Expert Review: Marker Jester 16 ID Ski Bindings
This review is my own honest opinion of the ski bindings, which I bought with my own money in November 2020.
Best Day at Telluride. All photos by Sydney Call
About this Review: This review is my own honest opinion of the ski bindings, which I bought with my own money in November 2020.
My take
The Marker Jester 16 ID Ski Bindings are for skiers who enjoy freestyle or freeriding and are looking for strong, durable bindings that can handle many different types of terrain.
About the gear
- Model: 2020 Marker Jester 16 ID
About me
- Height: 5ft 9in
- Weight: 145lb
- Preferred DIN range: 10-14
- Experience: 20 years
Test conditions
- When I bought these: November 2020
- Days tested: 50
- Boots: Fischer Zephyr 110 Vacuum Fit
- Boot size: 26.5
- Skis: DPS Alchemist Wailer 112
- Where I’ve used it: Targhee, Jackson Hole, Telluride, Copper Mountain
- Terrain: Powder, groomers, crud, bumps/moguls, park jumps
How they perform
What I was looking for
I was looking for durable ski bindings that could handle many different types of terrain. I was also looking specifically for higher DIN bindings so I could hit jumps and huck cliffs and not have to worry about them releasing on landings.
Why I chose this gear
I chose to buy these bindings since the DIN can be set up to 16. The strong DIN allows for big jumps and dropping cliffs, while also staying stable on groomers and bumps. I chose these bindings because I have known and used Marker bindings for more than 10 years and have liked them better than Salomon or other brands. Marker bindings have always remained reliable and durable throughout my 20 years of skiing.
What I love about it
- Release reliability: These bindings’ gliding plate allows for precise and easy release every time. Although I usually set my DIN setting around a 10, I still have confidence that these bindings will release if I have a big fall.
- Downhill performance: In any terrain, these bindings excel going downhill. I have taken these bindings on moguls, off of cliffs, on ice, in powder, and about every condition downhill and they have performed very well.
- Durability: The magnesium construction of these bindings makes them less weight, have higher stiffness, and have great durability. These have held up well in the last 2 ski seasons even with heavy usage, and I have only noticed slight wear and tear with the heel plate on one breaking in half.
- Weight: These bindings are lightweight (1070 g) because of magnesium toe and heel components so they won’t make it hard to carry skis. I have never felt like these bindings have weighed me down in the last 2 ski seasons.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Uphill Performance: They are not uphill bindings so I would not recommend it for that purpose.
- Other: The heel “step on” component broke in half during the first year I was using these, but I was able to easily replace it at a ski shop.
Value for the money vs. other options
Compared to other high DIN bindings like Salomon’s STH2 16 Ski Bindings, the Salomons are constructed with fiberglass for weight, versus magnesium, which is less durable and they are actually heavier than the Marker Jester ID 16s. The Marker Jester’s bindings are also slightly less expensive than the Salomon’s.
Favorite moment with this gear
My favorite moment with these bindings was at the beginning of the 2021/22 ski season at Grand Targhee in Wyoming. It was early season, around Christmas time, but it had just been dumping snow for the last week. That week, Targhee had received about six feet of fresh powder. The night before I went skiing, it had snowed 3 feet, and the powder was waist-deep. I spent the day getting stuck in powder right next to the Tetons. Not once was I worried about the integrity of these bindings or the possibility of popping out and losing a ski in the deep snow. These bindings gave me peace of mind and made it easy to ski deep powder.
Final verdict
The Marker Jester 16 ID ski bindings allow me to ski on any terrain I want without worrying about them breaking or popping out. The high DIN setting helps me feel secure and safe no matter the conditions. These bindings are perfect for the more advanced skier who is looking for a strong binding for big jumps or high-pressure maneuvers. They are not perfect for new skiers who fall a lot or don’t want to hit big jumps.
