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theabortionator
April, 2025

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Marker Duke (EPF or not) vs. Black Diamond Diamir Fritschi Pro

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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Need good BC/hiking bindings. Pretty much narrowed it down to the Dukes and Fritschis. They would be mounted on Surface Lab 001s. So I they are pretty wide skis. Would I need wider bindings like the Duke EPF or would the older Dukes or fritschis work well? Any other good binding suggestions?
10/10 +K for help!
13 years ago
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6744 - Karma: 11,760
I would add the Tracker/Guardian binding to that list. Lower stand height, metal construction, wide platform, and alpine performance while keeping a maximum range of mobility for the skin up.
13 years ago
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,087
I agree. Probably the best option, even though they're heavy. Though that probably doesn't matter if you're touring on Lab 001s.
13 years ago
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NoSkillsCrew
Posts: 1211 - Karma: 2,162
haha this. that ski is crazy heavy for any long tours. guardian / tracker is gonna do you way better the fritschi's.
13 years ago
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Eh I won't be on really long tours. Mainly like 2 miles up slopes then down. And up and down a different line and so on. So EPF or guardian?
13 years ago
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ianj
Posts: 536 - Karma: 167
I've got Barons mounted on my Opuses and I have no complaints. Haven't skied on Dukes or the Tracker/Adrenaline/Guardian, but the Dukes should ride the same as the Barons and I hear the others are pretty sweet.

Your call man
13 years ago
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NoSkillsCrew
Posts: 1211 - Karma: 2,162
here is my two cents.

the adrenaline is a sketch binding in so many ways. Tons of plastic moving parts, a SLIDING heel (the same used on their rental / demo bindings which I have seen break or slide on so many occasions), high stack height, and lastly ITS MADE OF SO MUCH PLASTIC.

so yeah only thing I say no to is the adrenaline.


the big difference between the duke and the tracker/guardian is that with the duke you have to take your boot off in order to lock the heel down. This might not seem like a big deal. But trust me it is, when you are ass deep in pow and have to stamp out a platform take off the ski lock it down take off skins put ski back on you will not be the happiest bro in the world. With the guardian tracker you can lock and unlock the heel with your pole. No taking off your skis. This allows you to take off your skins and get all your crap together without ever leaving the binding.

the downside to both of these bindings vs. the f12 is weight. Barons and Tracker / Guardian are heavy for AT bindings. But if you are doing short hikes I would seriously push you towards the tracker / guardian for the reasons mentioned above.
13 years ago
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SwagtasticWalrus
Posts: 1268 - Karma: 184
Thanks a ton guys! Looks like I'm goin for the Guardians! (Not a huge fan of atomic. I know, same binding but still, I blue>yellow)
13 years ago
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