Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

I have quite e few skis in my XCD quiver. Madshus Annum 78, Madshus Panorama 68, Asnes Ingstad 62 waxless ,a lot of other slimmer backcountry skis, and a bunch of bindings: Switchback X2, Switchback, Rottefella ST cable, Voile HW, Rottefella riva and cobra.
My boots are Scarpa T4, Alico ski march, Alpina Alaska 75, Fischer TN 75, Asolo Extreme, and finally Lundhags Abisku 75.
I was using my Annums with voile HW and T4s and Fischers, Ski marchs from time to time. Voile HW is very strong biding when used for down hill but I didn´t like fidlling with wires when touring. Panoramas 68 are equipped with Rottefella ST with cables and I ski them mostly with Alaskas 75 and Ski marchs. Ingstads are plane for now. The problem is I cannot use my Lundhags with 3 pins ( I used it lightly Rottes ST and liked the boots a lot) so I bought bindings that are more universal for use with all my boots - Switchbacks and Riva, Cobra.
The question is what bindings to use for my skis.
First plan was keep the Annums with Voile HWs and use them mostly with T4s and Fischers. Put Switchback X2 on Panoramas and use them with T4s, Lunhags and Ski marchs. And use Ingstads with plain Switchbacks mostly with Lunhags for long tours in cold.
The Switchbacks are problematic when used with the skis slimmer then ca 74 in waist (the switching part in the front exceeds to much over the top sheet of the ski) and frankly to much for skis like Ingstads. The Switchbacks exceeds couple of milimetres over the Panoramas (68 waist) - don´t know if it is a problem?
I would love my skis to be universally used with all the boots I have, depending on the conditions.

What bindings for what ski woudl you use?

Is it better idea to use Lundhags 75 on slimmer backcounty skis ( Ingstads, Nansens, Sporten Rangers etc.) only for cold days long touring? Use Rivas or Chillis and similar bindings on them?

I know, lots of questions but would love to hear your opinion.

Another part of the question.
Is switchback suitable for leather boots? X2 only for plastics? What si your experience?
Thanks

I've used SBs with old school heavy leather boots. You need to get the tension right, too tight and they come off.

You have a good quiver of boots and bindings. The SBs are a little overkill for your skis, but if you use the free pivot for touring they will be a benefit. Combined with your T4s they will will be better than your other bindings for aggressive downhill skiing. I'd probably save the X2s for your next pair of wider skis, the only thing missing from your quiver. IMO

You don't need to use the Hardwires for hiking the 3-pins take care of that for the up, so no fiddling.

Thanks Al for your input.
Yeah, Switchback will go on Anums and as I planned will save the X2 for wider skis. The only reason I didnt get any yet is I love scales and use skins only when really need to. The Panorama 78 is the widest ski with scales (apart from Sbound 112 that is marginaly wider).
Shame that Voile BC line skis are not available here where I live. Plan is to buy Dynastar touring skis with ca 85 mm in waist and put X2 on them.
I think Annums are great Xcd skis and Switchback bidings will be great supplement.

So the Riva is probably best option for Ingstads with Lundhags Abisku 75. It should be good for touring a hopefuly let me do some turns, right?

What is the softest leather boot anybody used with Switchback?
Does anybody use SB on skis with the waist under 80 mm?

Teledance,
I use HWs with 3pin when touring but wires are attached pernamently and stuck behind the heel pad and used only when downhill.

Filip wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 09, 2025 5:47 am

Another part of the question.
Is switchback suitable for leather boots? X2 only for plastics? What si your experience?
Thanks

Best thing you can do for yourself is get all your mounting patterns similar and then experiment until you find what you like. You can adapt pin bindings to 4 hole pattern with voile 10mm risers. You will be told you CAN use product "A" with product "B" in theory but you will figure it out pretty quick that it won't feel right. Quiver killers (whatever inserts)help a ton if you don't like remounting with screws and glue. The biggest thing for me is if I'm skinning I want free tour mode so that's when switchbacks come into play(X2 for short approach only, that is a more active binding), pin bindings on anything requiring skins feel ridiculous with 3pin bindings. And then, any ski I plan on using leathers with, 3 pin cable (unless you have a thin duckbill then use rotefella st or voile 201). If you watch voiles recent series of viedos it makes it really easy understand which applications work where. Tbh, does anyone really have a good use for 3pin HW anymore? Low angle crud in plastics? 3pin cable and switchback/x2 all the way

I use Rottefella ST with Alaskas because They have thin duckbill. But Lundhags are prone to demage when used with pins. Thats why I am debating Switchback or Riva on skis with slimmer waist. With Lundhags it is either oldschool spring riva/nato or SB.
I bought SB and SB X2 and the pivot seems to be really sweet. So I will swap the HWs with SB on Annums. I think I gona be satisfied. But it is an overkill for 62mm Ingstads, so riva will be paired with Ingstads - Lundhags combo.

Your opinnion helps me to sort mine.
Thanks

I do have harwires on my annums currently FYI. Just that sometimes I wonder if I they're overkill

What boots do you use with that combo?