The Marker Duke is the binding that we have all been waiting for. It’s the first binding that combines the security and performance of an alpine race binding with the functionality of a touring binding. The Duke lets you do everything in a package that equates to freedom and high performance in the mountains. Unlike torsionally soft touring bindings that come with dead spots and huge stand heights, the Duke doesn’t detract from a ski’s intended design. It allows a DPS ski to perform at its designed level by transmitting energy directly to the ski. After testing last season in Alaska, we are trading in our race springs and endorsing the Duke as the alpine binding choice for any DPS shape. Combining the Duke with an advanced carbon ski gives you the highest performing and most versatile binding/ski combo on the planet. (via Stephan Drake)