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 [img]graemlins/penguin.gif[/img] (boarder)

[size="1"][ 15. June 2009, 12:28 PM: Message edited by: Caboose ][/size]

[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 [img]smile.gif[/img]

[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! [img]smile.gif[/img]

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!

[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.

[size="1"][ 16. June 2009, 01:28 PM: Message edited by: BlueHue ][/size]

[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.