New boots and bindings

[jalp]

I have a pair on Ingstads that I set up with Binding Freedom inserts for both NNN BC and 3 pin. Not exactly as convenient as a single system approach, but it only takes about 5 minutes to swap the bindings out.

Ive looked at their system and considering it for some incoming skis. Can you clarify something for me, it's probably brutaly obvious when you're looking at the ski, but your skis have the threaded inserts for all the mounting bolts of the two bindings?

Thanks

Yes, up front. No for the heel pad. I just have plain heel pads mounted with standard screws and leave them where they are regardless of whether I mount the NNN BC or 3 pin up front. Saves 2-4 inserts per pair that way. You could actually mount low heel pads with climbing wires and still have NNN BC up front that way. I don't, but some may want that option. Thats 3 inserts for the 3 pin and 4 inserts for the NNN BC per ski. I don't want to drift this thread too much, I could start a new one with more detail if anyone is interested.

[Sloth Monster]

“Ice, quad ruts”

First of all, hats off to you for giving it a go in those conditions!

I don't have 98's but I do have a few pairs of skis in that class. What I arrived at is a one ski, 2 boot kind of system. A 3 pin cable binding, a pair of Alaska 75/Transnordic 75, and a pair of 2 buckle plastic Excursion/T4 makes for a pretty adaptable setup. Leather is pure happiness if conditions are soft, and plastic boots get me through it when conditions are challenging. Basically, I'll choose the boot for expected conditions/terrain and accept the benefits as well as the limitations of that choice.

If you are not inclined to purchase 2 new 75mm 3 pin boots, there is a further option to consider. I have a pair on Ingstads that I set up with Binding Freedom inserts for both NNN BC and 3 pin. Not exactly as convenient as a single system approach, but it only takes about 5 minutes to swap the bindings out.

Regarding 3 pin bindings: Many thanks to @fisheater , @Roelant and others for their observations on the Rottefella Super Tele cable + leather boot combination. I may have disregarded these bindings had it not been for those comments. They also pair nicely with my 2 buckle plastics, and are now pretty much my go-to 3P cable.

I'm still waiting a bit before diving into the Explore system, so have no opinion on that. I dropped into Neptune Mountaineering last weekend and had my first in-person look at the bindings and the Alaska Explore boot. If I were starting from scratch I'd likely give it a go but I'm already pretty highly invested in 75mm and NNN BC.

Thanks!
Its just a hard bite to invest in new boots and bindings after spending close to $250 on the Alaskas. Live and learn. I thought duck bill/3 pin looked so outdated, and my only other experience was on sns rental skis!

[jalp]

Thanks!
Its just a hard bite to invest in new boots and bindings after spending close to $250 on the Alaskas. Live and learn. I thought duck bill/3 pin looked so outdated, and my only other experience was on sns rental skis!

Oh, you didn't go wrong with that setup at all. The conditions you describe are probably most of the issue. Get them out on a nice fresh open slope and it'll be whole new world.

[FourthCoast]

Ice, quad ruts, any downhill that was not 100% straight were too difficult.
I didn't really hit any fresh deep snow, pretty sad winter in NorthEast this year.

This sounds similar to a good part of my ski season. If you want to feel like you have any sort of control on ice with ruts you are going to need a plastic boot. If you spend September and October hunting around this site and ebay you can get a plastic boot and a 75mm binding really cheap. If you only want new stuff, the boot will be expensive. But even new this binding is only $80, https://www.voile.com/voile-hd-mountain ... nding.html

Absolutely any plastic boot and 75mm binding will be much closer to the edge control that you get from an alpine setup. I am not sure if that is your background, but it is my baseline for skiing on ice.

I am a big fan of Binding Freedom inserts. For me it is really fun to use light bindings and boots in fresh soft snow and then swap over to the plastic boot, on the same skis, when the only snow is not really snow anymore.

But, with that said, skiing on ice with NNN BC can be fun as long as it is mostly smooth ice. I can't set an edge like a GS racer or 'hockey stop' quickly, but I can make some long telemark turns on ice. The rotary motions to point the tips in the right direction are actually easier to do on ice than in heavy wet snow. I just have to remember that I am only going to get so much edge to bite into the ice.

What size do you need for a plastic boot?

[Sloth Monster]

What size do you need for a plastic boot?

In my alaska alpina I'm a 43. Tight fit, I thought being fitted would be more control. I'm usually a 44 in running shoes for when my feet swell.
So is that a 28 or 27.5 mondo?
In downhill boot rentals last year I fit well in 26 mondo.

[FourthCoast]

I sent you a pm. I have some 75mm plastic boots I want to give away. I think the size will work for you. They are definitely used boots.

[jasmy62]

From my limited experience:
For a step up in downhill control, you could try the S-bound 112 (or Madshus equivalent) with Scarpa T4 boots -- this should make a big difference -- trading off touring efficiency -- only you know if the trade off is worth it based on your terrain and temperament. Also a binding with a cable or possibility of a cable. Some really like free pivot; personally, I have not been bothered by a lack of free pivot, but I rarely ski/skin up to ski down. Just me.

Thanks for sharing your suggestion

[Sloth Monster]

Hey, so if I go 3 pin, plastic boots, with decent touring, and at least some some adirondack downhills and defunct ski resort downhills, should i opt for cables or hardwire? and what about free pivot?
Within 30 min of my home, there is a ski mt that closed down 40 yrs ago. 1/3 mile climb, 300 ft elevation change. If i have a decent NY winter I'd go there regularly. Also there's nice rolling golf courses in my town.
And I'd like to do the ADK, possibly a Mt Marcy tour this winter. Maybe some tele resort skiing once or twice, all i really do are blues and greens with the wife.
This would be with my sbound 98.

[JohnSKepler]

Thanks!
Its just a hard bite to invest in new boots and bindings after spending close to $250 on the Alaskas. Live and learn. I thought duck bill/3 pin looked so outdated, and my only other experience was on sns rental skis!

Man, I hear you! I'm in a similar situation. I was imprisoned in the Chateau d'if for 27 years. There was no skiing there but I dreamed of it often. I managed to escape every few years and get some skiing in but I always had to return. I always knew I'd get out some day so worked hard to stay fit. And one day, it happened.

A few years ago with the help of an old priest I managed to escape from that prison for good. Sadly, the priest did not manage to make it out with me. I now live far from there in a place with very regular snowfall and wide open spaces to get out in it. I'm 56 now and every year comes with greater challenges. I'm not rich by any means but compared to what a year is worth, what I'm spending on ski equipment is a paltry sum. It's hard to make my wife understand that it isn't some craving for more stuff, but an attempt to find out what works for me so I can learn these incredible skills while I still can.

NOTE: Of course I'm using The Count of Monte Cristo as an allegory for my life. Anyone stuck in the wrong place doing the wrong thing will understand. All I can say is, don't wait to do the things that are important to you! Don't let a few hundred dollars steal a year, or a decade, or two decades. It happens faster than you think. That's not carte blanche to drive yourself into unsustainable debt or ignore important responsibilities. But there is a balance and compared to the value of a year, $250 isn't a lot of money. $10,000 isn't a lot of money. You can always go out and make more money. You can't go out and make more time.