Are there any hiking boot-friendly cross-country ski bindings?
I use snow-shoes for winter backpacking and I love it; but I think I could cover more ground and enjoy it more if I used skis. Can you recommend a cross-country ski binding that will accept my perfect fitting Asolo TPS 535 hiking boots? James Orem, UT
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Ummm…David, I’m afraid I can’t help here. The Asolo 535 boots are for hiking. They’ll take a snowshoe binding fine. But they won’t attach to skis. You need a proper XC ski boot for that.
I think you’d like a boot such as the Rossignol BC X11 ($280). They’re a hiking boot in ski-boot guise, with stiff plastic uppers, a great fit, good for kick-and-glide but stiff enough for turning on the downhills.
Take a look as well at Salomon’s X-ADV 5 ($160). A little softer than the Rossignols, so better for travel on rolling rather than steep terrain. But comfortable and warm. Similar in weight and performance is Alpina‘s BC 1550 ($170). Insulated, with a plastic cuff around the ankles for support.
Speaking broadly, skis versus snowshoes for backcountry use can be argued several ways. Snowshoes are easier to use, better in rough terrain, compatible with any boots. Skiing is definitely faster overall because of the greater speed on the downhill. But…it can be more difficult to manage, more specialized, and not so maneuverable on steep or varied terrain. I’ve done both snowshoes and skis for backcountry use. I like both, but it depends on what the trip is like.
But, for skiing, you definitely need the right gear: ski boots, skis with bindings, and so on. I think you’ll have fun with it!