We wanted to answer a simple question: Rottefella Xplore vs 3-Pin Binding… How do they compare on the descent? To do that, we took both systems into the field and skied them side by side on the same platform, using boots that are as close to identical as possible. Then, to push things further, we added the Alfa Free 2.0 …
If you’re going to test a bikepacking setup properly, take it somewhere cold, remote, and unforgiving. That’s exactly how Kona chose to launch the new Kona Unity bikepacking bike: in late fall above the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland.
We started using the term XCD Crossover because there was a growing group of ski setups that didn’t quite fit into traditional XCD. People kept asking about wider skis, more supportive boots, and stronger bindings that held the same efficiency ethos. They weren’t trying to leave XCD behind, but they wanted more out of the descent than a classic XCD setup could offer. This category gives those setups a place to live.
The Voile TTS Transit is a tech toe telemark binding built for touring efficiency and downhill performance, with adjustable activity settings, removable heel assembly, and multiple cartridge options.
The Rottefella Xplore binding system was developed to bridge a long-standing gap in backcountry skiing equipment. For decades, skiers choosing between traditional Nordic backcountry setups and Alpine Touring gear often had to compromise between efficient touring and confident downhill performance. In this conversation, Voile’s Dave Grissom sits down with Rottefella CEO Torstein Myklebostad to discuss where the Rottefella Xplore binding …
We took the new Alfa Free 2.0 XP into the Wasatch in varied conditions to see how it performs on the Xplore platform. At first glance, this boot stands apart from most XP offerings. A tall plastic cuff. An AT-style walk mode. A BOA system controlling the lower shell. It’s clear this boot is built with downhill confidence in mind… …
This is our extended breakdown between two downhill-capable XCD boots: The Scarpa T4 vs Crispi Svartisen. We dive deep in this video to break down the similarities, differences, and suggested binding pairings to get the most out of your setup.
The Scarpa T2 is a more supportive boot than lighter crossover plastics. It has the stiffness and lateral support to drive most skis with confidence. That means the boot is not the limiting factor in this system, and we can approach ski and binding selection from a very practical angle.
The Scarpa T4 sits in a very specific place in the telemark world. Pair it with the right binding and ski, and you get an efficient, versatile system that covers ground and still delivers confident telemark turns. Pair it wrong, and the system could feel mismatched.
For hardboot splitboarders, the toe piece is the heart of the uphill system. The design looks simple: two pins and a locking mechanism. But the way each brand executes those details determines everything about stride efficiency, uphill stability, and long-term durability.
