Marker has been one of the major players in the binding business, and the introduction of their “Royal Family” lineup a few years back solidified them as a prominent player in the freeskiing marketplace. Far and away the favorite of the lineup has been the Jester, and last year Marker upped the ante with the Jester Pro, a freakishly green, 18 DIN, powerhouse of a binding.
At a glance:
- 18 DIN
- Riveted AFD
- 0 degree ramp angle
- Cross bar for torsional rigidity and lateral power transfer
The most interesting feature of the Jester Pro is the cross bar on top of the toe piece of the binding. This little addition links the wings of the binding, providing unprecedented torsional rigidity as well as an increase in lateral power transfer. The classic Jester would develop slop in the wings on the toe piece after 50-60 days of use, but the introduction of the cross bar has solved this problem. It also doubles as a convenient scraper when your boot bottom becomes overloaded with snow!
The Jester Pro is exactly what the professional freeskiing community has been waiting for. This binding has the weight and specifications that meet the needs of skiers on supremely challenging and diverse mountain terrain. This binding can handle it all.
Dash Longe, Professional Freeskier
Another interesting characteristic of the binding is the riveted AFD on the toe. The AFD is the small plate that sits underfoot and twists laterally to assist in release. This knee saving device is static in the Jester Pro in order to gain the 18 DIN release value, but adds a touch of extra stress on the knee. The moral of the story: if you’re simply out for a joy ride, you might stick to the Jester or even the Griffin. The Jester Pro is oriented for those who need the higher release range.
The primary issue experienced with the Jester Pro (and the Jester for that matter) is a loosening of the toe piece. After a season of hard charging or a big fall, the toe piece has a tendency develop a slight wobble forward and backward. This issue is easily resolved by adding a few clicks of forward pressure. If the wobble is substantial, Marker will warranty the binding if it is within a year old!
Overall the Jester Pro is a great binding, offering that extra holding power in the park, big mountain, or wherever your adventures may take you!