good kick and glide 75mm binding?

[dakartoubab]

current set up: 1988 Asolo Sport Summit all-leather boots + G3 Targa bindings + Tua telemark skis

Issues:
1) I want a boot with more support but still in the walk-around-like-a-hiking-boot feel; i.e., no Excursion-type all-plastic boot
2) I want a similar binding as the Targa but with "free-heel uphill climbing performance" (e.g., Voile 3-pin Cable)

Question: what would replace the above 1988-1995 set-up with more "modern" equipment but still keep that old-school, low-tech, lightweight feel?
just throwing this out there for starters...... Crispi Svartisen 75mm boot + Voile 3-pin + (insert waxless ski here)????

[athabascae]

We must be from the same era....

Re: bindings. I don't think there are many options out there. I have the Voile Mountaineer (circa 1997) and have had the Rotefella super telemark type 3 pin with the front bail cable (no cable option anymore, I believe).

Rotefella makes the Chili, which is a cable binding, but it has no pins, so you need the cable on all the time, which would suck.

I think that only viable option out there today is the Voile 3 pin with the removable cable, unless you can find an old Rotefella super tele with the removable cable (don't know when they stopped making those).

There are many more boot choices for 75 mm than bindings. As an example, this French company has alot of current offerings on one page (minus the Crispi models with the old school Norwegian welt) - http://en.aventurenordique.com/backcoun ... untry.html


Tom

[MikeK]

Where are you skiing at and what kind of terrain?

Big mountains? Deep snow?

You could always try the cable bindings and take them off if you don't like it. I'd take it off for k+g and climbing at least.

Crispi Svartisen 75mm boot + Voile 3-pin + (insert waxless ski here)????

IMO - I have that boot/binding combo on S Bound 98s.

I wouldn't go much more than:

Fischer S Bound 98
Madshus Epoch
Rossi BC90


with that boot. It's not all that stiff. It's great for touring... comfy, supportive, flexes in the right spots. It has enough power to move those skis around in softish snow. Get's a bit brutal on crust or glop, but it can do it. Steep is not something I associate with XCD, but some do...

If you wanted a little more touring aspect, NNN-BC binding and Svartisen would probably be adequate.

Those skis also have a bit of sidecut, enough to make them not so straight tracking for XC type stuff (OK, but not ideal).

A little bit straighter ski class like:

Fischer Traverse 78 or Excursion 88 (waxless only)
Madshus Eon (wax or waxless)
Asnes Ingstad (wax only)

Might be a little more like your old school skis. Not really turny, but turnable. Skis a lot like a XC ski when touring i.e. nice glide, straight tracking, etc...

[bgregoire]

current set up: 1988 Asolo Sport Summit all-leather boots + G3 Targa bindings + Tua telemark skis

Issues:
1) I want a boot with more support but still in the walk-around-like-a-hiking-boot feel; i.e., no Excursion-type all-plastic boot
2) I want a similar binding as the Targa but with "free-heel uphill climbing performance" (e.g., Voile 3-pin Cable)

Question: what would replace the above 1988-1995 set-up with more "modern" equipment but still keep that old-school, low-tech, lightweight feel?
just throwing this out there for starters...... Crispi Svartisen 75mm boot + Voile 3-pin + (insert waxless ski here)????

You are asking alot (more support AND better k&g)! I dont know how you will get all you want in one package.

All currently produced non-norwegian stitch boots I know of (almost all new boots are no longer norwegian stich) will have a softer sole than your Asolos, so better for kick and glide, but probably worse for downhill control.

targas have cartridges. this is still quite a current technology for telemark (downhill). a similar binding with a free-heel option (intented for climbing with skins) would be the voile switchback. unfortunaly, its also lousy at kick and glide. i tend to think though you need a plastic book to really take advantage of cartidges though.

now the combo you mention is a good one, just not sure if it will actually fit your needs...

before we go any further...what type of skiing are you doing, and what landscapes are you exploring or hoping to explore?

[lowangle al]

Dak those boots are pretty old and if they have a lot of use the soles soften up and loose there tortional rigidity. A resole can improve there performance. My best fitting pair of leathers needs a resole but I ski the ones with new soles because it makes a difference.

[lowangle al]

The 3-pin binding I would get would be the Voile cable. It skis good with or without the cable.

[Cannatonic]

all good suggestions here. my personal preference is for Super Tele with Crispi Antarctic. the uppers of these boots will be softer than old Asolos but not much and everything else is the same (stiff welted sole). currently using older E99's or Sbound 78 with these.

I tried Voile 3pc and it's great but I found the cable didn't add much for me. It's fairly light-gauge. With my large, wide size 47-48 feet the cables get whaled on and bend and stretch pretty quickly. YMMV. I actually bought brand new vintage Riva3 cable bindings off ebay, I'm planning to get heavier boots and mount these up at some point for a cable binding.

[dakartoubab]

You guys are awesome!
Thanks for the great info.
I'm now focusing more on a set-up that revolves around a Voile 3-pin cable binding.
The skis are not an issue since there's so many options out there.
My question/concern is the boot.
I assume that the plastic exoskeleton of the Svartisen would give me more lateral support than my old leathers. But would I be able to "fold" the boot at the ball of the foot as well when I do my tele turns?

[Cannatonic]

The Svartsens look good, I have read some comments about the exoskeleton causing pain while striding, I've never used them. (I'm a broken record on the Antarctics - love them - I would point out that the other Crispis 75mm's all use the thinner, softer, less durable, non-welted 75mm sole)

I just googled up your old boots - Asolo sport summits. They look almost identical to Alico Doubles - that would be another option for new boots (from Sierra Trading Post).

[bgregoire]

The Svartsens look good, I have read some comments about the exoskeleton causing pain while striding, I've never used them. (I'm a broken record on the Antarctics - love them - I would point out that the other Crispis 75mm's all use the thinner, softer, less durable, non-welted 75mm sole)

I just googled up your old boots - Asolo sport summits. They look almost identical to Alico Doubles - that would be another option for new boots (from Sierra Trading Post).

If your into the Svartisens, look into the Rossignol BC X12 as well (you might be able to find some locally). The sole is relatively stiff for an injection moulded boot and the exoskeleton is some form of black fiber laminate (carbon?), quite stiff, and light overall. Rossis are narrow boots though.

My expericence with the Voile 3pc (cable) is the same as Cannatonic. I find no practical use for the cables in my skiing and have just ditched them.

You still have not mentionned what type of skiing you are planning. This can have a big impact on boot selection!