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March, 2025

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Day touring setup advice.

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JoltyGauges
Posts: 7 - Karma: 15
I come from a racing background and am wanting to move into touring and free-ride looking for advice on setup. I currently ski some Lange RS 130s with a foam injected race liner and Head Rebel GS skis/ Atomic Redster Slalom skis...I am 6'1ft (185cm) and weigh 84kg (185lbs).

I am wanting to buy a pair of skis, binding, and boot that i can start doing regular day tours on, and start training hard to learn to ski the powder/drops. I wont be touring more then a day or two at a time and for me its all about the downhill, although I do enjoy some good climbs. I am currently thinking about something like the Faction Candide 4.0 or Dictator 4.0 with some Kingpins or Tecton 12s (the Salomon Shift looks amazing shame about release date being next season) and a Salomon MTN lab boot. Does anyone have any advice if this setup would work? I'm open to all brands and suggestions totally new to this part of skiing.

I also just want to know if the Salomon MTN lab boot will be fine for wider skis and just generally charging about.

Thanks in advance all suggestions much appreciated.
7 years ago
2 0
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
I think that would be a pretty prime setup. Im jelous just listening to you list those off haha
7 years ago
3 0
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profa_212
Posts: 9122 - Karma: 39,146
I would be wary of tectons. When you slip out skinning the binding will punch your boot causing damage. Massive design flaw and something to take into consideration.

The mtn labs are a good boot....but I prefer a 4 buckle boot, and you coming off a race boot I think you will be the same. Consider the hawx xtd or the lange freetour etc etc. Overall, go to a bootfitter for the boot and figure out what you like and fits best for you. Most important thing is fit as touring for 8 hours in a boot that doesn't fit is going to destroy you or any will you had to tour in you.
7 years ago
4 0
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,483
Coming from a race background the stiff directional dictators would definitely be more your speed than the candides.
7 years ago
2 0
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,008
I use a 192 Armada TST with a Kingpin 13 for exactly the kinda application you're going for.

I'd say you don't need something quite that wide... the Candide 3.0 would be far better for touring with if you're really hyped on faction.

Overall between 100-110cm is about the sweetspot for a touring option. You really don't want much bigger than that. Weight sucks, and if you can't float a 105+ waisted ski with rocker in a proper length for you, then quit skiing because you suck =)

As for boots, that's not as specific, as you need to try things out and have a bootfitter direct you in the right way. Stay under 1500g if you can, and make sure you keep an eye on range of motion. Especially if you'll be doing a fair amount longer tours or hut trips, you'll want something over 50 degrees.

For bindings, Kingpins or Tectons would be awesome. I have both. I prefer tectons, but the Kingpins are good too.
7 years ago
3 0
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B.Quincy
Posts: 1074 - Karma: 963
I mean a better boot might be the strider that is in similar category and would be closer to a race boot, or hawx xtd, After skiing the shift last week it is most definitely worth the wait felt totally confident on it and hucked a few cliffs without pre-release etc
7 years ago
3 0
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JoltyGauges
Posts: 7 - Karma: 15
Thanks for all the replies guys, I've listened to your advice and am now thinking I'm probably going to go with either a Salomon QST 106 or Faction Dictator 3.0. Boots of course I will prioritise fit have tried on the MTN labs they feel good but will go give the Atomics Hawks a try also. Only sticking point I have left now is the binding. I am based in Europe so less massive powder days more firm, If i ski a Tecton or Kingpin in resort on occasion will I have my confidence destroyed by prereleases?
7 years ago
0 0
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,483
Just wait for the shifts and put them on the dictator 3.0s. That'll be bomber and you'll be able to ski inbounds totally normally.
7 years ago
4 0
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B.Quincy
Posts: 1074 - Karma: 963
JoltyGaugesThanks for all the replies guys, I've listened to your advice and am now thinking I'm probably going to go with either a Salomon QST 106 or Faction Dictator 3.0. Boots of course I will prioritise fit have tried on the MTN labs they feel good but will go give the Atomics Hawks a try also. Only sticking point I have left now is the binding. I am based in Europe so less massive powder days more firm, If i ski a Tecton or Kingpin in resort on occasion will I have my confidence destroyed by prereleases?


like the person above said just wait and if in reality its mostly a ski for in resort free riding just put a frame binding on thats what i run right now and sure the shift would be awesome but im not doing any crazy tours so Its all i need and skis like a downhill binding
7 years ago
1 0
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JoltyGauges
Posts: 7 - Karma: 15
Shift wont be available till next season though annoyingly. I will definitely be buying them when they come out. Do you think the kingpins will hold up as a temporary solution even in resort?
7 years ago
0 0
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ahshit
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 3,029
hey bud, just a thought, instead of candides or dictators maybe look at the prime
7 years ago
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Dunners
Posts: 159 - Karma: 195
JoltyGaugesShift wont be available till next season though annoyingly. I will definitely be buying them when they come out. Do you think the kingpins will hold up as a temporary solution even in resort?


Pretty sure the shift release date is september of this year.. im not too knowledgable about ski season months in europe, but ski season is close to being done in the US and september is at the begining of next years season
7 years ago
0 0
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