Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

For 2022/2023, Abisku Expedition / Abisku. No real photos but from the description they seem to be both the same upper construction as the Guide Expedition and Guide BC, respectively. Worth it? They'll likely be $$$$$.

As they say a Montreal- "supere coole!"

Seems like your prayers have been answered @havuja !

Absolutely brilliant! Will buy (expedition version).

The million dollar question: Will the Xplore system be reliable for multi-day trips deep into the mountains without mobile connection? I wouldn't do it just yet.

My Guides are the most comfortable boots I own, and extremely well made.

My skiing is getting ever-turnier, and I'm eyeing the Expeditions.

Actually, if there's an Xplore sole now this might be a sign from heaven...

Photo of test pair:

I'll get a pair. Just hope that Rottefella can make the pins somewhat reliable, but guess that a back up system will be needed. And, I really hope that Lundhags gets the boot just right. Based on what Johnny writes, I hope they (Expeditions) will be much the same as Alpina Pioneers, except with room for wide toes and warmer.

Beautiful.
The IG post says Day 31. Glad to see they're already stress-testing these in prolonged expeditions - as they should.

Can't contain my childish excitement for these boots.

Which skis would you pair them with?

From what I know, the Xplore system is reliable.

I also happened to meet someone that was testing these new Lundhags Xplore boots. It was the smaller version I got to take a closer look at. Unfortunately I could not try them on as the size was too small for me. This person skied 1300 kilometers on the boots during two months, a single long journey. Quality shined through. As before, I expect the boots to be the longest lasting BC-boot available. Unlike my Alfas.

As I am making my transition to Xplore, I have found it difficult with the boots. Yeah, I could grab three pairs of bindings on sale now, but if I do not find a fitting boot...

Alpina Alaska XP is too narrow at the toes for me. The Alfa Skaget has this weird padding at the ankle, and the last is narrower than I expected from Alfa. Also not quite as much support as I would like. My hopes are now in the Free and Vista that I am yet to try due to availability.

Or... this new Lundhags boot!

It's great to see there are more choices in boots for Xplore.
My question remains, though...

If you have to hike over rocky terrain, will the pins sticking *out* from the boot toes get mangled? If the pins do get a bit banged up, will the binding fail? I'd hate to be 10 miles from the trailhead with 4 feet of snow depth and find myself unable to get my boot back into the binding!

Has anyone tested the Xplore system for that kind of use? Or is it not meant for that kind of use?

Regarding the pins; I'd be more worried about wear to the boot and front of the sole than the pins. The pins stick out very little, are spring loaded and seems robust. Although I haven't tried standing on an edge with a pin yet, I'm not worried; I believe the forces when in the binding is just as high, if not higher.

The stiff sole, almost without any rocker isn't the best for hiking though. It just fine, but I would prefer a softer sole or with rocker. The mid sole also sticks out in the front and has less grip and abrasion resistance than the proper rubber sole underneath the shoe. I'm not sure if it is worse than a NNN-BC sole though.