TheMusher wrote: ↑Tue Jan 25, 2022 5:02 pmA lot of valuable insight here - appreciate it!
Even more data point to confirm that SB and leather is a tough match.
Based on your input I've boiled down a few preliminary alternatives:
Alternative 1:
- Boots: Transnordic 75
- Bindings: 3pinHW or Rotte Super tele
- Ski: TBD - Anything from probably Aasnes Nosi to Voile Ultravector
Pros: More versatile for non-alpine terrain, better for approaches?
Alternative 2:
- Boots: Lundhags Guide Expedition 75
- Bindings: SB / X2
- Ski: Voile UV or similar (96 waist)
Pros: Free pivot for trail breaking, better future match with T4s of the world?
The Lundhags Guide Expedition is an interesting cookie. I'm a sucker for Lundhags boots and find them to be the best mountain boots in the summer by a landslide - far above other Nordic favorites such as Alfa and Crispi (which are also great). Never tried their skiing boots, but I was surprised to see that Lundhags has explicitiy stated that the Guide boots are best used with Switchback or Rotte Super, and not(!) advised for 3-pin due to breakage.
Anyone with experience with these? I know they may be tough to find in the US. Wonder how they compare to e.g. Transnordic and Alaska, in terms of ancle support and stiffness.
Also intrigued to see some of you are exploring such alpine terrain with NNN-BC. I have more than five Aasnes skiis that I pair with Crispi Stetind for polar style touring (an absolutely long-haul comfort machine), or simple 3-pin with Crispi Bre (torture machine). At a closer look, both the Alfa Guard and obviously the new explore system would provide much more stability than these. Xplore is definitely one to watch for the future.
Pic of the Lundhags Guide Expedition (heavy duty leather)1040439-912.jpg
You are right about the Voile skis I suggested. especially in 177cm, they are very wide. I had forgotten that they get wider with length. Another alternative is the Nosi 76 with your choice of bindings/boots. I am personally looking at these with NNN BC to replace my Fischer S112 eventually. So it depends if you are willing to go narrower. I havent skiied them, but I have 4 pairs of Asnes and have read just about everything on this forum regarding the entire line of Asnes skis... I think the Nosi would be quite downhill oriented, very light, and easy to turn...probably a bit slow on flattish approaches, but very fast for steep climbing