Alfa Free Thoughts from the Gurus?

[JohnSKepler]

The Alfa Free was an all-new product late last season. There were a lot of early, low-usage reviews and outright speculation on how this boot/binding was going to perform. (You really can't talk about the Free without also talking about the Xplore since it is unique to the Xplore.)

So, we’re a month in for some of us. I’ve found the Free/Xplore to be great for what I use it for but my experience is very limited; I’m new to more serious XC/BC/Tele skiing. Since I solved the Free heel-lift problem, it’s my go to with the FT62X for deeper snow and more elevation. Haven't tried it with the Gamme yet.

Wondering what you more experienced guys are finding? I know some of you ski sticks like Voile Supervectors with 3-pin bindings and leathers. I’ve also read that some skiers say that NNNBC provides more control that 3-pin and I know from personal experience that Xplore, for me, is a significant step up in control from NNNBC. That said, many feel that the AlfaFree is stiffer than a leather boot and, in fact, is sort of in-between leather and plastic. It ought to be obvious where I'm going with this by now.

Consider this proposition: If you are someone who thinks the NNNBC is 'better' than 3-pin, and if Xplore is 'better' than NNNBC, where better means more control authority, and the AlfaFree has stiffness similar to a leather boot, then by the transitive property of propositional logic, the Afla/Xplore ought to be able to ski a Voile Supervector (or another ski in this class) as well as a 3-pin with leather boots.

Merry Christmas, folks!

[fisheater]

Hello John, before we talk about stiffness let’s talk about flex at the ball of foot. A Telemark book has to flex at the BoF. I will admit I read reports of some NTN boots that flex very stiffly, however those boots are paired with very active bindings and high stiff boots that pressure the front of the ski. Let’s go with the assumption the binding is not active, you need the BoF on the ski.
My point is that the sole of the boot can only be so stiff until you need a spring to help you “break the bellows”. I have a very stiff soled leather 75 mm boot the Alico Ski March boot. I can ski my Tindan at 86 mm underfoot in powder snow, linking turns. However I need a plastic boot in manky conditions. The boot sole is not laterally stiff enough not to get kicked around.
The other stiffness are the stiffer cuff and tongue that are characteristic of both the Alfa Free and a plastic boot. Certainly a stiffer cuff can help in turning a ski on edge. I don’t believe that that stiffer black bumper is going to help you pressure the front of the ski like cable will.
So while I just don’t see the Xplore binding as a good match for even 86 mm underfoot, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it. The worst thing is that you fill a couple holes and remount 75 mm. Shoot, that means next season (or end of this season) you get to tell your wife no more skis, but I do really need these plastic boots! Cheaper than cars and snowmobiles.

[GrimSurfer]

I don’t believe that that stiffer black bumper is going to help you pressure the front of the ski like cable will.

Not being the sharpest knife in the drawer, I’d need somebody to explain to me how a *cable* adds meaningful pressure to the front of a ski. The cable was designed to assist in heel control after all.

A bit of tangential pressure? Sure, maybe. Some crossways torque? OK, I guess.

But there’s nothing in a cable I can see out-pressuring the BoF acting on the binding of an Xplore or NNN BC… but am open to receiving a clear explanation on why I am wrong.

[lowangle al]

I don’t believe that that stiffer black bumper is going to help you pressure the front of the ski like cable will.

Not being the sharpest knife in the drawer, I’d need somebody to explain to me how a *cable* adds meaningful pressure to the front of a ski. The cable was designed to assist in heel control after all.

A bit of tangential pressure? Sure, maybe. Some crossways torque? OK, I guess.

But there’s nothing in a cable I can see out-pressuring the BoF acting on the binding of an Xplore or NNN BC… but am open to receiving a clear explanation on why I am wrong.

Fish, If the boot sole is stiff enough the increased leverage created by the black bumper should transmit to the ski tip. Like the difference between the Switchback and the X2 does with the different pivot point.

GS, when you lift your heel with a cable on it it forces your tip down. This lets you put more pressure on your edge, earlier in the turn too. It will also get your ski turning before you get weight on it. This give more control throughout the turn. This is what I call, "control over an unweighted ski." I prefer that feel for turns and I rely on it for sidestepping and maneuvering while touring.

I don't know about heel control and cables, but if you're trying to twist your boot to steer your ski, you've already lost the battle, I don't think cables will help much.

[GrimSurfer]

A cable is attached to the binding. It doesn’t add any force to the ski. If it did, the ski would move forward on its own because of an imbalance of forces.

A cable just helps position the heel. The sole of the boot is the medium through which skier power reaches the ski.

Whatever pressure a cable adds to the sole of the boot is offset by an equal force by the toe plate pushing in the opposite direction.

Agree with your view on heel control, though I can see a cable making it harder to apply a bad habit of trying to turn by twisting the sole (rather than shifting weight, centre of pressure etc.).

[fisheater]

I disagree, the pivot on the binding is the fulcrum point. Turning a ski is dynamic. More pressure on the front of the ski allows the ski to bow ever so slightly more, that slight more bow is significantly increased by the forces against the moving ski.
Have you ever watched people skiing with four buckle boots and NTN? Many do not get the BoF anywhere close to the ski. However they are definitely pressuring the front of the ski.
Thinking on the fly, the significant difference between skiing fixed heel and neutral Telemark is alpine skiing shins to the boots the front of the ski is pressured thru most of the turn. Telemark with a soft boot, and a neutral binding, it is quite difficult to pressure the front of the ski. Shins to the boots is a mantra for me regardless the equipment.

[GrimSurfer]

I agree… the pivot point is the fulcrum.

On an Xplore system, the pins do most of the pivoting. The flex point of the boot does a bit.

On a NNN BC, the bar does most of the pivoting. The flex point of the boot does a moderate amount.

On a 75mm binding, the toe bars clamp the duck bills. Zero pivot at that point. So 100% of the pivot occurs through the sole of the boot.

Longitudinal flex at the BoF allows the lower leg to pivot relative to the ski. But that same flex increases the potential for radial twisting. I suppose this could be reduced in a variety of ways, but the least expensive way is by modifying the binding.

Cables reduce radial flexing by adding lateral resistance. This resistance is oriented at an acute angle. Not ideal, but works well enough to overcome the inherent weakness in a 75mm binding-boot system - torsional flex.

That’s how I see it anyway.

[Snowflake*]

I would also like to hear more about what people think of the Alfa Free after using it for awhile?

[lilcliffy]

I haven't mounted Xplore yet!

My two-cents-

"Vector-class" skis are a lot of ski for a leather boot...While I can certainly imagine throughly enjoying a leather Nordic touring boot on a ~95-100mm ski- I can only imagine it on ideal snow and not-extreme terrain...

And in that context (i.e. ideal conditions)- I would not be considering the "Vector-class" ski for Xplore- I would be looking at a "V6-class" ski not the stiffer charging Vector.

While many are using an "Excursion-class" boot (e.g. Garmont Excursion; Scarpa T4) for a ski like the Vector- anyone doing any extreme downhill skiing on a ski as wide and chargey as the Vector are likely using a higher and stiffer boot.

My current impression is that the Alfa FREE boot + Xplore binding likely takes the "Extreme-class" boot to the next dimension. The flex, support, and feel of the FREE boot is closer to my Asolo Extreme 75 and my Svartisen BC, than it is to my Scarpa T4.

If I had the cash- I would definitely try the FREE boot on a HyperV6 (heck if I had the $$$ I would even try NNNBC on the Hyper V6). If you want/need the stiffer flex and longer charging edge of the Vector- I personally think the FREE boot is not enough for the associated conditions...

HOWEVER- GO FOR IT!! You considerong mounting Xplore on the Vector ski?

[Tom M]

I would also like to hear more about what people think of the Alfa Free after using it for awhile?

It is a great tour for turns boot. I've had mine for over a year now and I like it even more this year. The only downside to the boot is where the top of the boot creases. Whether or not that is an issue will depend on your foot shape and what your expectations are. The flex is very different from most traditional soft leather boots, but if it performed just like any other soft leather boot, I doubt people would be willing to pay the premium price. The durability ruling is still out, but mine are still in pretty good shape.

The video that I'm releasing this Friday (12/30) has many scenes shot in early December where I'm skiing the Frees and the video that I'm releasing on January 13 is a follow-up to my previous video reviews of the boot. Spoiler alert. I like the boot. Here is a still from that upcoming video (Jan 13) where you can clearly see the crease point on my Frees.