All Out-the-Back-Door Explorer Ski Gear Help for Cross Country Skis Bindings Boots Poles

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Jacek P. asks - Last year I purchased from you a ski package that included Alpina Solution Skis - 195cm, Rottefella NNN T3 Touring Bindings, Alpina T20 Ski Boots and Alpina ST Ski Poles. Since I was a total beginner, I was not sure what I was getting and now I have a better idea what type of skiing I will be doing. As I am getting ready for this season, I am considering getting new gear that would suit my needs better. I am hoping that you could give me some advice on what to get on the basis what I learned last year. So I need 1) cross country skis that are more suitable to breaking new trails that can still occasionally be used in groomed ski tracks. I would be doing most of my skiing in snow covered parks. For that reason I need skis that are wider with metal edges, with more solid bindings and boots that give more support. They would have to be suitable for a big guy (280 pound). The Alpina Solution skis couldn't hold my weight and the fishscale no wax surface was dragging on the ground. Hoping you can set me in the right direction, thanks.

ORS Crew (Ryan) answers - I highly recommend you look at the Fischer Spider 62 skis along with the Alpina 1550 boots and the Rottefella NNN BC Auto Bindings. I recommend the Spider 62 skis because they are the widest metal edged ski (62mm width) that will still fit in a track. Also, Fischer skis tend to have a stiffer camber than other brands, so you should get better glide than what you are experiencing with your very soft Alpina Solution skis. The Alpina 1550 boots, which are light-duty backcountry touring boots, have plenty of support and will feel much better than the T20s. Excellent comfort and warmth for all day kick and glide skiing. THe NNN BC Auto bindings are the ideal match for these boots and skis.

M. Boyle asks - I do backcountry touring and backwoods cross country skiing on Catamount trail tours that can encounter all kinds of variable terrain and snow conditions. I also go backcountry skiing here in the wilds of western Connecticut when we get good storms. I also hike in the woods and on old logging roads here and will be doing 15-day trip in northern Spain in later March. I am 6' tall and weight 210 pounds. I am not an elegant skier or hiker and will put some weight on the poles. My current ski poles, which I need to replace, are about 150 cm, Lekki extendable trekking poles that extend to about about 140 cm. My backpack, a Deuter Cruise 30, has loops for securing poles about 13" apart, and is about 23" tall overall. I would like strong extendable poles, ideally good for both skiing and trekking, and that I can load on the pack. Light is good, but I am more concerned about strength and durability. I don't know the relative merits of 2 vs. 3 section poles. And if plain old aluminum one-piece ski poles are a lot stronger, and I should just get some for skiing, please say so.

ORS Crew (David) answers - Without any hesitations whatsover I absolutely recommend the 2-piece Black Diamond Traverse poles for a great all around ski pole that suits your needs perfectly. You can’t beat the optimal blend of lightweight construction and bomber strength that will hold up well to whatever you throw at it. The affordable price is a nice feature as well. The proprietary Flicklock cam always works, making it easy to quickly adjust the height of the poles to match whatever terrain and conditions you encounter. Also packs nice and compact for attaching to your backpack, carrying in luggage etc. They come in two sizes, so I’d suggest for your height that you go with the longer poles that can extend to 155cm. They will also perform well as summer hiking poles.