Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

Any reason my Voile Switchbacks wont work with my Alico Ski March? I get that's an oversized binding for a leather boot - just wondering if the tension on the boot would destroy it sooner?

FWIW: I bought the switchbacks to mount to my mountaineering boots (which was the worst of both worlds, but it did work), and am thinking of putting them on a thinner downhill ski to goof around with my leather boots. I probably won't buy plastics this year.

Otherwise - if someone wants some new (only used twice on bcx days) voile switchbacks with large cables, I'd be interested in some binding trades!

Thanks,
Josh

borchjd wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 19, 2021 1:39 pm

Any reason my Voile Switchbacks wont work with my Alico Ski March? I get that's an oversized binding for a leather boot - just wondering if the tension on the boot would destroy it sooner?

I don't see why they wouldn't work. You just want to adjust the tension to be suitable for the softness of those boots. It isn't like another binding could do much better with soft boots, since the softness of the boots will be limiting factor with any binding.

The main reason for downsizing the binding might be weight, but the free pivot on the Switchback is actually quite nice for kick and glide once you get used to it.

I've had mixed results with leather boots and SBs. Often, the SBs heel resistance would bend/squash the sole of the boots just enough to make it loose and sometimes cause the heel piece fall off the back of the boot. Heavy duty leathers like the merrel super comp ultras seem to work fine but anything lighter than asolo extremes seem to squash too much from the heel resistance from the SBs in my experience.

Thanks for the feedback! I think a 3-pin cable binding is the best way to go here then. My SBs will be on the telemark sale forum once I pop them off my old skis.

Appreciate all the feedback,
Josh

I haven't had good results with heavier leather boots with SBs either.

You can buy a Voile 3-pin cable for about $125 USD right now. I matches up nicely with the Ski March.
Now I have a fatter ski that I have mounted 3 pin Hardwire. The Ski March skis nicely with that binding because the three pin clamp holds the boot firmly, I can have the Hardwire set at very low tension. Just enough for a little extra assistance on challenging downhills. Most of the time the Hardwire is clamped to the heelpiece.
For what it’s worth, most of the time the cables from my 3-pin cables are in my Camelback.
I’m the guy that really likes the Ski March for downhill oriented touring in hill country, where you still tour more than you turn.