Choosing skis, boots, and bindings for backcountry beginners, what is the recommended gear to start with?

``I want to go to the backcountry because I want to enjoy more powder!'' ``I can ski steep slopes and uncompacted snow courses without any inconvenience on the slopes.'' What kind of gear should such a skier get to go into the backcountry? Deaf? The backcountry is a field that is always fraught with danger behind the magnificent natural charm.
Therefore, we asked Tsuyoshi Kodama, a professional skier who has skied various mountains around the world and also provides advice on gear selection to general users at camps and exhibitions as an advisor, to teach us how to choose the right gear for backcountry beginners. Let's get it.

*This article is a remake of what was published in the '23-24 season.

SKI

When recommending what kind of skis are best for people who want to start backcountry skiing, there are many things to consider, such as skill level, physical strength, gender, and the ski area you are based in. I will talk from the perspective of whether it should be used as a standard.

1. Center width about 100mm

For those who want to go into the backcountry for the first time, I often recommend fat skis with a top rocker of about 100mm on the center. Because it is easy to handle all snow conditions. I believe that around 100mm is the perfect size to cover everything from tight, hard snow to deep powdery snow.

If it is thicker than 100mm, it will be a ski that is good at deep snow, and if it is thinner than that, the shape of the rocker will not be a rocker for powder, but an all-mountain rocker, and it is not a rocker for gaining buoyancy, but a ski that is suitable for various types of snow. It will become a locker to improve the quality and operability.

With a center width of about 100mm, you'll have just the right balance between powder and slopes. As you continue in the backcountry, you will find yourself carrying two to cover the entire area, or three to cover the entire area. Having one slender 90mm that you can use even in early spring, and another 107mm that you can use mainly on powder during the high season will expand the range of conditions you can handle. Furthermore, some people carry three bottles of extra thick powder for daily use. However, you can't just do everything at first, so if you stick to a center width of 100mm, you can ski evenly for the time being.

2. with a locker on top

We recommend one with a center width of approximately 100mm and a top locker. It provides buoyancy in deep snow, and the rocker makes it easy to move the top even when the snow is soft and slippery, making it easy to maneuver and slide easily. There are some types that have rockers on both the top and tail (twin rocker), but in the case of hard slopes, if the tail curves up a lot, the control performance will drop a little, so in the backcountry when skiing on various types of snow, the tail It is better to have a modest locker. I think if you start with skis that only have a locker in the top, you won't have any quirks.

[Nose rocker + camber model]

A type of ski that has rocker in the nose. The nose rocker promotes buoyancy in powder, and the slightly straight tail creates a sense of stability in the latter half of the turn.

3. The material of the core material and contents

The ride quality of skis changes as the core material and other reinforcing materials used change. I think it's a matter of preference, but it's best to start with something that isn't too bulky. For example, items with thick metal throughout provide stability, but the rider chooses the rider, so even if metal is included, it is only partially included, or it is made of lightweight reinforcing material such as carbon. A board with a relatively light finish is best.

In the past, when skis were lighter, they tended to have less glide, but now skis have good glide even if they are light. Since you will definitely be walking in the backcountry, it is best to start with skis that are not too heavy.

4. Anyway, I'm not good at deep snow! the person who

It's okay to enter from deep snow skis, but you need to be careful. When rocker skis first appeared, twin rocker skis with a center width of about 115 mm, such as the ARMADA and DPS, which were all the rage, became popular as skis that anyone could use to ski powder snow right away. Some people have taken advantage of such skis and have been able to ski powder, but there are some areas where they are weak, such as stability on hard slopes and seal climbs, and long traverses, so if anything, lift access I think this ski is suitable for people who ski powder.

5. Able to ski in any conditions

I dare to suggest an orthodox ski. It can ski in various conditions.

For example, specifically ATOMIC's "BACKLAND 102". Center width 100mm, lightweight and top rocker. It's smooth, lightweight, and can be skied in any snow condition. This is a perfect choice for people who don't know what kind of skis to wear as their first ski. It's one of my favorite models, and it's in great shape!

Tsuyoshi Kodama Model used
ATOMIC ｜BACKLAND109 189cm

A freeride tour model equipped with technology for high performance in deep powder. Adopting the newly developed lightweight HRZN 3D, the unique three-dimensional top shape significantly improves buoyancy in deep snow conditions. BACKLAND's lightweight HRZN 3D uses thin, perforated material to create a ski with a low swing weight. It uses a carbon backbone and an ultra-power wood core to achieve both rigidity and lightness, and while having excellent glide, it is easy to climb and provides full performance when climbing and descending.

Models that meet the conditions proposed by Tsuyoshi Kodama

ATOMIC | BACKLAND102

ATOMIC｜BENT 100

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NORDICA｜Enforcer 99

K2｜MINDBENDER 99Ti

HEAD｜KORE 99

ELAN｜RIPSTICK 96

FISCHER｜RANGER102

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BOOTS |

Boots have undergone remarkable evolution recently. When backcountry skiing first became popular, there were only two choices: climb or ski. Lightweight boots were unreliable for slipping, and when boots were chosen with slippage in mind, they were extremely heavy and lacked sufficient functionality for walking. Recently, boots have appeared that have sufficient gliding properties, are moderately light, and have a proper walking function, and these have become mainstream.

1. Buckle or “BOA® Fit System”?

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of boots that feature the BOA® Fit System, especially those that emphasize gliding performance. While buckles tighten by pressing down on the top of the foot, BOA tightens evenly across the entire foot, which has been shown to improve fit and performance. There are many other benefits such as ease of putting on and taking off shoes and ease of use, so I think backcountry shoes and BOA go well together. I think there are preferences in appearance and usability, but when a new technology becomes established, I think there is a high probability that it will be a good thing. Please make sure to include it as an option.

2.2 piece type or 3 piece type?

Each manufacturer offers shoes that are similar in shape to regular 4-buckle ski boots, have high gliding performance, and have a wide range of motion in walk mode. It is a type called 2-piece and is used by SALOMON, ATOMIC, TECNICA, etc. There are also 3-piece types such as DALBELLO and K2. Each has its own good points and features, and it depends on the user's way of thinking, so I can't say which one is better, but 2-piece models tend to provide a sense of stability and stability, and 3-piece models tend to provide more stability. The pieces are easy to put on and have a flexible flex, so many models are easy to move around in.

By the way, I'm wearing 2 pieces. For those who have been wearing two-piece boots up until now, I think it's easier to fit into boots that are similar in shape and feel more comfortable, rather than completely changing the type.

3. flex

In the backcountry, I think it's better to be able to use your ankles to a certain extent. You often slide on soft snow, and you need to move according to the terrain, so it's easier to slide if you can use your ankles. It may be better to keep the flex down a bit.

For men at the expert level, most high-end models from each manufacturer are Flex130, and I think many people wear 130, but if it's your first time in the backcountry, I think it's a good idea to start with Flex120. For women, the top models are Flex110 and 115, so I think you can drop one and go for around 100. Expert skiers will definitely want to go for the same hardness as alpine skis, but I think it's okay to start with a slightly lower stiffness.

4. walk mode

Climbing is also an important part of backcountry riding. Of course, it would be better to have a walk mode for climbing. Walk mode can significantly reduce fatigue. Some people say it's okay to hold back on climbing for the sake of skiing, but I think it's more meaningful to conserve your physical strength and ski one more climb.

The range of motion is wide, about 70 degrees, but I think 50 degrees is not too much or too little. Most boots have a range of motion of about 50 degrees.

5. boot width

When choosing boots, the width (last) is also important. Every manufacturer offers something a little wider than the Alpen. The average length is 100mm, with the thickest being 102mm and the thinner being 98mm.

First of all, it is important that the shoes fit your feet, but one thing you should be careful about is the toes. In glide mode, the ankle is fixed, so the position of the foot does not change, but in walk mode, the ankle is free, so the foot moves back and forth inside the boot. I think it's moving about 5mm. Then, when you walk, you hit the toes of your boots, and if you walk in that condition for a long time, the toes become painful, and the claws get damaged and turn black. Therefore, it is important to have a margin of about 5 mm when choosing a snow cover.

6. Shell thermoforming & inner customization

Boots these days can be individually fitted by any manufacturer. ATOMIC, SALOMON, etc. can be thermoformed together with the shell. Some are partially heat-molded, and custom inner boots are often used. There are a lot of them, and each one has its merits, so it's a good idea to check them out before making your choice.

The one I use is "ATOMIC HAWX ULTRA XTD130." It has 4 buckles for secure sliding and weighs approximately 1,600g. Although it is quite light for a 4-buckle type, it is sufficiently rigid and the inner fit is secure. I often recommend a slightly softer version of this model, around HAWX 120, for men. SALOMON and TECNICA also offer boots with a similar concept, so it might be a good idea to try them on in stores and compare.

7. Should I use pin boots that are compatible with tech bindings?

If you're going to get serious about backcountry riding, I think it's better to buy PING boots that are compatible with tech bindings from the beginning. Not only is the weight of the pin lighter, but it is also much easier to walk on. If you think that one after another is enough, your options will become narrower and you will end up having to buy a new one, which will increase the cost.

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Tsuyoshi Kodama Model used
ATOMIC｜HAWX PRIME XTD 130 BOA GW

The BOA® fit system allows for easy and precise adjustment of the fit. By tightening the entire foot evenly, play within the boot is minimized and a stable fit is achieved. Not only can you expect to improve your gliding performance, but you can quickly adjust the fit and feel comfortable even while climbing. The stiffness of 130 flex maintains firm response even on steep slopes and uneven terrain, and has good energy transfer efficiency. The ideal freeride boot that combines stiffness, power transmission, climbing comfort and light weight. The last width is 100mm, making it a comfortable fit even for slightly wider feet.

Models that meet the conditions proposed by Tsuyoshi Kodama

[2-piece structure]

ATOMIC｜HAWX PRIME 120s BOA GW

NORDICA｜Unlimited 130 DYN

[3-piece structure]

K2｜Diverge SC

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BINDINGS ｜ Bindings

Up until now, the mainstream tour bindings were frame tour bindings, such as Maker's BARON and DUKE, and TYROLIA's ADRENALIN, which were step-in and raised together with the plate, but the situation has changed considerably. This is because even though we are pursuing lightness, tech bindings are not only lighter in weight, but also offer a completely different level of walking comfort. My feet are light because I don't carry weights in my heels. And because you move using your toes as a fulcrum, it's similar to normal walking.

Tech bindings are almost mainstream now

Nowadays, the most popular type of binding is tech binding. Of course, there are some people who still want to use the same alpine bindings they use on the slopes, but when considering ease of walking and lightness, I would recommend the pin bindings.

Five years ago, I wouldn't have been able to recommend Ping, but now I can confidently say that. Until then, the only options available were the traditional toe piece and heel piece pins, which were extremely lightweight. Although it was light, there were some things that were slightly lacking in glide performance, stability, and strength, so some people could recommend it and others couldn't.

The binding revolution brought by KINGPIN

Then Marker's KINGPIN appeared. The heel piece steps in and presses the heel from above, giving it stability and bringing out the ski's glide performance. KINGPIN came out and it was the first binding revolution.

Around the same time, FRITSCHI released a model called TECTON. This also has a pin toe piece, but the heel is stepped in, and like KINGPIN, this is a revolutionary binding that climbs and slides well, and also has a safety release function on the toe piece. .

Advanced hybrid

After that, SHIFT was born through joint development between SALMON and ATOMIC. At first glance, the toe piece and heel piece look like normal alpine bindings, but when the toe slips, it's a normal binding, and when you climb, the pin comes out when you open the lever, so it's a so-called hybrid. Ta. It doesn't sacrifice the quality of skiing at all, and the climbing is easy, so it's light and easy to climb. Marker has also released the new DUKE PT and has further evolved.

So we recommend

Nowadays, there are so many variations that you can choose from. This is not to say that the original pin type is not good, but it is lightweight and has great advantages for people who do long touring. However, I think it's rare for people who want to start backcountry biking to suddenly spend four or five hours climbing. Most people start by enjoying the sidecountry skiing, and if they get a chance, they want to hike for an hour or two hours at most. When I think about it that way, I feel that sliding performance is extremely important.

If you have three weekends to go skiing, most people will probably go backcountry at least one of them. When there is a lot of snow, there are many people who want to ride the ski lifts and ski through the powder. When you think about it, I think it's a good idea to focus on glide performance and choose one that has touring features that suit your style of selection, rather than jumping to lightness too easily.

I think Marker's KINGPIN, FRITSCHI's TECTON, SALOMON, ATOMIC, and ARMADA's SHIFT bindings are very easy to fit. I don't think people who have been using regular alpine bindings will feel any discomfort or anxiety when switching to it. Some people get worried if it's a pin, wondering if it's really safe, but I don't think that's the case, so you can rest assured. If you try using them for the first time and decide that you want to do longer touring, your choices will change the next time you buy one. I think these three are very good bindings to buy for the first time.

Tsuyoshi Kodama Model used:
ATOMIC｜SHIFT2 13 MN

An innovative tour binding that combines the benefits of both, with a variable toe piece that quickly transforms into an alpine binding in skiing mode and a tech binding in hiking mode. Compatible with two ISO sole standards.

For the 2024-25 season, the brakes have also been strengthened, reducing the possibility of them releasing when climbing. The weight is a little heavy, but it doesn't bother me at all when I'm wearing it. In fact, as the holding power has increased, the glide has further improved. When climbing, you can raise your heel as a tech, making it easier to climb, and when sliding, you can slide with full power like an alpine binding. Many riders place great trust in ``SHIFT,'' which offers a high level of both climbing and downhill skiing.

ATOMIC｜SHIFT2 10 MN

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I want to read together

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