Advice on AT set-up

[kimbo]

This is my first post to Snowatch, so I'm a little bit hesitant ... anyway, here goes.

Last year I took a few trips into the Perisher "slackcountry" around the Paralyser and had the most fantastic time. Quiet, peaceful, fresh tracks and just a mate or two to share it with. Used snowshoes with our alpine boots and carried our mid-fats. But loved it so much we are already planning many more trips this season, plus I'm heading to Colorado for 3 weeks next Jan so was thinking about some guided B/C there.

I'm thinking of buying an AT set-up, but it is all new and very different. Really want to be able to lock the heel for the down but also releasable. Dynafit are light and releasable, but boots not compatible with my other alpine skis. Telemark NTN same plus my quads could explode. Marker Duke/Baron fit the bill but heavy. Naxo seemed to be the answer, but I've heard they are discontinued following a company takeover. That leaves the Fritschi.

And then there's boots - Aaargh! My alpine boots are so rock solid and comfy, can I really go through it all again?

Any friendly advice or words from the experienced?

[Caboose]

Welcome

i think JD (john deere) has gone through the brands of AT bindings

send him a PM (private message) if he doesn't get in here soon

my 2c

get the lightest you can afford, without compromising comfort/fit

other than that i'm useless ;) graemlins/penguin.gif (boarder)

[ 15. June 2009, 12:28 PM: Message edited by: Caboose ]

[Podlettte]

I'm using Fritschi's on volkl aura's and oscilate between my Alpine boots and a set of scarpa AT boots I bought from Skijackski.

The AT boots are actually a bit stiffer than my alpine boots, except in walk mode on the AT's (nowalk mode on alpines)

if you want to go for the lightest set up possible then Dynafits are the way to go, if you don't want to spend money on the compatible boots, go for the Fritchi's in my opinion.

I find the release system easier to operate than other brands, though others will say their experiences say otherwise. Go try some out if you want, or take a punt like most of us do and pick one ;)

[karen97]

I did ok with my alpine boots with the Fritschi's. I didn't get blisters on my feet at all. My boots don't weigh that much tho.

Welcome to Snowatch btw smile.gif

[John Deere]

Hey Kimbo...I have done a fair bit of AT and I currently have two set ups. A Dynafit rig and a Fritschi rig. I also have two sets of boots, some reasonably heavy DH boots and a ste of Dynafit compatible Garmont Megarides.

The Fritschis are very reliable...have had them since 2006 with no issues and they have done many days skinning including in Japan in the deep stuff. The Dynafits got used extensively last season in oz and proved to be very good also and are ultra light.

Both kits will do a BC trip admirably, the Fritchi take my DH boots and I have skinned heaps in them and they are comfy enough. The gains from the AT boots and Dynafits are nice, but there is a trade off in downhill performance, mainly from boot stiffness/cuff height.

You need to decide if it will be a dedicated BC rig, or a resort/slackcountry/backcountry rig.....if the latter I would go the fritchi, they are solid.....if dedicated BC, weigh up wether you want to shell out for AT boots (bear in mind choice in oz is very limited for dynafit gear, so that means you may need to look OS for boots (a risky proposition)....Fritchi will be fine for a dedicated BC rig if you decide teh Dynafit option is just too hard!

Welcome BTW!!

[John Deere]

Oh and if blisters are a problem for anyone, I highly recommend the use of Glide (available from Paddy Pallin and other outdoor type places)

http://www.bodyglide.com/#/products/anti-chafe

[Officer Schmenz]

yea i have fritschi too! but thats coz we all copied eachother! smile.gif

i use my ski boots but would like proper AT boots if i did long trips as my boots are awesome for downhill but not fun to walk up hill in :(

so boots are my next purchase..

and welcome! dont be scared! we're all nice as pie! :D

[BlueHue]

Same, Fritschi here too, definitely a good AT binding. JD is on the money really

Only thing is I'd at least be investigating AT boots even if you going for a more downhill/ slackcountry orientated set up. You could give it a few trips in downhill boots to see how it works out, might save you the $$ for AT boots. But I know a few though who've done it for while without major issues but at the same time not quite been at one with the downhill boots when climbing. They've taken the plunge into AT boots and been much happier. The lighter weight and extra flex will make going uphill much easier and the AT boots at the downhill end of the range don't loose much in downhill performance. I use Scarpa Denali TT's and they perform so well downhill I no longer use my old downhill boots even in resort.

[ 16. June 2009, 01:28 PM: Message edited by: BlueHue ]

[skijacski]

Dynafits you need to have coordination each time you have to put the pins in.

Some boots do allow dynafits, Scarpa and Garmont now make their boots compatible for both.

Everyone in our group have Fritschi's.

Depending on your foot shape and ankle size, Scarpa or Garmont, +1 demo'd in Utah the Garmont Radium G Fit, which is perfect for his skinny ankle, high arch and skinny foot.

Scarpa are good for wider fat feet, friend just got a pair of Skookums, but his ankles are too skinny, yet his foot is normal. He just could not get the ankle fitting without padding it out.

All the AT boots have vibram soles which are great to walk in, or another similar sole. Scarpa also provide two tongues for different flex, my Diva's I use the soft flex, as I don't mind it.

If you are going to USA, that would be a good time to go to a store that does AT boots and try them on as well as hire them for the day, which most do. This then saves you from getting them comfy in the store but finding them pieces of torture when you ski. Most USA stores have a full return policy which +1 did this year on a pair of Scarpa Spirit 4's, they just were not his foot shape.

Later this week two of us will be going AT and having a look at the compaction.

[kimbo]

Thanks to everyone for your input. This has been great!

Seems like Fritschis are the go for what I am after - still quite a bit inbounds and then BC when time/snow permits. Also the advantage that I can use my DH boots, at least for a while. Should allow me to change over to a BC outfit over time. Put the Fritschis on my Volkl Bridges for now then as $$ permit, add AT boots and better BC skis.

I understand the issue with DH boots and the restriction on uphill gait - similar probs in snowshoes with the DH boots. I like Skijackski's suggestion to try the Radium G Fit when OS as I have a skinny foot/ankle. My current boots are so good that I'm really cautious about trying others.

Podlette, how are the Auras in BC? I was thinking of the Mantras which are basically the same as the Auras. I thought they might be a bit stiff. My wife has Auras also and loves them for pow and crud.

[Snowbird]

The setup which I have been using for the last 3 years comprises a Goode ski with Naxo bindings together with Garmont Adrenalin AT boots.
The ski is all carbon and is the lightest ski on the market. It is produced in USA and has dimensions of 128 82 108 and is also a great downhill ski. Its lightness makes it easy for bc skiing and touring. The bindings are still available and most available in Aus are marketed under Dynastar logo.
The boots have interchangeable soles from vibram to downhill and can be used on both AT and downhill bindings.

[John Deere]

Goode ski's are very light which is great for uphill, I did find when I tried them that they held a decent edge, however when they let go, they did so without much warning. Not a big issue for a BC ski, but if your doing some resort, might be better of with a Watea or something more tradional.

The Naxo bindings are also quite good....the stiffness is not as good as the Fritschi, but the uphill mode is probably better. Just about every set up has a compromise!!!

[Podlettte]

so far I've loved the aura's on everything, i'm not much of a short turn lover so on piste I just do the same turns i've always done, long ones, fast smile.gif

I haven't stepped onto a narrower ski since i got them mid last year, I was thinking of trying my volkl AC3's again at some stage this season just to compare.

Thinking of getting some watea's too, I've heard good things about them for BC.

Blue Hue was contemplating some black diamond skis, can't think of the name off the top of my head.... he will know it though!

[skijacski]

Just was down stairs at the Jindy Sports shop at Thredbo, they now stock Scarpa AT boots, both the Spirit 4 for men, or women who need a bigger size, and the Scarpa Diva boots which I have.

They said they got them in after I came in with my new boots!

[BlueHue]

Podlette, how are the Auras in BC? I was thinking of the Mantras which are basically the same as the Auras. I thought they might be a bit stiff. My wife has Auras also and loves them for pow and crud.I have Mantras and they are an awesome ski. Mine are 2006. The recent models are even better apparently. I generally ski advanced off piste terrain. Only thing is they are a bit stiffer than the normal, you will have to ski them hard on groomers to get them carving but if you do get them working they do high speed GS type carve turns as good as anything else I've skied. Not so good for short turns/moguls or ice though. Still a lot of skiing days in Oz. the Mantra is not so wells uited for, I primarily use them for o/s and bring them out in Oz. when there's fresh or at least snow quality is good enough that the usual moguled icey over skied australian snow can be avoided.

[Altheau]

I only recently got a set of barons, have not got to use them uphill yet, but they are nice downhill. (not that I have use a wide variety of bindings to really compare them to)

I got them for a couple of reasons
They were a good price
I decided the little bit of weight was not a huge issue
no one else I knew had them so someone had to try them ;p
I wanted a binding and ski setup that would suit me for everything, a jack of all trades and i thought it was a good fit for that.

They are sweet with my Celebritys (god i love my Celebritys) so far, can't wait to try them out and about in BC Aus.

Any how not really a recomendation (as I have not used them alot so i don't really know) But I will let you know how they go

[ 18. June 2009, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: Altheau ]

[John Deere]

Barons and Dukes look to be a good option for a resort skier that occassionally goes BC. They sure look solid!

[skijacski]

Barons and Dukes I decided were too fussy as I prefer to click into touring quickly as the terrain changes.

If there is deep snow it would be a pain in the but to have to take your foot out each time.

I even lock back in while sliding along.

[John Deere]

Still, they have their place for the occasional BC'er.....Remember to go into tour mode in Dynafits you need to unclip too....going into DH mode is a different story tho.

[Altheau]

yeah does not worry me to much as I only plan to use the touring mode in Australia, so super deep snow is not a Huge issue. Also i would need to unclip to put skins on or take them off, so not a big deal (I know that some people can get thier skins off without clipping out, but I know without even doing it I am not one of those people ;p )

[John Deere]

It is surprisingly easy to do, I am not very flexible and have the balance of a liquored up three legged dog, but with practice I can now do it.