Best cross country skiing gear?

[matthewreale]

I used to Telemark ski YEARS ago and recently started Cross Country again with my old Scarpa hard plastic Telemark boots and a friends old Fisher skis with Metal edges and a 3 pin binding. 

I rarely ski in groomed places because our snow in SE Pennsylvannia is unpredictable!!!

SInce I'm interested in possibly upgrading everything:

With what i've noted, what's the best gear for me?

Thanks for the assistance!

[Diesseldorf]

Sounds like it would be best for you to look at NNN BC boots and touring classic skis with a full metal edge.  Unfortunately there isn't much left this late in the season.  You can use regular NNN gear, but for strictly off-track I prefer NNN BC setups.  Alpina Alaska boots and Rossi Possitrack 65s or 80s are my favs right now.

[matthewreale]

Thanks for the reply. I know its late in the season, but is there anywhere i can get gear other than used online? I like what you have recommended.

[Diesseldorf]

Unfortunately not any place that I know of where you can buy new right now.  You would have to wait until new gear in the early season next year or buy used.

[PatrickB]

@matthewreale if you are doing mostly flat touring an NNN-BC setup might be best, but if you will be doing a lot of turns on steeper terrain you might want to stick with a 3-pin setup.  If you decide to go 3-pin, take a look at the Voile ultravector BC ski. It has a section of fishscales under the foot and a full metal edge. You could pair them with a three pin binding like the voile HD mountaineer, or if you want the option of a cable on your heel the voile three pin cable binding.