Wannabe telemark skier here

[bradleyt09]

I have decided to try tele after admiring the grace and beauty for years. I took out some demo gear last week and loved it. I would like to buy a tele set-up but am hesitant to invest a lot until I know I'm gonna stick with it. My demo day was spent on Scarpa TX Pro boots and 22 designs Outlaw X bindings. I felt comfortable (as comfortable as one can be skiing with a free heel for the first time) with this boot/binding set-up. I also liked that I could easily ski this like an alpine ski if I got into hairy situations. I have been scouring the local thrift shops and found an old Garmont Syner-G boot today that fit well and seems to be in decent condition. I need every advantage to make the learning curve as easy as possible. I'm 60 years old and don't want to get beat up too badly in this new sport. So here is the question: will it be easier to learn on the NTN set-up (Scarpa TX Pro and Outlaw X binding), which will cost a lot more vs. 75 mm set-up (Garmont Syner-G boot and 22 Designs Axl binding)? I intend to ski almost exclusively inbounds on lift-served terrain. I'll pony up for the NTN set-up if it offers an easier learning curve or is more forgiving. Please advise.....thanks in advance for the help.

[Montana St Alum]

I like the idea of starting on a VERY neutral setup as it makes it easier to drop a knee. But you've already tried the NTN setup successfully, so I'm inclined to suggest just going with that for resort skiing.

I'm 71 and there is something to be said for the Outlaw X - especially with ski brakes - due to the ability to get in and out without bending over. As for a used pair of Syner-G's, they probably have at least some "rocker launch" baked in which will detract from performance. I have the OX binding with the inner spring removed and set to a pretty neutral value. I would go that route.

[fisheater]

I think the answer is the knife cuts both ways. I can’t believe how much quicker I am edge to edge on a new more active TTS set up.
However highly active set ups can with burly boots can lead to a much more downhill ski dominant style. Telemark is really about the back foot, especially if you are a life long alpine skier. The front foot is second nature.
Possibility of release is a benefit of NTN. However on a more neutral 75 mm system, there is enough give that release isn’t as important.
I hope I have muddied the waters as much as possible;) !
Maybe @MSU Alum will pipe in and clear things up a bit!

I’m glad that I started on light gear. When you ski at the ski hill in leather boots, you really learn the essence of the turn. On the other hand, you can really rip on some modern active gear.

[FourthCoast]

bradleyt09,

If nothing else I think NTN is better so you can step into the binding. Getting my Syner-G boots locked into my 22 Designs Vice bindings is by far the least graceful part of my resort telemark skiing. I am getting better at it, but this is the only time I ask myself, "why am I not on alpine gear?".

Like Montana St Alum said, an old boot will almost definitely have some "rocker launch" or "elf toe". I know mine do. But, they were free and work well enough.

Unless you simply can't spent the money I think you should probably get the Scarpa TX Pro boots and 22 designs Outlaw X bindings that you demoed and liked.

[Montana St Alum]

Maybe @MSU Alum will pipe in and clear things up a bit!

I’m glad that I started on light gear. When you ski at the ski hill in leather boots, you really learn the essence of the turn. On the other hand, you can really rip on some modern active gear.

Hah, not likely!
Boy, there are really good reasons to start on light gear.

As for NTN releasability, the Outlaw X doesn't really have a release function, so if that is something important, the Meidjo (kind of expensive) is very hard to beat. You can adjust the release tension independently of "activity" level. I also skied the Freedom (Rottefella) for years. It has a reliable release function, but the "wings" at the toe tend to dig into the toes of boots.

[bradleyt09]

I appreciate the feedback. I wasn't even aware of the concept of "rocker launch" but googled it and this makes sense. The old Syner-G's I picked up definitely have some elf toe so I imagine the heal will not sit passively on the heel plate. Is this more of a concern for power loss and/or less than ideal ski response? Is there also an increase risk of faceplants? To be clear, faceplants sound awful at my age and I want to ease the learning curve ad much as possible, ie. I'd trade off ideal technique for lower risk of injury during the learning process.

[phoenix]

"I wasn't even aware of the concept of "rocker launch" but googled it and this makes sense. The old Syner-G's I picked up definitely have some elf toe so I imagine the heal will not sit passively on the heel plate. Is this more of a concern for power loss and/or less than ideal ski response? "

I skied T2's for many years, and they were the worst for rocker launch. It kind of bugged me knowing it was there, but to be honest, I can't say I ever noticed it as a performance issue. Never the cause of a face plant. And those T2's were probably the most popular tele boot around.
There's varying degrees of the issue, so your Synergy's may have a lot less than the T2's. Also worth noting that several 75's had a ramp of a few degrees built into the riser, to help offset the rocker.

[Sidney Dunkin]

I never had a problem with rocker launch with my T2s either. They had some but it didn't prevent me from getting my heel down. I wouldn't count those boots out until you try them.

Rocker launch may be worse for a "knee to ski" skier. I have seen other peoples boots that had worse rocker launch then mine, and an even worse problem. The bottom leading edge of the duckbill in front of the pin holes gets rounded off making it harder to control the ski.

[durist]

For 75mm, there are/were some release bindings that might be worth considering if you can find them. The last generation of Voile CRB hardwires are very reliable and ski quite well. They're heavy, but that doesn't matter for lift serviced skiing. 7TM's are another option.

[Lhartley]

Just pick up whatever setup you can afford and go skiing, in the end you're gonna have a closet full of skis and boots anyways. It's only Natural, don't fight it