Thinking about new boots, 75mm vs NTN, from my perspective.

[joeatomictoad]

Bottom line, I think the fact that there are two boot/binding systems is probably a negative for a niche sport like ours. It waters down the market for gear developers, so you don't get the big advances like you have had in AT with one system.

I remember reading a while back one of the binding manufacturers (maybe 22 Designs) was being very relaxed with their Research & Development with new binding enhancements because their business model lags behind the boot business, and the boots are just changing too much, too quickly. Duck butts, and then with the tech inserts. They want the boot market to settle down before they attack the market. Hard to hit a moving target.

[voilenerd]

My 2 cents. If you are touring tele nothing at this time beats the new T2 eco. They have more ROM than the Tx Pros, lighter, and feel more like soft warm slippers on long tours. Downhill the T2 works very well and have enough power in ski mode with the straps tight. A wrap liner stiffens the T2 Eco if you want even more power. My TX Pros are okay at touring and work very well going down. Scarpa is suppose to release a more tour friendly NTN boot but that’s probably a few more years out. I’ve never rode a chairlift so the backcountry is all I know.

T1s are also great boots, which I own as well. If I am doing short tours in steeper terrain I usually take the T1s or TX Pros. Sometimes it’s a coin toss but a good problem to have. I have no experience with Crispis as they look cheap and not as refined as Scarpa.

[bobbytooslow]

I remember reading a while back one of the binding manufacturers (maybe 22 Designs) was being very relaxed with their Research & Development with new binding enhancements because their business model lags behind the boot business, and the boots are just changing too much, too quickly. Duck butts, and then with the tech inserts. They want the boot market to settle down before they attack the market. Hard to hit a moving target.

Yes, the general variety of telemark boot/binding interfaces -- 75mm, NTN, TTN, TTS, NNNBC -- definitely makes companies hesitant to innovate. But it's the binding market that needs to settle down before the bootmakers will come out with something new, not vice-versa. A new tele boot hasn't hit the market since what, 2009? The molds for a complete size run of boots cost WAY more than the tooling to make bindings.

[bobbytooslow]

If you are touring tele nothing at this time beats the new T2 eco. They have more ROM than the Tx Pros, lighter, and feel more like soft warm slippers on long tours.

Have you tried a Telemark Tech System (TTS) binding with a Scarpa F1 boot? It's like night and day compared to any type of 75mm or NTN setup.