Marker Ltd.: Griffon Schizo 12 Ski Binding

Created for lighter skiers, the Griffon Schizo 12 is a fully-adjustable all-mountain freeride binding that's far more versatile than a lot of other all-mountain bindings available this season. That's because this season Marker improved on their award-winning Griffon bindings by adding a new stance adjustment technology (called Schizo Technology) that allows you to dial in your binding position to match your stance. When you think about it, you don't have the same stance for all-mountain skiing that you would for something like the park or pipe, so this true all-mountain binding flexibility is perfect for freeriders and everyone who relies on getting the most from their quiver-of-one all-mountain ski. The Griffon Schizo 12 offers the same performance release potential found on Marker's top-end Duke and Baron bindings, but the Griffon doesn't have the Back Country Technology ski lever (the "hike function") for hiking on inclines and traverses. If you're a backcountry enthusiast who tends to stick to helicopter ascents or the downhill traverses that radiate out from remote ski lifts, the Griffon Schizo 12 is everything you need--especially if your idea of backcountry performance involves an expensive race ski binding. The Griffon Schizo 12 binding has an interface that connects better to all-terrain performance boots than downhill racing boots. It also features a Triple Pivot Elite Toe that offers unprecedented energy absorption and minimizes pre-release. The fear of pre-release (especially on double-diamond boilerplate) is usually why elite and expert backcountry skiers opt for a racing binding on their backcountry and all terrain skis. Marker took the Griffon Schizo 12 a step further with a binding interface that features increased boot lug contact for better energy transmission between your ski boot and your binding, resulting in better response through must-make chute turns and potentially less effort--which means you might be able to ski longer with more energy. The Marker Griffon Schizo 12 also has a special heel piece that focuses power in the direction of your ski boot sole, but does it with improved elasticity direction, so you enjoy better heel hold with exceptional energy transfer. Unlike other ski bindings that feature things like torsion bars, the Griffon has this wide bracket construction (Marker calls it "Power-Width Design) that connects the binding directly to the points on the ski where the power from your feet needs to be transferred. One thing to note: Unlike Marker's similar Jester Schizo 16, the Griffon Schizo 12 doesn't have magnesium components and the suggested weight limitations top out at about 250 lbs. (remember--that's including the weight of all your clothing, ski boots and anything else you would wear while skiing on the slopes).

• Centralized swing weight with new multi-stance adjuster and freeride brake design
• Triple Pivot Elite Toe with high energy absorption to minimize pre-release incidents
• Generous boot lug contact points in both award-winning toe and heel units
• Inter-Pivot Heel design focuses more power in the energy transfer between your boot and binding
• Central swing weight profile with level stand position and freeride brake
• Stainless steel gliding AFD plate
• EPS system
• DIN setting range: 4-12
• Binding stand height without ski: 23 mm.
• Recommended for skiers weighing between 80 and 250 lbs.
• Weight (pair): 2,150 g.