Walking with NNN BC sole ?
- 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 ?
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
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
- Tom M
- Posts: 333
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- 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 ?
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.
- lilcliffy
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Instructor at Maritime College of Forest Technology
Husband, father, farmer and logger
Re: Walking with NNN BC sole ?
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.
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.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.
- 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 ?
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
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
- 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 ?
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
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
- Woodserson
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Re: Walking with NNN BC sole ?
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?
- Leo Tasker
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Re: Walking with NNN BC sole ?
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...
- Nitram Tocrut
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Re: Walking with NNN BC sole ?
I have plenty of duct tape if you want, ni need for those fancy plugsWoodserson wrote: ↑Mon Nov 04, 2019 7:54 amSomeone 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?