Someone gave me a pretty decent set of XC skis last winter, but the boots don’t fit very well. They have NNN bindings and REI has a really good special on some Rosignol skate boots that are NNN compatible. I know in the Olympics that they’ll do both types of skiing in the same event, so I thought maybe the boots would be compatible.
Thanks-
Eric
As far as I know, all Rossignol boots ARE NNN compatible.
When you say both techniques in the same event, are you referring to the skiathlon? That’s where you switch techniques halfway through the race. There aren’t many races of that type, although they are gaining popularity. What technique are your skis?
You can use skate boots to classic, but they’re awkward and don’t give you the proper kick you need (unless you just glob on a bunch of kickwax/klister)- their sole is too stiff. When I first started skiing, I had combi boots and they were ok- the nordic equivalent of doing a tri on a road bike with aero bars. Once I started racing, I got boots for both techniques, and there are significant differences- only noticeable if you’ve been skiing a while. They now make high-end skiathlon specific boots, although I haven’t tried them.
Skate boots can be used with all bindings with both NNN/Rossi/Salomon, so you’ll be fine. The problem is using Profil boots with Pilot bindings in the Salomon system.
Hmm . . . I thought I saw a race on TV where they switched halfway through, but maybe that was on OLN or something and not the olympics.
Thanks for the replies. My skis are standard (not skate) . . . I am not a ski racer and don’t aspire to be, so it sounds like I should be fine even if these aren’t the best possible boots. Can’t beat $45.
Don’t do it. The skate boots will be too stiff if you’re doing classic skiing. You can go the other way if you’re prepared to accept some performance disadvantage but skate skis for classical skiing just don’t work.