XC boot/binding question

This may be a bit off-topic, but I know there's some BC ski knowledge in this forum.

I'm working on dirtbagging my way into light backcountry skiing. I don't mean full-on AT or even telemark here, mostly a sort of heavy cross country. Being able to ski down James Peak or the like. I'm fairly happy with my skis (long, narrow Choinard tele skis with metal edges and minimal side cut) and the skins have worked out pretty well. But my low-top, soft leather boots are on their last legs and need replacing.

So here's the question:

Finding 75mm XC boots is becoming ridiculously hard. REI doesn't carry them (I've got a dividend to spend) and most manufacturers don't even make them anymore. I can switch to NNN-BC bindings for probably less money than a good pair of 75mm boots, but I worry about having less lateral control than with the broader 75mm, three-pin bindings I'm currently using. Also, I'm worried that NNN boots won't be quite as friendly to hiking (which I inevitably do a bit of on every outing). Switching bindings isn't a big deal; I'm mostly concerned with finding boots that fit with enough ankle support for more downhill control.

I'm not necessarily interested in just picking up a tele setup as I'd also like to be able to use this for flat cruising with the family. Maybe next year ;-)

Thanks, y'all.

I found a couple pairs of 75mm xc touring boots on mountaingear.com.
I am not really sure how to post links so I just copied the address into the post. I hope this is helpful. Both are on sale right now as well.
Kirk

Boot 1: Alpina BC 1550 75mm boot
mountaingear.com/pages/prod…

Boot 2: Alpina BC 2075 75mm boot
mountaingear.com/pages/prod…

Wanna ski in your mountaineering or ice climbing boots?

silvretta.de/bindungen.php?…

Don't know if your skis are heavy enough for these but they sound like it'll work.

Those bindings are pretty sweet, especially if you have to ski an approach.

Garmont makes 75mm Light Backcounty boots also. They offer either Leather or plastic.

garmontusa.com/light-backco…

Thanks for the links, everyone. I'm leaning toward the Alpina 1550 at the moment.

One specific question is how do NNN BC bindings handle in comparison to 75mm given a boot of the same stiffness? NNN would be cheaper than staying with 75mm (long story).

REI carried the Garmont 75 mm boots last season. I bought a pair for my fiance.

I've done a good amount of skiing on NNN BC and 75 MM. Used to work in a shop that demoed both styles and the 75 mm is definitely a better downhill option if the idea of tele turns enters your mind.

Karhu makes a style...here's one:

karhuskico.com/products/pro…

If you are in Boulder (or nearby) Boulder Sports Recycler (N. Broadway up by the intersection of 28th (36) is a great place to look...cheers!

Merrel and Asolo have made these styles and are likley finds at second hand gear shops and Craig's List.

Charles, how did your homemade kicker skin project go?

Rick Blair wrote:Charles, how did your homemade kicker skin project go?

I picked up an old set of Ascension skins (pre-BD) which were a little too short for my skis. Instead of cutting them down into kickers, I did a little creative riveting, adding a tail kit, and have very functional full-length skins.



Here's the field test report: swarpa.net/~danforth/wj/xc_… The problem is, the skins get me into terrain I don't have the skills to get out of. As usual, I blame my equipment, thus all the questions above about boots.

Really, I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have some new sport to try to sidestep my way into ;-)

The NNN-BC works best for control when your foot is flat to the ski-it was developed so as to not have R & L, & ease of step-in. For control, the 3-pin 75mm (state of the art 1903 on)is better, so long as the pin holes aren't too worn, 'cause the binding engages the boot duckbill regardless of heel position. And for hiking, the space behind the transverse pin on the NNNs tends to ball up with snow-not a problem with 75mm. [I have 30+ years on xc, 20+ years in a shop that both sold & rented]. Newer ain't necessarily better-I regard NNN as easier but inferior. And the gear matters much less than technique-which is why I'm a great mediocre skier :)

What's your boot size, Charles? There is a pair of Asolo 75mm boots on consignment at the used sporting goods store on Gaylord in Denver. 9.5s.

Again, thanks for the sage words. I realized through this I have three requirements: size, specific style, and cheap price. I can't really compromise on size (47 or about 12.5), so it comes down to style vs price. Unfortunately, none of the on-sale sites had my size so I ended up with a full-retail price pair of Alpina 1575's from Wildernes Sexchange.

Hopefully we get a little more snow so I can actually use these things this season. I'd hate for them to sit, new and unused in my closet along with my ice rope.