Time to spend all my money or just some? Setup advice

idsnowghost · Aug 19, 2015

raynord22 said:
Kingpins and Atomic Backland Carbons look like the top contenders for me despite this being the first run of the backlands. That also all depends on if the backlands are compatible with the Kingpins, which I am in the process of researching.

Fondled some Backlands at MountainGear early last Spring. They sure are light and after molding liner/shell together probably fit like a slipper. Flex seemed soft, comparable to a skimo boot?

Seems like a mismatch with the Kingpins unless you were thinking of also using the binding with another beefier boot. I also just read it requires some sort of adapter that you attach to the boot heel to make it work for that boot. (comes with the Kingpin)

raynord22 · Aug 20, 2015

Thanks for the thoughts. I thought they did need the adapter but then I watched this video (Am I missing the adapter in it?)

I had/still have the mismatch thoughts as well but from every review I can find the backlands do not ski like a skimo boot. I've seen a lot of comparisons to the TLT6P, where most reviewers are saying it slightly outperforms on the up and is the same on the down; while skiing the softer tongue for the most part and not skiing the changes that have been made for this years production run. A few reviewers stating it could be a one boot quiver for a lot of people.

As far as the Kingpins go, it looks like it is about 25o-ish grams more per binding over Radical STs (don't kill me if I found bad numbers) and a difference in how they feel on the down due to the different heel designs.

As far as the Dynafit bindings go which ones do you guys recommend, there just seem to be a few different ones and I am not sure which one is the go to? I just read something not recommending Radical STs if you weigh over 185lb. Thanks

idsnowghost · Aug 20, 2015

Hard to tell if the adapter is there or not from the camera angle, doesn't really look like it though.. I bet an email to the guys at CrippleCreekBC.com (or your favorite shop) could give you a definitive answer.

Quote from a rep on another forum, you might not be too off-base with your plan:

The Backland Carbon can easily power an Automatic 102 no problem. In terms of our "marketing position" the boot is mated with skis that are 78-95mm underfoot (especially if you are talking to Europeans who view anything over 90mm as a "freeride powder specific ski"). But since this boot has the same flex pattern as our Hawx 2.0 110 you can for sure ski it on skis around 100 underfoot no problem.

The only problem that will arise is that the boot weighs 1.1 kg and the ski is 2.4kg + 1.5kg binding. Backland boots are so light that there will for sure be a point where it doesn't make sense to mount it with a heavy ski and binding combo. It will simply ski weird.

So if you pick a lighter 100-110mm ski and a suitable binding, there will be no problem at all.

Good luck!

As for the Dynafit's: ST is supposed to have better screws this year to help with the breakage issues. (Brandon knows that all too well!) For true touring/no resort: Speed Radicals or Superlight 2.0?

idsnowghost · Aug 20, 2015

Bindings that require an additional screw mount heel fitting (Dynafit Beast 16 and 14, Marker Kingpin) may not be compatible due to hollowed outsole.

Evogear says heel adapters won't even work with the boot. So after seeing the video, it must not require it at all to mate with the Kingpin?

raynord22 · Aug 20, 2015

Hopefully that is the case if I go that way, REI should carry both and hopefully I can take a look at both of them there. The Kufo's I bought are 102 so that quote leads me to believe Kufo/Kingpin/Backland Carbon would be nice if I go that way. I would probably do just that one setup then this year and work that on the resort as well. A lot will hinge on what kind of deals I find for a resort setup during preseason sales around here, it sounds like Tri-State and Hayden Ski Shack both have a sale when they open/bring out the ski gear.

PowderPanda · Aug 21, 2015

Mike said:
Evogear says heel adapters won't even work with the boot. So after seeing the video, it must not require it at all to mate with the Kingpin?

Mike… I swear you see every thing! It's like you have a hard drive with broadband internet in your brain!

cydwhit · Aug 24, 2015

Just spent the last few days on Kingpins and Ions with Fischer TransAlps, we've got MTN Lab, and Backland reviews coming, Backlands work in Kingpins stock. Keep an eye on Blister for a bunch of AT reviews soon, if you care. We're also working on getting on some Radical 2's ASAP

raynord22 · Aug 24, 2015

cydwhit said:
Just spent the last few days on Kingpins and Ions with Fischer TransAlps, we've got MTN Lab, and Backland reviews coming, Backlands work in Kingpins stock. Keep an eye on Blister for a bunch of AT reviews soon, if you care. We're also working on getting on some Radical 2's ASAP

Awesome, thanks.

idsnowghost · Aug 24, 2015

Awesome Cy! Thanks for clearing that up. Looking forward to the reviews from NZ!

raynord22 · Oct 21, 2015

I have been seeing a lot of information lately that the Backland doesn't work in the Kingpin and haven't seen the Blister review yet. Perhaps the Blister review is member or gear guide only but anyways the new info is unsettling my mind on this decision I thought was made. Cy did the Blister folks hammer on the Kingpin/Backland combo to ensure it was good to go?

cydwhit · Oct 21, 2015

I don't 100% have that info. Paul was on the Backland in NZ, and I'm 95% sure he skied it with kingpins one day and it did fine, but I don't remember for sure. We should have the backland out any day, it's on the calendar for this week or next and I don't think it will be payed content. (although buying that gear guide is still a good idea... just cause I've got shots in it, haha)

To be honest I don't see why you would go with that combo though. I skied kingpins in NZ with Fischer TransAlps and I trust those as much as I do my inbounds bindings, the limiting factor is definitely the boots, not the bindings. But they are heavy and not designed for quick and light stuff. The Backland is the exact opposite. It's like a freaking hiking boot with tech fittings. The range of motion and weight on that thing are incredible and while it doesn't suck to ski it sure doesn't require a binding like the kingpin.

Also, G3 Ion's are pretty dang sexy. I don't trust em quite as much as the kingpin but they are lighter, very reliable (I did some stupid stuff on stupid snow on them) and not quite as ridiculous to pair with the backland

I would look at the MTN Lab, (check our two reviews) or the MTN Explore for the kingpin. Like Mike said earlier, the backland kingpin combo is a weird miss match.

Ultimate light weight ski mountaineering badass climbing scrambling setup: MTN Explore 95 ski, speed radical/ion w/o brakes, Backland

Ultimate touring/charging setup: MTN Lab, Kingpin, ski of your choice.

That's my opinion at least.

personally this year I'm gonna keep the shreditor 112/full tilt/guardian setup I was on in glacier for inbounds/slackcountry/touring in teton pass and run Steeple 102's speed radicals and TransAlps for everything else.

raynord22 · Oct 21, 2015

Thanks for the reply. Maybe the MTN Lab is the ticket but I might just go with the mismatch if they are compatible. Decisions are the WORST! haha

cydwhit · Oct 21, 2015

Good luck! This is a good place to start: http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/2015-2016-salomon-mtn-lab-at-boot-2

The lower shell is Grillamid + and should punch well, Paul punched his and it worked fine and from what I've heard from boot fitters the MTN Lab isn't bad to work on at all.

raynord22 · Oct 21, 2015

Oh yes, I am re-reading both of those, haha.

raynord22 · Nov 10, 2015

Any recommendations on a good airbag pack size? I've been looking at around 30L. Thanks

PowderPanda · Nov 10, 2015

raynord22 said:
Any recommendations on a good airbag pack size? I've been looking at around 30L. Thanks

Hey Devin,
I have the ABS Vario which allows us to interchange pack sizes. If you do a one size pack (BCA, Mammut, etc). Then I'd go about the 30L. Good all around size and can pack down. Just my opinion. Others may have different thoughts..

Hope all is well!

cydwhit · Nov 12, 2015

raynord22 said:
Any recommendations on a good airbag pack size? I've been looking at around 30L. Thanks

I'm running a 34L (non airbag) for everything and it's done nicely for full day tours along with a DSLR and two lenses, even made it work with a 60m rope, crampons, harness, anchor building stuff and camera gear, but that was just an all round bad trip...

I think if I didn't always haul the camera around I could get away with a 20L but I'm having a hard time thinking of a reason not to go 30, although for an airbag I would probably go a little smaller just because I wouldn't plan on taking as long of tours with it.

Go Vario though, the number of options you can swap out just keeps growing!

Brandon · Nov 12, 2015

Float 32 here. It holds surprisingly less than you'd think. If I had it to do over again I'd likely go ABS Vario.

raynord22 · Nov 16, 2015

The Vario looks cool but has anyone run into issues with refills for the nitrogen canister? Currently Moosejaw is having an anniversary sale where I can get a Float 32 and canister for $580. That Vario system looks really nice, I wish it wasn't nitrogen because then I wouldn't mind the higher price point.

Edit: oh snap that ABS is still on steep and cheap

cydwhit · Nov 16, 2015

raynord22 said:
The Vario looks cool but has anyone run into issues with refills for the nitrogen canister? Currently Moosejaw is having an anniversary sale where I can get a Float 32 and canister for $580. That Vario system looks really nice, I wish it wasn't nitrogen because then I wouldn't mind the higher price point.

Edit: oh snap that ABS is still on steep and cheap

Also, there is a kid on NS trying to sell a BCA 50% off code for $50 that I could get you in touch with, haha