Rottefella Xplore XC Binding Hard Flexor, Part 2

My first field test of the hard flexor option for the new Rottefella Xplore Backcountry XC Binding. This is not a sponsored video.

[@klausraudonat9155]

You are making the world a brighter place with your super positive videos and that is what we need in these bleak times. Please keep posting.

[@andrewmacaulay1585]

Well spoken Tom…good demonstration. We need more people like you in this world but remember your videos help some of us to get through the day on a positive note. Be safe Brother

[@kcarm32]

I just wanted to thank you again, Tom. Because of you, I purchased our skis early (Nov-2021). This season was the first time my wife had ever been on xc-skis, and with your help, we were able to get outside and ski and she loved it! Doing this has brought us a lot of joy. We found another way to be outside, get some exercise, and have fun during the winter! All the best, Kim C.

[@tomm9850]

Thanks for sharing and I'm so happy that you have found the joy of XC skiing.

[@southface06]

Thanks for the info about the Xplore system, but even more for the views of the fantastic winter landscape. I will go to the (Swedish) mountains in a couple of weeks but your video made me want to go right now 😊

[@tomm9850]

Thanks for the feedback and I hope you have a wonderful ski outing.

[@chrissd08]

Another first class production! Thanks Tom.

[@tomm9850]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for tuning in.

[@deriklawlis2843]

Thanks Tom, I feel you and I hope you feel better soon. Know that your joy permeates all.

[@teemukissa3766]

Thank you Tom for this review. It is very cool to see even the accessories and how they perform. I'm using another account, but I'm the guy who commented a while back about a very long ski tour in Sweden. Well, now I have done it, took the second attempt to be successful. 1300km and 51 days. You videos have really helped me to choose the gear I want for my adventures, even if I do not land on the same models you are skiing. I did end up using the Åsnes Børge Ousland skis with mix x-skins, NNN-BC and Alfa Outback 2.0 for boots. Got around just fine with my current kit that I chose to be more expedition worthy, but for this distance-oriented style I next time would even go with an Åsnes Mountain Race type of ski. I would love a lighter set of poles (now used new Swix Mountain Expeditions that extend to 164cm (!!) to pitch my MLD Duomid XL tent), a lighter set of skis and of course a lighter set of boots. Heck, even bindings! Now, the Xplore really does interest me. Less weight, more control, maybe more kick and glide stability. The boots that are being made by Alpina are super light too. Had the chance to try them in a store a week ago (a size too large though). Unfortunately the (hard) heel cup and ankle padding do not feel right to me, and I have to wait what kind of other models are available to be tried out next season. I actually met a person testing out Lundhags' version of the XP boots on my tour, that they told me Lundhags aim to release these next year! Alfa has been my go-to boot manufacturer as they fit me the best, but for some reason the Guard did not fit at all, so I am also worried how the XP version of those fit. The other boots, the Free and whatever the cheaper version was, seem a little too much or little too little for my kind of skiing. Maybe Lundhags saves the day. I still would love to see an integrated gaiter on a boot, as that is super helpful at camp, no need to carry extra camp shoes or fiddle with detachable gaiters to take a piss at night. The other interesting use I would put the Xplore system through is on some long forest skis we use here to travel through extreme powder snow mid-winter. I am talking 250cm+ long skis. I have had good experiences of the NNNBC binding and boots on those skis too, as the longer they get, the harder to control downhill or when just step turning to get through some thick forest every now and then. Hard flexors have helped with skiing these long skis too. I am so looking forward to mounting a pair of Xplore on these skis. So far my change from more traditional bindings and boots to NNNBC has allowed me to telemark with the 250cm skis too, which sounds and is wild. I just got a deal on some (heavy) 280cm skis to try out if they are too clumsy to ski through more forested areas. Will end up getting a lighter pair eventually, but want to see if the extra flotation is worth it. Planning to do a longer forest ski tour next winter, before heading to the States for some hiking. So, thanks again for showcasing all the options you get your hands on!

[@tomm9850]

1300 km is more snow than many people see in a decade! I'm glad your trip and equipment worked out well. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I wonder if anyone has that kind of distance on the Xplore system, and if so, how the boot and pins have held up. If your current system is working well, it might be risky to make the switch. That being said, I do like the Xplore system. I don't have the perfect boot fit yet, but that is more due to my abnormal feet than it is due to the boot design. At any rate, thanks for taking the time to post about your experience. I hope others will read it and seek your advice regarding long distance ski touring. Take care and have a great summer.

[@teemukissa3766]

@@tomm9850 I have messaged the person who was testing the Lundhags boots. They did the same tour as I did, and the system seemed to hold up quite well, she had over 600km on them when we last met. Have no answer yet of what her thoughts are after the trip

[@stephentannen7960]

Thanks Tom for the video and your positive karma! Im a newbie BC skier; crashed hard yesterday at local golf course. Your comment about terrain selection (ie avoiding Southern icy slopes) helps me understand my fall yesterday. Right Madshus M62 plunged through crust and got stuck in soft under layer. Left ski and rest of my body kept going! LOL. I feel like the Rottefella XPLORE will offer more control for descents on mixed conditions. Thanks

[@tomm9850]

Breakable crust is the most difficult condition to ski and the only tactic I know that works is to avoid it. :)

[@stephentannen7960]

@@tomm9850 Thank you for your help. I was feeling foolish for crashing on a 50ft hill.

[@jepetoaudet]

Thank you ,To keep us up to date on your trial of the Rottefella xplore.

[@tomm9850]

Will do, and thanks for tuning in.

[@macroman3915]

I normally do Skialp using Dynafit binding in italian Alps but your ski approach Is so wondert. I have to buy your devices!!!

[@tomm9850]

The Rottefella Xplore system is great for Cross Country Downhill skiing. Thanks for tuning in and I hope you are having a great ski season.

[@andrewmacaulay1585]

Hi Tom…. Looking forward to your videos this season on the white gold🤠 New Brunswick Canada 🇨🇦

[@tomm9850]

I'm looking forward to winter as well. Let's hope it is a great snow year. Thanks for tuning in and I appreciate the feedback.

[@3pin]

I'm sold, it's a 2-pin world!

[@tomm9850]

@3pin I'm very happy with my Xplore setups and I hope you have a similar experience. Thanks for tuning in and for posting feedback.

[@markmckenzie3522]

This system really looks like a great improvement from NNNBC for low angle skiing. I am hopeful the binding and especially boots become more available stateside next year as I am due an upgrade for my light touring rig. Man I only wish we had snow that bad here in the East....skiing dust on blue ice on most areas due to rain, freeze and light snow the last two weeks!!

[@tomm9850]

Those conditions sound very difficult at best, and kudos to those who are willing to use XC backcountry gear on anything hard, icy, and breakable.

[@HectorTheMonkey]

Great perspective and review Tom! Also, nice touch with the Ukraine heart/colours.

[@tomm9850]

Many thanks!

[@ronan615]

As a beginner cross-country skier looking to get more into backcountry xc, do you think these represent enough of a benefit to justify the added cost over simply finding an older 75mm+cable system, or even just a NNN BC system? I'm looking ideally at a ski somewhere between the 78's and 98's (or possibly one of those) for mild touring in Colorado. Appreciate the consistently fantastic content.

[@tomm9850]

The NNNBC and the 75mm + cable are great systems. 75 mm is the only option for those who want to use a low cut 2 buckle stiff plastic boot (like the Scarpa T4) and NNNBC has worked well for many years for off trail and mild touring. The more I ski the Xplore system, the more I like it. I don't think it will be a life changing experience for most seasoned skiers, especially for skiers who are very happy with their current gear, but I'm a convert. The new Alfa Free boot is an amazing soft boot for lightweight XC downhill control, and the Alpina Alaska XP is one of the best off trail boots for kick and glide tours that I have skied. In the past, I would have skied 3 pin leathers for XC downhill, and NNNBC for kick and glide. Now that I have made the switch to Xplore, I can pick either boot (Alfa Free or Alaska XP) and match it up to any ski with the Xplore binding. The cost is definitely high, but I think this is the future for off trail XC skiing. I won't be replacing any of my gear with NNNBC or 75 mm 3 pin / leathers in the future (unless of course the pin system on the Xplore boots prove not to be durable over time)

[@ronan615]

@@tomm9850 thank you so much for the in-depth reply. My local outdoors shop is taking orders for next year, so I'll have to consider investing in a setup. Unless I can find something for really cheap, seems foolish to not just go for the better "future" binding.

[@tykhonovych]

Thanks a million, Tom

[@tomm9850]

You are welcome

[@allanwood3562]

We stand with your Ukraine sentiments.

[@markvail979]

Was just out today in Vermont with the Nansens with Xplores and the new Alpinas. Wonderful system. Where did you get the hard flexer? (No war.)

[@tomm9850]

The Nansens / Xplore / Alaska XP would be an amazing combination, fast and capable. Alfa has the hard flexors and the free plate for a reasonable price (10 euro 12 US$), but the shipping to the US is cost prohibitive in my opinion. www.alfaoutdoor.com/products/xplore-bc-flex-hard I was lucky in that a neighbor ordered a set of boots from Alfa and was kind enough to let me add a set of flexors to his boot order. I'm hoping that a US retailer (like REI) will carry them next year. The standard flexors work great, and the hard flexors are nice to have, but not must have option.

[@allanwood3562]

What I really want is a lightweight touring boot that is ntn compatible. I understand commercial realities but I don't want to have to make my own boots.

[@tomm9850]

Me too. I hope Scarpa makes this a reality.

[@allanwood3562]

@@tomm9850 it's got me wondering now about how the soles are bonded to plastic boots :)

[@snowee___joey]

Amen.