3 Pin vs. Rotte Xplore
Re: 3 Pin vs. Rotte Xplore
@randoskier yes for sure there are a lot of Xplore users who have experienced zero problems.
- telerat
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2020 7:09 am
- Location: Middle of Norway
- Ski style: Telemark, backcountry nordic and cross country skiing.
- Favorite Skis: Any ski suitable for telemark or backcountry skiing, with some side-cut for turning.
- Favorite boots: Scarpa plastic telemark. Asolo and Alfa leather boots.
Re: 3 Pin vs. Rotte Xplore
I agree that AT seems dominant here in Norway. Telemark seems to have a small resurgence though, which warms my heart. AT is easier for beginner skiers as you get quite a lot of support from relatively light gear, turning can be easier and you feel more secure. I have read a few postings from new skiers having bought leather boots and found they want more support and control on descents. I think that gear matched to the terrain, snow conditions and skill is the most fun.
Regarding durability of my Xplore boots; I am not worried about them with regards to wear on pins, as they stick out very little and are spring loaded so they can retract. It will be interesting to see how they behave with dirt and age, but so far they have been good and also seems replaceable. With regard to overall wear I am not sure what system I would prefer, but hiking is best with Xplore, followed by NTN. Almost any leather boot is better than plastic though. I make sure to always wash away dust and gravel from my boots in snow or water before entering the binding to avoid wear on both.
Regarding durability of my Xplore boots; I am not worried about them with regards to wear on pins, as they stick out very little and are spring loaded so they can retract. It will be interesting to see how they behave with dirt and age, but so far they have been good and also seems replaceable. With regard to overall wear I am not sure what system I would prefer, but hiking is best with Xplore, followed by NTN. Almost any leather boot is better than plastic though. I make sure to always wash away dust and gravel from my boots in snow or water before entering the binding to avoid wear on both.
- lowangle al
- Posts: 2789
- Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 3:36 pm
- Location: Pocono Mts / Chugach Mts
- Ski style: BC with focus on downhill perfection
- Favorite Skis: powder skis
- Favorite boots: Scarpa T4
- Occupation: Retired cement mason. Current job is to take my recreation as serious as I did my past employment.
Re: 3 Pin vs. Rotte Xplore
I recently read in an article by JackO that Scarpa was developing a new boot for light telemark for the Explore system. I was hoping it would for a TTS system, but maybe it will be what the Explore binding needs to be equal to current light 75mm systems. They must feel that the binding is up to the task.
- telerat
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2020 7:09 am
- Location: Middle of Norway
- Ski style: Telemark, backcountry nordic and cross country skiing.
- Favorite Skis: Any ski suitable for telemark or backcountry skiing, with some side-cut for turning.
- Favorite boots: Scarpa plastic telemark. Asolo and Alfa leather boots.
Re: 3 Pin vs. Rotte Xplore
A assume you mean this article Al?
https://www.powder.com/gear/review-scarpa-tx-pro
I recommend checking out the "The Future of the Nordic Norm" section for anyone interested in the future of 75mm boots and possibly Xplore from Scarpa.
https://www.powder.com/gear/review-scarpa-tx-pro
I recommend checking out the "The Future of the Nordic Norm" section for anyone interested in the future of 75mm boots and possibly Xplore from Scarpa.
- lowangle al
- Posts: 2789
- Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 3:36 pm
- Location: Pocono Mts / Chugach Mts
- Ski style: BC with focus on downhill perfection
- Favorite Skis: powder skis
- Favorite boots: Scarpa T4
- Occupation: Retired cement mason. Current job is to take my recreation as serious as I did my past employment.
Re: 3 Pin vs. Rotte Xplore
I don't think that was the article. I didn't see the quote from Scarpa specifically mentioning a new boot for the Explore binding, but I may have missed it.
- telerat
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2020 7:09 am
- Location: Middle of Norway
- Ski style: Telemark, backcountry nordic and cross country skiing.
- Favorite Skis: Any ski suitable for telemark or backcountry skiing, with some side-cut for turning.
- Favorite boots: Scarpa plastic telemark. Asolo and Alfa leather boots.
Re: 3 Pin vs. Rotte Xplore
From the interview part and specifically "The Future of the Nordic Norm" section: "
Scarpa sees the hard-skiing Nordic norm vibe as still viable. “I think that right now, 75mm at that level of performance is still a thing, and we’re going to hang in there,” says Miller. “The question is what do we do in that case. It’s time to make a decision and the decision could be easily ‘alright, leave everything alone for right now. Let’s not go off on something that we’re not sure about yet.’ To something like ‘alright, it’s time for a redesign on one or two of those boots.”
Miller notes that Scarpa is particularly intrigued with what he calls rugged touring–free-heel overland skiing not dissimilar to classic cross-country skiing where skiers may also seek out downhill turns. This wide range of skiers is also numerous–and thus an attractive potential business case. To trailhead weekenders to those just starting to discover backcountry skiing, rugged tourers can be found at Nordic centers, city parks, and in wilder settings. “I think of Nordic skiing, rugged touring, as the gateway to backcountry skiing in many ways, and that’s where you get the bug. So feeding that is very important,” Miller says.
"
Some have interpreted "rugged touring–free-heel overland skiing" to mean Xplore, but it could also cover 75 mm and NNN-BC. I hope we can get a slightly more supportive alternative to Alfa Free and Crispi Futura XP Pro, perhaps with some inspiration from Scarpa's AT line. I do not think we will get Xplore plastic boots though.
I am curious of what happens to T4 and T2, as well if there ever will be a TX Lite version.
Scarpa sees the hard-skiing Nordic norm vibe as still viable. “I think that right now, 75mm at that level of performance is still a thing, and we’re going to hang in there,” says Miller. “The question is what do we do in that case. It’s time to make a decision and the decision could be easily ‘alright, leave everything alone for right now. Let’s not go off on something that we’re not sure about yet.’ To something like ‘alright, it’s time for a redesign on one or two of those boots.”
Miller notes that Scarpa is particularly intrigued with what he calls rugged touring–free-heel overland skiing not dissimilar to classic cross-country skiing where skiers may also seek out downhill turns. This wide range of skiers is also numerous–and thus an attractive potential business case. To trailhead weekenders to those just starting to discover backcountry skiing, rugged tourers can be found at Nordic centers, city parks, and in wilder settings. “I think of Nordic skiing, rugged touring, as the gateway to backcountry skiing in many ways, and that’s where you get the bug. So feeding that is very important,” Miller says.
"
Some have interpreted "rugged touring–free-heel overland skiing" to mean Xplore, but it could also cover 75 mm and NNN-BC. I hope we can get a slightly more supportive alternative to Alfa Free and Crispi Futura XP Pro, perhaps with some inspiration from Scarpa's AT line. I do not think we will get Xplore plastic boots though.
I am curious of what happens to T4 and T2, as well if there ever will be a TX Lite version.
- randoskier
- Posts: 1234
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 2:08 am
- Location: Yank in Italy
- Ski style: awkward
- Favorite Skis: snow skis
- Favorite boots: go-go
- Occupation: International Pop Sensation
Re: 3 Pin vs. Rotte Xplore
That is pretty much the marketing Fischer has been pushing since the 1990s with Nordic backcountry, nothing new there. Lots of "rugged" skiers in "city parks"! I am from NYC and confirm that you have to be a rugged skier in Central Park or else you will get mugged! Rugged or Mugged, chose your fate.telerat wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 3:31 pmFrom the interview part and specifically "The Future of the Nordic Norm" section: "
Scarpa sees the hard-skiing Nordic norm vibe as still viable. “I think that right now, 75mm at that level of performance is still a thing, and we’re going to hang in there,” says Miller. “The question is what do we do in that case. It’s time to make a decision and the decision could be easily ‘alright, leave everything alone for right now. Let’s not go off on something that we’re not sure about yet.’ To something like ‘alright, it’s time for a redesign on one or two of those boots.”
Miller notes that Scarpa is particularly intrigued with what he calls rugged touring–free-heel overland skiing not dissimilar to classic cross-country skiing where skiers may also seek out downhill turns. This wide range of skiers is also numerous–and thus an attractive potential business case. To trailhead weekenders to those just starting to discover backcountry skiing, rugged tourers can be found at Nordic centers, city parks, and in wilder settings. “I think of Nordic skiing, rugged touring, as the gateway to backcountry skiing in many ways, and that’s where you get the bug. So feeding that is very important,” Miller says.
"
Some have interpreted "rugged touring–free-heel overland skiing" to mean Xplore, but it could also cover 75 mm and NNN-BC. I hope we can get a slightly more supportive alternative to Alfa Free and Crispi Futura XP Pro, perhaps with some inspiration from Scarpa's AT line. I do not think we will get Xplore plastic boots though.
I am curious of what happens to T4 and T2, as well if there ever will be a TX Lite version.
I think you are right that "rugged touring–free-heel overland skiing" covers all the bindings, these marketing execs are not very fixated on the bindings (no pun intended).
Don't you think that the increased leverage from plastic boots would crack the sides of the Xplore binding that hold the pins? I think there must be a technical reason or plastic would already be here.
Re: 3 Pin vs. Rotte Xplore
The only reason I can see for the Xplor, rather than just go with a tech toe, is to have a place for the rubber toe bumpers. Hmmmm.Don't you think that the increased leverage from plastic boots would crack the sides of the Xplore binding that hold the pins? I think there must be a technical reason or plastic would already be here.
If you had a non 75mm T4, would it be better with a TTS system or an Xplor with rubber bumper?
- telerat
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2020 7:09 am
- Location: Middle of Norway
- Ski style: Telemark, backcountry nordic and cross country skiing.
- Favorite Skis: Any ski suitable for telemark or backcountry skiing, with some side-cut for turning.
- Favorite boots: Scarpa plastic telemark. Asolo and Alfa leather boots.
Re: 3 Pin vs. Rotte Xplore
@randoskier I read Miller's description too fast, and I don't see city parks, nor Nordic centers which I assume have prepared tracks, in need of any rugged skiing gear. Wilder settings is where I see it is suitable.
Regarding plastic boots; I think both the regular flex and rather stiff Xplore rubber sole with the hard flex is the core of the system, and I have trouble imagining how they would work with a plastic boot, but it could also be that I lack imagination. The regular flex would be overpowered with a pure plastic boot, but a stiffer/medium flex could possibly solve that. Attaching the rubber sole to a plastic boot seems counterproductive though. The hard flex makes the Xplore sole bends and give the feeling/performance of a soft cable binding, so how can it be reproduced on plastic boots? My experience with plastic boots are that the flex is stiff in the first part of the bend and then collapses more, instead of increasing the resistance the more you bend.
I think a Xplore binding should be solid enough for a plastic boot, but the current implementation could have a cast steel structure that might not take those forces. That is solvable though, depending on the strength of the pins. I do think a plastic boot with a heel cable could work in the Xplore system, but then TTS is also an option and might be more universal.
@DG99 I keep wondering what Xplore could have been with a tech toe, but also wonder how the flex integration would be solved. An open and flexible system would be nice. The current version is very simple and light with few parts to break. If we can also get medium flex as well as a binding with tour and free pivot modes, I think we would be covered. The standard flex is awesome for kick and glide tours as well as touring skates.
It might be that the best is just Xplore for rugged/xcd skiing, NTN/TTS for anything more demanding including a TX light for TTS, and regular NNN/Prolink/Turnamic for anything involving prepared tracks. I am also curious on how the SkateX system will develop and be adopted. 75mm and NNN-BC will hopefully be with us for many years for anyone using those systems, but I have no interest in buying them new any more.
Regarding the ultimate in support for Xplore; I am quite impressed with support of the Free and love the quick and easy adjustment with the BOAs, so I hope to see an improved version that flexes more evenly and don't crush toes, and also hold the heel better in place and is slightly taller for more support, while still being nice for uphill and flat terrain. That would be my preference for any steeper and more demanding tours on Xplore and would complement my NTN telemark gear well. A lower, softer and lighter version for faster low angle tours would also be nice, but there are also many other nice boot options for that.
Regarding plastic boots; I think both the regular flex and rather stiff Xplore rubber sole with the hard flex is the core of the system, and I have trouble imagining how they would work with a plastic boot, but it could also be that I lack imagination. The regular flex would be overpowered with a pure plastic boot, but a stiffer/medium flex could possibly solve that. Attaching the rubber sole to a plastic boot seems counterproductive though. The hard flex makes the Xplore sole bends and give the feeling/performance of a soft cable binding, so how can it be reproduced on plastic boots? My experience with plastic boots are that the flex is stiff in the first part of the bend and then collapses more, instead of increasing the resistance the more you bend.
I think a Xplore binding should be solid enough for a plastic boot, but the current implementation could have a cast steel structure that might not take those forces. That is solvable though, depending on the strength of the pins. I do think a plastic boot with a heel cable could work in the Xplore system, but then TTS is also an option and might be more universal.
@DG99 I keep wondering what Xplore could have been with a tech toe, but also wonder how the flex integration would be solved. An open and flexible system would be nice. The current version is very simple and light with few parts to break. If we can also get medium flex as well as a binding with tour and free pivot modes, I think we would be covered. The standard flex is awesome for kick and glide tours as well as touring skates.
It might be that the best is just Xplore for rugged/xcd skiing, NTN/TTS for anything more demanding including a TX light for TTS, and regular NNN/Prolink/Turnamic for anything involving prepared tracks. I am also curious on how the SkateX system will develop and be adopted. 75mm and NNN-BC will hopefully be with us for many years for anyone using those systems, but I have no interest in buying them new any more.
Regarding the ultimate in support for Xplore; I am quite impressed with support of the Free and love the quick and easy adjustment with the BOAs, so I hope to see an improved version that flexes more evenly and don't crush toes, and also hold the heel better in place and is slightly taller for more support, while still being nice for uphill and flat terrain. That would be my preference for any steeper and more demanding tours on Xplore and would complement my NTN telemark gear well. A lower, softer and lighter version for faster low angle tours would also be nice, but there are also many other nice boot options for that.
Last edited by telerat on Wed Feb 05, 2025 2:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- randoskier
- Posts: 1234
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 2:08 am
- Location: Yank in Italy
- Ski style: awkward
- Favorite Skis: snow skis
- Favorite boots: go-go
- Occupation: International Pop Sensation
Re: 3 Pin vs. Rotte Xplore
Maybe Solomon will come out with a new binding? Many people will adopt it, Solomon will then discontinue it.