I've watched a lot of videos on these as well as other manufacturers such as Altai(Hok, Kromm) because I'm trying to figure out which is going to work best for me, and the one thing I've seen for those who don't like them is that they are NOT using them for there intended purpose, and therefore are creating negative reviews do to their own ignorance. This was a great review, and I'm glad they are working great for you:)
I have been using the Altai brand skis since they came out. For bindings I purchased new overstock snowboard bindings for $25 then went to the hardware store and purchased a stainless steel heavy duty door hinge and made almost split board bindings. These cost me less than $40 total and about 1 hour of time. I use any type of boot including snowboard boots. The snowboard boots are stiff and I used these on some decent sized slopes in Utah and all over the UP of Michigan with no issues. Have a blast.
Great review. I’m gonna have to take down notes, especially on the boots that worked with it. I love that the boots you showed from Cabela’s have a boa system. To me, that’s always a plus. I’ve only found one other review regarding this ski and they were for the 147 which is the one that I’m looking for. I know that they’re no longer made. I have found a 127 CM for sale but I am really seeking the 147 mostly because of the metal edges and also because it will have a higher glide factor for my weight. The only other ski I’m considering is OAC skinbased XCD 160 CM or the oac GT 160. The specs are pretty much, the same as the black diamond, only difference being the 160 is longer. Oac has another ski that’s pretty much exact to the glidelites, which is the kar and/or wap series. But in my opinion, I think the XCD is gonna be better glide factor wise. I’d really love to find these black diamonds in the 147 because I think their flotation is great compared to some others I’ve been looking at. I am someone who wants to take back up cross country ski but I don’t wanna have to buy all the crap and I was never comfortable when I was doing it a long time ago. But I probably just didn’t have the right equipment back then. But still I don’t want to take a very long ski with where I’m going. It doesn’t require that. I need a backcountry ski that can go down the hiking trails and the ungroomed backcountry that I’m looking to go over. I need the black diamond or the OAC.
Speak of the devil, after checking your review I ended up finding a pair of 147 CM black diamond glide lights, but the person selling them wants more than what they sell for new and there is some slight wear and tear to them. The OAC skinbased XCD BC 160s are less pricey and in much better condition as they were only used for a season. What to choose lol
how able are you to get on edge (like snow plow) with the soft boots? I'm yet to have any luck with my (softer?) hiking boots, and might just use my nepals in them and keep the bindings loose for step glides. Any thoughts on this?
They work in soft deep snow - be very careful on hardpack or piste. They need the softness to edge - I practiced with them on a groomed piste and it cured my constipation.
There was another reviewer (30 yr experienced alpine skier) who went downhill snowplow method w/ this same ski and he made it down fine however, he did say that they are a little wonky on the downhills. I think if you’re going over terrain that has some slight hills or small descents, I think they’ll be just perfect but if you’re trying to downhill ski with these, I don’t think these will cut it there because they are not made for that purpose. I think these will entertain the people who want cross country ski, but just a slightly better performing one.
Yes, they are 1/1 the same skis and bindings except the skin (pattern) which is Black Diamond’s own. (I don't know which manufacturer's skins Oac uses, it could be this BD without the BD pattern)
I've watched a lot of videos on these as well as other manufacturers such as Altai(Hok, Kromm) because I'm trying to figure out which is going to work best for me, and the one thing I've seen for those who don't like them is that they are NOT using them for there intended purpose, and therefore are creating negative reviews do to their own ignorance. This was a great review, and I'm glad they are working great for you:)
I have been using the Altai brand skis since they came out. For bindings I purchased new overstock snowboard bindings for $25 then went to the hardware store and purchased a stainless steel heavy duty door hinge and made almost split board bindings. These cost me less than $40 total and about 1 hour of time. I use any type of boot including snowboard boots. The snowboard boots are stiff and I used these on some decent sized slopes in Utah and all over the UP of Michigan with no issues. Have a blast.
dude thank you so much I've been scouring the internet for a demo of an ice climbing boot in these bindings!!! Big upvote!!
do you think it would be possible to run that front strap behind the pivot point so it doesn't pull it?
Thanks for the accurate assessment - some reviews sell them as a ski alternative, which worries me.
Do a YT search on "Skin based skiing".
Yes these things are awesome, I've been waiting for them a long time.
Great review. I’m gonna have to take down notes, especially on the boots that worked with it. I love that the boots you showed from Cabela’s have a boa system. To me, that’s always a plus.
I’ve only found one other review regarding this ski and they were for the 147 which is the one that I’m looking for. I know that they’re no longer made. I have found a 127 CM for sale but I am really seeking the 147 mostly because of the metal edges and also because it will have a higher glide factor for my weight.
The only other ski I’m considering is OAC skinbased XCD 160 CM or the oac GT 160. The specs are pretty much, the same as the black diamond, only difference being the 160 is longer.
Oac has another ski that’s pretty much exact to the glidelites, which is the kar and/or wap series. But in my opinion, I think the XCD is gonna be better glide factor wise.
I’d really love to find these black diamonds in the 147 because I think their flotation is great compared to some others I’ve been looking at.
I am someone who wants to take back up cross country ski but I don’t wanna have to buy all the crap and I was never comfortable when I was doing it a long time ago. But I probably just didn’t have the right equipment back then.
But still I don’t want to take a very long ski with where I’m going. It doesn’t require that. I need a backcountry ski that can go down the hiking trails and the ungroomed backcountry that I’m looking to go over. I need the black diamond or the OAC.
Speak of the devil, after checking your review I ended up finding a pair of 147 CM black diamond glide lights, but the person selling them wants more than what they sell for new and there is some slight wear and tear to them. The OAC skinbased XCD BC 160s are less pricey and in much better condition as they were only used for a season.
What to choose lol
awesome review ! Thanks for sharing and I am looking forward to go to the backcountry with mine.
My girl and I got two sets. I'm looking at putting on snowboard bindings for steep downhill carving. I'll let you know how it turns out
Learn to make telemark turns and it will make going down a lot easier.
I really wish they would make the binding compatable with snowboard boots
put new bindings on it
Get on some scaled Harvest skis
That would make it more uncomfortable than wearing a more of a hiking style winter boot. Trekking in snowboard boots would be cumbersome.
Ohh! This video was just what I’m looking for. I’ve got a pair of Scarpa Mont Blancs, do you think these would be effective with those?
how able are you to get on edge (like snow plow) with the soft boots? I'm yet to have any luck with my (softer?) hiking boots, and might just use my nepals in them and keep the bindings loose for step glides. Any thoughts on this?
They work in soft deep snow - be very careful on hardpack or piste. They need the softness to edge - I practiced with them on a groomed piste and it cured my constipation.
There was another reviewer (30 yr experienced alpine skier) who went downhill snowplow method w/ this same ski and he made it down fine however, he did say that they are a little wonky on the downhills.
I think if you’re going over terrain that has some slight hills or small descents, I think they’ll be just perfect but if you’re trying to downhill ski with these, I don’t think these will cut it there because they are not made for that purpose.
I think these will entertain the people who want cross country ski, but just a slightly better performing one.
How do these compare to cross-country skis, I was thinking of buying cross country and came across these... can you go fast?
Great review!
What boots are you using?
Are these being made by OAC skinbased and badged Black Dimond?
Yes, they are 1/1 the same skis and bindings except the skin (pattern) which is Black Diamond’s own. (I don't know which manufacturer's skins Oac uses, it could be this BD without the BD pattern)
Good stuff
What poles are you using?