Great job....very helpful

I'm 65 and have been skiing since I was a kid. However, I hadn't x-country skied in some time and wanted to get back into it. So, at the beginning of this year I dug out and dusted off my 40 year old Asolo 75 Boots and waxed up my Epoke 900 Skis. The old gear still worked pretty good but wanted a wider bc ski. So, after researching, and seeing your videos, I went with the Skarvet Boots and S-Bound 98's. I couldn't decide on 3-pin or bc. I went with bc and it's worked out good (I did get some blisters but seems to be ok now). Your going with 3-pin on your 98's and Voile skis so you can use your heavier, stiffer, plastic boots makes sense. Thanks for your videos.

@tomm9850

4 жыл бұрын

Ahh, to be young again :) Just kidding. I wish I could have had access to a set of 98's with the NNNBC binding for this test, but settled for my wife's Excursion 88's. The Skarvets are a great boot and I pair mine with a set of Fischer Traverse 78's. I had blister issues with the Skarvets as well, but with a little help from micro pore tape and lots of time in the boots, I think they have finally formed to my feet. Next winter will be the big test after my feet and the boots have been apart for 7 months. I'll be sure to put a note in the boots when I put them away to remind me to tape my heels for the first outing. Now that's a sign of old age!

thank you! very helpful

@tomm9850

3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful.

Thanks for this - and thanks to the videographer too for the great action sequences! I just bought a pair of Madshus Panorama 68s, and was planning on putting Voile 3-pin cable bindings on them so that I could use them with my plastic boots. However, the skis came mounted with manual Rottefella NNN-BC bindings, like the ones you show, and I was amazed how well they performed with the Madshus Panorama Boot. Unfortunately, that boot doesn't fit my (wide) feet, and I can't find another stiff NNN-BC boot that's adequate. I'll now see if I can find the Alfa Skarvets.

@tomm9850

Жыл бұрын

Boot fit is so important to the whole experience. I've never skied the Madshus Panorama Boot, but I have examined them in the store, and they appeared to be a very supportive boot. Alfa is known for having a wide footbox and I do like their boots. While you are shopping for NNNBC, be sure to consider the Alfa Guard as well as the Skarvet. I'm currently skiing the Alfa Vista on my Xplore system and its closest match for NNNBC is the Guard.

@squireblack59

Жыл бұрын

@@tomm9850 I failed to find the Alfa's any place where I could try them on. I ended up with Fischer OTX NNBC boots, which are comfortable, but too soft to give much control of the ski. So I took the NNNBC bindings off the Panoramas, and replaced them with classic Voile Cable bindings, which I'm using with my plastic Tele boots. I had never used these before - removing the cable really does make climbing much easier, and replacing it adds noticeable stability, as you say in the video. In good snow, I can make reasonable turns with this combo.

Thanks for this video. This kind of information is somehow hard to find. I recently got myself a pair of leather Alico double telemark boots with 75 mm system. I intend to use the boots on trips in Norway and Sweden on the steeper icier slopes. Another reason to choose the 75 mm boot is that it had a norwegian double stitch, which is much sturdier than most nnn boots which are glued to the sole. My old nnn garmont boots are still doing fine but i,ve had to walk long on roads that had no snow anymore and around huts with sharp rocks which damaged the area where the pin is. A 75 mm boot can handle this better i think. The Alico boot is much heavier though, but works better on telemarking with wider cross-country skies.

@tomm9850

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback, and I agree. I have hiked to the snow in 75 mm boots and they work great, but the holes can get packed with mud and dirt, so it is a good idea to bring a nail to clean them out before skiing. I wouldn't want to hike a difficult trail with an NNNBC boot. I've never skied the Alico boots, but I did ski a 75 mm Merrell boot with a welted sole for several decades, until they finally wore out beyond repair.

Whoa! A-B'ing 75mm and NNN-BC. My mind is blown. Love that hiss of the fish scales sound when cruising. What were the Voile skis you were using?

@tomm9850

4 жыл бұрын

Voile Objective BC Ski. It's a super lightweight ski, mainly used for AT skiing. Not the best choice for general purpose XCD skiing, but a dream turner for soft snow. Here is my playlist review of this ski kzread.info/head/PLSbEbRoGC_hohHa7wmv_4IYbFNC1UpHlH

Tom, thanks for the great video reviews! I choose boots instead of the Fisher BCX8 (Fisher constantly squeezes their calves). Therefore, I wanted to ask, how are your Alfa Greenland 75 after several years (more than 3 as i now) of operation?

@tomm9850

2 жыл бұрын

The Greenland 75's are holding up well so I am very satisfied and I'm hopeful that they will last many more years. The boots are listed on Alfa's website but they haven't shown any stock this year, so it makes me wonder if they have stopped production of the boot or if there are supply chain issues. There is a pretty good view of the right boot in its current state at the six min 13 sec point in the video I shot May 2021 kzread.info/dash/bejne/gaqWvNCjj5i6gLw.html

Great videoes. I use telemark binding myself, and some Asolo vey stif leather boots. However no matter what I does, I get blisters on my heels, so its problably time for some new and better fitting boots. Seems like you have tested at lot of different boots. Are there some you experienced are "nicer" to the heels than other? Regards Aske

@tomm9850

3 жыл бұрын

I too have struggled with heel blisters on ski boots. It is a common problem with stiffer boots and I suffered for years with Scarpa T4 plastic boots. I also battled heel blisters on my Alfa Skarvet leather boots when they were new, but are less of a problem now after a season's use. There are a couple of things that can help. If you don't already have blisters on the heel, you can apply a single layer of 3M micropore tape across the heel area of your foot. I use a single strip of the 2 inch wide tape and run it across the heel from just below the ankle bone on each side of the foot. This won't work if you already have blisters. In that case you should use a blister bandage. Another trick that I've been using on my Greenland leather boots, is to place a velcro cinch strap at the top of the boot. It is just a simple 1 inch wide strap and it allows me to tighten the boot at the top, independent of the lacing, and that helps in keeping the heel from slipping up and down in the boot. Both my Greenland and Skarvet boots have a loop at the back of the boot, so I simply thread the strap through the loop and it stays in place when I cinch it tight. I don't know how well this would work on a boot that does not have a back loop, but it might be worth a try. Others have solved heel slip problems by using different thickness of insoles and various combinations of sock and liners. While all of these tricks can help, they are no substitutes for a boot that fits your feet. In regards to boot choices, I have never had an issue with heel blisters on the softer synthetic boots. I've skied both the Fischer BCX 675 and the Rossignol BC X12 boots for 4 or 5 seasons without heel blister issues. My only issue with those boots are that for me, they only last about 2 seasons before they need to be replaced. The soft boots are more comfortable out of the box than a stiff leather boot, need minimal break in time, and preform well enough for most. Boots are a tricky purchase, as you never know how well a given model with work with your feet until after you have skied them for awhile. I'm a big fan of REI when it comes to boot purchases. They have a reasonable return policy (as of 2020) that allows you to use your boots for a few outings and then return them or exchange them for a different size/model if you are having issues with the boot.

Another question for you Tom. What do you do for light uphill climbs? Do you apply kick wax or do the herringbone technique? On steeper terrains I would assume you would be using skins.

@tomm9850

3 жыл бұрын

All of my off trail skis have a traction pattern (waxless skis) and they work well for low angle climbs in all conditions except ice. Occasionally I'll use a herringbone, half herringbone, or even side step if needed to get up a difficult section. If I'm on a long steady uphill climb or if the snow conditions are such that the traction pattern is not working very well, then I'll put on a skin. I have both full length skins and mini skins. The Fischer Easy skin system works very well on my Sbound 98's.

Hi mr.M, I was watching a lot of your video lately and especially your quiver's video and I was wondering what would be one pair that would be the best all around xc off-trail ski. The Fischer excursion 88 crown/skin seems to be a good option. I have been skiing off-track cross-country since 6 years with normal XC skis(the thin ones) and I just got a pair of really nice Alico Boots 75 mm 3 pins and I fell in this rabbit hole of backcounbtry Xc skiing like you do Idaho. So where I live there is not a lot of places to make turns(no steep hill) but maybe someday I will travel to someplace that there is. So all in all, the best ski for long flat surface and that can be able to go down a normal blue ski slope. Sorrry for the long message and thank you for sharing your ski life with internet.

@tomm9850

3 жыл бұрын

That is a very tough question, but I think you are on the right track with the Excursion 88's. I'm a big fan of Fischer's off track crown pattern skis, and I do like their easy skin option when conditions are such that the scales lose their effectiveness. I personally don't ski the 88's, but my wife skis a set when she is skiing snowmobile trails in gentle to moderate terrain. I ski the Traverse 78's under those same conditions, and the Sbound 98's when I move off the snowmobile trail and plan to ski more difficult terrain and in deep soft snow. So if I could only have one off trail XC ski, I'd probably pick something in between the two and the Excursion 88 is that ski in Fischer's line. Lately I've been looking at another option, the Asnes Ingstad as an "in between" ski. It has been getting all kinds of praise from others over on the telemarktalk forum, and Asnes classifies it as an "allrounder ski". I haven't skied the Ingstad, but I know someone who has a set, and is willing to let me try them out. If I get a chance, I may put together a quick look video if I get the opportunity to ski them.

@troudecul69

3 жыл бұрын

@@tomm9850 Thanks a lot for the fast answer! it enlighted me a lot. I hope you will get the chance to try the Asnes ski and I wish you a good winter.

Has anyone tried both Alfa Greenland 75 and Alpina Alaska 75? How does they compare?

I have a pair of plastic Excursion 75 mm boots and a pair of Alpina Alaska leather boots which look to be about the same stiffness and flex as your Greenlands. I found adding a Velcro compression strap at the top of the ankle on the Alpinas made them perform as well as the Excursions on the downhill, while they’re much better and more comfortable for the kick and glide and climbing. I hardly used my Excursions this year.

@tomm9850

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip. It might make an interesting experiment. Did you attach the strap to the boot in some fashion? The Alpina Alaskan's are one of the more popular boots, so I'm sure others would like to give your suggestion a try.

@UkuleleSioni

4 жыл бұрын

@@tomm9850 I originally had the compression strap attached by a cobbler (stitched and glued) to an older pair of leather bc boots, and they were definitely very helpful. When those boots died (after 20 years of hard labour one of the duck bills ripped right out when I was trying to horse my way through some heavy crust), I got the Alpinas. I thought I might attach the compression straps to the new boots, but first I decided to just try tightening them around the top of the ankle, without attaching them in any way. They worked so well, partly because the Alpinas come higher up my ankle than the old leather boots did, that I've never bothered having them glued and/or stitched on (the cobbler who did it for me is long gone). i just stuff each one in its boot when I take them off and they're there waiting for me next time I go out. Makes a huge difference in how stable and in control I feel.

@tomm9850

4 жыл бұрын

@@UkuleleSioni I added a 1 inch wide velcro closure strap to the top of my greenland boot for a spring ski last month. I ran the strap through the existing loop on the back of the boot and I liked the result. I've been lacing the boot pretty tight this past winter, in an attempt to keep my heel from slipping, and the end result is some toe pinching when in the telemark position. The velcro "power strap" allowed me to loosen the laces a bit around the toes and the strap keeps the boot tight at the top to prevent heel slip. I plan to use this next winter and do some more testing, but I just wanted to thank you for your suggestion.

@UkuleleSioni

4 жыл бұрын

Tom M Glad to hear it helped.

@UkuleleSioni

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Tom. Just wondering how you fared with the compression straps this past winter? Did you continue using them? Find them helpful?

Hi Tom, I fell on your video as I was searching for reviews about the Greenlands. Those seem to be pretty scarce on Internet... I bought a pair of Alpina Alaska 75 last fall (which I ride with Alpina Discovery 102 and Voile bindings) and the right boot sole broke down yesterday - to my huge disappointment!! Hence, I was looking for your advice. Do you think they are comparable in quality? Is the Greenland much better than the Alaska (since it's more expensive)? I was very satisfied with the Alaska before they broke (comfortable, hot enough, stiff) and I might go back to them, but I might upgrade too. Thanks in advance for your advice!

@tomm9850

3 жыл бұрын

You might contact Alpina and see if they will honor a warranty on the boot. alpinasportsus.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ALPINA-SPORTS-CORP-WARRANTY-RMA-POLICY.pdf I purchased the Greenlands directly from Alfa and had them shipped from Norway to the US (it took about 10 days). The are holding up pretty well, but I've only had them for a year. Many of the boot manufacturers use the same rubber sole. I don't know if Alpina and Alfa are using the same sole, but from what you describe, it sounds like a defect to me. l'm very happy with the Greenlands and I hope they will have a much longer life than the soft Fischer and Rossignol boots I've owned in the past. A lot of people love the Alpina Alaska boots, but I've not owned a pair. I tried on a pair a couple of years ago but went with a different boot because of fit. Anyway, I hope you can get a replacement this year, most of the boot inventories are sold out for the season.

@UsernameNumber4th

3 жыл бұрын

Hi again, Thank you very much for your answer. I did contact Alpina and the retailer. The retailer will reimburse me after I send them the boots by mail (which might take a while these days...). I will look into the Alfa more in depth. Thankfully, a retailer sells both models 45 minutes from where I live. But I'm still hesitating between going back to Alpina (hoping for the best) or trying something new, but more expensive... Anyway, thanks for your help.

Do you have a favorite boot for your 98s? Something that you enjoy touring with on the flats/rollers and does a decent job on the downhill, too?

@tomm9850

3 жыл бұрын

I've skied and worn out a set Fischer BCX 675's and a set of Rossignol X-12's skiing the Sbound 98. I'm in my second year skiing the Alfa Greenland 75 Advance boots with this ski. The Alfa Greenland's are my favorite of the 3, but the other's were fine, they just weren't durable. Only time will tell if the Greenlands have double the life (they were double the price). The Sbound 98 is a great ski, but If I was mostly skiing the flats with a few rollers and not a lot of downhill tight turns, I'd probably opt for a narrower ski, one that is faster on the flats, and pair it with an NNNBC boot and binding, especially if I lived in an area that doesn't receive a lot of deep dry powder. My favorite NNNBC boot for what I just described is the Alfa Skarvet.

@joshb.6166

3 жыл бұрын

@@tomm9850 Thank you so much for the feedback! That helps me tremendously for my system next year. PS: You replied earlier this year a post where I took some wide XC BC skis and a Voile Switchback that I used with my Koflach Degre mountaineering boots. I used these for backcountry ski camping and ice climbing approaches....I gotta be honest - it was a waste of money. The set up is way too heavy, and the ski performance was next to terrible. For ski camping - I'd probably opt for a 2 layer book (Scarpa T4s or the Baffin Expeditions) so I could remove the liner and have better ski performance. Or, use my mountaineering/ice climbing boots with snowshoes for the approach. Worth a try - and did work, just was too much compromise. Hoping I have some more fun next year with a Fischer 98 and a double boot for BC camping, and a single leather for doing turns. Love the videos!

Do the Greenland Alfa boots run true to size? I am a men’s size US 9 and a EU 42 or 43 depending on the manufacturer. My ski boot size is Mondo 27. How close did the Greenland they sent you match your usual boot size.

@tomm9850

3 жыл бұрын

Boot sizing is a tough one for me. Before I ordered my boots, I measured the length of my bare feet using the method suggested by Alfa. My largest foot is 26.6 cm long. Alfa suggests adding 1.5 cm to the measured length for backcountry ski boots and that would have taken me up to a size 43 on their chart. At the time I purchased these boots, they were not available in the USA, so I did not get a chance to try on a pair before purchasing. Others had told me that the reason Alfa suggests adding 1.5 cm was the fact that many Norwegians wear very heavy thick wool socks. I had no way to verify that hypothesis. I ended up ordering a 42 because their chart also showed a cross reference to US sizing, and their 43 cross referenced to a size 11 US, and I have never worn any shoe that large. I also only wear one layer of medium weight socks. That being said, the Skarvet at size 42 is about the right length for me. The most comfortable boot I own is a set of Lowa Rennigade GXT hiking boots, and I wear that boot in a size 10 US. I don't have any problem with length of my Alfa Skarvets, and there is plenty of room in the toe box for my feet. I also ski the Alfa Greenland boot. It is basically the the same boot as the Skarvet, except it is a 75 mm 3 pin boot. I also ordered it in a size 42. I do have one toe on one foot that is having issues. My toes don't feel too crowded in these boots, but I'm beginning to wonder if I would be better off in a size 43 with the Greenland. I use the two boots in very different ways. I spend a lot more time in the telemark position in the Greenland and that puts more pressure on the toes. With my Skarvets, it is mostly kick and glide tours. Here are the sizes of other boots I have worn that fit my feet: Fischer BCX675, size 43 Rossignol BCX-12, size 43 Scarpa T2, Mondo size 27.5 Madshus Hyper S Skate boot, size 44 Lowa Rennegade GTX hiking boot, US Size 10 Mens REI's sizing chart for the Skarvet, 42 EU = 10 US Mens REI's sizing chart for the Fischer BCX675, 43 EU = 10 US Mens REI's sizing chart for Scarpa T2, Mondo 27.5 = 9.5 US Mens Madshus Hyper S sizing chart, 44 EU = 10 US Mens It seems to me that the Alfa boots run a little larger than other ski boot manufacturers, but I think the best thing for you would be to go with what Alfa recommends in their sizing guide.

@haappycat

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tom, that will help me with ordering my new boots. I found that Alpha was using the same fitting carts for men’s and women’s boots and sent them this note: “ You show the same size chart for your men’s and women’s boots. In the US the women’s size number is 1.5 more then the men’s size in the same length shoe. For example a women’s size 10 would have the same foot length as a men’s size US 8.5.”

The videography has been pushed to a new level. How did you ever get the third person side view on the kicks? I learned so much from watching this. Sometimes I think I would be a much better skier if I had some new or different equipment. Watching you make beautiful turns convinced me otherwise. What I'm really missing is skill. I need to get out there and keep practicing. That said (for your conditions) what ski would be your first choice to match with the Alfa Skarvet and NNNBC? On an unrelated note: I see your ski companions with AT equipment. Will you ever give in to the temptation to add AT bindings and boots to the Voile Objectives? Can't thank you enough for the distraction from the bleak news and weather here in the east.

@tomm9850

4 жыл бұрын

The sequence at 03:55 was taken with a cellphone mounted on a ski pole and held at arms length, with the camera positioned just above the snow surface. It was fairly easy to keep the camera stable by just letting the pole dangle as I slid along. My cell phone has a wide angle lens with some image stabilization. The sequences at 01:57 were shot on a GoPro mounted on my ski pole. The Skarvet is a great boot, and I think that it would pair well with most mid-width off trail skis, up to and including skis in the SBound 98 range. I pair mine with the Fischer Traverse 78's. In this video, I'm using them on my wife's Fischer Excursion 88's. Alfa makes a studier NNNBC boot, the Guard Advance, but I have not skied this boot. They rate the ankle support for the Guard at 5/5 and the Skarvet at 4/5. As a comparison, they rate the Greenland 75 as 5/5 for ankle support. There is a great review of the Guard Advance on the telemark talk forum. www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=2145 For wider skis, it might be worth looking into the Guard Advance, but I'd lean toward a 3 pin setup if the purpose of the wider ski is touring for turns. With 3 pins, there is the option to use a heavy duty welted leather boot or a plastic boot. All my friends ski AT and I tried an AT setup in 2017 (Fischer Hannibal Skis, Dynafit AT bindings, and Atomic Backland Carbon Boots.) The boots were the most comfortable plastic ski boots I've ever used and the setup was much lighter than my Tele Setup. It was an interesting experiment, but I guess I'm a freeheeler at heart. It's definitely easier to ski downhill with AT gear, but I'm happiest skiing moderate terrain with Tele gear. I spend most of my time on lighter gear, and prefer the challenge of XCD skiing.

@Jeffipookins

4 жыл бұрын

​@@tomm9850 How did the sizing run on the ALFA Guard Advance GTX ? Did your experience match up well with the REI US chart for the skarvet? I would be disappointed if an overseas order did not fit. www.rei.com/product/162239/alfa-skarvet-advance-gtx-cross-country-ski-boots

@tomm9850

4 жыл бұрын

I own the Alfa Skarvet Advance GTX M NNNBC in size 42 and the Greenland 75 Advance GTX M 3 pin in size 42. Here are the sizes of other boots I have worn that fit my feet: Fischer BCX675, size 43 Rossignol BCX-12, size 43 Scarpa T2, Mondo size 27.5 Madshus Hyper S Skate boot, size 44 Lowa Rennegade GTX hiking boot, US Size 10 Mens REI's sizing chart for the Skarvet, 42 EU = 10 US Mens REI's sizing chart for the Fischer BCX675, 43 EU = 10 US Mens REI's sizing chart for Scarpa T2, Mondo 27.5 = 9.5 US Mens Madshus Hyper S sizing chart, 44 EU = 10 US Mens It seems to me that the Alfa boots run a little larger than other ski boot manufacturers. I've been told that Norwegians tend to wear thicker wool socks than Americans, but I don't know that for sure. If you buy the Skarvets from REI, they have a great return policy. REI expects you to use the boots to make sure they fit and meet your expectations and return them if they don't work out. I only wish that REI carried the Greenland and Guard as well.

Tom, are telemark bindings the same as the 75 mm NN bindings? Thanks, Rahul

@tomm9850

3 жыл бұрын

Telemark skiing is a downhill turn technique than can be done with any binding providing the heel is free. The binding / boot systems range from lightweight boots on NNNBC and 75 mm 3 pins up to beefy downhill focused bindings like the Voile Switchback X2 with plastic boots. Next year there will be a new binding / boot choice, the Rottefella Xplore system. In general terms, most people would consider the NNNBC and 75 mm 3 pin binding without cables or hardwires, an XCD (cross country downhill) binding for telmark turns on moderate terrain, and the beefy systems with active springs and plastic boots, both NTN and 75 mm, downhill telemark bindings.

@rahulrane1658

3 жыл бұрын

@@tomm9850 thanks

Where is this filmed? I'm going to guess near the Sawtooths.

@tomm9850

2 жыл бұрын

Eastern Idaho in the Caribou National Forest. One of the locations is 43.08424537374748, -111.09061383411623

Tom... question... what is your go-to ski? If you could only have one...

@tomm9850

3 жыл бұрын

That is a very tough question. The Sbound 98 is my go to ski for the type of skiing in this video where I know there will be some downhill turns involved. The 98's however are not the best choice for gentle rolling terrain. For those circumstances, I'd pick a narrower, longer ski, which tracks more in a straight line and is faster in the flats, such as the Traverse 78's. So if I could only have one off trail XC ski, I'd probably pick something in between the two. That is what Julie has done. She skis the Fischer Excursion 88's. Lately I've been looking at another option, the Asnes Ingstad as an "in between" ski. It has been getting all kinds of praise from others over on the telemarktalk forum, and Asnes classifies it as an "allrounder ski". I haven't skied the Ingstad, but I know someone who has a set, and is willing to let me try them out. If I get a chance, I may put together a quick look video if I get the opportunity to ski them.

@haappycat

3 жыл бұрын

@@tomm9850 Will you be trying the wax version of the Ingstad?

@tomm9850

3 жыл бұрын

@@haappycat My friend has the wax version, but I haven't had the opportunity to try them out yet.

What is that blue stuff above the snow in the opening of your video

@tomm9850

3 жыл бұрын

You caught me. A little computer magic so that the sky matches my coat and hat. :)