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Explanation:
Light Touring skis are skis that perform using NNN or SNS boots and bindings. They are built as double camber skis and they do not have metal edges. Light Touring does not include partial metal edges, they would be included with metal edge skis.
Metal Edge Skis are single camber skis that are usually wider and heavier than light touring skis. They require heavier boots and bindings such as BC, 75mm or telemark gear.
Single vs. Double camber:
Camber is the bend, rise or bridge in the middle part of the ski when the ski is resting on a flat surface. A single camber ski is flattened with one level of pressure placed on the ski. It takes two levels of pressure to flatten a double camber ski.
What this means to us as skiers is that we can balance the amount of glide and grip in a double camber ski by matching the skiers full and half weight to the grip zone, or waxless pattern of a ski. A single camber ski will always be gliding on the grip zone (or waxless pattern) of the ski.
Purpose:
Depending upon the width of the ski, Light Touring skis can perform as speedy fitness skis or stable touring skis that are efficient in groomed rails, on packed conditions, and untracked snow depths up to mid-calf.
Metal Edge skis are designed for deep untracked snow, and frozen/heavy conditions where minmizing tip deflection and maximizing edge control are priorities.
An Analogy:
If classic ski boots are like running shoes, then light touring boots are like trail runners or light hiking boots. This would make BC boots similar to leather hiking boots, and telemark boots like plastic mountaineering boots. Now think of the types of uses you would have with these kinds of boots. The leather hiking boots would be appropriate if you have ankle issues, if you are carrying a heavy pack, or if you plan on travelling over a lot of scree or off-trail. Their usage for on-trail, day hikes is a bit of an overkill, and most likely you'd be happier in something lighter. That is a similar scenario to most one day ski tours. Most people would be happiest with a light, supportive and maneuverable set-up.
If your skiing expectations include anything with a fitness orientation, or the possibility of skiing on groomed terrain, or untracked snow up to mid-calf; then go with light touring gear.
Uses:
Many Light Touring skis are designed to handle both groomed terrain and untracked conditions depending on snow depth. They offer a blend of stability and speed in a lighter weight package. These characterisitics make them suitable for fitness skis, touring skis, leisure skis and beginning skis. Beginning skiers will enjoy the lightweight maneuverability of these skis, while experienced skiers can push the limits of these skis to perform 85% of what a metal edge ski can do in addition to all of the conditions it was designed for. Light Touring skis are the recommendation for about 80% of what most skiers expect to ski.
Metal Edge skis are niche skis - and the niche is very small for experienced skiers. With new ski designs, there is not a lot of room between the light touring segment and telemark skis, but that is where the metal edge ski lives. That niche consists of deep snow in rolling terrain, or tough frozen conditions in flat to rolling terrain. The niche is broader for beginning, or older, skiers where maximum stability takes precedence over efficient travel. However, wider light touring skis are usually recommended for most of the expectations/ambitions of new skiers as well.
New metal edge designs are expanding into the telemark category; offering telemark widths and sidecuts for better descending capability, with waxless grip patterns in the bases to eliminate or reduce the need for skins.
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