duke PT 16 (on the left in the image) and 4 to 12 for the Duke PT 12 (on the right in the image).
The absolute highlight of the new Duke PT is the latest innovative version of the “Ride & Hike Toe”. In “ride mode”, it allows uncompromising downhill performance, with precision safety release and DIN release values up to 16. The friction plate (AFD = Anti Friction Device) ensures lateral release in case of a fall, not influenced by snow or ice formation. To switch to walk mode on the binding, the upper part of the toe is unlocked and then folded forward. In ascent, it is possible to save 250 grams of weight per binding and per foot by removing the toes and storing them in the backpack, which avoids the fatigue of lifting this weight during the climb. The toes can also be stopped in the folded forward position to be quickly re-engaged in descent mode after a brief ascent. To return to the descent mode of the binding, the toe is folded back onto the base. It locks itself thanks to the “Auto Quad Lock” technology with quadruple locking when the skier places their boot in the binding, without having to perform any other maneuvers. The insert technology is integrated into the base under the toe and its operation is similar to that of a Marker Alpinist or Kingpin. The toe is also equipped with Sole.ID technology, known with the Royal Family, which makes the binding compatible with all types of soles available on the market, whether alpine ski soles, touring soles, or Grip Walk soles.
In the case of the Duke PT 16, freeriders can rely on the proven Inter-Pivot heel system which has been reshaped and convinces with its new design and better fitting. With its high-end magnesium reinforcement, the heel covers a DIN release range of 6 to 16 and thus meets even the most demanding freerider’s expectations for reliable release. Premature releases are as inopportune as they are dangerous. This is a subject that played an important role in the design of the Duke PT and also explains why the famous heels of the Royal Family were used.
The multifunctional “Lock & Walk” brake is another highlight in terms of functionality, a brake lock is added to its classic braking function, as well as a 10° climbing aid that is activated with the pole. The Hollow Linkage heel, weighing 200 grams less, is mounted on the Duke PT 12. It is an innovation on the market that Marker fans have already been able to appreciate on the Squire model.
The most modern binding of its kind
The Duke PT 12 weighs just 850 grams in ascent mode (1090 grams in descent) and is currently the lightest in its category. With 1000 grams in ascent and 1280 grams in descent, the Duke PT 16 has slightly higher values than its little sister. The low weight ensures better maneuverability in descents. On both models, the low elevation of 27 mm ensures direct energy transmission and thus faster edge changes. All these features and functionalities make the Duke PT one of the most modern bindings for freeride. Changing equipment is a thing of the past – even if a small ascent presents itself spontaneously. It is thus possible to fully concentrate on the skiing experience and let the binding do the rest.
In addition to its Duke PT, an absolutely sensational flagship product, Marker has revisited its classics for the 2020/21 season. The Griffon, Jester, Jester Pro, and Baron models convince with their excellent performance, but also with their new graphics, progressive design, and several colors, as well as 100 percent compatibility with boots thanks to Sole.ID.
FEATURES
- DIN: 3-11 for the Duke PT 11 / 4-13 for the Duke PT 13 / 6-16 for the Duke PT 16
- Play compensation: yes
- Weight: 2300g (Duke PT11) / 2600g (Duke PT13) 2700g (Duke PT16)
- Length adjustment: 60mm
- Risers: 2
- Price: 500€
WHERE TO BUY THIS BINDING?
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