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Cheap military ski bindings

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Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
Doug L BPL Member
PostedSep 18, 2013 at 2:55 pm

Just found a military surplus website with some interesting cheap ski bindings for use with regular winter footwear/welted mountaineering boots.

One looks to be like the universal bindings found on the old Karhu Meta/Sweeper skis,
definitely looks heavier than the x-trace bindings found on Altai Hoks:

http://wardenssupplyco.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1331

They also have Ramer Universal AT bindings that work with any mountaineering boot that has a front welt:

http://wardenssupplyco.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=48&products_id=1449

They have some other bindings as well, they all look heavy, but they are all pretty cheap for experimenting with hacks/DIY skishoes.

edit: the Ramers actually look like they might have a different toe attachment than the standard front bar in the Ramer "universal".

— BPL Member
PostedSep 18, 2013 at 5:23 pm

There are Ramers out there with a cramponesque front bail that almost but definitely do not fit my scarpa invernos or la sportiva Nepals. The bail is too high and narrow. Beware.

Eric Blumensaadt BPL Member
PostedSep 22, 2013 at 12:36 pm

Depends on your boot type and the kind of skiing you want to do. AT bindings are all the rage now but are not good on a long XC tour. Cable bindings compatable with say, Scarpa 2 boots are a good compromise. Try to avoid 3 pin bindings. They are a PITA.

Converting military snow gear to civilian bindings is usually a good idea.
I once converted a pair of military 'shoe bindings (aluminum I-beam frames snowshoes) with a pair of LL Bean snowshoe bindings. They were far easier to use and much more stable.
I later sold the pair to a hunter and got some Atlas 'shoes.

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

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