G3 SEEKr features longer early rise in tip and tail for smearability (yeah that’s a word); the slight camber underfoot is said to maintain stability at Canadian speeds.
(This post sponsored by our publishing partner Cripple Creek Backcountry.)
Worker bees have been busy at G3, developing new items in almost all of their product categories (gems covered here will begin retail in fall of 2018, and be field tested by us over coming months).
Skis:
New for 2018/2019 is the SEEKr ski. This is a lighter version of the FINDr made with similar construction but designed with different dimensions. FINDr shines on hardpack; SEEKr will be more playful in softer snow. Honestly, we’ve had mixed emotions about G3 skis; Louie likes their aggression, Lou and I prefer something a bit more dialed back. SEEKr answers that with the ELLE 100 version, same construction but slightly softer. Design philosophy of all G3’s planks is to trim weight by using as much carbon as possible — while providing adequate dampness for downhill performance. Common wisdom in ski design is that dampness can be relativly inexpensive and less technical if provided by mass, while being much more difficult to engineer by material science. To that end, G3 says they’ve achieved remarkable damping by using a special variety of PU plastic sidewalls, created with a proprietary process rather than simply adding strip of plastic to a mold layup. We’ll be testing this soon, with high hopes.
The SEEKr is built with a slight camber and early rise. Here’s how it’s layered:
SEEKr specs:
G3 SEEKr 110, 186 cm
G3 SEEKr 100, 186 cm
G3 SEEKr 100 Elle
Skins:
G3 is offering a new line of climbing skins for the 2018/2019 season: the Alpinist+ and the Splitboard+. “Plus” are two complete lines of skins for ski and snowboard touring, featuring new design and reformulated adhesive.
With the Plus series, G3 challenges the idea of full tip to tail coverage. “Skins that cover the entire base of your skis are overkill and heavy.” G3 research reveals the most grip comes from under the binding; the fabric on the tip and tail creates unnecessary drag, similar in energy expenditure to adding weight. To increase glide and efficiency without compromising grip, G3 Plus skins use plush-less tip and tail connectors. More, the stiff, plush free material used for the Alpinist+ tip creates a rigid platform that keeps snow from creeping under the skin. The elongated tail shortens the body of carpet, lightening up the skin without compromising grip or glide, and making transitions easy with a refined camming clip.
Alpinist+ and Splitboard+ skins are available in four plush fabrics:
Universal: Nylon plush material provides optimal balance of grip, glide, weight and durability. Designed for any location and all conditions.
Grip: High-traction nylon plush material for durability and versatility. Designed for maximum grip and tractions, ideal for steep ascents and icy skin tracks.
Glide: 70% mohair for glide and 30% nylon for durability. All-purpose skin built for cold and dry conditions with improved waterproofing.
Speed: 100% mohair. The lightest and fastest skin, best in cold, dry conditions. Has improved waterproofing to increase glide and overall speed. The G3 CEO is said to be obsessed with skin glide — we’ll test these ASAP to see if the boss got what he wanted.
Also note that updated overlapping length sizing for the Plus skins, allowing the choice of more skin fabric for additional coverage or less material for weight savings.
Alpinist+ Universal
Alpinist+ Grip
Alpinist+ Glide
Alpinist+ Speed
Alpinist+ Pow
Splitboard+ skins offer a new camming tail connector that features a straight edge to line up on your board and a simple camming clip that requires little effort and will hold the tail strap in place. The tip connector is asymmetrical, custom tailored for splitboards. The low profile, self-aligning stainless steel hand on each skin tip allows for a secure, lightweight connection.
Splitboard+ Universal
Splitboard+ Grip
Splitboard+ Glide
In other gear, look for an updated binding safety leash boasting a more easily clipped hook, a G3 branded merino wool toque that’ll authenticate you as Canadian whether you be ice fishing, hockey spectating or even border crossing, and a re-branded Scott 30 liter backpack with optional Alpride avalanche airbag system. The latter of which is in once sense mundane, but could be considered interesting as it continues to round out G3’s product line. Are ski boots next? Stay tuned.
For those interested in details about the pack, here are photos of the Cabrio:
G3 Cabrio 30.
Cabrio 30 with Alpride airbag system, also available without airbag.
Cabrio 30 waistbelt
Trigger handle is height adjustable with multiple grabbing options.
Goggle pocket.
Stowable helmet carry.
A-frame ski carry.
A-frame ski carry.
Back panel.
Avi tool pocket.
Cabrio 30L:
Pack weight without Alpride: 1560 g / 3 lb 7 oz
Alpride system: 690 g / 1 lb 8 oz (Cabrio will be available with or without Alpride)
Cartridges: 440 g / 1 lb
Total weight: 2690 g / 5 lb 15 oz
10 comments
Any thoughts on the new scaled G3 FINDR XCD series? Looks new for 2018 also. I’m thinking it could be an awesome out the back door ski, or maybe a potential pick for skiing up to 11k on the WB of Denali. What do you think?
Kev: XCD! Yes an awesome out the back door ski. No for climbing Denali!
Curious if you could offer a tip: I splitboard and sometimes glue from my skin gets stuck on my board. Any suggestions about getting it off, especially while on tour? Would it be as simple as carrying a waxing type scraper with me to use as needed? The sticky board gets a little difficult to make turns on.
Thank you!
Bob, firstly that’s often caused by defective skin glue, especially if your bases are at least somewhat waxed. As for getting the gradoo off we do have some experience with that as we often deal with test skins that don’t work well. Yes, try a scraper first, but a block of hard alpine wax rubbed into the gradoo seems to transform it enough to the ski or board will slide enough to get going, which in turn usually scours the junk off. I hope that helps. Lou
Kev & Eric, I’m skiing the Findr XCD this season and finding it great for flat or semi-steep road approaches. Skins need to go on if the climbing gets steeper. Snow conditions dictate when it’s too steep to continue without skins. Downhill performance is great, only time I notice the fish scales is typically skiing down very gradual declines but this is offset by just x-country skiing rather than skating.
Steve,
Did you mount tech bindings or some sort of Nordic setup? I wonder if the fish scales have enough purchase to pull a toboggan full of gear. I have been skiing the fish-scaled Rossignol BC 90 mounted with TLT Speeds a lot this season and I am loving it.
For easy days out in the backcountry it is more than adequate, but. the FINDR looks to have more DH performance.
Kev, they are mounted with tech bindings, when i referred to “x-country skiing” it is simply unlocking my heels and not putting skins on. Can’t really speak to the ability to tow a sled, so far it seems like snow conditions determine how much “grip” the fishscales get. Icy/hardpack conditions tend to have less grip, warmer snow has better grip (I have yet to use them in spring conditions). This is my first pair of fishscaled skis so I can’t compare to other types, but the downhill performance is surprisingly good they are a lively ski and and seem to handle speed well.
Lou,
Any chance you’ve had a chance to get your hands on the Cabrio? Looks like a good option and is discounted on G3 currently.
It looks like a nicely designed backpack, clean and simple. We are working on a review. Lou
Are you guys still working on a Cabrio pack review (or did I miss it?)? I really like the way the Alpride 2.0 system is all on the perimeter of the pack, leaving all the usable space in the middle (at least according to the pics, I haven’t seen one in person).