Marker Griffon X 13 MWerks — Review

The Marker Griffon X 13 MWerks is the lightweight, low-stack-height evolution of Marker's long-running Griffon platform. By integrating the brake into the heel and switching to magnesium internal parts, Marker drops stand height to 9mm at the toe / 14mm at the heel — well below the original Griffon's ~24mm heel stack — while keeping the single-cast Triple Pivot Elite X toe that defines the family. It's a freeride-oriented resort binding for DIN 4–13 skiers who want a direct, low-feeling connection without giving up Griffon-class retention.

• Advanced to expert freeride skiers in the 4–13 DIN window
• Skiers prioritizing edge-to-edge quickness and a planted, low-CoG feel
• Resort-only users who don't need a touring or hybrid mechanism
• Park-adjacent freeriders who want a stiffer mount than a typical all-mountain binding
• Riders looking to drop weight versus the original Griffon 13 without dropping to a pin binding

• DIN 4–13 — covers most adult freeride skiers; the upper end accommodates aggressive 80–110kg riders pushing hard turns
• Brake widths 90 / 105 / 120 mm — match brake to ski waist plus 5–10mm clearance; 105mm pairs with 95–100mm all-mountain skis, 120mm with mid-fat freeride skis
• Weight ≈1130g per binding — comparable to Look Pivot 14 (≈1115g) and Tyrolia Attack 14 (≈1010g); magnesium internals save grams over the standard Griffon 13
• Stand height 9mm toe / 14mm heel — much lower than the previous Griffon 13's ~24mm heel; closer to the ski for stronger edge feel and torsional precision
• ISO 5355 + GripWalk (ISO 23223) — accepts standard alpine and GripWalk boots; not certified for ISO 9523 touring soles
• Magnesium heel/toe + composite housing + stainless AFD — magnesium drops weight, composite stiffens the housing, the stainless gliding plate keeps friction low for consistent release

The MWerks platform's defining trait is feel. With the brake integrated and the heel mounted closer to the ski, energy from edge angle reaches the ski faster, and rebound out of carved turns is more immediate than the legacy Griffon. The Triple Pivot Elite X toe keeps the wide power-transfer platform Griffon riders expect, while the heel has been retuned for easier step-in. Retention follows Griffon's known character — forgiving enough for chop and landings without nuisance pre-release at DIN 9–12.

Magnesium parts reduce weight but are corrosion-sensitive — wipe the binding dry after wet days. The composite housing pairs with a metal AFD and reinforced metal load-bearing surfaces, so wear concentrates in the AFD plate and the heel track. Brake springs and AFDs are dealer-serviceable; full DIN recertification at the start of each season is recommended.

Match brake to ski waist plus 5mm clearance: 90mm brake fits 80–95mm waist skis, 105mm covers ~95–105mm, 120mm covers up to ~115mm. The Griffon X 13 MWerks mounts to flat skis (no rail/system platform). Boot-sole ramp matches modern all-mountain and freeride boots; with GripWalk soles the AFD self-aligns.

• Marker Griffon 13 — same DIN, taller stack, older platform; MWerks is the modernized successor
• Look Pivot 14 — Pivot's seven-bushing turntable heel is the freeride reference; heavier and higher stack but legendary retention
• Tyrolia Attack 14 — lighter (≈1010g) with broader brake range, similar all-mountain to freeride positioning

Q: Is the Griffon X 13 MWerks GripWalk compatible? A: Yes — the AFD accepts both ISO 5355 alpine and ISO 23223 GripWalk soles. It is not certified for ISO 9523 alpine touring soles.

Q: How does the integrated brake change mounting? A: The integrated X-Brake locks the brake into the heel housing, lowering stand height to 14mm. Mounting pattern and BSL adjustment are otherwise standard alpine.

Q: What brake width should I pair with a 100mm waist ski? A: The 105mm brake gives the recommended 2–3mm clearance per side. The 120mm option works for wider freeride setups.

Q: Can I use this binding for touring? A: No — the Griffon X 13 MWerks is a fixed alpine binding with no walk mode. Look at the Marker Duke PT for touring-capable Marker freeride.

Q: How does weight compare to the original Griffon 13? A: The MWerks version trims weight through magnesium internals; per-binding weight settles around 1130g.