CAST questions and thoughts

[bobbuilds]

So I’ve been reading the cast thread, and I’ve been reading tech boot threads and am having some concerns on what to go with based on comments made in both threads.

1. It seems like tech boots are going away from the standard toe that allowed for use in alpine DIN bindings forcing a tech boot into a tech/pin binding only.

2. It seems that tech boots allow for greatest Range of motion and have been beefed up with stiffer flex for the downhill. Allowing good ROM for the up and having stiffness for the bigger skis on the down.

3. It seems like pin bindings are not suited for resort/hard pack use

CAST

1. It seems like an alpine boot would not have good ROM for the uphill tour, creating heat spots while touring

2. Weight of alpine boot compared to tech boots.

What are people’s real life experience with this and what seems to be the best option for a 1 rig set up? Money and space do not allow for multiple boots and skis.

I prefer BC days over all, and manage a handful of inbounds days with the family.

I’m considering a Scarpa maestrale current model, green/black/white boot with a cast system. It seems like the best option for a single ski/boot setup. Not the lightest, but weight aside it seems to cover all my bases.

Just curious about the cast system while touring vrs touring boots that only work in pin bindings.

Has anyone else been working this out?

Thank you

[mr_pretzel]

1. Is not true at all. Only the hoji did that and they are making it with a toe lug for next year.

[Judo Chop!]

Try this handy chart I found:

- cast: people who know they need them and know why.
- pin bindings : Subaru drivers.
- Shift : the indecisive.

It’s just a guide though. For example, you might own a $200 Subaru and need CAST.

[nyskirat]

I think CAST is great if you fulfill the following criteria:

A. 1 setup and split it 50/50 inbounds
B. Ski hard/beat up your gear
C. Don't want a plate binding or Shift.

If you're only doing a few days inbounds and aren't skiing hard (not sure what you ski like with the fam), you may be happier with a Tecton/Vipec/Kingpin/Shift where the up is more important than the down.

[bobbuilds]

1. Is not true at all. Only the hoji did that and they are making it with a toe lug for next year.

Good to know, thank you. I guess I jumped the gun assuming the tech boot would go this way

[bobbuilds]

Try this handy chart I found:

- cast: people who know they need them and know why.
- pin bindings : Subaru drivers.
- Shift : the indecisive.

It’s just a guide though. For example, you might own a $200 Subaru and need CAST.

I picked up on what you were saying with the 200$ Subaru and needing cast.

I’m not a hard charging ski bum where all I’m after is big lines.

It does seem like an alpine boot wouldn’t tour that well, making for a shitty tour

[bobbuilds]

I think CAST is great if you fulfill the following criteria:

A. 1 setup and split it 50/50 inbounds
B. Ski hard/beat up your gear
C. Don't want a plate binding or Shift.

If you're only doing a few days inbounds and aren't skiing hard (not sure what you ski like with the fam), you may be happier with a Tecton/Vipec/Kingpin/Shift where the up is more important than the down.

I hadn’t considered the plate system in a while. Honestly I’d forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder.

I do like a DIN toe, and just got wrapped up in the idea that CAST was my only choice.

I did not want to ski inbounds on a tech binding, based on what I’d been reading in that thread.

I just need to remember to enjoy skiing and stay out of tech talk.

I didn’t think I was overthinking it, just trying to make the best decision

[nyskirat]

I hadn’t considered the plate system in a while. Honestly I’d forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder.

I do like a DIN toe, and just got wrapped up in the idea that CAST was my only choice.

I did not want to ski inbounds on a tech binding, based on what I’d been reading in that thread.

I just need to remember to enjoy skiing and stay out of tech talk.

I didn’t think I was overthinking it, just trying to make the best decision

Honestly, I'd choose CAST over a plate binding 10/10x because of how poorly a plate binding skis and tours. Not only does it tour "heavy" given the pivot point, it creates a dead spot within the ski thanks to the design.

I don't know if it'll work with a Maestrale since they're purely rockered AT soles, you'd need a gripwalk or DIN sole instead. You do have a lot of options there though, be it Atomic, Dalbello, Lange, Rossignol, Salomon, etc.

[1000-oaks]

There are beefy touring boots available with DIN soles, such as Cochise 130.

[galibier_numero_un]

Don't forget to be aware of Masterstep inserts if a shop is gonna mount 'em.

Maestrales have them?

You can file off the ridges and be perfectly fine, but a shop won't care, because it says so on their indemnification list.

... Thom

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Tapatalk

[gaijin]

Judo Chop answered this in post #3.

CAST isn't part of the debate for weight, touring, and all other variables. It's the solution for an alpine toe on the down. That's it.

You either know you want it, or you are looking for touring bindings.