fritschi explore... any insight?

[verbier61]

I'm pulling the trigger on "end-of-season-offer" AT gear to have a pair of short and light alternative to BROs for the days I really feel weak

I'm considering explore instead of freerides because they're definitely lighter and I do not need 12 DINs (I'm usually between 7 and 9 depending on the mood). Any insight? BTW I didn't consider silvretta pure because they are frequently reported as broken, and they cost more than fritschi for only a minor weight benefit...

[skifishbum]

Have had a pair of titanial 2 since the first year they came out in US. Let a bro use em all season still rockin. The freerides are definatly beefier than explores and come w/ brakes. Naxos a better binding do to the dual pivot so the weight gain is offset by less energy usage IMO. Breaking trail and deep snow especially.

[peterslovo]

The Explore has a max DIN of 10, while the Freeride is 12.
Explores don't come with standard brakes like the Freeride - you'd have to buy them separately (like $50 I think). They aren't that much lighter when you add in the weight of the wide brakes. The bolt pattern is the same as the freeride.

The Explores should be fine.

That said, both my BC skis have Freerides.

[AltaPowderDaze]

Trackhead had a set w/brakes in gear swap a week or so back. he seemed to do just fine with them. he switched to dynafits recently to save weight.

[Hugh Jardon]

I would explore the Naxo or Freeride. The weight savings isn't really substantial enough to get the Explore. If you want lightweight get the Dynafit. I used to use the Dynafit a lot but am pretty stuck on the Naxo now just for the heck of it.

[verbier61]

thanks for comments! the weight difference (considering the brakes) is around 0.2 Kg. not that much, but still something. Also, explore costs a little less than freerides. Dynafits would require to change my boots..... and this is at the present time out of discussion

[Hicks]

Unless you are climbing a lot of vert in sketchy terrain with skis on the backpack the weight difference should not be the criteria especially if you plan on adding the brakes to the Explores anyway.
IMHO in these days the Explores only makes sense over the Freerides when going consequently lightweight with a (skinny) Expedition ski and without the brakes.

[Core Shot]

Best reason to get Explore (assuming you do not need the DIN):
1) you find it on sale really cheap and
2) you get a free pair of medium brakes on a maggot hookup