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April, 2025

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Marker Kingpin : Downhill Performance

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ICary
Posts: 325 - Karma: 806
So I just did 5 hard days skiing and touring on my kingpin in Colorado, and I absolutely hated the downhill performance of the Kingpins. (I come from only skiing Pivots). I double ejected on a hard carve in 3 inches of snow, I could not easily step into the pins at almost any point, was coming out of them on small falls.

Wanted to see if anyone else hates, had issues with or just input on them. Yes they were great on the uphill, yes I understand it is more of an "uphill" binding, but you gotta go down once you get up and I was really not enjoying it. Selling them ASAP and getting a CAST as soon as they are back in stock.

end rant.
a year ago
2 0
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Benchhitter
Posts: 199 - Karma: 1,942
hahahaha. The kingpins are the best downhill skiing pin binding on the market (that descends in pin config) by far. Definitely nothing to rec except CAST if you don’t like how those ski.

the prereleases sound like it’s adjusted wrong. I ski 300g full pins and I don’t worry about prereleases even pointing it down windpack or dropping shit. You shouldn’t be going flying everytime you try to let it eat unless you’re 200+ lbs and got the kp10. For reference, yes I am the best skiier on the mountain.

I regret to inform you not being able to step in is unfortunately a skill issue. I have been there. It gets better. welcome to touring man.
a year ago
4 0
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smokes
Posts: 69 - Karma: 890
ATK free raiders are good, they'll still eject sometimes in ski mode if you are landing switch, but if you lock the toe into walk mode, you'll be crushing hard. Might also crush your acls tho
a year ago
1 0
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Benchhitter
Posts: 199 - Karma: 1,942
smokesATK free raiders are good, they'll still eject sometimes in ski mode if you are landing switch, but if you lock the toe into walk mode, you'll be crushing hard. Might also crush your acls tho


If he hates kingpins he’d hate Freeraiders harder. I used to have a pair of KPs and now I have ATK on all skis. They ski so well for a full pin, but they’re still a full pin. Can’t beat an alpine style heel piece .

Also I hate preaching so I’m sorry but please for the love of your future in skiing be careful locking pins into oh shit mode (walk lock) unless you’re skiing something that you’ll 100% die if you pop out on. You will actually tib fib yourself if you’re throwing down. I’d prefer my chances if I cranked my dins to 18 and jumped off Air Jordan with my boot buckles undone.
a year ago
5 0
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smokes
Posts: 69 - Karma: 890
U sir are correct, I give irreverent input but you're spot on
BenchhitterIf he hates kingpins he’d hate Freeraiders harder. I used to have a pair of KPs and now I have ATK on all skis. They ski so well for a full pin, but they’re still a full pin. Can’t beat an alpine style heel piece .

Also I hate preaching so I’m sorry but please for the love of your future in skiing be careful locking pins into oh shit mode (walk lock) unless you’re skiing something that you’ll 100% die if you pop out on. You will actually tib fib yourself if you’re throwing down. I’d prefer my chances if I cranked my dins to 18 and jumped off Air Jordan with my boot buckles undone.
a year ago
0 0
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,008
Been using Kingpins for years. They are easier to step in if you have a toe lug thats a bit chunkier than gripwalk. When I first got them, I had a lot of struggle getting into them with the din sole plates on the 2nd gen Cochise boots... They just take getting used to and youll find the right spot. pointing the toe in makes it harder. try making the toe flat to the heel.

As for the performance... yeah, sounds like you didnt set it up right, or were skiing in some real shit conditions in-bounds.

Ive had mine since 2016 and theyre still holding up great. They have a lot of elasticity. Theyre great.
a year ago
0 0
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Powstagram
Posts: 250 - Karma: 2,564
I ride the kingpins inbounds and in the BC- I actually don't really have any complaints. If they're releasing in the carve that doesn't sound normal- I've never had mine release on me when I don't want them to. Trick for getting the toepins in- rest your heel in the heelpiece (before locking the heel in) and press your toe down. This should give you the proper alignment to get your toes in. Is tricky but just takes a little practice
a year ago
1 0
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Schoess
Posts: 2131 - Karma: 25,530
PacificRimJobBeen using Kingpins for years. They are easier to step in if you have a toe lug thats a bit chunkier than gripwalk. When I first got them, I had a lot of struggle getting into them with the din sole plates on the 2nd gen Cochise boots... They just take getting used to and youll find the right spot. pointing the toe in makes it harder. try making the toe flat to the heel.

As for the performance... yeah, sounds like you didnt set it up right, or were skiing in some real shit conditions in-bounds.

Ive had mine since 2016 and theyre still holding up great. They have a lot of elasticity. Theyre great.


I'll take advantage of this thread to ask you (a seemingly experienced and trustworthy source) what you think of the Kingpins overall? My wife wants to get into touring and I think it seems like the right middle ground between a hybrid binding's Sturdy feel going downhill, but the weight advantage of a full pin binding going uphill. I originally considered shifts might be a good option for her, but I have yet to read a positive review about shifts lol. The Kingpins seem positively rated and she definitely is not going to be sending it off cliffs or anything. I just foresee her not enjoying a full pinned heel during her descent.

So my questions are, do you agree the KP's are a good fit? Also is there anything to watch out for when looking to buy them used? I read somewhere that the early ones can sheer pins? Just looking for qualified info from Non-redditors
3 months ago
0 0
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blazeonyia
Posts: 365 - Karma: 1,451
SchoessI'll take advantage of this thread to ask you (a seemingly experienced and trustworthy source) what you think of the Kingpins overall? My wife wants to get into touring and I think it seems like the right middle ground between a hybrid binding's Sturdy feel going downhill, but the weight advantage of a full pin binding going uphill. I originally considered shifts might be a good option for her, but I have yet to read a positive review about shifts lol. The Kingpins seem positively rated and she definitely is not going to be sending it off cliffs or anything. I just foresee her not enjoying a full pinned heel during her descent.

So my questions are, do you agree the KP's are a good fit? Also is there anything to watch out for when looking to buy them used? I read somewhere that the early ones can sheer pins? Just looking for qualified info from Non-redditors


All your assumptions are correct. She will feel more comfortable and confident with the KPs vs a full pin. I put my wife into a full pin when she started touring and it was just me taking a knee to get her heal in because she couldn't line them up right.

With buying used, it was only the first and second year that had those pin issues. Brought mine to a Christy Sports - they sent them to marker and replaced the pins no charge because it is a known issue. Any model newer than that you should be good. I still have the OG pair because they just don't quit. Been putting them on different setups as the skis have given out while the KPs are still going strong.

The shifts are garbage. I don't speak from personal experience though watched two of my bigger, hard charging friends almost die from them double ejecting at speed.
a month ago
1 0
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