Choosing the Duke vs Baron

By Greg Wojtkun Ranked #3 - Alpine Touring Bindings November 10, 2008

Ok, so I had the problem like most of you may have with deciding between the Duke or the Baron. First off, this decision rests on entirely the following: Your height/weight, and your skiing desires/abilities. I am 5'11", 170, and I ski very very aggresively in the backcountry and in bounds. I chose the Baron and here is why: I normally ski at a 10 DIN setting and crank it up to 12 on those yipee powder days. But I have never ever popped out at 11 setting or higher in all my most violent crashes. Then again, I am not hucking off cliffs or dropping 50 degree lines in Alaska at 90MPH ya dig?

So the bottom line is this... if you are 6'0" 185-200 and lower, but still ski aggressively then go for the lighter weight Baron. It will save your legs on those pow days and also save you on those long skinning tours with out compramising strength. However, if you are a bigger dude who skis aggresively (Bigger = 6'1" or 2"++ 220lbs++) then I would probably go for the Duke. The only scenario where you should choose the Duke over the Baron if you are a smaller skier, is if you COMPLETELY RIP and are in the "I shoot ski film" category... free style hucks off 40 footers, etc. But for the average dude of 5'8" - 6'0" 150-200lbs in the "I like to rip groomers at top speed and also rip the backcountry on occasion looking for deep pow, but Im not hucking off cliffs" category then the Baron is more than fine. Your legs will greatly appreciate the light weight and you will not need a DIN higher than 12. The bigger dudes/Rippers may need a 14 or 16 DIN with their heavier weight or cliff hucking.

In terms of reviewing the binding... Its rips. I ski 50/50 in bounds and backcountry. This binding is awesome. When locked in ski mode, I think it actually performs better than a fixed heal binding. Its super Durable. Its a tad heavier than some other manufacturers, but I like knowing that I have a stable binding that I trust. Ive read too many stories of AT bindings popping open or breaking in mid charge with not too good endings if ya knwo what I mean (e.g broken leg, torn ACL). With the design, its impossible for these to pop into Touring mode when in Ski mode. Again, I ride the Baron... its lighter weight than the Duke and perfect for my size/wight and aggresiveness.

View Details: Marker Baron 12 Ski Binding

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes | 0 No