Seeking Advice on NTN

[martin2007]

For 4 years I've been very happily skiing Colorado resorts in Garmont Synergies on Vices mounted on Salomon Q-90's. I resort-ski occasionally on other ski/75 mm. binding combos and usually find them to have one or another positive features. My go-to set, especially off the groomers, has been the Q-90's and Vices. Lately I've been considering buying a new set of resort skis, maybe Salomon QST 99's, and that has led me to consider updating with new boots and NTN bindings. I've never tried NTN (and occasionally consider that I might be running out of time on getting started on them, i.e. it's now or never), but I do have access to some good, albeit costly, rentals here in Grand County. I haven't paid much attention to developments in NTN, mainly because I've been very happy with what I've already got. For those of you who have skied both Vices/Axyls and NTN, what NTN bindings have you really liked? That you've skied hard and really appreciate. Backcountry/uphill performance is secondary to what will be primarily for me a resort setup. Your opinions on this will be appreciated.

[telemarkmark]

I found not a huge improvement from Axls. Main benefit was they P turned better! On hard / icy snow more of a benefit.
If you need new boots, make the jump.
Likewise if you tour, 2 pin options climb better and are lighter.

[willco99]

Used Axls and Vices extensively in the past with a couple of different boots. # seasons ago I made the jump to NTN and am totally happy. Like you, I resort ski 80% of the time. 50-60 days per season

I have Outlaw Xs on Kendos, Mantras and even a pair of Stockli AXs and absolutely love them! Only a little more power than my Axls, which as you know are already very good. The most noticeable thing I find is that they engage much quicker than any other 75mm I've used. The negative ramp angle on the Outlaw definitely works.

Also, I cannot understate how nice it is to step into a binding. I am converted for good.

22 Designs also worked out the issues from the original Outlaw. Not a single problem with the Xs and I ski them hard. Bomb proof like the Axls.

Good luck...I don't think you'd regret it if you made the switch.

[dnt_upton]

What Wilco said. If you like Vices/Axls, you'll most likely like Outlaw Xs even better.

[Rodbelan]

Like DNT said... Outlaw would fit the bill (never tried them but heard lots and lots of good comments) ... If you are tempted by Freeride or Freedom, try them first. They aren't everybody's cup of tea. I tried them 3 or 4 times; not to my liking; they are Ok but they miss fluidity...). For me, next step would be Meidjo or Lynx. But I am still very happy with 75.

[martin2007]

Thanks for the replies, folks. Sounds as though 22 Designs Outlaw X are a favourite.

[Andy M]

Demo the Outlaws before buying, if you can. I skied Hammerheads and Axls for years and really liked them, so I bought the Outlaws w/o trying them first (based on all the positive reviews), but I do not like how they ski -- so much so, that I removed them and installed Hammerheads in the same holes. Mainly, I find them too restrictive, which is somewhat ironic, since in 75mm bindings, I prefer active bindings. But with the duckbutt and an active binding, the feel is quite a bit different.

[Rodbelan]

Always a good advice to «try before you buy». Not always easy though...

[lowangle al]

Have you picked out a boot yet Martin? I don't think there are a lot of options out there and I would want to make sure I really liked the boots before I switched.

[Nick BC]

Al's advice, as alway's, is good. If you like a lighter, three buckle boot you could look out for a Scarpa TX on resale. I started out in NTN on TX Pros (four buckles) and found them too stiff and like boat anchors. When I heard the TX was being discontinued I promptly bought a pair from Telemark Pyrenees. They're pretty much all I've skied since I got them, they're great for skis up to around 100mm. I'm waiting with bated breath for the mystical new Scarpa (Crispi?) super light tele boot like an F1. If it doesn't arrive and my TX's crap out then the TX Pro's will come off the shelf in the shed.