New BCXC considering Fischer Traverse 78 / S 88 / S 98

[lilcliffy]

My Ski March are beautiful leather Telemark touring boots- they like the T4/Excursion- are on the "touring" end of the Telemark spectrum ("touring" meaning distance in the Nordic ski language- as opposed to "touring" in the Alpine ski language which means climbing).

I have not been able to make the Ski March boot fit- I, unfortunately, ended up with a wide last- they are enormous inside- too large for my small-volume feet. I have managed to make them "work" with a thick wool insole, ankle booties and two pairs of thick socks.

If they fit- the Ski March is an awesome Telemark-touring boot.

The Ski March would be fine for the skiing you describe- though more boot than you need.

[lilcliffy]

If I went with the Alicos, are 75mm bindings specifically with the added cables even worth the bother?

I am afraid that I cannot bring myself to buy a plain-jane 3-pin binding for BC touring.
I always want the option of the cable.
And I have experienced- a few times (all very remote!)- needing the cable as backup when my duckbill split.

I prefer the Rotte 3-pin over the Voile, but have been exclusively using Voile 3 pin- because of the removable cable.

My next 3-pin binding will be the Rottefella with removable hardwires- assuming that they earn excellent tests/reviews.

[dave52]

Here’s the deal with the Ski March. It is a heavy duty leather Telemark turning boot. One step down from the plastic T-4/Excursion boots. The Ski March is in the same weight class, with a little less power, but more flex being a leather boot.
I have one and love it. It isn’t a great match for a Nansen, only because the sole is a little stiff to maximize kick and glide.

My 2 cents on the Ski March. If the Ski March were my first xcd boots I would have given up.
Hard to break in, heal blisters after 1/2 mile. I am on my second season with them and they are stiff for K&G but starting to break in and I do like them for downhill.

Wouldn't call those ringing endorsements for the Ski March

Sounds like a softer boot is probably better for K&G all around, think I need to embrace that since the terrain I'm in doesn't offer a lot of altitude change, and where it is found it's typically not wide open downhill runs. However, eventually want to ski this stuff from time to time.

@fisheater In your opinion, since Nansen and Ski march's aren't an ideal match, what would you instead recommend boot wise, considering I'm hoping to equip myself with Nansen further down the road, with ability to hit some downhill?

My Ski March are beautiful leather Telemark touring boots- they like the T4/Excursion- are on the "touring" end of the Telemark spectrum ("touring" meaning distance in the Nordic ski language- as opposed to "touring" in the Alpine ski language which means climbing).
...
The Ski March would be fine for the skiing you describe- though more boot than you need.

You seem to have a higher opinion of these boots for touring than others do, FWIW it's nice to hear variance in opinion. I did grab 2x sets of USGI, so eventually 75mm 3 pin with cable and Ski March's could be a fun experiment.

If you all would kindly provide some more boot guidance I think decisions will be simple...
What's the ideal boot for the Nansen, for mostly flat/rolling and some downhill action? and does this boot translate well to the USGIs too? From there I can figure out bindings easy.

...and BTW thank you all very much for the help, it is much appreciated!

[CwmRaider]

I ski with Crispi Bre on Nansens and Falketind 62
I don't know if its available where you are, perhaps the closest thing is the Crispi Antarctic or Sydpolen
Very comfortable 75mm boot, good for general use, nice and warm. A step down from Ski March in terms of stiffness, but probably substantially more supportive than molded boots like Crispi Svartisen or Alpina Alaska 75mm.
https://www.crispinorge.com/bre-75mm.html

[lilcliffy]

The "cheapest" BC-XC boot currently available is the Rossignol BCX6.
I know this becasue I have been buying BC-XC for 20 years for 4 growing children- the oldest of which now has size 47EU feet! I have been able to get the Rossi BCX6 for as little as $100CAN every season on clearance. We own a whole fleet of BCX6 boots!

If the Rossi BCX6 fits your feet it is a perfectly acceptable BC-XC-XCd boot- you can get it in 75mm-3pin or NNNBC.
I would not expect long-term durability out of the 3pin BCX6 (BCX675). The NNNBC version of the BCX6 is VERY durable.

The Crispi Antarctic/Sydolpen/Bre seem to be the current premier BC-XC 3pin boots- complete with durable-replaceable welted soles.

All of these boots ↑ are of a similar class- I think- not what I would call a true "Telemark" boot (perhaps I am wrong- I have no experience with the above-mentioned Crispis). I am confident that the above-mentioned Crispis are a step up in support and stability over the Ross BCX6/675- due to their stiffer, more stable soles.

All of the above-mentioned boots would be adequate for both the USGI ski and the Nansen- and the 78/88.

[fisheater]

Hello Dave,
On the Ski March, if it fits, and if you don’t suffer a sole delamination, it is a great boot, just a little stiff and heavy for a Nansen, T-78, and so on.
I looked up pricing on a Crispi Antarctic from the only distributor in the US. You can get it a little cheaper than an Alpina Alaska. That is blinking amazing!
So if you want, you could mount a Voile 3 pin cable. Now you will find that it tours much better without the cables, but you can clip them on for bigger, more challenging downhills.
It’s amazing, that Covid induced selling out of equipment has made a boot I consider to be much higher quality, a Norwegian welted ski boot, less expensive than a thermo molded sole. Remember there are a lot of reports of thermo molded soles failing.
So in closing, my recommendation is if you want a cheap boot buy the Rossi Lilcliffy recommends. I think it would be best to go NNN-BC. If you heart is set on 75 mm, which I get, check out the Crispi.
https://aspinockwoods.com/shop/ols/categories/boots

I don’t think I have much more to offer. The Crispi doesn’t offer quite the downhill performance of the Ski March, but offers more turning performance than an Alaska class thermomolded sole. That comes from my questions to someone that owned these boots.

[dave52]

Thanks a ton, feel armed to finally make a decision!

I think I'm gonna roll with the Crispi Antarctic's, and try to snag some Voile or Rottefella 3 pin bindings on ebay.

Cheers

[dave52]

Aw bummer, called and they're out of the Crispi Anartic's, but do have the Svartisen's and Nordland's

https://aspinockwoods.com/shop/ols/prod ... -or-nnn-bc
https://aspinockwoods.com/shop/ols/prod ... ok-leather

[lilcliffy]

I own the BC version of the Svartisen- out on it today actually- fabulous BC-XC-XCd touring boot.

Cannot speak to the 75mm version.

Gamme the Elder's review suggests that the BC version is more stable than the 75mm version...

I don't trust that glued sold on the Svartisen 75...I'm sorry I just don't.

The Nordland BC must be Crispi's lightest-duty BC boot. Don't know anything about it.

[Woodserson]

Anyone have thoughts on Fischer T-78 vs. Asnes Nansen?

@Woodserson
Calling Woods!

The modern Nansen and the T78

The T78 has a higher initial camber and a little bit of nordic rocker up front than the Nansen. The Nansen has barely perceptible tip-splay. They both crush in my hands about the same. Both skis flat out when heavily flexed. The tips and tails flex the same, but under the wax zone goes flat. It does not continue into a "C" shape over the course of the ski. (The older Nansen from decades ago DOES, but not the modern one). As such, there is minimal to no wax pocket when flexed in either ski. The T78 has slightly more energy and pop.

I would say the two skis are probably comparable, except I can get the Nansen in WAX and longer length.

I am over the moon happy with my Nansens. They don't need a lot of wax, they are stable, they are polyvalente. I will write a big review when I get a chance to take them down some slopes, I have not turned them yet. They are not the fastest ski. Faster than the Ingstad, but slower than the E99.