Scarpa TX Comp | Hardshell boots for Xplore | TTS kick & glide

[fatskinning]

Check out this video:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZRtFXLZ7jKs

How about making an Xplore hardshell boot now.

[Inspiredcapers]

Aftermarket beefier binding would be needed first.

My local goto guy in Blairmore is gonna do a preorder for me.

[telerat]

There are many mentions of the new TX Comp for next year. Even Scarpa mentioned it in their interview when the new Pro was launched: https://www.powder.com/gear/review-scarpa-tx-pro
Also thread over at BCT: https://www.backcountrytalk.com/forum/b ... ticipation

1545g for the Comp vs 1454g for the Pro is more than I expect with them being so similar, and others have them at the same weight. Comp now also includes tech inserts. It will be interesting to see tests of it and especially compared to the Pro. It might be my next boot.

Why would you want an Xplore version? I would be interested in a lower and lighter boot (TX LT?) as a NTN/TTS alternative to the T4, for use with Transit, Meidjo, Lynx and similar bindings. It would also complement Alfa Free, Crispi Futura XP Pro and similar boots for Xplore, and close the small gap that currently exists between those and TX Pro.

[Inspiredcapers]

Spry in Blairmore is taking names/starting a reservation list for Western Canada folks interested in the Comp.

[fatskinning]

@telerat
My apologies for the earlier confusion – I wasn't suggesting an Xplore version of the Comp boot, but rather a dedicated hardshell Xplore boot.

Yes to lower and lighter!

Why Xplore?
My backcountry skiing involves long, hilly approaches on skinned skis to reach telemark descents. For this style of skiing, I've found that hardshell boots offer superior performance and comfort compared to soft boots, and I wouldn't go back. I also dislike the on/off feel of touring gear and prefer a more natural, progressive kick-and-glide setup.

My current 75mm boots are nearing the end of their life (worn-out 3-pin holes, cracked bellows, and let's not talk about my liners, lol). I'm searching for a modern, lighter, and more efficient replacement.

While the Voile TTS Transit is an option, with the heel assembly on (as with 3-pins with cables), you really start feeling the resistance after a couple of hours.

[telerat]

That makes more sense @fatskinning. Is it AT or telemark gear you find on/off with regards to touring? And is your terrain rolling with both up and downs, a mix of flat and uphill or just uphill? What is your current boot?

I have tried various bindings and boots for backcountry skiing, and everything is a compromise. There is a spectrum from more weight, downhill control and resistance on uphill and flats, to less weight, control downhill and resistance striding. You have to decide how you want to prioritize downhill performance vs approach.

The most efficient is free pivot touring and will give you both efficiency and performance, at the expense of more weight or more hassle switching mode. Voile Switchback, 22 Designs AXL, Outlaw X and Lynx, InWild Meidjo and Rottefella Freedom are the main options. I find T2 and Switchback with full length skins fine and the mode switch is quick, so that could work for rolling terrain. My TX with Meidjo are light, but much slower to switch mode and would be tedious on rolling terrain. They works well for pure uphill and steeper tours though.

If you want to give up efficiency for kick and glide feeling, I think Voile 3-pin Hardwire or Rottefella 75mm with Cable are the options. Xplore with the regular flex works very well on flat or lower angle with wax, scales or short skins, but at the limit of short skin grip or with full length skins I prefer the free pivot plate. Switching to the hard flex give significantly increased power for the descents, but switching flexes will only be done for _prolonged_ sections of skiing because it requires removing the skis and exchanging loose flexes. The performance even with my Alfa Free is much less than my T2x and regular Switchback or TX and Meidjo. And while I still want an improved Free that is better flexing and fitting, as well as slightly taller, I believe hoping for plastic boot performance on Xplore is futile.

We finally also have telemark boots with good walk modes, and that is also important for efficiency, so the _new_ Scarpa TX Pro/Comp with Voile Transit or a similar TTS-binding will be the most effective, lightest weight and most tunable with regards to downhill performance and feeling. Perhaps Scarpa will also eventually release a lower and lighter NTN boot, but the wait could be long.

[fatskinning]

@telerat
I'm discussing the on/off feel of telemark gears, specifically the Voile Switchback and likely the Voile TTS Transit (without the heel piece).

I ski a variety of terrain, including rolling hills, flats, uphills (actually quite a lot of steep uphills), and downhills.

My current boots are Crispi CX-Ps with the walk mode plate removed.

Here are pictures of my current setup, I know it's pretty uncommun but I love it. I use Voile 3-pin Cable bindings, and while I carry the cables, I rarely use them. My skis are Line Pandora 162s (144/110/130) with CNC-cut and inserted skins. They're essentially Hok skis on stereoids, creating a very efficient and lightweight setup that floats exceptionally well in powder. I was following tracks at one point earlier today, likely made by my neighbor on his Fischer 98 and I coud tell he was sinking about ten inches, while I barely sank more than three.

Since I'll need new boots soon (and I tend to keep boots for a long time), An Xplore setup (with regular and hard flex with hard-shell boots) would have been a modern equivalent to my current setup I believe.

I'm still considering the TTS Transit bindings, though I'm unsure if I could tolerate the resistance of the heel piece on long tours.

[fisheater]

@fatskinning The Voile Transit TTS has a tour mode in which the tech toe is locked, and a ski mode in which the toe has the possibility of release. I’ve had mine release twice in 2 seasons. I thought the one release was legitimate, although not necessary, I thought the second release was a little light, but I’m in my 60’s and not the hard charger I once was. I’m pleased with the releasabilty as is.
As far as touring with the heels attached, that is a definite no go. In the most neutral position, the Transit is so much more active than my 3 pin Hardwire, it’s just another level. There are three levels of activity, the most neutral is too active to tour with the cable engaged. You tour in pins locked tour mode with a free pivot. That’s just how it works.
As for boots, the best touring boot made for Telemark to date is the new TX Pro v2. However a lot of people like the old F1 and F3 boots that were made as AT boots, but had a bellows. My F1 Race is super light, has the ROM of an AT boot and super comfy. I just bought a new in box old stock F-1 a couple months past. There may be some left, lmk if interested. The F-3 is reportedly more robust with less ROM. The new TX Comp is geared more toward the resort. If you want to know ANYTHING about the new TX Pro here is a link to more than anything you want to know about the new boot.
For me personally, I don’t think I’m interested in the new Pro or Comp. I may be interested in the rumored TX-LT if it ever comes out, it will not be 2026
Forgot to post the link
https://www.backcountrytalk.com/forum/b ... pro-thread

[telerat]

That looks like a nice setup and no current Xplore setup can match it, and I don't think any will in the future either. If you only ski soft snow and lower angle terrain (<25 degrees) then Xplore might be an alternative, but it will give you significantly less support and edging power. Those skis on any sort of hard snow will need boots like yours to be fun and not result in survival skiing. I notice you are missing heel lifters, which would help with grip on steeper ascents, especially on hard snow.

Free pivot bindings is a small revolution where you can get both downhill power to touring performance, and are superior on ascents. I even see some preferring it for kick and glide, so I tried the free pivot plate on Xplore for that too. It worked, but I prefer the spring action from the regular flex. I could probably adapt to free pivot and prefer it on uphills where I cannot kick and glide. If you don't bother with the heel assemblies on your current setup, I think you would not like the switching of flex on Xplore.

An NTN boot with tech inserts and a TTS binding will move the pivot point a bit further back for a better stride and the new TX Pro/Comp have better range of motion and thus better touring performance than any previous tall telemark plastic boot. It will also likely be less supportive fore/aft than your current setup unless you engage ski mode on them.

My experience with cable bindings makes me very much doubt if any cable binding can give you the kick and glide performance you are after. Voile Transit, while adjustable with both pivot points and spring strength, will have an immediate and significant heel lift resistance regardless.

It would be interesting if someone could implement a TTS/tech binding with flex, but until that, free pivot or 3-pin (preferably with a cable that can be attached for downhill skiing) are the options for plastic telemark boots. I think your will be most satisfied with your current setup and buying new boots. Crispi X-P Man 3 or Scarpa T2 Eco, or possibly various used boots would match what you have now. Scarpa T4 or used Garmont Excursions would be lighter, lower, more comfortable and efficient on the ascents, and perhaps what you are after. Boot fit is most important for a good skiing experience though, regardless of binding and system.

[fatskinning]

@fisheater
I mentioned being hesitant mostly because I haven't been able to get real feedback on the TTS regarding kick and glide with the heel pack on.

As far as touring with the heels attached, that is a definite no go. In the most neutral position, the Transit is so much more active than my 3 pin Hardwire, it’s just another level. There are three levels of activity, the most neutral is too active to tour with the cable engaged.

Message received loud and clear! That's exactly what I needed to hear concerning the TTS. Thanks.

@telerat
I did find a pair of cable bindings that do the job. The original Voile non-3-pin Hardwires. I wrote a post about them:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5914&p=72434#p72434

I wouldn't entertain the idea of changing any kind of 3-pin setup if I did not have to change my boots. I realise that for now, 75mm is still the way to go for me.