Thread: Thoughts on new (semi)touring setup

Last season I've been touring up to 2-3 hrs on DPS 112s Hybrids (in 190 length) and ON3P Wrenegades 191s, both with Marker Barons. I'm not a fitness monster and I could benefit from some lighter equipment to round the quiver, so I'm thinking of investing in a more touring-oriented ski, to be mounted with Dynafits, most likely Radical STs.

I'm not quite ready to get a 175 cm Trab with a 75mm waist, or something similar. I was thinking rather about a waist around 100mm, a length around 185cm and a construction which will stand up to some abuse (I'm good at finding hidden rocks).

Would prefer tip rocker but less sure about tail rocker - touring on my DPS 112s was sometimes harder than on the heavier Wrenegades due to limited contact with snow.

Stats: 5'11, around 190 pounds, and of course an aggressive* skier (*for a desk jockey anyway). Ski mostly in Europe.

The list is too long and I won't have the possibility to demo even a few of them: Scott Powd'airs, DPS Wailer 99, Faction Agent 100 Tour, Dynafit Stoke, Movement Sluff, ON3P Vicik (Tour model), Volkl Nanuq, Praxis BC, Prior Husume XTC, K2 Coombacks...

Any suggestions to narrow it down?

The alternative would be to just use the 112 Hybrids with Dynafits.

Voile Charger seems to be the poor man's DPS 112s. Another interesting option in the 112 realm would be K2's new Backdrop.

Originally Posted by horizon

The alternative would be to just use the 112 Hybrids with Dynafits.

the DPS are pretty light but if you wana go lighter the dynafit binding on Stokes with their dynafit specific skin is way light

Hagan Daemon Tours, although your 112 + Dfit = win.

Wailer 99s have way more contact w/the snow than similar-sized 112s, though I never had a traction problem with the 112s either.

LaSportiva Hi5? I haven't tried them but everyone I've seen on them raves.

Coomback has been a very versatile ski for me and for several touring buds. Not superlight and on the soft side (I ski something stiffer late season) so maybe not the best for Europe.

I would consider putting some dynafits on both your current skis (at least the 112's) rather than looking for a lighter ski, at first. You will feel WAY lighter after being on markers with those skis...

The 112 with radicals is pretty freaking light. I use that set up and my 99s for touring. I could be talked out of my 184 Wailer 99 pures for the right price, but they are minty... Also have some cheaper DPS stuff. If you are interested shoot me a pm.

The tail rocker on the Viciks this year is very slight. Its reduced the running length, sure, but the added maneuverability it gives the ski is worth the slight tradeoff compared to the 11/12 model, at least IMO. Tours are kick ass, theres little to no tortional stiffness lost because of how the layup and material modifications for those skis. A little less stable than stock when going through chop because of the loss of weight, but they can still support a skier who rides pretty much anything and likes to get aggressive at times.

I'd go with the DPS Wailer 99's, (Pure), with a tech binding. Your will have a perma-grin everytime you are on snow.

Tough to decide. Rowen, I think I asked you, what's the weight estimate on the Tour Viciks?

Originally Posted by Andyski

Wailer 99s have way more contact w/the snow than similar-sized 112s, though I never had a traction problem with the 112s either.

I have w112rp pures in a 190 with dynafit. Have felt a bit of slippage due to tail rocker, although it has been super minor...almost not worth mentioning.

Originally Posted by schwerty

I'd go with the DPS Wailer 99's, (Pure), with a tech binding. Your will have a perma-grin everytime you are on snow.

Since you are thinking 100mm waist, I'd repeat schwerty's advice...I'd say 184 cm w99 pure with dynafits...As Andyski said, much more contact length with 184cm w99 (1490 mm) than 190cm w112rp (1490 mm). woops, you may want to go 192 cm in the w99 for 1520 mm contact length...