Advantages of the Hagan Pure 10 binding versus the Marker Alpinist

The Marker Alpinist is a well known binding that some compare to the Hagan Pure 8 and Pure 10 bindings because they are all considered to be in the lightweight ski touring binding category. So people sometimes ask which is better. Here are some advantages of the Pure 10 versus the Marker Alpinist. 

• Lighter - Marker claims low weights, but that is without brakes. I don’t know how much the Marker brakes weigh (I’m guessing it is more than ours) but remove our 53 gram brakes and the Pure 10 is a fairly substantial (when we are comparing lightweight bindings) 45 grams lighter.
• Better retention/release - the Alpinist is a simple U spring (fixed release), whereas the Pure 10 has a patented CAM system heel which provides
• Easier step in (very handy in soft snow)
• More consistent release
• Adjustment of retention level
• Adjustment - in addition to adjustment of the release level, which the Alpinist doesn’t have, the Pure 10 has more length (BSL) adjustment - beneficial if you change boots or loan out skis.
• Higher climbing position. Some people complain that the highest climbing position on the Marker Alpinist is too low.

Those are the objective advantages.

Subjectively, I remember reviews criticizing the Alpinist brakes, saying they harm operability and more important consistency and safety of release. I need to research that, though to see if my memory is correct. In comparison, the Pure brake is very easy to use and doesn’t affect release.

Also, if it matters to you, Marker is part of a large corporation compared to family-run Hagan Austria and Hagan USA.

Send me your thoughts on this comparison!

Mike