Voile Switchback with Crispi Svartisen on Fisher E109

[PaddyK]

Hello everybody,

I have a pair of 109's with Voiles 3 pin traverse. I am not using the cable much. Mainly finding my own trails, creating my own track. I am fairly happy with combination but the flexing in the boot / foot gives me issues with my toes. I also believe there is quite some energy lost during the flexing. Therefore I am looking at the Voile Switchback, in touring mode it seems a similar movement to a BC binding.

Anyone tried the Voile Switchback with Crispi Svartisen? Is this working with the fairly soft sole and the size of the duckbill? Does it give more comfort than a 3 pin binding? Any disadvantages (apart from the weight and price)?

Thanks

[lowangle al]

Hi Paddy, I think the boot will work with the binding, but I don't know if it's going to solve your problem. Touring with the SB in tour mode is not ideal and it's a lot of money to find out if you'll like it.

So are getting toe crunch or pinch when you kick?

[TheMusher]

For the voile SB in combination with leather, I've found that the absolute best mode of horizontal travel is having the binding in ski mode with such low tension that it emulates a 3-pin or bc binding. This works very well, and I see surprisngly few people mention it.

Obviously, you then need to increase the tension when you face serious downhill riding.

I'd personally never consider touring in tour mode unless going uphill - although I know some people like it.

That being said, I personally also think you need to face some seriously steep terrain to justify the added weight that comes with SB over a regular Rottefella 75 or equivalent.

In your specific case: If the boot gives you discomfort when flexing, I'd strongly recommend you rather find a boot that fits you properly so you can get the most out of the hrs spent in the backcountry. Think most of us have discarded a pair or two due to poor fitting boots..

[Hannes]

Late to the conversation here; @TheMusher what leather boots do you ski with your SBs?

[Bohemian]

Watch out with switchback bindings on narrow skis: the plastic plate underneath the switch lever will stick out on the sides and ice may build up between the ski and this soft plastic plate.
This year I've acquired a bunch of Fischer Traverse 78 and Aasnes Combat nato from an auction and on some of these Switchback bindings were mounted, with the switch lever & plate sticking out sideways... and you could see that there had been an accumulation of snow/ice between the ski and the plate under the switch lever as it was pointing upwards and bent a bit. Maybe it is not an issue at all but I've taken those bindings off in favour of simple 3-pins: lighter anyway for these more distance- than downhill oriented skis and I felt simple 3-pin would fit those skis better for our use.
Got a couple spare switchback bindings which I could sell but the tie rods are bent from bad transportation (Voile sells new spares) and they're located in Europe.
As others wrote above: perhaps try other boots first?

[telerat]

I think @PaddyK may be a woman, and 75mm in smaller sizes can have more resistance and toe pinch, at least that is my wife's experience and what I've heard from a few others. My wife preferred Xplore with Alfa Skaget to her old Alpina Alaska 75mm in Rottefella Super Telemark binding, as Xplore with normal flex didn't give resistance in the last part of her kick and glide stride, while Alaska and ST did. (She needed larger boots and thus we changed binding system at the same time.)

Perhaps the thread stater's Crispi Svartisen boots are relatively new and will soften up? If it doesn't work and/or better kick and glide performance is desired, I'd suggest Xplore or NNN-BC with a suitable/sturdy boot.

I'd only suggest Voile Switchback with a skis at last 70mm wide waist, and plastic or the sturdiest leather boots for tours mainly up and then down. It the best 75mm binding for that use though.

[PaddyK]

Hi @Bohemian
It's quite a few months ago, you responded on my thread for the Volie Switchback. You said you miht have some for sale with bend rods? If you still have them, what would your price be including shipping to Denmark?

Thanks,

BR Patrick