MARKER Griffon X 13 Bindings 26/27

The Marker Griffon X 13 is a new freeride binding for 26/27 with a DIN 4-13 range, and the number that sets it apart is how low it sits: 14 mm of stand height, which the catalog calls the lowest stand height of any Marker freeski binding yet.

The toe is the TP Elite X and the heel the Inter Pivot X. Marker's stated reason the binding comes out as light as it does is the use of high-tech plastics in both heel and toe. The result reads oddly against the price list: the Griffon X weighs 1020 g per binding and comes out lighter than the Griffon X 13 MWerks, which Marker lists at 1130 g.

Compatibility is stated, and it is narrow. Marker gives BOOT TYPE as A / GW A, meaning the adult alpine and adult GripWalk sole norms. Touring soles are absent from that list, and it is worth knowing this is deliberate rather than an oversight: the Griffon 13 MN, printed on the same catalog page, reads A / T / GW A, so Marker does write a T when a binding takes a touring sole. If touring boots are what you ski, this is the wrong binding.

Brakes come in 90, 105 and 120 mm and have to clear your ski's waist. We match the brake to your skis, mount them, and set your release values on a calibrated bench. The DIN window is an indicator scale rather than a measured release torque, so the number you actually ski is a technician's determination made against your own boot.