Dec 3 their is a swapmeet for used x country skis. I want to get a pair of skate skis and boots.
1 What should I be looking for in a boot and ski ?
2 Do you have a favorite?
3 What should I stay away from ?
4 Will I need new poles that are longer ?
I have good clasic stuff. Wax nordic skis.
I am 5’10" tall and weigh 168
Thanks Thom
I use the Saloman Race Skate 9. They are good, but I never really liked the Saloman Energizer “forward lean” cuff. I am looking at going with Fischer Centrex this year. The top of the line Salomon Carbon skate boots never fit my foot well. I’m on pilot bindings. Skate ski poles in general should be between mouth and chin.
Are all skate bindings the same ? So I can mix venders.
Thom
I was going to let Dev answer this since he is more qualified but he is ignoring us so I’ll step up.
No, all skate bindings are not the same. Rossignol and Alpina use the NNN system while Fischer and Saloman use the Pilot system. They are NOT interchangeable so be careful when choosing.
I would say that skate poles are essential unless you want to be continually frustrated. Classic poles are a bit shorter and will give you problems when skating. Spend the money on good poles for skating.
Enjoy the snow,
robert
Got it !
We got a snow advisory right now in nothern NY. . Tug hill Sat morning for a fue hours of the white fun .
Thanks for the binding clinic .
I have sns on my clasic’s
Thank you Thom
Personally I loved the Pilot system as offered by Salomon. A good skate boot will probably at first feel too stiff.
As for ski I used Peltonen, when I bought them they were the lightest available ski for skating, it also won glide tests over my Atomics every time. My Atomics felt too wide for me but I’m a little guy(130 pounds).
Poles are typically a little longer for skate but you could get by with shorter for now. I never liked Exel poles. I used a smaller companies poles called Infinity.
I have two pairs of Solomon Active 9 Skate boots (Slighly more forgiving than the Race model, but still stiff enough for great skating. Required Solomon Pilot binding system. You can have for $40 each. Both are 41 2/3 (US men’s 8) I upgraded last season to the racing skates. They had a manufacturing problem with the mold for the cuffs so I got new cuffs for them from another lot for free last year. About 60% life left in them, which for a beginner should be plenty to get you to know if you want to upgrade without having to spend a lot of $$$.
PM me if you are intereted and I’ll post some pix.
Cheers, Karma
I have raced for Alpina/Madshus the last 3 years and love the Alpina boot. I get a “custom” narrow last from Slovakia. I like the NNN just as much as Pilot and they are less fragile. As far as boots, here is my take (listen up Dev), as I have fitted a lot of boots in the last 2 years! Centrix, great concept, but either you love them or hate them. They are very high arched, and this concept keeps the skier up on the ball of their foot. Salomon tend to run narrow and flatter. Alpina are probably the most “american” of all the lasts, about a D in width and volume.
As far as poles, err low and learn to ski with a more forward lean, and slight C to the spine. This will be a lower position, thus a shorter pole. I have gone from a 165cm, to a 157 over the last 3-4 years. This allows me to recover the poles quicker while V2’ing up hill.
Kurt
My dogs are bigger than that Ha Ha
The snow is still falling
I got out for a while on the clasic skis
thanks for the input
Thom.
oh and FYI, I have a near new (really) pair of Alpina Skate Boots from 2004/2005 size 42 (they run big, I wear a 43 salomon) for sale. I will throw in a FREE binding set…the boots are 150.00.
Kurt