Freeride (light) Touring Setup Questions

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ShredMasterFlex

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Long time lurker, first time poster.

6', 165lbs, Type "3+" skier lol. Can't help but feel like a bit of a Dbag dropping that "+." Come from a racing background and currently sportin' some lange RS 130's, Line SFB's 190cm with Jesters. I like to haul ass, slash, butter, spin nothing bigger than a 5 (yet), ride a lil switch.

I'm in the market for a freeride setup for light touring, mainly around VT's Mount Mansfield region but also geared towards handling some slightly longer tours on trips out west (big sky/ jackson). Boots, skis, bindings. I've really narrowed it down to some Blizzard Gunsmokes or Line Mordecai's. The hesitation comes with the boots and bindings. Im looking at Marker Dukes and Kingpins, and Dalbello Lupo SP's and Lupo T.I.'s respectively. Is the pin binding really necessary in my case? I'm definitely more concerned about downhill performance, but I'm also probably going to get really into earning my turns more frequently and going on longer tours. Honestly just looking for some feedback on the above possible setups from those of you who have ridden em. Like I said, pretty fixed on one of those two skis. Feel free to roast me on whatever flaws there are in the post, and hope to hear back from some of you. Thanks!
 
Kingpins feel really solid and they ski super close to an alpine binding due to the heel piece. If RS 130 fits you, I'd recommend you checking out XT 130 Freetours. They're lighter weight, comes with integrated tech fittings and are close to a pound lighter than RS 130 in same size.
 
sounds like for what you're doing, a frame binding would make the most sense. The kingpins are certainly an improvement over traditional tech bindings, but I still wouldn't want to use them on a setup that is going to be primarily used inbounds or for short tours.

For boots, I don't have experience with either of the dalbello's you listed above, beyond trying them on in a shop. I'd echo the recommendation of the Lange XT, and/or XT freetour. There are currently a lot of good options for freeride boots with walk modes. As always, go with what fits your foot. I'd also throw in the Tecninca Cochise Pro, Scarpa Freedom RS, Salomon QST Pro,
 
if you go frame bindings id suggest tyrolia adrenalins. when i chose from the 3 frame AT bindings i went with the adrenalins (and liked them a lot) with the guardians in second place cause i heard way more negatives re: the dukes

idk anything about the mordecai but i hear great things about the gunsmoke. youre a big dude and a good skier, get something with some balls!
 
Similar build (5'11, 155 w/o gear), similar background (FIS-level racer) and skied in the same area (Mansfield w/ trips out west).

My recommendation from personal experience?

Go with a Gunsmoke, Kartel 116, or something similar that has some backbone. If the Mordacai is ANYTHING like the the 1st. gen Opus (White top sheet with the red tree) it will not really like any long run outs or big high speed turns. IMO I would go for the Kartel 116 in a mid 180 length because any longer will suck out east. I skied a 186 Peacemaker as my DD and a 186 Gunsmoke as my pow ski, it worked out nicely.

For bindings, I would go with the Tyrolia options over the Marker, Atomic/Salomon, or any other frame option.

I wouldn't go with a tech option if you're looking to huck 5s or 3s unless it was the Beast (and even then, I wouldn't).

If I were you, I would go with CAST if you go with a Dalbello boot or Tecnica and a WTR binding (I think they're compatible). It is definitely a pricier option than a frame or pure tech binding, but it has the ability for you to get a better ROM than a frame binding and a better skiing ability than a tech option.

If you REALLY think you are going to get into longer tours (upwards of 3+ hours min.), then just go for a pure tech set up (boots, bindings, skis) and forgo the jibbing thoughts.

Boots are a crap shoot since we can't tell you what fits. But your options are as follows IF you want a walkmode:

1. Tecnica Cochise/ZeroG (I think ZeroG can swap soles?)

2. Dalbello Lupo (Any version)

3. Lange XT Freetour 130

4. K2 boots

5. Scarpa Freedom

6. Salomon Quest or QST

7. Atomic Waymaker
 
13757394:.MASSHOLE. said:
Similar build (5'11, 155 w/o gear), similar background (FIS-level racer) and skied in the same area (Mansfield w/ trips out west).

My recommendation from personal experience?

Go with a Gunsmoke, Kartel 116, or something similar that has some backbone. If the Mordacai is ANYTHING like the the 1st. gen Opus (White top sheet with the red tree) it will not really like any long run outs or big high speed turns. IMO I would go for the Kartel 116 in a mid 180 length because any longer will suck out east. I skied a 186 Peacemaker as my DD and a 186 Gunsmoke as my pow ski, it worked out nicely.

For bindings, I would go with the Tyrolia options over the Marker, Atomic/Salomon, or any other frame option.

I wouldn't go with a tech option if you're looking to huck 5s or 3s unless it was the Beast (and even then, I wouldn't).

If I were you, I would go with CAST if you go with a Dalbello boot or Tecnica and a WTR binding (I think they're compatible). It is definitely a pricier option than a frame or pure tech binding, but it has the ability for you to get a better ROM than a frame binding and a better skiing ability than a tech option.

If you REALLY think you are going to get into longer tours (upwards of 3+ hours min.), then just go for a pure tech set up (boots, bindings, skis) and forgo the jibbing thoughts.

Boots are a crap shoot since we can't tell you what fits. But your options are as follows IF you want a walkmode:

1. Tecnica Cochise/ZeroG (I think ZeroG can swap soles?)

2. Dalbello Lupo (Any version)

3. Lange XT Freetour 130

4. K2 boots

5. Scarpa Freedom

6. Salomon Quest or QST

7. Atomic Waymaker
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking your time to respond, I really appreciate it. I've heard nothing but great things about the Kartels, but unfortunately we don't carry ON3P in the shop I work at. Budget is probably something I should have mentioned. I'm at that point where I know I'm updating my gear very soon and therefore it's kind of all I can think about. Dangerous. Going off of your advice I think the Gunsmokes are the ones, also in a 186.

The CAST seems to be the most monumental system out there. Trekkers were an option but I've heard that traversing with them just doesn't work well. The CAST seems like its pretty much the answer to my problem, but unfortunately my budget won't allow it. The adrenaline on the other hand is something I will definitely consider.

Totally forgot about the new Cochise 130. I like that they have tech inserts in case I were to put together a setup geared purely towards touring. I had a pair of KR pros for a while and absolutely loved everything about them EXCEPT for the wrap liners, which gave me a gnarly pressure point down the side of my leg. Hence, my reasoning for the Lupos is prob flawed logic. I'll try both boots on and see whats up.

Thanks again for the advice.
 
13757481:ShredMasterFlex said:
Thanks for taking your time to respond, I really appreciate it. I've heard nothing but great things about the Kartels, but unfortunately we don't carry ON3P in the shop I work at. Budget is probably something I should have mentioned. I'm at that point where I know I'm updating my gear very soon and therefore it's kind of all I can think about. Dangerous. Going off of your advice I think the Gunsmokes are the ones, also in a 186.

The CAST seems to be the most monumental system out there. Trekkers were an option but I've heard that traversing with them just doesn't work well. The CAST seems like its pretty much the answer to my problem, but unfortunately my budget won't allow it. The adrenaline on the other hand is something I will definitely consider.

Totally forgot about the new Cochise 130. I like that they have tech inserts in case I were to put together a setup geared purely towards touring. I had a pair of KR pros for a while and absolutely loved everything about them EXCEPT for the wrap liners, which gave me a gnarly pressure point down the side of my leg. Hence, my reasoning for the Lupos is prob flawed logic. I'll try both boots on and see whats up.

Thanks again for the advice.
Click to expand...

No problem, which shop do you work at?

The Gunsmoke in a 186 should be great. I liked it a lot but once I left VT and did most of my pow skiing out west I wanted something more directional.

CAST can be found used sometimes over on TGR, they often have a wide range of used stuff which may help your budget. If you like the KR Pros, try the Lupo's with a different intuition liner?
 
13757548:.MASSHOLE. said:
No problem, which shop do you work at?

The Gunsmoke in a 186 should be great. I liked it a lot but once I left VT and did most of my pow skiing out west I wanted something more directional.

CAST can be found used sometimes over on TGR, they often have a wide range of used stuff which may help your budget. If you like the KR Pros, try the Lupo's with a different intuition liner?
Click to expand...

Working at the Alpine Shop on Williston Rd. Right next door to Higher Ground. Only problem with CAST is that you have to get a tech binding, or at least a toe-piece on top of the system itself right?. I do have an extra pair of FKS 180's, but no tech bindings. I have zip-fits in the RS 130's, might be able to put them in the Lupo's? Otherwise I think one of intuition's traditional liners is probably my next best bet.
 
13757585:ShredMasterFlex said:
Working at the Alpine Shop on Williston Rd. Right next door to Higher Ground. Only problem with CAST is that you have to get a tech binding, or at least a toe-piece on top of the system itself right?. I do have an extra pair of FKS 180's, but no tech bindings. I have zip-fits in the RS 130's, might be able to put them in the Lupo's? Otherwise I think one of intuition's traditional liners is probably my next best bet.
Click to expand...

Ah I know where that is. My friends used to work there 3+ years back when we went to UVM. Almost went in to try some Lupos on over the weekend but went to OGE to try some Khion/Beasts instead.

That is the truth but finding used toe pieces for ~$150-$200 isn't hard. Check TGR Gear Swap or even go to OGE and see what their used selection has. If all you need are the plates and two toes it may run you close to the price for a frame binding.

Zipfits work (assuming the cork fills in similar places), hell it may even be better for ROM versus a PW. I like my PWs because I have a high instep so traditional tongue liners don't work well with my foot.
 
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