Review: Marker Kingpin 13 Ski Bindings · 2023
By Ski Expert
Joseph Anderson
6 photos
The Curated Take
4.8/5
The Marker Kingpin 13 Ski Bindings are highly recommended for large and aggressive skiers, offering exceptional downhill performance and durability. With a first-of-its-kind DIN certification for a tech binding, they provide reliable release and power transfer, especially in challenging conditions. The bindings are heavier than others, requiring the removal of skis to switch modes, but their wide mounting pattern and Alpine-style heel enhance energy transfer. Ideal for those prioritizing dependability and performance over weight, they are a top choice for serious backcountry enthusiasts.
Ideal for
- Best downhill performance for a partial tech binding
- Great option for both heavier and more aggressive skiers
- First tech binding to receive formal a DIN certification
Not ideal for
- Heaviest of tech bindings
- Must take ski off to switch modes
Release Reliability
I ski in these bindings a lot. With that said, my experience with needing them to release is fairly minimal. Early this season, my ski snuck under a hidden branch,...Read more
Durability
Going on seven years of using these bindings, I have yet to destroy or wear out a pair. I have read of the complaints of too many moving parts, especially...Read more
Versatility
If someone mostly skis lift access and wants something for short occasional approaches, they should consider the Salomon Shifts. The Kingpin 13s don't make the most sense for more weight-sensitive...Read more
Power Transfer
The idea that this is a 50/50 Alpine/tech binding isn't quite accurate. This is because it has the toe technology that revolutionized touring binding in the early 90s, more than...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Joseph Anderson
About the bindings
- Model: Marker Kingpin 13 Ski Bindings · 2023
Test conditions
- When I bought these: 2023 (purchased previous pairs in 2017 and 2021)
- Where I’ve used them: Mt. Baker; North Cascades; Mount Rainier; Whistler; Revelstoke; Kicking Horse; Whitefish Range; Flathead Range; Swan Range; Glacier National Park; and Bridger Range.
- How many times I've used it: 100
Expert Reviews of the Marker Kingpin 13 Ski Bindings
Joseph Anderson As a larger (6.3" 240lb) skier and guide who tends to ski fairly aggressively in various snow conditions, I have come to trust the Marker Kingpin 13s above all other makes and models. My journey towards these bindings has occurred over a two-decade career as a ski guide and mountain rescue professional. Inevitably, this has led to having broken plenty of bindings. I've witnessed plenty of unwarranted ejections and have had to deal with more than enough field repairs with the whole spectrum of touring bindings. Having witnessed such binding carnage, I have decided to mount all three pairs of skis in the quiver with these gems. To be fair, as a heavier practitioner, I have never been fully sensitive to the fact that, at 737g, it is the heaviest tech binding on the market. But, with the extra wide 38mm mounting pattern (allowing for increased leverage from boot to ski) and the Alpine-style heel, even the lightest skiers benefit from this level of effective energy transfer. This is especially the case when skiing challenging snow conditions far into the backcountry.
Product Specs
| Gender | Unisex |
| Model year | 2023 |
| Ski binding type | Alpine Touring, Tech |
| Skill level | Advanced, Expert |
| Din release - low value | 6 |
| Din release - high value | 13 |
Review Ratings
Release Reliability
5/5
Joseph Anderson gave 5 of 5 stars. I ski in these bindings a lot. With that said, my experience with needing them to release is fairly minimal. Early this season, my ski snuck under a hidden branch, and it did pop off just fine. Like most, I want to know my gear works when needed, and I haven't run into problems with these. I have, however, read of several occasions when the toe has not released when it should. My gut reaction is this could be a user error. The toe lever must not be pulled up into walk mode. Most of my personal experience with binding releases mostly includes a variety of Dynafit models that release for no reason at all, sometimes at very inopportune moments.
Durability
5/5
Joseph Anderson gave 5 of 5 stars. Going on seven years of using these bindings, I have yet to destroy or wear out a pair. I have read of the complaints of too many moving parts, especially in the heel piece, but I have not had issues with this. Furthermore, as with most of my ski gear, I often bash things up. I do adjust my bindings between a few different boot sizes, and this hasn't caused any issues.
Versatility
4/5
Joseph Anderson gave 4 of 5 stars. If someone mostly skis lift access and wants something for short occasional approaches, they should consider the Salomon Shifts. The Kingpin 13s don't make the most sense for more weight-sensitive skiers. But everything in between, I really have found no reason to use anything else. I have used these bindings for big days with up to 7,000ft of uphill skiing, and they are fine. But I'm also a bigger skier and don't notice heavier gear as much as someone half my size. Another plus in versatility is that if something does break, most mountain shops carry these, so replacement parts will be easier to find while traveling.
Power Transfer
5/5
Joseph Anderson gave 5 of 5 stars. The idea that this is a 50/50 Alpine/tech binding isn't quite accurate. This is because it has the toe technology that revolutionized touring binding in the early 90s, more than the heel. It only took two decades to find that the increased weight of adding a traditional heel piece gave more benefits to a tech binding than it took away. It improves skiing power transfer to the heel exponentially, where we want it when we find ourselves in thick mashed potatoes-type snow. The toe piece, however, still has increased power transfer over most tech bindings because of the wider mounting pattern.
FAQs
What do you love about this product?
Joseph Anderson It's the most dependable all-around tech binding for large, aggressive skiers.
Why did you choose this product?
Joseph Anderson A colleague recommended these in 2017 after destroying several other models, so that's why I chose them.
