Holes in 3-pin 75mm Nordic boots can get beat up. Here’s a fairly simple and inexpensive fix and/or preventive measure.

Nordic 75mm 3 pin boots are still the standard for backcountry Nordic touring.

There are other boots that may be lighter, faster, warmer,etc. but these old war-horses still provide an amazing combo of weight, versatility, simplicity and ruggedness. They work.

Over time, however, three-pin boots can get beat up. The holes in the duck-bill for locking in the boots to the bindings can get warped. And if you tend to beat on your gear even a little bit (guilty as charged), eventually the boots do not stay in place as easily.

A simple fix, and a good preventative measure in the first place, is the simple addition of Smile Plates

For only $20,and  a small amount of elbow-grease, this simple item rehabs boots quite easily.

I wish I knew about these plates in the first place as I would have put them on my boots when I first bought them!

Continue reading Gear review: Smile Plates at PMags.com.