2022 Marker Kingpin M-Werks 12 Binding

Following the footsteps of Volkl’s high-end VWerks line, the Marker MWerks has a winner all of its own. The Marker Kingpin MWerks 12 sets a new standard for lightness and control. For years, Marker has made some of the best bindings on the planet, so it was a natural transition into the touring and backcountry world for them. The Kingpin MWerks 12 represents the culmination of all this research and design. As far as climbing goes, lighter is simply better. While the original Kingpin featured more metal for what they assumed was more power, the new MWerks has a blend of carbon and plastic that is lighter yet still stronger and more powerful than the previous iterations of the Kingpin. Built for big-mountain crushing, the toe piece is 30% carbon, creating a stiff and light start to your climb or your descent. The revolutionary heelpiece has always held boots in better than other tech bindings, and that has not changed. What has changed is the new stiffness thanks to the new mix om material. The plastic in the heel contains 30% carbon, so it mirrors the performance and stoutness of the toe piece as well. This consistency through the building makes the binding function a lot better, and for the most part these bindings are used in pretty precarious spots, so you know you need some serious gear. The Marker Kingpin MWerks 12 represents the best and brightest in a pretty crowded field of backcountry bindings.