What binding for 145 Altai HOK

I tried the universal bindings once and found it to be a miserable experience on a tight trail and in trees.  I couldn’t get up on an edge to turn in them no matter how hard I cranked them down.

I don’t have any experience with three pin.  I’m able to turn well enough with my other skis that have NNN BC bindings, and since I already own compatible boots, that’s what I’m going with.

Here’s a link to the adapter plate

https://us-store.altaiskis.com/product/adapter-plate/

I have used both 75mm and NNN-BC bindings on backcountry skis but have not tried an approach ski like the Hok.  For something that wide underfoot, I would definitely lean toward a free-pivot 3-pin binding like the Voile Switchback paired with a boot like the Alpina Alaska or plastic Scarpa T4.

You might post your question in some ski forums like Telemarktalk.com.  Out of curiosity I searched “best binding for Altai Hok approach ski” and found some useful suggestions.  Have fun!

I have tried both the universal and 3-pin bindings on 125 cm and 145 cm Hoks. The universals are convenient for use with a wide variety of boots. For example, if I’m doing a mixture of skiing and walking. However, I think the 3-pins provide much more control than the universal bindings and overall a better experience, particularly with the longer 145 cm length. A disadvantage of the 3-pin binding is that the selection of 3-pin boots is limited (at least in my location) and the boots available today tend to be heavier. I don’t have much experience with NNN-BC because I grew up with 3-pin and that’s what I continue to use with the Hoks. Even though manual 3-pin bindings are now “dated,” they are simple, rugged, virtually impossible to fail, and I think they are ideally suited to the Hoks. There is of course no release mechanism, which some might consider a disadvantage on extreme terrain, but I probably wouldn’t use the Hoks on that type of terrain anyway. The adapter plate for NNN-BC bindings will raise your boots slightly above the skiis, but the difference isn’t that significant compared to the height of the boot sole. However, in my opinion, the Hoks are a little too wide for NNN-BC bindings.

I just got some Voile 3  pin cable binding and some 75 mm boots on ebay (the 3 pin binding seems to have gone practically extinct in Finland, which has switched en masse to NNN apparently — I blame the skinny skis!).  Thanks to all for the advice, it was much appreciated!

Not my thread but thanks Ken and Jenny.  I’m rethinking my trajectory and may just go with the three-pin as well.