Marker Griffon 13 Review

This is my review of Marker Griffon 13. In my opinion, this binding has been a long-standing favorite for many different types of skiers.

They are well-built, reliable, and offer performance attributes that intermediate to advanced skiers will surely appreciate. The versatility and durability of these alpine ski bindings make them a highly recommended pick.

Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of this ski binding, who it is best for, and other similar alternatives to consider.

Quick Summary

• Where to buy: Amazon, The House
• Best for: Alpine skiers can put these bindings to use across a variety of conditions and ability levels.
• Pros: Well-made and reliable ski bindings that come with a good reputation. Versatile and durable design. Able to accommodate many different boot sizes and widths. A great option for wide skis as well.
• Cons: Not a lot of downside to these bindings, but they aren’t the greatest option for beginners.
• Alternatives: Tyrolia Attack2 13 GW, Marker Jester 16, Look Pivot 14

Why Trust Me

I’ve been skiing almost as long as I’ve been able to walk. I have skied all over the world and have decades of experience skiing on, testing, and reviewing different skis and skiing equipment. I’ve had Marker Griffon bindings on several sets of skis and put the 13’s on my all-mountain resort set up last season. Below you will find my detailed review.

Detailed Review of Marker Griffon 13

If you ski bindings with a reliable design and the versatility to perform across wide-ranging conditions, the Marker Griffon 13 might be what you’re after. The models are well made, which gives them the lasting durability to stay strong season after season. They are a recommended option for intermediate to advanced skiers, especially those who prefer wide skis.

On-Snow Performance

I use the Marker Griffon 13 bindings as part of an all-mountain alpine ski setup. I find versatility and durable design to be their main attributes, as they both allow for reliable on-snow performance across a wide range of conditions. They aren’t my favorite big-mountain binding, but their consistency across the mountain makes them a go-to choice for the days where I want to roam around and ski a bit of everything.

These bindings do well with both high-speed cruising and powder punching considerations in mind. I found them to have great stability when bombing down groomers, and think they are a great option for anyone who likes to rip. You can also easily take them into the deep stuff as well. Just know that I did experience some snowpack under the boot, but that’s hard to avoid no matter what binding you mount on.

While the 13’s can eat up anywhere on the mountain, the only situation where they left me wanting more was on steep and deep conditions. I pushed them hard one day and took a spill that should have resulted in an ejection, but they stayed on my feet. That worried me a bit in regards to knee injuries, so I mounted a different set up on my big mountain skis.

Power Transfer and Response

Ski bindings are like the steering wheel of a car. They are the direct line between your body and your skis, providing power transfer when you need them to. The Griffon 13 holds up well in that regard. They respond quickly and easily to even slight movements, and rapidly react to changing conditions.

The excellent power transfer also makes the bindings excel in their ability to keep your skis stable underfoot as you hop from one run to the next. You won’t have to worry about your skis bouncing around or losing bite when equipped with these bindings. That has a lot to do with what type of skis you’re on and how far you push them. However, the Griffon 13 will give you reliable and consistent control regardless of where you ride.

Many beginner and intermediate skiers won’t really notice how much a binding can affect their performance. That’s both a good and bad thing. Good in the sense that you really shouldn’t worry about your bindings if you have a good pair, and bad because you won’t notice a bad pair either. One of the best attributes of the Griffon 13 is their ability to give you responsive control.

Versatility

As we touched on earlier, an awesome attribute of these bindings is their versatile performance. This allows you the ability to easily roam all over the mountain but it also relates to the versatility of these bindings to be used on a variety of different skis and with all sorts of sizes of boots. That makes them a go-to option for all sorts of alpine skiing setups and they can deliver excellent performance across them all.

I like the fact that bindings are great for wider skis. Modern skis are wider than ever before and if you like all-mountain skiing as much as I do, then you will want a wider binding. In addition to working on wide skis, the bindings also can be used with wider boots thanks to their Sole.ID technology that’s built specifically to accommodate for just this. This works to help quickly adjust the AFD plate to accommodate a vast amount of boot sizes.

Construction

The construction and design of the Marker Griffon 13 bindings have a lot to do with their rugged reliability and versatile performance. They feature a Triple Pivot Elite 3 toe piece that gives you excellent hold when skiing, but also effective release when you need your boots to break away to prevent injury. The toe piece’s design also helps absorb impact and adds extra control.

The 13’s also come with an Inter Pivot 3 heel piece that provides you with improved performance over previous models. They are constructed with a magnesium bracket that aids in power transfer and gives you additional durability. The Soli.ID allows for the bindings to fit almost every ski boot out there, even giving you the ability to change them from alpine to touring bindings.

Another key piece of the construction is the AFD Gliding Plate that helps to prevent any snow or dirt from building up under the binding. AFD stands for Anti-Friction-Device and the plate works to help you get your boots off and on with ease. You can adjust the plate to your ability level for increased performance and response.

Price and Value

For being such a reliable and trusted ski binding, the Marker Griffon 13 is also quite affordable. Compared to other popular options, the model is cheaper and gives you similar performance with lasting durability. As such, they have excellent all-around value. Mount these on a set of skis and you’ll be able to trust that they’ll hold up strong over the course of several years of steady skiing.

What I Like

I like the Marker Griffon 13 bindings both for their excellent value and extreme versatility. They are a workhorse that’s able to handle a little bit of everything. If you’re struggling with what binding to choose for any given skiing application, or if you want something that you know will deliver quality performance, these are the bindings I would recommend.

The latest Griffon 13 model also has a few extra design and construction elements that improve upon an already great design. The heel piece is one such improvement that has been improved upon to make it even easier to step in and lock down with these bindings on your skis. The Soli.ID technology is another aspect that makes them a solid and versatile choice.

The price is also right here. Ski gear is never cheap, and while these aren’t necessarily a budget option, they are more affordable than a lot of the other bindings in the same range. Combine that affordable price with all of the other high marks the bindings get, and you’re sure to be satisfied.

What I Don’t Like

There isn’t a lot to dislike about these bindings, and any downside comes from me being a picky skier more than anything. My biggest gripe about the bindings is their versatility. While the options are great for an all-mountain setup, it also means they don’t excel at one thing over another. I especially noticed that when analyzing them for big-mountain performance They are capable there, but not the best option.

I also don’t really like them as a park binding. If you just dabble in the terrain park and don’t spend much time there, you’ll likely won’t notice it. However, if you’re a park rat, I don’t feel like these bindings eject as ideally as some other park-specific options out there. That does leave me slightly worried about injuries due to non-ejections, but that’s also an issue anytime you’re in the terrain park.

The Alternatives

If you’re looking for an alternative option to the Marker Griffon 13 that provides you with quality ride, performance, and power transfer features, check out these alternative options:

• Tyrolia Attack2 13 GW – These are a great ski binding that make for a good alternative to Marker bindings. These are more suited for intermediate to advanced skiers and they come with high DIN settings. They are also lightweight and offer great durability. Read my detailed review to learn more.
• Marker Jester 16 – These are another quality binding within the Marker lineup. They are a bit more heavy duty than the Griffons, which makes them a great alternative for big-mountain lines or anyone looking for a high-end option that can get beat up and keep on ticking.
• Look Pivot 14 – These are another personal favorite of mine. Their name, the Pivot, derives from their ability to release effectively when your knee pivots in a weird way. That’s a great feature that cuts down on injuries. This is a great option for advanced skiers or anyone who likes to go big.

Final Verdict

The Marker Griffon 13 is one of my absolutely favorite ski bindings. That is because of their versatile nature, including their performance, boot width, and skis they can accommodate. While they aren’t a specialized binding for any one style of alpine skiing, they do perform well across the board and have become a favorite binding option for many skiers. I couldn’t recommend them more for those who need a little bit of everything.