Marker Kingpin : Downhill Performance

[ICary]

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.

 

[Benchhitter]

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.

 

[smokes]

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

 

[Benchhitter]

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

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.

 

[smokes]

U sir are correct, I give irreverent input but you're spot on

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.

 

[PacificRimJob]

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.

 

[Powstagram]

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