Marker's Kingpin tech binding revealed
Marker has surprised almost everyone by releasing a new tech binding which nicely answer the call of this growing segment of the binding market. Typically announced at industry trade shows in the winter such as the Outdoor Retailer Show (OR) or SnowSports Industries America (SIA), Marker decided to launch their new Kingpin AT binding in South America just as fall seems to be rolling in here, in North America. The Marker Kingpin is a combination of a tech toe piece and a more traditional alpine heel piece, offering up the best of both worlds with only a small increase in weight over traditional tech bindings such as those from Dynafit, Plum and G3. While we have not had a pair of Marker Kingpins to inspect up close we are able to share this beta with you. For more info visit the Marker Kingpin micro site that has just launched: http://marker.de/kingpinWe are looking to get our hands on a pair of Marker Kingpin bindings for a full review this fall so stay tuned and in the mean time have a read below of all the specs.
(click images for a larger view)
KINGPIN 10 SPECS
Brake Width: 75-100mm / 100-125mm
Din Range: 5.0 – 10.0
Rec Skiers weight: 30 -105
Stand height toe w.o ski: 21mm
Toe system: Kingpin PinTech toe
Step-in Heel: Kingpin heel
Colour combination: black – gold
Weight* w/o brake / w brake: 650g / 730g
*per piece with screws
KINGPIN 10 FEATURES
SIXPACK POWER SPRINGS
- Greater energy absorption and contact pressure
- Powerful grip of the boot
- Six high-performance steel springs instead of the
- conventional four
- Higher spring compression
ADJUSTABLE EASY STEP-IN
- Easy step-in thanks to individually adjustable boot stops
- Boot independent
WIDE DRILL PATTERN
- As wide as possible positioned mounting screws ensure
- optimal power transmission
WALK/SKI MODES
- Conversion from walk to ski mode in only one gesture
- Perfect functionality guaranteed even in critical situations
ULTRALIGHT TECHNOLOGIES
- Carbon rails
- Hot forged aluminium parts
WEIGHT
- Including screws and brake 730 g/pcs.
- Including screws w/o brake 650 g/pcs.
INTEGRATED CRAMPON ADAPTER
Crampons are available for the new KingPin bindings which are light and are easily integrated by sliding them in sideways behind the toe piece without having to step out of the binding. They provide grip on icy or hard-packed snow and produce hardly any friction. Three different widths are available: 90, 105 and 120mm.
PROTECTION
- For the first time as a TÜV-certified solution based on the
- recent DIN ISO 13992
- Compatible with all touring ski boots featuring PinTech
- inserts and satisfying DIN ISO Norm 9465
CLIMBING AIDS
- Pole basket independent
- Very easy to reach and to adjust
Two integrated climbing aids (7° and 13°) are easily deployed or stowed using the basket of your ski pole. They can also be operated conveniently using the tip of the pole, allowing them to work with any basket style. Because the climbing aids are positioned in the upper centre of the heel piece, they are always easy to reach.
XXL POWER TRANSMITTER
- The heel construction is a revolution for any PinTech
- binding
- Super wide and far apart contact points hold the boot
- heel along a broad surface on outermost edge
- Highly direct power transmission to the ski
BRAKE
- Self-locking in walking mode
- Immediately reactivated when binding is switched into
- ski mode
- Notably large move-in
- Quick and easy to replace
38mm WIDTH
On the Kingpin the contact points in the heel piece are positioned as wide as possible, as are the screws on the toe piece. At 38 mm wide you will have noticeably better leverage and support and power transmission to the edges in order to maintains maximum control and reliability in all snow conditions.
WALK/SKI MODES
To switch from walk to ski mode, simply flip a lever, push down on the heel and you're good to go. This mechanism works with guaranteed reliability even in critical situations and challenging descents.
For more AT binding reviews visit our binding review page here and for Marker specific binding reviews have a read of our review of the Marker F10 bindings and Marker F12 bindings.
