Ski bindings mid 90s HO

I didn't modify them. That boot is a large. You could tighten the overlays, but that is likely to make more difference in the difficulty of getting your feet in them, than it is for snugness while wearing them. AAM196, I'm making an educated guess based on current size ranges HO publishes with its boots. That and I always ran in XL boots at 11.5-12. The Larges were torture devices on my feet. I do miss my old zip up Jobes.

How did you modify them to fit like a Large?

AAM196 the boot system I use is the one Andy Mapple used to sell. I actually bought my setup from him. I will say, you'll have to either have a skier wife, or not tell her how much you spent on the boots. I just was not willing to break my ankle again but wanted a really high performance boot setup. I turned early and caught 4 ball with the front of my ski 3 weeks ago and the whole ski bent backwards on me at 22-off at 34 mph. Had I not been using these boots, I would have broken my leg/ankle or torn my Achilles. These boots saved me, again. I had a minor sprain, but was running the course again this weekend

Does anyone else have problems posting pictures from an iPhone on here? I've tried several times and can't get it to do anything. I'll sync my phone to my computer and send you pictures. I will say, I took the large boot out of the box I found them in, and it's not in as good condition as the XL was. I just thought they were both in the same condition. The over wraps are showing a bit of dry rot. Not bad at all, but when they start, they don't stop. I'll post the pictures anyway and you can take a look at them.
Again, anyone know any tricks to make the site accept pictures from an iPhone?

I ski double boots... In 24 years I have never had injury with the double but did with an in RTP setup where back foot came out while front stayed in the highwrap many years ago. With my newer Strada boots I have yet to come out of ski. That being said... the RTP is so much easier to deal with on the platform or dock and you can dock start etc. I have heard the theories of one being safer than another but really it comes down to personal preference and in the course, I am much better with the doubles.

So a few years back there were a few "click in" boot designs like the Mapple or the HO? Don't see it as much... anyone know why, use one etc?

I'm a 13.5 if they made it. I use an HO Animal binding 12/13 front which is really their old XL, Radar 13/14 Vector "sneaker" style binding rear kept loosely cinched. With a brand new Animal binging it's so tight I can only stand 4 passes without pain but after a month it stretches out enough. I want no slop in my front binding. We always use Publix Free and Clear/Mild and Gentle type white dish soap, undiluted. Any dye and blah blah free type dish soap for sensitive people or babies will work good. It's gentle on the bindings and washes away by the time I pull out for the gate. Gel shave cream works just as good but I'm always worried about rust stains from the bottle.

The debate of safety with double bindings vs toe plate will go on forever, it's like Chevy vs Ford. I feel doubles is safer in general. For some reason I can pull out easier from my death grip Animal than I do my loose Vector when I kick my stick off after a set. If you're free skiing then a looser binding probably won't matter much. If it's too tight lube it up, it'll stretch out, lol.

I'm going to go against the flow here and say if you're going to ski the course, as a beginner, spend as much money as you can on a ski that that works well for you. No sense on learning the course on a ski then having to learn it again on a higher end ski. Obviously a good ski for joe may not work for bob. When I started out the course I Demo'd nearly every ski made under $900. Went with the Radar Senate Alloy. Probably the hottest ski for early course skiers. Didn't take me long to learn the Senate (in the course) for me was like riding a noodle, but free skiing it was awesome. I then did the demo route again and what worked the best for me was a ski multiple short liners told me "do not ski" but once on it, they agreed it was the best for me.   

skutsch wrote: quinner wrote: 1 part Laundry Detergent to 2 parts water in a spray bottle. If you decide you don't like the double boot replace it with a rear toe plate I will apologize in advance for the preaching to follow... ***************************WARNING: Soap Box Alert********************************************** I would switch to a rear toe plate anyway. I can't tell you the number of injuries I have seen with dual boots. Typically your front foot ejects leaving only your rear foot attached to the ski.   Your rear foot can't control the ski, which then goes in any direction it wants mangling your rear leg. Best case you get a sprained ankle, worst case you break both tibia and fibula ****************************END Soap Box Alert******************************************************** Professional level skiers can disregard this message. BTW - FWIW Babes Boot Butter is 100% biodegradeable and all natural its main ingredient is Kelp

Oof. Now I'm nervous. I've always used a toe plate but I get up with my foot in. I'm right handed but I've always gone right foot forward.

I'm not so confident in my deal anymore. Where can I find a toe plate that fits the mount pattern? These seem common enough, maybe I can find someone to trade for large size boots.

I was trying to get them on in the lake. I've never heard of using soap to get them on before. I've always had bindings with Velcro.

well if you are serious skier you really have to demo esp if you are dropping a grand or so... that is what we did in the late 80s and I ended up with a Jobe 1600 that I used for years. Now I did take a chance for $600 or whatever on a Strada with boots of ski-it-again and I love it... but I only got a killer deal on a ski like that because someone didn't demo it and went a different way.

All that said, Larry is 100% correct... a $150 ski or board etc off ski it again is prob more than adequate for most people (maybe not their ego)..

As far as for old highwraps... cheap shaving cream or my favorite heavily diluted dish soap.

Here's where I usually go into my rant about a $1500 ski isn't going to make a beginning slalom skier any better, or even an intermediate recreational skier like myself. Is a 2014 era ski going to be better for a beginner than a 1990s ski. Nope. I will grant that the new wider, easy up, whatever, skis will make life easier for a beginner tho. But skis of comparable shape from the 90s to now, I don't think do much of anything for a beginner or intermediate skier. As far as using a "real" slalom ski vs half a combo for a beginning slalom skier, I would say absolutely. As soon as they master getting up and turning a little bit on one ski, get them a real slalom ski....even a 90s vintage one. That difference is huge, as far as stability.

Older combos are fine.

Ride the CDX and then the "slalom" combo and see for yourself...

I have one of these. Was just cleaning it up and inspecting it yesterday. I found it in the ski locker after buying my boat, along with a pair of combos that also looked like they are from the 90's. Last time I slalom skied was probably back in about 1994 so these would've been just the ski's to have.

Somebody above posted that they were good for their time, what would the difference be with a modern ski? How would these work for a beginner slalomer. Would the the MDX-1 be better than a the slalom ski from a pair of combos.

Also, would I get much benefit from buy a modern pair of combos for anybody that wants to learn to ski or will the older pair be just fine.

Boot butter....Is that anything like crotch cheese?

1 part Laundry Detergent to 2 parts water in a spray bottle.
If you decide you don't like the double boot replace it with a rear toe plate

Not sure what you mean by not being able to get into them. Too small? Can't imagine that. I have a 9 1/2 foot and an XL HO boot that I have for the same reason, it was a great deal. I find the XL very minimally sloppy for my 9 1/2 but certainly usable. You say you cant get into them? Did you try a little soap. Mine is a little bit of a struggle and at first I used some soap, but with the little bit of wiggle room, it felt loose, so I just fight a little harder to get into the wet, unsoaped boot. I wonder if you will like the double boot. I don't care for that arrangement. I have never owned one, and I suppose I could get used to it, but on the occasions I borrowed one, I didn't like being so locked in. (Plus its a lot easier (for me) to get up with my back foot out) My HO didn't come with a double boot but the rear binding did have a heel piece to it. I never even tried it. Took it off before I used it. Maybe I'll put it back on some day just to try it out.