Re: The end of Voile's 3p binding - RIP
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 12:04 pm
5/8" is within the range I would expect, so it's probably the same bill thickness as the Alaska and 1575. I think I actually measured mine at 0.6" within a few thousands. That's actually closer to 15.25mm.
The question is what vintage your bindings are? Your CRBs look like the old style. The HW's look like the new, but who knows when Voile actually changed them?
If you are using the cable, it's probably not a big deal as you'd keep the boot wedged in the binding. I think where it is a problem, and why Johnny brought it up is when you are using just the pins. Then you are relying on the bail and the pins only to keep the boot from sliding back.
The Alaska, as I noted is really soft rubber. I think that is intentional as well because I'm pretty sure they designed this boot as a touring boot, and not a downhill boot. If flexes great. But it's also weak in the pin holes.
I'm really wondering how well a smiley plate will work as well being as soft and thin as it is. Adding the extra screw holes might weaken it enough to split.
All that said the Alaska is not a really great boot from the sole aspect. It just has a really soft, snug fit.
I think, as was mentioned before, that what we are suggesting is to keep those boots working the longest, you might want to consider using an older style binding that will clamp the shit out of it.
I wouldn't want to shim it with the tape because the pins are tapered and pin engagement will be much less. A good fall and you'd probably rip the bottom of the sole.
Honestly - I'd say if you love the Alaska, stick with the ST. If you have the money, get the Svartisen. It's a really nice boot as far as I can tell and it has a thicker, beefier bill that will probably hold up better to real XCD skiing and works with the current bindings.
And as my comment before, maybe Alpina will redesign the boots to fit these new bindings but seen as how they promote Rotte bindings, I'm not thinking they were worried about what Voile was doing...
http://shop.alpinasportsus.com/en/categ ... ry_id=8795
The question is what vintage your bindings are? Your CRBs look like the old style. The HW's look like the new, but who knows when Voile actually changed them?
If you are using the cable, it's probably not a big deal as you'd keep the boot wedged in the binding. I think where it is a problem, and why Johnny brought it up is when you are using just the pins. Then you are relying on the bail and the pins only to keep the boot from sliding back.
The Alaska, as I noted is really soft rubber. I think that is intentional as well because I'm pretty sure they designed this boot as a touring boot, and not a downhill boot. If flexes great. But it's also weak in the pin holes.
I'm really wondering how well a smiley plate will work as well being as soft and thin as it is. Adding the extra screw holes might weaken it enough to split.
All that said the Alaska is not a really great boot from the sole aspect. It just has a really soft, snug fit.
I think, as was mentioned before, that what we are suggesting is to keep those boots working the longest, you might want to consider using an older style binding that will clamp the shit out of it.
I wouldn't want to shim it with the tape because the pins are tapered and pin engagement will be much less. A good fall and you'd probably rip the bottom of the sole.
Honestly - I'd say if you love the Alaska, stick with the ST. If you have the money, get the Svartisen. It's a really nice boot as far as I can tell and it has a thicker, beefier bill that will probably hold up better to real XCD skiing and works with the current bindings.
And as my comment before, maybe Alpina will redesign the boots to fit these new bindings but seen as how they promote Rotte bindings, I'm not thinking they were worried about what Voile was doing...
http://shop.alpinasportsus.com/en/categ ... ry_id=8795