Heavy-Duty Backcountry-XCountry Boot
The Alpina Alaska NNNBC is the best NNNBC Nordic boot I have tried. I have well over 4000kms of backcountry touring on my current pair- without any significant problems. Pros include: comfort, durability, warmth, and performance. The only con I have had is that the stock insoles are very poor.
My everyday skiing is off-trail xcountry through rolling terrain (with the occasional steep climb and decent). Although I appreciate 75mm telemark bindings when I truly need them; I find it agonizingly inefficient compared to NNNBC for most of the skiing I do. If there was more vertical in my backyard- I would probably be on 75mm-3 pin boots/bindings. I have always been convinced that 75mm-3 pin bindings offered much greater downhill control than NNNBC. I have become more and more impressed with what I can do on NNNBC.
In recent years, I have struggled to find the perfect NNNBC boot. I have tried the Rossi BC line; like them; but not enough support. I used the Fischer BCX6 for two seasons; love the performance; but they hurt my feet.- the Fischer’s' flex point squeezes my toes and metatarsus (apparently this has been fixed in the newer model). So far; the Alpina Alaska is the best NNNBC boot I have tried: incredible comfort; impressive support; excellent stability; excellent stride and glide.
I am currently using this boot with NNNBC-Magnum bindings; Madshus Eon, and Annum skis.
After more than 4000kms of backcountry touring, the comfort and support continue to impress me. As far as performance; these boots excel at what hey are designed to be: a heavy-duty, off-trail, stride and glide xcountry boot. They stride and glide beautifully.
These are very high quality boots- made in the Alpina boot factory in Slovenia.
Touring performance. In my opinion; these boots are designed first and foremost for striding- not steering. (For comparison- I think of these boots as more like a long-distance backpacking/hiking boot; than a mountaineering boot.) These boots are primarily designed to offer support, stability and flexibility when kick and glide-touring in the backcountry. They have a moderately-stiff sole flex (similar to a heavy-duty hiking/backpacking boot). They are relatively torsionally-rigid from the ankle down- to offer ankle support and stability in variable terrain and snow conditions. However; they are not rigid from the ankle up; and are relatively flexible through the instep and above the ankle. This is designed to offer striding performance for classic kick & glide xcountry skiing. In my opinion, they do not offer as much above-the-ankle support as some other light backcountry Nordic boots. But, in my experience, you cannot gain above-ankle rigidness, support, and leverage; without losing flexibility through the instep.
These are very high quality boots- made in the Alpina boot factory in Slovenia.
Touring performance. In my opinion; these boots are designed first and foremost for striding- not steering. (For comparison- I think of these boots as more like a long-distance backpacking/hiking boot; than a mountaineering boot.) These boots are primarily designed to offer support, stability and flexibility when kick and glide-touring in the backcountry. They have a moderately-stiff sole flex (similar to a heavy-duty hiking/backpacking boot). They are relatively torsionally-rigid from the ankle down- to offer ankle support and stability in variable terrain and snow conditions. However; they are not rigid from the ankle up; and are relatively flexible through the instep and above the ankle. This is designed to offer striding performance for classic kick & glide xcountry skiing. In my opinion, they do not offer as much above-the-ankle support as some other light backcountry Nordic boots. But, in my experience, you cannot gain above-ankle rigidness, support, and leverage; without losing flexibility through the instep.
Downhill performance. I have found that I can turn a wide range of skis with these boots- depending on the snow conditions. In powder snow, I can stride through a telemark turn- even on the Madshus Annum (109-78-95mm). But on hardpack, ice, and/or a groomed surface, I need to be on a narrower ski with these boots (one might ask why anyone would ski on hard snow/ice with a powder ski in the first place- but these things do happen!) By comparison; with the Eon (83-62-70mm) I can hold a carving turn with this boot on hardpack. But- due to a lack of above-ankle support and leverage- this boot is not strong enough to steer skis in alpine-style downhill turns. I do find that these boots have enough stability and support to stride through a traditional telemark turn.
Regardless; this boot is perfect for my everyday skiing: off-trail, backcountry, kick and glide, xcountry. And for that; the NNNBC binding is a perfect mate. When the snow conditions are too harsh; I simply am a bit more strategic with my descents.
Durability. Overall, durability is impressive. The standard insoles are inadequate; they have little support, and they gradually slide back as you ski (I replaced them). The lace system is excellent; however the cleats are hard on the laces. The cleats, coupled with no lace cover; cause the laces to wear. I would definitely recommend bringing an extra set of laces if you were headed out for a multi-day trip.
Care. These are leather boots; I recommend treating the leather- thoroughly. I am using Zamberlan Hydrobloc (a similar water-based product should be just as good). Make sure you use a product that does not affect the waterproof-breathable liner. I thoroughly wet the leather before applying the Hydrobloc- for complete saturation (about twice per season). I treat the flex points every time I take them off, in order to prevent the leather from eventually cracking.
Out of the box these boots are more orange than red. Once you treat the leather- they will turn red.
Fit. These boots have relatively narrow heels, with memory foam supporting the ankle and shank of your calf. I have a small volume foot. I have relatively narrow heels, with a comparatively wide ball of foot /metatarsus. The footbed of these boots fit me perfectly- but I find them to be large volume for their width. I made up some of that volume with a high-volume insole. Through a process of boot treatment, and diligent training of the leather tongue- I now have a perfect fit. I had to train the thick leather tongue to slide under the sides of the boot. I have read reports of these boots being too small for people- I have a thought that this may be more of a problem with width- rather than boot volume. I would describe these boots as being high-volume, with only narrow to moderate width. I have managed to train the leather to dial in a perfect custom fit. These boots are incredibly comfortable and very supportive.
Warmth and waterproofness. These boots are well-insulated- they are very warm. I have done full-day backcountry tours in temperatures as low as -30C, with only a thin wool sock. The entire interior of the boot is encased in an effective waterproof-breathable liner ("Alpitex"). I have found the "Alpitex" to be every bit as effective as GTX. The combined system of treated leather, waterproof-breathable liner, and breathable insulation, is an ideal backcountry touring combination. These boots stay warm and dry- and they actually breathe. This not only keeps your feet warm on tour- but they dry out more efficiently. I have tried many composite and plastic touring boots-unless the liner is removable- it can take days for them to dry out.
These are ultimate backcountry-xcountry boots- made for the backcountry strider!
Warmth and waterproofness. These boots are well-insulated- they are very warm. I have done full-day backcountry tours in temperatures as low as -30C, with only a thin wool sock. The entire interior of the boot is encased in an effective waterproof-breathable liner ("Alpitex"). I have found the "Alpitex" to be every bit as effective as GTX. The combined system of treated leather, waterproof-breathable liner, and breathable insulation, is an ideal backcountry touring combination. These boots stay warm and dry- and they actually breathe. This not only keeps your feet warm on tour- but they dry out more efficiently. I have tried many composite and plastic touring boots-unless the liner is removable- it can take days for them to dry out.
These are ultimate backcountry-xcountry boots- made for the backcountry strider!
(As an aside- Alpina makes a heavy-duty backpacking/mountaineering boot with the same construction: the “LHOSTE”. I want a pair!)
No comments:
Post a Comment