I have recently purchased new Marker Squire bindings and have doubts as to whether the heel pieces are functioning adequately. The shop has said it is just ice under the heel- however both my husband and I are pretty sure it is more than that. They are really hard to step into and when I fell forward at speed yesterday they didn’t release. The DIN settings are correct and the same as I have always used (ie 4 1/2 -low!) I have written my concerns to Marker- however I wondered if anyone else has had similar experiences. Is there an easy way of home testing the release function?

4.5 is low, especially if you have a sack on, so they should release quite easily. Some ski shops have gear to test binding release but if you give the boot a good hit from behind it should pop out - well thats what hire shop skimen do to test the release .

Hopefully someone who has your binding will be able to comment further.

Thank you very much for your reply. Yes.. well I know the setting is low- I have dodgy knees (doesn’t everyone over a certain age). I and my man have both tried the knockout test- to no effect.... so you have just confirmed my fears. We are based in France in the Savoie-does anyone have any advice as to where to go for some hands on independant inspection? I want to ski all this powder without visitng the hospital!

Can you tell me which bit of the Savoie (mountain range will do) ?

Near Moutiers in Beaufortain

I’ve had good technical service from:

Intersport / Bourg St Maurice (in the hypermarket space on the main road)

Au Vieux Campeur / Albertville (Junction 27 on the main dual carriageway)

Both are sizeable stores, but have savvy tech staff who like their touring.

Otherwise just past Albertville is ekosport (ekosport.fr) who have some good staff too.

Tried one post and think it got lost in ether…
Thanks for info- will be visiting one/some of shops. Need evidence to take back to purchase shop as today used my old skis and bindings and the difference/improvement was remarkable. another friend has found problems with same bindings- so will let forum know of outcome.

Be sure to get it tested with a machine: then you will get a print with the findings. Don’t foget to bring your shoes as well!

Freiend also has had problems (more than once) - I put it down to his skiing but seems he might have a point. He did a free helicopter ride out of it though....

I’ll go and check his bindings for model name but Marker for sure…

MY friends is the Duke. He is 90 kilos and has them set to 9. I would say he is a very good skier probably a 8 out of 10.
Any info on these bindings appreciated....

Have been out of email contact a few days. during which time have had most success at ecosport at Frontonex. Have an appointment with them tomorrow to change the bindings to an old reliable pair I have already. No response from Marker yet (surprise surprise). In the shop all the technicians kept trying my step in on the heel piece and muttering knowingly to each other.
I am certainly no hotshot, but yet another female friend who is (pisteurs couloir etc regular) has also just purchased the same bindings and is having a hell of a job with them. God knows what will happen if she has a problem somewhere a bit extreme.
think this needs following up before someone gets injured or worse.
Tell the friend who had a problem to contact Marker and get his checked too.

I just bought some piste skis from Ekosport, they are very good, it is the second pair I’ve bought from them

Went back to Ekosport and they have been really helpful. Turns out the shop in Tignes where I had originally bought the skis and bindings had actually fitted them askew on the skis (!!!!)- so as well as being duff they were badly fitted. consequently I have obtained a full refund so am now searching for new skis and bindings (though obviously not Squire bindings). I will most certainly be getting Ekosport to fit everything together.
I have been advised most composite bindings are more prone to fracturing at very low temperatures- so will try to avoid those.

Was in EkoSport this week for more skis and they said you’d bought some K2s from them (I think). They described you as “charming”, you obviously made a good impression.