Cross country ski boots that will fit in snowshoes

[uphillklimber]

Last winter, we were discussing cross country skiing gear. The boots, in particular, caught my interest.

On this trip, I had no less than 4 pair in my truck, and ended up taking 3 pair of boots. The weight addition from 3 boots was just ridiculous. I left my Cresta hikers in the truck, which actually would have worked quite well on this hike, as the snow was well packed. I took with me: cross country ski boots, snow shoe boots and insulated winter hikers. Incidentally, the insulated winter hikers were way too warm for this particular trip.

My wife and I have X-country ski boots that have a velcroed flap to cover the laces, so they stay dry and the help shed the snow off your boots when the going is deep. That is a nice feature. Gore tex was decided to be a nice feature. Of course insultion is important. Twigeater has a pair of x-country ski boots that will work in her snow shoes.

You gotta believe that Twigeater's boots cought our eye. One boot, suitable for both x-country skiing and snow shoes. Goretex wouldn't be that hard to find, but the shoelace cover flap is a bit rarer.

BTW, twigeater has skiis with metal edges on them, and many others in BSP had that feature also. I ended up finding 2 pair of them for SB and me. I didn't buy the bindings, because I want to match them to new boots that will do double duty, and grant us a weight savings. I still have both pair of skiis still wrapped in the plastic.

Back to the boots. I have found exactly one pair of x-country ski boots that will do double duty. I found them at Bean's, and looked at them again last night. They have a heavy duty back country binding. Boots are $109, and bindings are $75. Of course, the all important Bean's gaurentee and the Bean's price. There is a square back heel, with a lip to hold the snow shoe strap securely in place. And in the case of where you need to unstrap the skiis or shoes, these baby's have some gnarly tread on them. I believe they were Salomon's. Thes baby's are sweet. Problem, they don't come in my wife's size. Other problem, I can not find a competitive design to offer a choice.

http://www.salomongear.com/salomon_SAL0319.html

Yes, those boots fit me perfectly. I ain't a gonna feel right getting a pair for me and none for my lady.

Most x-country ski boots are rounded under in the heel, for that sleek look. No way to strap a snow shoe on so it stays. We prefer not to use a three pin binding, liking the NNN style or other step-ins. (My, ain't we lazy). But at this point, it looks like we'll consider any ideas.

Suggestions please"