Walking with NNN BC sole ?

This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web. We have fun here, come on in and be a part of it.
Post Reply
User avatar
FrenchFred
Posts: 69
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2019 2:07 pm
Location: Grenoble
Ski style: Cross Country Downhill - Mainly downhill
Favorite Skis: FT62, K2 Backlite 74
Favorite boots: Alaska NNNBC, Alpha Free XP
Occupation: Trying to find new fun spot in my backyard.

Walking with NNN BC sole ?

Post by FrenchFred » Sat Nov 02, 2019 1:32 pm

Hy,

Where I'm in the Alpes (France), during the spring, we need to walk in the mountains 1h before reaching the snow and start skiing.

I'm wondering about the solidity of the NNN BC sole, in comparaison with 75mm sole ?

Have you any experience or advice ?

It seems like 75mm norme with medium flex leather boot would be more complient with walking in the mountain... Is it thrue or not ?

Thanks
Fred

User avatar
Tom M
Posts: 333
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 9:01 pm
Location: Northwest Wyoming USA
Ski style: Skate on Groomed, XCD Off, Backcountry Tele
Favorite Skis: Fischer S-Bound 98 Off Trail, Voile V6 BC for Tele
Favorite boots: Currently skiing Alfa Vista, Alfa Free, Scarpa T2
Occupation: Retired
Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCam0VG ... shelf_id=1

Re: Walking with NNN BC sole ?

Post by Tom M » Sun Nov 03, 2019 9:05 am

I've done several 2 hour walks in my Rossignol BC-X12 3 pin boots to gain snow in the spring. Two issues come to mind. The pin holes will plug up with mud, so bring something along to remove the mud, and watch your feet, as its easy to catch the duckbill on roots and rocks. Other than that, not much different from hiking with a similar hiking boot. I haven't done long trail hikes with NNNBC boots, but have no problem walking in them. My biggest concern would be rocks getting lodged in the sole, so be prepared for that possibility. If I'm going to ski in plastic boots (Scarpa T2) and have a long approach, then I carry them in a large backpack and use my normal hiking boots. I love spring skiing. Well worth the hassle.



User avatar
lilcliffy
Posts: 4112
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:20 pm
Location: Stanley, New Brunswick, Canada
Ski style: backcountry Nordic ski touring
Favorite Skis: Asnes Ingstad, Combat Nato, Amundsen, Rabb 68; Altai Kom
Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska BC; Lundhags Expedition; Alfa Skaget XP; Scarpa T4
Occupation: Forestry Professional
Instructor at Maritime College of Forest Technology
Husband, father, farmer and logger

Re: Walking with NNN BC sole ?

Post by lilcliffy » Sun Nov 03, 2019 10:35 am

I echo Tom's experience with hiking in NN and NNN boots-

I have done too much hiking on both 3-pin and NNN boots-
By "too much" I mean enough to seriously damage the outsoles-

- with 3-pin boots I have not only plugged the holes- I have also seriously damaged the holes and the duckbill (In one case I would have been f'cked if I hadn't had a heel cable- that was enough to make me stop hiking in 3-pin boots!)

- with NNN I have scored the toe bar (to the point that it, in turn, scored the bushing!) as well as worn the outsole that is around the toe bar (to the point that it has increased play between the boot outsole and the binding plate.)

I carry my ski boots in my pack if I need to hike.
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.



User avatar
FrenchFred
Posts: 69
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2019 2:07 pm
Location: Grenoble
Ski style: Cross Country Downhill - Mainly downhill
Favorite Skis: FT62, K2 Backlite 74
Favorite boots: Alaska NNNBC, Alpha Free XP
Occupation: Trying to find new fun spot in my backyard.

Re: Walking with NNN BC sole ?

Post by FrenchFred » Sun Nov 03, 2019 10:46 am

Hy Tom,

Thanks for your fit back !
Great to ear that your NNNBC sole seems to be pretty much the same as you 75mm.

I'm watching your youtube video since along time ! Great work !
And your last one about the lateral stifness comparaison between NNNBC et 75mm is interesting !

I have skied Excursion88 skis with NNNBC and Fisher BCX6 in resort and I can say that it doesn't lack of lateral stifness ! Bad snow is the only limit.

Any other advises ?
Fred



User avatar
FrenchFred
Posts: 69
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2019 2:07 pm
Location: Grenoble
Ski style: Cross Country Downhill - Mainly downhill
Favorite Skis: FT62, K2 Backlite 74
Favorite boots: Alaska NNNBC, Alpha Free XP
Occupation: Trying to find new fun spot in my backyard.

Re: Walking with NNN BC sole ?

Post by FrenchFred » Sun Nov 03, 2019 11:09 am

Thanks Lilcliffy

Walking with my nordic boots is not a good idea.
I think, I will carry them in my backpack.

The NNNBC ones are ligther... This is important when you carry them !

Thanks
Fred



User avatar
Woodserson
Posts: 2967
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2015 10:25 am
Location: New Hampshire
Ski style: Bumps, trees, steeps and long woodsy XC tours
Occupation: Confused Turn Farmer

Re: Walking with NNN BC sole ?

Post by Woodserson » Mon Nov 04, 2019 7:54 am

Someone sells plugs for the bar area of the NNN-BC boots to protect them while hiking. I can't find it/remember where.... anyone remember?



User avatar
Leo Tasker
Posts: 88
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2018 3:50 am
Location: Oslo, Norway
Ski style: Uncoordinated but enthustiastic
Favorite Skis: Åsnes Gamme
Favorite boots: Alfa Skarvet
Occupation: Top Gun Bootfitter

Re: Walking with NNN BC sole ?

Post by Leo Tasker » Mon Nov 04, 2019 11:47 am

Aside from the potential damage to the toe bar, I find walking a long way in NNN BC boots to be pretty tiring - the sole is stiff and has a very flat profile, which doesn't help with a natural rolling foot motion. Duckbill boots may be better in this regard as the sole is designed to have a natural flex, but I don't have much experience with them...



User avatar
Nitram Tocrut
Posts: 529
Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2018 10:50 pm
Location: Quebec, Canada
Ski style: Backyard XC skiing if that is a thing
Favorite Skis: Sverdrup and MT51
Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska NNNBC
Occupation: Organic vegetable grower and many other things!

Re: Walking with NNN BC sole ?

Post by Nitram Tocrut » Mon Nov 04, 2019 12:17 pm

Woodserson wrote:
Mon Nov 04, 2019 7:54 am
Someone sells plugs for the bar area of the NNN-BC boots to protect them while hiking. I can't find it/remember where.... anyone remember?
I have plenty of duct tape if you want, ni need for those fancy plugs :lol:



Post Reply