REVIEW: Alpina Alaska NNNBC

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 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!

(As an aside- Alpina makes a heavy-duty backpacking/mountaineering boot with the same construction: the “LHOSTE”.  I want a pair!)