Marker Royal Family Bindings Comparison 2025
Jester 18 Pro • Jester 16 • Griffon 13 • Squire 12 TCX
Marker’s Royal Family collection has long been the benchmark for high-performance freeride and freestyle bindings, combining rugged construction with precise power transfer and reliable retention under extreme forces. For 2025, the series continues to evolve with refined toe and heel mechanisms, improved boot compatibility, and updated materials that maximize elasticity, shock absorption, and edge-to-ski energy transmission. Whether you spend your days carving fast groomers, dropping cliffs, spinning in the park, or exploring wide-open all-mountain terrain, there is a Royal Family model tailored to your style, weight, and DIN requirements.
At the top of the lineup sits the Marker Jester 18 Pro, engineered for World Cup-level power and the most aggressive freeride and freestyle skiers. It uses the strongest toe/heel combination in the series, delivering unmatched retention for riders who routinely push DINs near the top of the chart. Just below it sits the new Jester 16, which maintains the same high-precision feel but in a more accessible DIN range for advanced and expert skiers who don’t require an 18-DIN spring.
The Marker Griffon 13 is the most popular binding in the Royal Family range for good reason. It offers a lighter overall feel, a wide DIN range suitable for most advanced skiers, and a design that pairs exceptionally well with modern all-mountain, freeride, and freestyle skis. For riders who want a versatile, strong binding without the heavier Jester chassis, the Griffon is the perfect sweet spot.
Rounding out the lineup is the Marker Squire 12 TCX, the most approachable Royal Family binding. It provides easy step-in behavior, dependable release characteristics, and a lower DIN range ideal for lighter adults, progressing intermediates, and anyone who wants maximum versatility without unnecessary weight. It remains a top choice for skiers looking for a lighter all-mountain setup that still retains Marker’s signature stability and build quality.
Together, the Royal Family lineup covers the full spectrum of modern skiing — from big-mountain chargers and competitive freestyle athletes to everyday resort riders who want confidence, durability, and performance. This guide breaks down the differences, specs, advantages, and ideal skier profiles for each model so you can choose the perfect binding for your skiing this season.
| Specification | Jester 18 Pro | Jester 16 | Griffon 13 | Squire 12 TCX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Freeride, Freestyle, Freeride/Freestyle | Freeride, Freestyle, Freeride/Freestyle | Freeride | All Mountain |
| DIN / ISO Range | DIN 8.0 – 18.0 | DIN 6.0 – 16.0 | DIN 4.0 – 13.0 | DIN 4.0 – 12.0 |
| Best For | Freeride, Park and Pipe | Freeride, Park and Pipe | Freeride | All Mountain |
| Age Group | Adult | Adult | Adult | Adult |
| Recommended Skier Weight | 130 – 285 lbs | 60+ kg | < 120 kg | < 120 kg |
| Boot Type Compatibility | Alpine, GripWalk, Touring | Alpine, GripWalk, Touring | Alpine, GripWalk, Touring | Alpine, GripWalk, Touring |
| Brake Width Options | 90, 100, 110 mm | 90, 100, 110 mm | 90, 100, 110, 120 mm | 90, 100, 110 mm |
| Binding Weight (per binding) | ~1,110 g | ~1,120 g | 1,030 g | 1,019 g |
| Stand Height (w/o ski) | 24 mm | 24 mm | 24 mm | 24 mm |
| Toe System | Triple Pivot Elite 3 | Triple Pivot Elite 3 | Triple Pivot Elite 3 | Triple Pivot Light 2 |
| Heel Technology | Inter Pivot 3 | Inter Pivot 3 | Inter Pivot 3 | TCX |
| Boot Sole Length Range | 240 – 370 mm | 240 – 370 mm | 240 – 370 mm | 240 – 370 mm |
| Collection / Highlights | Royal Family; full-metal freeride powerhouse for aggressive expert skiers. | Royal Family; high-end DIN 16 option for strong all-mountain and park riders. | Royal Family; lighter “Jester-style” freeride workhorse for advanced–expert skiers. | Royal Family; accessible all-mountain binding with TCX heel and Triple Pivot Light 2 toe. |
| Shop Now | Jester 18 Pro → | Jester 16 → | Griffon 13 → | Squire 12 TCX → |
*Boot type compatibility per Marker specs on SkiSharp: check your boot sole standard and DIN needs before mounting.
Marker Royal Family – Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I choose between the Jester 18 Pro, Jester 16, Griffon 13, and Squire 12 TCX?
Use your DIN needs and skiing style as a guide. The Jester 18 Pro is built for expert skiers who regularly use high DIN settings and ski aggressively in park, pipe, and big-mountain terrain. The Jester 16 offers high-end performance for strong all-mountain and freestyle riders who don’t need an 18 DIN spring. The Griffon 13 targets advanced skiers who want freeride capability with a slightly lighter feel, while the Squire 12 TCX is the most accessible Royal Family option for lighter or developing all-mountain skiers.
2. Which Royal Family binding is best for mostly park and pipe skiing?
For dedicated park and pipe riders, the Jester 18 Pro or Jester 16 give you the most support, elasticity, and retention when landing large features. Heavier or more powerful skiers who want maximum hold typically gravitate to the Jester 18 Pro, while lighter or slightly less aggressive riders usually find the Jester 16 offers more than enough performance with a wider usable DIN range.
3. I mostly ski off-piste and all-mountain lines. Which model is the best fit?
If you’re an advanced–expert all-mountain skier who likes everything from steeps to chop and sidecountry lines, the Griffon 13 is the classic freeride choice in the Royal Family range. It offers a generous DIN span, dependable power transmission, and a lighter feel than the Jester series. If you prefer a more forgiving, lower-DIN setup and ski at more moderate speeds, the Squire 12 TCX delivers all-mountain capability in a slightly more approachable package.
4. What about skier weight and DIN setting when picking a Royal Family binding?
The Jester 18 Pro is aimed at heavier, stronger skiers or those with DIN values in the higher part of the chart. The Jester 16 provides a sweet spot for powerful advanced riders who don’t need DIN 18. The Griffon 13 fits a wide range of weights and abilities thanks to its 4–13 DIN range, and the Squire 12 TCX is ideal for lighter adult skiers or those whose chart DIN stays comfortably within the 4–12 window. Always have your DIN set and bindings mounted by a certified shop tech.
5. Are these bindings compatible with GripWalk and alpine boot soles?
The Royal Family models listed here are designed to work with modern adult alpine boot soles and GripWalk soles, and are listed with support for alpine, GripWalk, and compatible touring soles. Boot sole standards and condition vary, so your ski shop should always confirm compatibility with your exact boots before mounting and setting release values.
6. What’s the practical difference between the Jester and Griffon for an advanced skier?
Both bindings share similar Royal Family DNA, but the Jester 18 Pro and Jester 16 use a burlier, higher-DIN package that favors very aggressive skiing, frequent airtime, and strong riders. The Griffon 13 is lighter, with a slightly lower DIN ceiling, making it easier to live with for all-day resort skiing while still delivering solid edge power and freeride performance on wider skis.
7. When should I choose the Squire 12 TCX instead of a Griffon or Jester?
Choose the Squire 12 TCX if you prioritize lighter swing weight and don’t need a DIN setting above 12. It’s a great match for lighter adult skiers, advancing intermediates who are starting to ski everywhere on the mountain, and riders who want a Royal Family feel without committing to the higher-DIN, heavier Jester and Griffon platforms.
8. Can I move these bindings between multiple skis?
Royal Family bindings are traditionally mounted directly to each ski. While boot sole length ranges allow for some adjustment, moving a binding from one ski to another requires remounting and a fresh release check. For multiple-ski quivers, most skiers choose a dedicated binding on each ski rather than swapping a single pair back and forth.
Marker Royal Family Technology Highlights
The Royal Family bindings (Jester 18 Pro, Jester 16, Griffon 13, and Squire 12 TCX) share a common design language aimed at powerful freeride and all-mountain skiing, with each model tuned to a different DIN range and skier profile. Below are the key design elements you’ll see repeated across the line.
Jester and Griffon models use Marker’s Triple Pivot toe architecture to balance high elastic travel with direct power transfer to the ski edge. The toe is designed to absorb shocks and maintain reliable release characteristics even when you’re landing drops or pushing hard in variable snow.
The Jester and Griffon series feature Inter Pivot heel designs focused on strong vertical and lateral support for aggressive skiing. The Squire 12 TCX uses a TCX heel with a more accessible, all-mountain-friendly feel and easy step-in/step-out behavior while still providing solid retention.
Across the Royal Family range listed on SkiSharp, you’ll see support for modern adult alpine soles, GripWalk soles, and compatible touring soles. This gives you flexibility if you run one boot for resort and occasional touring, as long as your boot and binding standards match and are checked by a shop.
Brake width options from around 90 mm up to 120 mm let Jester, Griffon, and Squire models sit cleanly on today’s wider all-mountain and freeride skis. Choosing the right brake width helps keep the arms from dragging while still catching the ski effectively in a fall.
From the full-power Jester 18 Pro down to the lighter Squire 12 TCX, Royal Family bindings are tuned for a calm, precise interface between boot and ski. Sturdy housings and smart material choices are aimed at delivering a damp, connected feel that inspires confidence at speed and on demanding terrain.
*Always confirm boot/binding compatibility and have mounting and DIN settings completed by a certified ski technician.