Newbie Questions on a Light BC Setup

[bornaginalpiner]

Lots of good input here so far. I've been liking the Objective's or Annum's for what I believe you're aiming for; as well as the Kom's. Having skied 2 of the 3, on both Alaska's and Excursions, I am also of the opinion that it's pushing it skiing these widths with the Alaska's if you really want to be turn confidently. Excursions/T4's etc. bump it up a good notch in that case.

Cables will also give you more confidence, I've been on 3 pins on my Objectives and other lighter touring skis; this category is well suited to the 3 pin cables (as Nils suggests with his Kom's). Those could be used with Alaska's or plastics, with or without cables."

Excellent choice. I'm ski the Ultravector BCs with Targas and T4s this year. I love having a waxless ski for low and medium angle fun. The skis are 96 at the waist and I believe that's very close to the Objectives.

It's great having a wider ski for breaking trail and still narrow enough for firmer conditions. Have fun.

[stilltryin]

Going with a 3-pin binding (or 3-pin cable) gives you the option of using a light plastic boot on those wider skis -- a good option to have in my opinion.
OTOH, some folks here really prefer to tour on NNN-BC and/or really prefer leather boots -- even on pretty wide skis.
Is there an NNN-BC boot that would be nearly comparable to the plastic option? Possibly the Fischer Transnordic, but it's too early to say.
If I'm picking wider skis for the day, I'm typically not doing a long, flat tour to get to the hills -- so I'm happy with the tourability of light plastic.
There is definitely diversity of preference on this.
Some folks really like free-pivot (like switchback tour mode) for touring; I'm more comfortable with plain 3-pin, maybe just because that's what I've always done (and it's lighter) -- (can't beat free pivot for actual climbing though).
Diverse opinions abound.

[エイダン.シダル]

I think this is along the same lines as OP: opinions on ATOMIC - RT 80s (178cm: 126-80-110mm), with Alico Snow March boots, and Voile Cable Telemark bindings, please. Too much ski? I can get them for a song. I already have the boots, and bindings from a failed project (Kahru NATO surplus skis).

[fisheater]

I think this is along the same lines as OP: opinions on ATOMIC - RT 80s (178cm: 126-80-110mm), with Alico Snow March boots, and Voile Cable Telemark bindings, please. Too much ski? I can get them for a song. I already have the boots, and bindings from a failed project (Kahru NATO surplus skis).

For me in most conditions, but not all, I could handle 80 mm with my Ski March boot. If the ski is too stiff I can’t bend it skiing two footed Telemark style. As an example, I can’t bend my old mid-fat alpine skis from the late 90’s that I ripped on with alpine boots.

[エイダン.シダル]

I think this is along the same lines as OP: opinions on ATOMIC - RT 80s (178cm: 126-80-110mm), with Alico Snow March boots, and Voile Cable Telemark bindings, please. Too much ski? I can get them for a song. I already have the boots, and bindings from a failed project (Kahru NATO surplus skis).

For me in most conditions, but not all, I could handle 80 mm with my Ski March boot. If the ski is too stiff I can’t bend it skiing two footed Telemark style. As an example, I can’t bend my old mid-fat alpine skis from the late 90’s that I ripped on with alpine boots.

Well I'm 180lbs in peak form... 190+ now, so I've got some mass if not the technique yet.

The following makes these sound promising, so at $150 CAD with other bindings on them I contacted the seller:

"These things have the weight of approach skis while maintaining the vertical performance of a full bore alpine ski.

Because sections of the core are cut away, there are no hinge points. This has a huge effect on the longitudinal flex, allowing for a tighter turning radius. Earlier Atomic skis with this amount of sidecut had turning radii in the low 20’s. The RT 80 has a radius of 17 meters. The alpine guys who have tested these skis said the edge grip is fantastic and the arc the ski holds while turning is gorgeous.

Though one might think the torsional flex of the ski has been compromised because of the cutaways, this is not the case. The Nano technology provides fibers that reinforce the skis construction so that no torsional twisting takes place. This is another reason for the excellent edge grip..."

https://www.gearx.com/atomic-rt-80-telemark-ski

[JVSki]

Thanks all for the insights, I think I'm leaning towards the S-Bounds and T4s. Now, if I can just find the boots in stock somewhere!

Cheers and happy holidays folks!

[fisheater]

Thanks all for the insights, I think I'm leaning towards the S-Bounds and T4s. Now, if I can just find the boots in stock somewhere!

Cheers and happy holidays folks!

There are lots of opinions, mine is that unless you’re going mostly uphill and then downhill the T-4 is overkill for the S-112. However you will have fun on that setup if that’s what you choose.

[stilltryin]

Thanks all for the insights, I think I'm leaning towards the S-Bounds and T4s. Now, if I can just find the boots in stock somewhere!

Cheers and happy holidays folks!

You might broaden your boot search (I see you are looking for used on the turnaround) to include heavy duty leather -- see how that goes and get the plastic if still desired when available. Just a thought.

[JVSki]

You might broaden your boot search (I see you are looking for used on the turnaround) to include heavy duty leather -- see how that goes and get the plastic if still desired when available. Just a thought.

stilltryin, any suggestions on heavier leathers to take a look at? My experience ends with the NNBC Alaska and I'm definitely looking for something stiffer/more dh oriented that those...thanks!

[stilltryin]

As you are shooting for the ability to use plastics if desired, you would want 75mm leathers. Others here are more knowledgeable about those. I have an old pair of Alico Blaze, leather, two-buckle -- they are on the burlier end of the leather spectrum. Alico makes other boots, for example, with 1 buckle.
I was thinking of what might get you through (used) because apparently the plastics are hard to find right now.
Hopefully others will chime in with examples (it might help to just add heavy leathers to your turnaround post).