3 Pin vs. Rotte Xplore

[Dying2Live]

Howdy folks. First post here. Just wanna check the temperature on how people are feeling about the new xplore compared to a 3 pin. My current XCD setup is NNN-BC, but am looking to add some firepower. Thanks in advance!

[fisheater]

The boot is a very important part of the equation, and must be a strong part of your calculation.
There has only been one regular poster here that I can remember, whom has reported better performance with Xplore versus 75 mm with a cable. The boot was Alpha Free. If Xplore offered better performance downhill over 75 mm with cable I would expect more reports.
That being said, the boot was Alpha Free, which has almost universally been endorsed for offering great control. It also has had a good (or not good) percentage of reviewers complain of problems with the boots flex, and comfort. With some selling the boot and moving on.
That brings us back to the boot. The boot manufacturers are putting their innovation and investment into Xplore. There is not the innovation in 75 mm.
Another important consideration is transitioning from XC to downhill mode. If the cable is attached to the boot heel during the XC portion of your ski, the engagement of the spring will take energy produced by the skier. If the cable is not attached to the boot on the XC portion, it needs to be attached for the downhill ski. You could attach to the boot from where it was hooked to the heel piece riser, or you can pull it out of your pack. Either way, you have a transition. There is no transition with Xplore.
Based upon what I’ve written it would be safe to assume I am using Xplore for my XCD skiing, but I am actually still on 75mm. If I were starting from scratch I would probably go Xplore, with a large caveat. Xplore would be very niche. I would ski it only on my Falketind Xplore ski. Basically only on a 62 mm to 70 ish mm underfoot ski, for XCD skiing only. Deeper snow, more challenging conditions, I will be on a ski mid 80’s mm underfoot and plastic boots.
I also am quite happy with Alpina Alaska BC and NNN-BC on my skinny metal edged BC skis. NNN-BC bindings are half the price of Xplore. Those skis will stay BC.
I have a new Asnes Nansen that I am skiing this year. If I find the NNN-BC binding to offer the performance on the Nansen, I may consider remounting the Falketind X with the BC binding. Probably more of a chance going BC before I would ever consider the price of an Xplore binding and an Xplore boot.
However, if I were starting today, Xplore would be a valid consideration.

[Dying2Live]

Thanks fisheater, that’s a lot of really good data to chew on. Ive been enjoying my Alpina Alaskas as well. I’ve been using with my NNN-BC setup, and really don’t have much reason other than intrigue to get into another binding format. It would be interesting to hear from someone who has spent time on the Crispi Futura and the Crispi Svartisen.

[CwmRaider]

I've used all of these. If I would do polar expeditions I would rather use NNN-BC. If I would enjoy hardcore XCD skiing with plastic boots I would rather use 75mm with cable.

For everything else I think xplore is great.

But yes as Fisheater says the boots make an enormous difference (as they do with all binding systems).
Opinion: the Alfa Free is the most supportive, non stiff plastic boot for xcD currently produced across all these binding systems. It's not a very warm boot, it doesn't fit all feet and if you tighten it the kick and glide performance becomes miserable. I tighten mine right before descents and I accept the inherent trade offs.
With softer boots the performance of any binding system will be limited by the boot. Soft soles result in difficulty edging wider skis, etc.
I have owned the Crispi Futura Pro (Svartisen equivalent), i liked their xc performance but they killed my legs with tightened braces due to severe chafing, and I think their soles were a bit softer than wished for. The Alfa Vista gives me massive blisters. I think the Skaget is a sleeper hit for Xplore for all around touring use.
I won't go back to something else from Xplore, but it is not a perfect system...

[lilcliffy]

If we try to completely ignore the boot factor (or at least assume that the support/stability/leverage of the boot is equal)-

Xplore (XP) definitely has the best (most rigid) connection between boot and ski of any Nordic BC touring binding- better than NN-3pin and NNN-BC. As such, XP more effective control over the ski- in all contexts- XC skiing, climbing and turning- especially setting-holding a ski on edge; as well as quick edge-to-edge turning.

The only potential advantage that NN-3pin has is a binding with a heel cable. I am not convinced that a heel cable inherently offers any more support/leverage than XP- but, when one acknowledges that one can use a rigid Telemark boot on a NN-3pin/cable binding- the versatility of NN-3pin should not be dismissed.

For Nordic BC touring- with a Nordic BC touring boot (like your Alpina Alaska BC)- I prefer XP to NN-3pin (and I also prefer NNN-BC to NN-3pin). However, if I wanted to be able to swap in a Telemark boot- 3pin-cable is clearly the best choice.

Would you notice a difference switching from NNN-BC to XP on your Madshus Epoch- yes, definitely. (But, note that the Alaska XP is not as supportive a boot as the Alaska BC!)

As far as choosing between 3-pin and XP- this is a question of the boot you want to use-

Choose the boot first- then the binding.

[lilcliffy]

I have to admit that I love the performance of the Xplore binding- LOVE IT.

I am serioulsy considering switching a couple of my 3pin-cable bindings to XP- I would use those skis more locally if I did!

BUT- I won't be switching to XP on skis that I want to use a Telemark boot.

[fgd135]

I have way too much $$$ invested in 75mm gear--boots, bindings, drilled skis, etc., at every level of XC/tele (except in-track),to drop well over $800 on a single pair of boots and bindings just to do the Xplore system. Otoh, if I didn't, or was unhappy with it all, I'd seriously consider Xplore for backcountry touring, anyway, with the caveat, as mentioned above, that it's boot fit and support over any other consideration.
Me? Luddite? Perhaps.

[Jlars13]

Overall I agree with the other posters here but there’s a HUGE point I don’t think anyone has mentioned- HARD FLEXORS.

For me, the stock xplore flexor feels almost fully free-pivot. Because the xplore sole is relatively stiff, and there’s no duckbill to lean into, it feels incredibly difficult to pressure the back ski without rising up on your toe in a tele stance. I want to try some telehiro style “b-telemark” turns with the stock flexor (in fact, I may start another thread to discuss that), which I think would work well, but the conditions were too icy for that today.

The hard flexor makes an xplore setup feel remarkably similar to 3-pin. THEREFORE - if you’re like me, and can’t really throw tele turns in hard snow with the standard flex, there IS a transition - which I believe Rottefella intended - when you stop to swap flexors.

Throwing alpine turns on xplore is shockingly secure - I’m an intermediate skier (at best) and was able to carve a few turns today in icy conditions in-bound on madshus panorama m68s. In comparison, I totally ate it like 4 times and had to go get my edges tuned on my “burlier” 90 underfoot tele setup later in the day (switchback x2, garmont veloce, ogso thor).

[mca80]

@Jlars13 have you tried nnnbc with the hard flexor? It makes a huge difference as well, although I find it relatively difficult, especially in gloves in a cold breeze, to swap out. I imagine xplore flexors were designed to be easier in this regard but don't know.

[Jlars13]

@Jlars13 have you tried nnnbc with the hard flexor? It makes a huge difference as well, although I find it relatively difficult, especially in gloves in a cold breeze, to swap out. I imagine xplore flexors were designed to be easier in this regard but don't know.

I have, just briefly before switching to xplore and agree with you 100%. And yes the xplore system has a quick release button.