Xplore - now SkateX

[siebznet]

New video from Zach Caldwell (one of the premier providers of pro-level nordic ski service) on the new Madshus/Rottefella SkateX binding system

[telerat]

Thanks, I saw something about it yesterday, but this video was much better. It is an interesting system. Seems superior in power/function for skating. I am more curious on snow packing and durability, but for competitions that might not be an issue.

[mca80]

Thanks for posting this!

[Tom M]

Very interesting indeed.

[Peter P]

Very interesting. My OCD went into overdrive at the thought of an adjustable cleat, similar to cycling shoes. Lots of adjustability when combined with a binding with easy fore-aft adjustment built in.

[captainswallowtail]

I hope this comes to touring level where boot lugs will still make it feasible to walk.
Reminds me of old splitboard hardware where the pin / pivot was much more underfoot and it made for a very natural rocking flex.

[Tom M]

[telerat]

1% better is valuable for competitions, less so for us regular mortals. It looks nice and if it gives a better sensation, it may be worth the extra cost to some. Skate X is only for skate skis and thus incompatible with classic skiing, so one can not use the same (sturdy) combi boot for both classic and skate skiing. Some claim it is just for "high-end skate performance", and that "skating by most people will still be done on the systems currently produced". We will se in the future how it will be priced, marketed and reliability/durability.

I would likely not use it for Nordic/touring skating since that usually involves some walking/hiking, and using the same boots for both that and the skating is convenient.

The design looks like it will give a fast/solid return of the skate to the boot when lifting the ski/skate, as also mentioned by Erik Brandsdal; this is perhaps what I like most with Xplore on my skates compared to 75mm, but less weight and the binding not touching the ice on hard strokes is also advantageous/nice. I have also used the combi boot with the skates, and it worked well, but the sole has little grip on ice and I was worried about wear.

I just noticed that Rottefella have also released skate versions of NNN-BC and NNN with a harder red flex.

[satanas]

Looks like a great idea, but I have all Salomon Profil so it'd mean new everything. That boot sole looks slippery too, maybe not a big deal elsewhere but here in Australia we typically have to walk across paved/icy car parks. Madshus boots fit me okay and their top boots are super light (and super expensive). Maybe I should start saving for whenever this becomes available.