Large vs. Small Duke

[lowsparkco]

So, Marker advertises the big Duke for a bsl of 305 - 370 and the lil Duke for a bsl of 265 - 325.

My question is if you're boot will fit either which is preferable? I searched the forum, but unfortunately there's a lot of trades and such on these so it's hard to get to any meat. A few folks rang in as advising against being at one extreme or another. A 27.5 Scarpa Maestrale is 314 - I could understand going one way if you have a SO or friend who might want to use them or to go with the small to save a little weight. Thoughts?

[MrPulldown]

Go for the smaller one, as it will be stiffer and lighter. With the dukes the stiffer part will be less noticeable compared to other platform type bindings.

[dsigrey]

It doesn't matter unless you're still growing, and your foot is going to get a size bigger (28.5 will not fit smalls). You're not at the extreme end of either right now.

[Dee Hubbs]

A shorter mounting pattern is always preferable.

[lowsparkco]

kinda the way I was leaning - my wife's foot is about a size smaller than mine so if I wanna pass it on I can

thanks for the responses

[gramboh]

Shorter for sure, also a bit lighter as you don't have a bunch of heel track doing nothing for you every single stride you take skinning.

[Wunderkind]

Mastrale on a duke seems a mismatch no? That is a soft boot on a burly binder.

[lowsparkco]

I'm running them on dynafits for tours - but you gotta use an AT binding with the lug soles so Dukes or Barons are pretty much it for an inbounds setup - you're right though -