Gear Basket

[Woodserson]

Not a bad price for the KOM's, free shipping

http://www.ems.com/altai-kom-skis-162-c ... 00012.html

[lilcliffy]

Man I want to try those babies!

I am already over my ski spending limit this season though!

[lilcliffy]

Excellent price on NNNBC bindings from the same site as the Koms:
http://www.ems.com/activities/skiing/ba ... 24&start=0

[athabascae]

I'm tempted by the Alpina Nansens/Crossfields. Seems like the same sole as the much higher priced boots. Too poor support for long, but easy tours with growing kids? The price is good - even after the currency exchange - and I've been impressed with the construction, fit and durability of all of the alpina boots we've had to date.

[lilcliffy]

MY kids continue to do amazing stuff on light BC-XC boots- in the same class as the Nansen/Crossfield...

As I get older I find I want/need more support than my kids- even for straight-forward BC-XC skiing- and especially for XCD/Telemark.

I love the combination of support and flexibility of my Alaskas so much, I tried them on my track skis last winter. They were too much though- switched back to track NNN.

[lilcliffy]

Seems like the same sole as the much higher priced boots. Too poor support for long, but easy tours with growing kids?

In my limited experience the sole-flex on the Alpina NNNBC line is different. For example the BC1550/1650 has a softer sole flex than the Alaska. And the BC1600 is softer as well. Here's a response I got from Alpina in Slovenia back in 2014 regarding the BC1600 (I was looking for a boot for my son):

Hello mr. Gareth

Here below are the answers to your questions:

1. The boot is made in Europe. Uppers are made in Romania and assembly in Slovenia.

2. Stiffness of the midsole that determines the sole flex is 35 Shore D. It is softer than the stiffness of the Alaska model.

3. The thickness of the leather is 2,0-2,2 mm. The thickness of Alaska leather is 2,6-2,8 mm.


Alaska model is generally stiffer boot than BC 1600. It is more reinforced and was developed for more demanding skiers. It provides better stability than BC 1600.

If you have additional questions don’t hesitate to ask and we will provide you our answers.

Best regards!

Janez Novak, Product Marketing
Alpina d. o. o.
Strojarska ulica 2, 4226 Žiri
T: +386 4 51 58 315
M: +386 31 364 897
F: +386 4 51 58 376
E: janez.novak@alpina.si
W: http://www.alpina.si

This is probably a good thing for a light skier though. I think my 11 year-old daughter would have a hard time with the stiff sole-flex of the Alaska. Even my 13 year old son prefers the softer sole-flex of Rossi BCX6 over the Fischer BCX6- despite the Fischer being much more powerful/supportive.

I always check GearX for occasional "closeout" deals on BC-XC boots:
http://gearx.com/

[athabascae]

Thank you. This is all GREAT information. Very helpful!

Tom

[bgregoire]

Several annums and other madhsus XCD for sale locally in Vancouver (BC, Canada):
http://www.mec.ca/AST/ContentPrimary/Co ... sports.jsp

[athabascae]

In the event anyone is interested in a pair of old school Merrell leathers in NNN BC format - size 44 - see here:

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-ski/ville-de-mon ... nFlag=true

[Cannatonic]

campsaver has E109 fishscale for $237...200 and 205….good deal! Also Country Wax for $115 in good lengths

http://www.campsaver.com/e109-crown-xtralite