Socks for alpine skiing

In article ,
wrote:

Not many boots accomodate the Dynafit bindings. My old TR9's do but it
appears the new Nordica AT boots don't. I have toured with a number of
people who use the Dynafit but I've never really liked them for a
number of reasons.


That's interesting! Many of the folks I ski with use some variety of
those bindings, and they all like them a great deal. So does our favorite
AT-powered Colorado ski mountaineer, Lou Dawson. (See his website's
section dedicated to Dynafit boots/bindings, www.wildsnow.com, for more
his rationale.) One thing's for sure, that system is lighter than many of
the beefier bc-oriented tele gear.


Good advice, John, thank-you. However, it's too late. I've had a
change in plans. I decided to go with a dedicated Alpine rig again,
mostly because I have a fairly new AT setup that I'm very happy with
(Rossi Bandit XX/Fritschi Titanal II). After at first thinking that I
could probably ski the Atomics with Freeeride bindings both for
lift-served and backcountry touring, and save myself the expense of
having dedicated rigs for each, I've reconsidered and had the Atomics
mounted up with a Tyrolia downhill binding. The ski shop owner assured
me that there would be no waranty problems. He's never lied to me
before, so I'll trust him on it. ;-)


Then that's it! Btw, I've heard great things regarding the Atomics, too.
I've been thinking about getting some set up for tele. My SO will
understand. G

Around here, there are a fair number of folks skiing the TII's in-bounds.
I wonder if those folks are aware of the fact that there are fewer release
modes on the Diamirs...

I've also heard that the only difference between it and the Freeride is
that the DIN range and maximum on the Freerides is greater. It could be
that the toepiece is a bit beefier on the FR's as well; my SO skis the
DII, and we carry an extra in her bc kit.

The main reason for the decision is that I want the performance,
durability and safety edge a dedicated alpine rig has over even the
beefiest AT rig... both in the boots and the bindings. But you're
right, I'm getting older, and one day soon the performance issue won't
be as important and I'll probably switch to a single AT setup for both
types of skiing.


I'm confident that you're not there yet!

I skied my new Atomics R:EX's this past weekend and they are
hands-down my favourite skis ever. Quick, responsive, hold a great
edge on hard-pack, steady and predicable in crud and effortless in
powder. Got them in a 184 after test driving some 170's and 177's as
well as the 184's. The 184's won the contest hands-down. The shorter
skis worked well on the groomers and crud, but in the bumps and the
powder the 184's were the clear winners... for me anyway. YMMV.


Just so I can store this in the databank: How much do you weigh?

Of course there is a bad side to liking them so much. I'm now starting
to think about selling the Rossi XX's (even thought I quite like them
as well) and getting a second pair of R:Ex's with Titanal II's on them
for touring.

I just have to figure out how to break the news to Holly. ;-)


On the Sunday after you're lavished her with gifts and praise for
Valentine's Day?...

cheers,
john

klaus wrote:

I now have a set of Kharu Extremes w/ Voile bindings that have been
collecting dust in my basement for the last ten years. I'd be willing
part with them for a nominal fee.

Ok.. how much would you pay me to take them?

Well, the dump will charge me $2 if I take them there. Can you do
better?

There seems to be a direct correlation between the functionality and
the monetary value of tele gear. I'm starting to remember why I dumped
it and went back to AT. ;-)

Armin

John Red-Horse wrote:

That's interesting! Many of the folks I ski with use some variety of
those bindings, and they all like them a great deal. So does our favorite
AT-powered Colorado ski mountaineer, Lou Dawson. (See his website's
section dedicated to Dynafit boots/bindings, www.wildsnow.com, for more
his rationale.) One thing's for sure, that system is lighter than many of
the beefier bc-oriented tele gear.

Hey, I've heard rumours that some people even prefer bindings that
lack a heel piece... just goes to show you that there is no accounting
for some people's tastes.

If you run into Lou, tell him that if he has any Diamirs that he
doesn't need I'd be more than willing to dispose of them for him. ;-)

Then that's it! Btw, I've heard great things regarding the Atomics, too.
I've been thinking about getting some set up for tele. My SO will
understand. G

Talked to a pinna who was on a pair last weekend. He loved 'em as
well.

Around here, there are a fair number of folks skiing the TII's in-bounds.
I wonder if those folks are aware of the fact that there are fewer release
modes on the Diamirs...

I've noticed an increase in the number of people skiing Diamirs
(mostly Freerides) in-bounds around here as well. Kinda like a lot of
the SUV's I see driving down the paved roads. I'm starting to wonder
how many of them actually get taken out of bounds and how many are
just bought for the CoolDudeFactor(TM).

As someone pointed out to me... when you ski FR's you're going back to
1970's binding technology. As far as the release goes anyways.

I've also heard that the only difference between it and the Freeride is
that the DIN range and maximum on the Freerides is greater. It could be
that the toepiece is a bit beefier on the FR's as well; my SO skis the
DII, and we carry an extra in her bc kit.

I think the big difference is the toepiece... metal instead of plastic
and a lot beefier. The DIN range doesn't matter that much to me... the
TII goes plenty high enough for me.

Just so I can store this in the databank: How much do you weigh?

About 160 lbs. most of the time. A little less at the end of the tri
season and a litle more at the end of ski season.

On the Sunday after you're lavished her with gifts and praise for
Valentine's Day?...

That was my strategy for getting the pair I have. Bought the skis
before Valentine's but then gave her flowers, a book, chocolates and a
2 hours of pampering and massaging at one of the local spas, as well
as dinner at one of the pricier local eateries, to make her feel
better about me blowing $1000 on yet another new toy.

Might have to wait for Mother's day before buyng another pair. :-)

Armin

Armin wrote:

I've noticed an increase in the number of people skiing Diamirs
(mostly Freerides) in-bounds around here as well. Kinda like a lot of
the SUV's I see driving down the paved roads. I'm starting to wonder
how many of them actually get taken out of bounds and how many are
just bought for the CoolDudeFactor(TM).

As someone pointed out to me... when you ski FR's you're going back to
1970's binding technology. As far as the release goes anyways.

partially agree - I think the advantage is the Freeride makes a ski
useful inbounds as well as backcountry. I still haven't found a
dedicated lift served powder ski (looking for a genuine garage-sale
Miller Light; Yostmark equivalent is too pricey for me) so the Freerides
make my Piste Stinx useful for deep pow lift served as well as touring.
They're too soft for any other inbounds use, so they only see a few days
a year of inbounds. IMO that 70s tech comment is accurate - I think the
heel is reasonably modern, but the toe looks to be outdated, I suspect
because a modern toe would interfere with the touring mode hinging. My
previous Randonee rig (Emory) had an even worse toe; but the heel was a
modern Look turntable; parts interchangable with alpine Look heels;
Randonee bindings still have a ways to go IMO.

Also, note that the Diamirs shaft provides a nice lifter, which some
folks like for inbounds. Probably contributes a bit to their popularity.

"lal_truckee" wrote in message
...
Armin wrote:
lal_truckee wrote in message
...

Kneale Brownson wrote:

I still say if you have room for thick or padded socks, your boots don't
fit perfectly.


So tell me, since the ski boot liner is made of some fairly thick
padding, what difference is it going make if you wear a heavy wool
sock instead of a super thin sock inside it? Especially when the boot
gets to be a couple of years old and starts to pack out a bit. Seems
to me the thick sock is just taking up space that the boot liner used
to occupy.

My boot's inner is thin and firm, and gives just enough to avoid
bruising; I also happen to have the right size feet so I'm in the
thinner liner. (Recall that many boot companies try to get two foot
sizes in each shell size by using two different liners for each shell
size - pity the poor souls with the smaller feet who get stuck with the
thicker, pillowy, inner boots.)

So your boot has "fairly thick padding?" What brand is it?

My boots have orthotics in them that make them the greatest fitting boots I
have ever had. The guy who owns the ski shop, a little place on Bush Street
here in SF near Polk Street, makes them himself and it is well worth the
price. Since I've gotten the orthotics, I only need thin wool socks. Boots
have never been more comfy.

Martha