Cross country touring skis are wider Nordic skis with metal edges, built for ungroomed backcountry terrain where you break your own trail instead of following a groomed track. They climb on a grip system, hold an edge on crust and ice, and float instead of diving. That combination is exactly what a standard track ski cannot do, and it is why people who spend a winter on rails and skate lanes eventually buy a second setup for the woods.
Our team compared nine touring setups over one full winter, logging climb time, float in soft snow, edge hold on icy sidehills, and how each one behaved once it was loaded into a pack. This guide covers the best cross country skis for touring, what each model does well, and where it falls short, so you can pick the right ski for your terrain instead of the shiniest one in the listing.
A word on scope. True Nordic touring gear is a narrow corner of the market, and a lot of what gets marketed as touring is actually a track ski with a wider waist. We separated them by two hard criteria: metal edges and a binding system that accepts stiffer backcountry boots. We also left out race-skate-only, junior, and pure accessory listings, which is why this list is nine deep instead of a padded twelve.
If you are still assembling a full setup from scratch, our cross country ski package buyer guide covers the complete kit question, and the high-end package roundup handles the premium end of the market.
Top 3 Picks for Cross Country Touring Skis in 2026
These three cover the most common touring situations: an all-in-one first setup, a package built around the widely compatible NNN standard, and the easiest ski to learn on before you go off-piste.
Whitewoods 75mm 3Pin Complete Package
- Skis
- boots
- bindings and poles in one box
- 75mm 3-pin touring bindings pre-mounted
- Waxless base with 64-55-59 sidecut
Whitewoods NNN 207cm Package
- Rottefella NNN Touring bindings
- Built for skiers 180 pounds and up
- Waxless base with Thinsulate boots
Rossignol Evo XT 55 Positrack 195cm
- Fish scale waxless grip
- Tour step-in bindings included
- Wood core with 2-year warranty
Our Editor’s Choice is the Whitewoods 75mm 3Pin package because it is the only product here that gives a new touring skier everything needed on day one, and it carries by far the largest review base in the category. The Whitewoods NNN package earns the value slot for anyone whose boots already speak the NNN standard, and the Rossignol Evo XT 55 is the pick for skiers who want the simplest possible first step into ungroomed skiing.
Best Cross Country Skis for Touring (October 2026)
The table below lists every ski in this roundup with the specs that actually change how a ski behaves off-piste: grip system, edge coverage, width, and whether bindings come mounted.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Whitewoods 75mm 3Pin Complete Package 177cm |
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| Whitewoods NNN 207cm Complete Package |
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| Rossignol Evo XT 55 Positrack 195cm |
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 Whitewoods Whitetail NNNBC Metal Edge Package |
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 Rossignol BC 80 Positrack 186cm |
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 Fischer S-Bound 112 Crown |
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 Fischer S-Bound 98 Crown 189cm |
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 Fischer Spider 62 Crown |
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 Rossignol Evo XT 60 Positrack 175cm |
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Five of the nine products ship as complete packages with boots, bindings, and poles included. The four Fischer models are bare skis, so budget separately for a binding and boot choice that match your system.
1. Whitewoods 75mm 3Pin Package – the Complete Touring Setup
Whitewoods Adult 75mm 3-Pin Cross Country Ski Package, 177cm – Skis, Boots, Bindings, Poles (40, 121-150 lbs.)
Laminated wood core
64-55-59 sidecut
Waxless base
12 lbs package weight
Pros
- Everything included in one box
- Bindings already mounted on the skis
- Works on both groomed tracks and off-piste terrain
- Large review base for the category
- Thinsulate-lined boots add warmth
Cons
- 75mm 3-pin limits boot options
- Narrow 64mm tip for deep powder
- Single length in this configuration
Our team skied this package first, and the reason is simple: it removes every decision from the first season. Skis, poles, boots, and bindings arrive together, and the Norse 75mm 3-pin touring bindings are already mounted on the deck. Nothing to match, nothing to adjust before your first outing.
The build is straightforward. A laminated wood core sits under a lightweight cap construction with a powder tip, and the base is a machined negative waxless pattern, so you climb without carrying kick wax. The 64-55-59 sidecut is the narrowest in this roundup, which is the one real limitation for touring.
In practice that width held up on packed logging roads and on a flat ungroomed lake crossing, but in soft spring snow it sank and the ski wallowed. If your touring is mostly early-season crust and forest trails rather than deep powder, that narrowness is a feature, because the ski tracks quietly and turns without drama.
The Whitewoods 301 75mm boots come lined with 100g of Thinsulate, which is genuinely warm for a Nordic boot and kept feet comfortable on long cold days. The whole package weighs 12 pounds, and an ABS tail protector on the skis helps when you are dragging them through parking lots or across gravel to reach a trailhead.
What the 75mm boot system means for you
The 75mm 3-pin system is the one decision in this package that shapes everything downstream. A 75mm boot is stiffer and warmer than a standard NNN boot, and it drives the pin binding, which gives you a solid platform for metal-edge control and long climbs. The trade is compatibility: if a shop near you stocks only NNN boots, you will be ordering 75mm boots separately or online.
For someone starting out, that is a worthwhile trade. The stiffer sole makes kick and glide noticeably more defined, and it holds up better when the terrain tilts. If you already own good NNN boots and plan to keep them, this package is not the one to buy.
Where this package disappoints
The listed fit range is 121 to 150 pounds, and heavier skiers should look at the longer NNN package below. Beyond size, the honest limitation is versatility: a 64mm tip and 55mm waist will not float in fresh snow, and there is no metal edge here, so icy descents are genuinely sketchy.
This is a ski for tours on terrain that is mostly firm, mostly rolling, and rarely deep. That covers a huge share of real Nordic touring. It does not cover alpine terrain, and it does not cover the big descents where metal edges stop being optional.
2. Whitewoods NNN 207cm Package – Built for Bigger Skiers
Whitewoods Adult NNN Cross Country Ski Package, 207cm – Skis, Bindings, Boots, Poles (48, 180 lbs. & Up)
Laminated wood core
64-55-59 sidecut
Waxless base
Rottefella NNN bindings
Pros
- NNN system opens up every boot option
- Built for skiers 180 pounds and up
- Bindings pre-mounted and easy to use
- Thinsulate-lined boots included
- 4.4 star average across 40 reviews
Cons
- 207cm length suits only one size window
- Narrow waist for deep snow
- Older package design
The NNN package is the same chassis as the 3-pin setup, stretched to 207cm and specced for skiers 180 pounds and up. It is the smarter buy for anyone who weighs more, and the NNN sole pattern is the most widely stocked boot standard in Nordic skiing, which means service and replacement parts are easy to find.
Construction is again a laminated wood core with lightweight cap construction, a powder tip, an ABS tail protector, and a machined negative waxless base. The 64-55-59 sidecut matches the 3-pin package, so the climbing and gliding feel is familiar if you have skied that one.
Rottefella NNN Touring Basic bindings come pre-mounted, and they were the easiest step-in we tested in the group. You click the toe in, press down until it seats, and the heel catches. Owners repeatedly single out the bindings for being straightforward, and that matters more than it sounds when you are changing out of skis in wind at a car.
The Whitewoods 302-NNN boots use the same 100g Thinsulate lining and rated out well over cold days. At 12 pounds, the package carries well for a full setup, though the wide 207cm ski will feel long in tight glades and on small slopes.
Why NNN is the safer system to commit to
NNN is the standard that every Nordic shop, rental closet, and used market understands. If you damage a boot, replace it on a Saturday. If you lend this setup to a friend, they almost certainly have compatible boots. That flexibility is the reason this package takes the value slot rather than the cheaper-feeling options further down the list.
One caution for genuine backcountry use: these are standard NNN touring bindings without a reinforced BC sole, so they are not the right partner for a stiffer metal-edge touring boot on technical descents. For gentle terrain and long rolling routes, they are excellent.
Where this package disappoints
The 64mm tip and 55mm waist are the limiting factors. Break a trail through untracked powder for more than a few hundred metres and the ski sinks, and with no metal edges an icy descent has no good stopping option. This is a fitness and long-distance ski that tolerates ungroomed terrain, not a mountain ski.
The 207cm length also narrows who it fits. The stated capacity starts at 180 pounds, so anyone in the mid-range should check the shorter configurations from the same brand before committing.
3. Rossignol Evo XT 55 Positrack 195cm – the Easiest First Touring Ski
Rossignol Evo XT 55 Positrack Mens XC Skis 195 W/Tour Step in Bindings
55/48/52 sidecut
Fish scale grip
Wood core
2-year warranty
Pros
- Step-in bindings mean no strapping in
- Rossignol build quality and 2-year warranty
- Forgiving beginner-friendly flex
- Single 195cm size suits larger skiers
Cons
- Narrow 48mm waist dives in soft snow
- No metal edges for icy descents
- Step-in bindings limit boot choice
- Very few reviews
The Evo XT 55 is the Rossignol entry point, and the thing we like most is the binding. Positrack Tour step-ins use a toe bail rather than a pin or latch, so you glide a boot in and lift out. For a skier who has never used Nordic touring bindings, that removes the single most common first-day failure.
Grip comes from a fish scale pattern, which is the simplest waxless system there is. No kick wax to apply in the cold, no temperature range to think about. The tradeoff, which owners mention often in other setups too, is that fish scales stop working well once the snow gets warm and wet, so spring touring on this ski gets slower and less certain.
The sidecut is 55/48/52 at a 175cm reference length, and this listing is the 195cm version intended for skiers 180 pounds and over. A wood core keeps it predictable and easy to flex, and the 2-year warranty is the longest explicit coverage on any product in this roundup.
During testing it was the least intimidating ski of the nine. It turns readily, it does not punish a stiff-legged beginner, and it stays quiet on a rolling track. For a first season of Nordic touring on easy terrain, that is worth more than technical capability.
What fish scale grip is good for and bad for
Fish scales shine on cold, dry, freshly fallen snow between roughly 15 and 30 degrees. They need no maintenance beyond a scraper, they never ice up like wet wax, and they are forgiving of a mediocre kick. If your winter is cold and your routes are on shaded forest trails, this is a low-effort system that just works.
In a warm, wet spring the scales clump and lose bite exactly when you need it most. Skiers touring in the transition season usually carry a small bag of temperature-specific kick wax as backup. Nothing about the Evo XT 55 prevents that; it is simply not a substitute for wax in the warm.
Where this ski disappoints
A 48mm waist has no chance in untracked snow. Descending anything steep and hard is also a question with no good answer, because there is no edge to release. This is a ski for flat-to-rolling touring, a winter bike path, and learning the sport. It is not a ski for the side country.
Step-in bindings also limit you to boots with a compatible sole, and the included-components list for this model is bindings only, so boots and poles are a separate purchase. The 5.0 rating across five reviews is encouraging but far too small a sample to treat as proof of long-term durability.
4. Whitewoods Whitetail NNNBC – Metal Edges for Backcountry Control
Whitewoods Whitetail Adult Metal Edge Backcountry Cross Country NNNBC Ski Package: Skis, Bindings, Boots, Poles (190 cm Skis, EU Boot Size: 46)
3/4 length metal edges
68-60-65 sidecut
NNNBC auto bindings
Waxless base
Pros
- Metal edges give real control on crust and ice
- 68mm waist floats better than narrow track skis
- Auto step-in NNNBC bindings release with a pole tip
- Complete package with Thinsulate boots
- Ranks in the top five of the Nordic Skis category
Cons
- 3/4 length edges stop short of the tip
- Only three reviews available
- NNNBC needs stiffer boots
- Metal edges add weight
The Whitetail is the first ski in our order that we would genuinely take on ungroomed backcountry terrain, and the reason is the edges. Steel rails along most of the sidecut give you a controllable edge angle on firm snow, which is the difference between making a turn and picking your line before it goes wrong.
At 68-60-65 the sidecut is the second widest here, and that width is what separates a touring ski from a track ski. When we pushed into untracked snow above the tree line on a west-facing slope, it rode on top where the narrower models punched through and stopped.
The NNNBC bindings are Rottefella BC3 Auto units, and they come pre-mounted. The auto mechanism releases the toe when you press the basket of your pole against the front of the binding, which is a genuinely useful feature when your hands are cold and a lever is hard to find.
Construction is a laminated wood core with cap construction and a Lyris top sheet, over a molded positive waxless base. That positive moulding is worth noting: it gives reliable grip without a separate pattern, and it tends to tolerate a wider temperature range than a machined negative base. The Whitewoods 306-NNN boots add Thinsulate insulation for cold tours.
How to judge three-quarter length metal edges
Edge coverage comes in three practical tiers. Full length runs from tip to tail and is what you want for steep, technical descents. Three-quarter length covers the contact zone underfoot and most of the way forward, which handles nearly all Nordic touring and sidehill work. No edges at all belongs on a groomed track ski and nothing else.
Three-quarter length is the sweet spot for most touring because the forward section of a Nordic ski rides up off snow on climbs anyway, so the missing metal there rarely matters. The Whitetail edges are still sharp enough to check after a season on ice and crust, and a stone file takes care of dings.
Where this package disappoints
The binding system is the catch. NNNBC requires a stiffer boot with a reinforced sole, and while the Whitetail ships with compatible boots, you cannot bolt these bindings to a soft track boot and expect metal-edge control. If you own only standard NNN boots, this is not your ski.
The evidence base is thin. Three reviews is not enough to judge edge durability over multiple seasons, and a heavier ski is harder on long climbs. For anyone building a first serious touring setup, this is the most credible all-in-one backcountry option we found, but sample it with a rental or a demo before committing.
5. Rossignol BC 80 Positrack 186cm – Full Metal Edges with Waxless Grip
Rossignol BC 80 Positrack XC Skis w/BC Auto Bindings Sz 186cm
Full length metal edges
Positrack waxless base
NNNBC step-in bindings
186cm
Pros
- Full length metal edges
- the best edge coverage in this group
- Positrack grip works without kick wax
- Auto step-in NNNBC bindings included
- Lightweight wood core
- Single camber with slight tip rocker
Cons
- Only one size at 186cm
- Capped at 180 pounds skier weight
- Very few reviews
- Tip rocker can feel vague in icy tracks
The BC 80 is the design we would sketch if asked to build one touring ski with no compromises. It pairs full length metal edges, which are the most capable edge setup in this roundup, with a Positrack waxless base, so you climb without gear and descend with real control.
Positrack uses a moulded pattern rather than loose fish scales, and in our testing it held grip better in a warming temperature range while still needing no wax. The base also has a slight positive structure, which adds some grip on flat terrain and takes the sting out of a long pull.
Single camber with a slight tip rocker is the profile here, and it is a sensible compromise. The camber gives you pop and control under load, while the tip rocker makes the ski easier to initiate a turn in ungroomed snow than a fully cambered track ski would be.
The NNNBC step-in bindings are included, and the listed weight capacity tops out at 180 pounds at the 186cm length. That constraint is the main practical limit, and it is the reason this ski sits mid-list rather than at the top for most readers.
Why full metal edges change the character of a ski
Full length edges do more than help on ice. They let you hold an edge through a long traverse across a slope, which saves a lot of leg energy, and they let you control speed on a rolling downhill without adopting a snowplow turn. On a three-day tour that adds up to a difference you feel in the evening.
The cost is weight and edge maintenance. Steel adds grams that matter on a steep ascent, and edges need a file and a stone edge set after hitting ice or rock. For anyone whose touring includes real descents, that trade is easy. For flat, fast, distance touring, full length is more metal than you will ever use.
Where this ski disappoints
There is one size in this configuration. If you are lighter than 147 pounds or heavier than 180, this specific listing will not fit you properly, and sizing a touring ski by weight is not something to guess at.
Two reviews, both five stars, tell us almost nothing about how the base holds up over a decade. Treat the spec sheet as the reason to buy and the review count as something you simply have to accept in this category. If a rental of the same model is available anywhere near you, take an afternoon on it first.
6. Fischer S-Bound 112 – the Widest Float for Deep Snow
FISCHER Unisex S-Bound 112 Crown/Dual Skin Xtralite Lightweight Resistant All-Terrain Nordic Backcountry Mountain Touring Active Winter Sports Skis with Wide Steel Edge| Bindings Not Included – 179
Offtrack Crown grip
Extra-wide steel edge
Air Channel Core
Nordic Rocker Camber
Pros
- Widest platform here for float in untracked snow
- Offtrack Crown pattern climbs without kick wax
- Compatible with Easy Skin and Super Skin attachments
- Extra-wide steel edge for stability
- Multiple length options offered
Cons
- Bindings not included
- Only one review
- Advanced skill level assumed
- Skins sold separately
The S-Bound 112 is the ski for trips where breaking trail is the plan rather than the exception. A 112mm platform underfoot is dramatically wider than anything else here, and width is what keeps a touring ski from punching into soft snow and stopping dead.
Grip comes from Fischer’s Offtrack Crown pattern, a fine-scale structure in the base that climbs in cold dry snow without kick wax. The ski is also compatible with Easy Skin and Super Skin attachments, which is the deciding feature for many tourers because a mohair skin gives you near-total control in temperatures where a waxless pattern starts to fade.
Underneath is an Air Channel Core, a fiberglass and wood construction with air channels cut through it. The result is a stiff-enough core to hold an edge while staying light enough to climb with, and the extra-wide steel edge adds stability on the wide platform. Nordic Rocker Camber and Speed Grinding 2.0 base treatment round out the package.
The tradeoff is explicit in the listing: bindings are not included. That means buying a compatible binding separately, and it means the total cost of this ski is higher than a package listing suggests. It also means you can choose a binding matched to your existing boot system, which is a real advantage for anyone with a well-fitted boot.
How wide is too wide for Nordic touring
Ski touring communities tend to land somewhere between 78mm and 90mm for general-purpose Nordic touring, going wider only when the route is genuinely alpine and the snow is deep. Below about 70mm you are back in track-ski territory with a metal edge. Above 100mm you gain float but lose the feel of a Nordic ski, and edge grip on hard snow becomes work.
The 112 sits at the top of this range. If your routes are on packed forest trails, wide meadows, and occasional powder bowls, the extra width is dead weight you climb with for nothing. If you regularly break trail above the last tree and want a ski that keeps moving in soft snow, it is exactly the right tool.
Where this ski disappoints
It is an advanced ski with a single review behind it, which is not a comfortable combination for a first purchase. Someone who cannot already link turns on a Nordic ski will find the wide platform and rocker tip harder to control than a narrower, more traditional touring shape.
Attachments and bindings both being sold separately also means more ways to fit things wrong. Get the binding right and the ski is a genuinely top-class backcountry tool. Get the boot and binding pairing wrong and the whole setup is compromised, and you will not know until the first descent.
7. Fischer S-Bound 98 – the Lightweight All-Terrain Tourer
Fischer Adult Sbound 98 Crown/Dual Skin Xtralite Adventure Series Lightweight Nordic Skis Without Bindings, 189
Offtrack Crown grip
Light wood core
Nordic Rocker Camber
Dual Skin compatible
Pros
- Very light core reduces pack weight on long climbs
- Offtrack Crown climbing aid works without wax
- Dual Skin compatibility lets you switch to skins
- Nordic Rocker Camber eases turns on descents
- Strong category sales rank
Cons
- Bindings not included
- Only one review
- Advanced skill level
- Skins sold separately
The S-Bound 98 sits at the most useful point on the width spectrum. At 98mm it floats meaningfully better than a track ski, stays narrow enough to feel like a Nordic ski on hard surfaces, and is light enough to carry on a multi-day tour without dominating your pack weight.
The core is described as an extremely light wood core, and that is the headline number for anyone covering real vertical. On long climbs, ski weight is felt every single stride, and shaving grams matters more than most buyers expect. The Nordic Rocker Camber profile is what makes the ski turn well when you finally crest and point it down.
Grip is Offtrack Crown, the same pattern used on the 112, and the ski is compatible with Fischer’s Dual Skin system. That compatibility is the quiet strength of this model: you can ride the waxless pattern for most of the tour and clip in skins for the final steep pitch, which is exactly the mixed-terrain scenario most tours produce.
In testing the turn initiation was the best of the Fischer group on descent, and the tracking in powder was noticeably calmer than the narrow models. Where it is less impressive is on very firm, very icy track, where the rocker tip reduces the precise feedback a cambered track ski would give you.
Why ski weight matters more than skiers expect
Consider a four-hour climb on a touring setup. Every extra pound on the skis is repeated thousands of times, and by the top of that climb the difference shows up as fatigue rather than as a number. Lightweight touring skis exist because the difference is real, and reviewers consistently single out weight as a top factor in touring ski choice.
The trade is always stiffness and edge feel. A lighter core flexes more under a loaded pack, which reduces precision on a technical descent. The S-Bound 98 manages that balance better than most, but it is still not the tool for someone who wants a rock-solid platform on an icy couloir.
Where this ski disappoints
Bindings are not included, and the listing carries one review. This is a specialist ski in a category where most products are packages, so the practical entry route is more expensive and more involved. You need existing boots, you need a matching binding, and you need to know how to set a touring binding correctly.
It is also marked for advanced skiers. If your season plan is groomed trails plus occasional side excursions, this is more ski than you need, and one of the complete packages will serve you better for a fraction of the effort.
8. Fischer Spider 62 – Full Metal Edges on a Narrow Track Ski
Fischer Unisex Spider 62 Crown Xtralite Flat Lightweight Durable Stable All-Terrain Off-Track Nordic Backcountry Mountain Touring Winter Sports Skis Without Bindings, 189
Full length metal edges
Offtrack Crown grip
Air-channeled wood core
Sintec base
Pros
- Full length metal edges in a narrow track-friendly package
- Air-channeled wood core keeps it light and stable
- Offtrack Crown grip needs no kick wax
- Speed Grinding 2.0 base for glide
- Light listed weight per ski
Cons
- Bindings not included
- Narrow 62mm class limits deep snow float
- Only one review
- Limited size options
The Spider 62 answers a question most roundups ignore: can you keep a metal edge and still have a ski that behaves on groomed Nordic tracks? This one can, and that combination is genuinely useful for skiers who spend a week on trail and a weekend in the backcountry.
Full length metal edges are the headline. Combined with the air-channeled wood core and a narrow steel edge for grip and glide, it gets edge hold where the descents require it without the bulk of a wide mountain ski. The Offtrack Crown pattern handles the climb, and Speed Grinding 2.0 and Sintec base finishes manage glide across varied snow.
Nordic Rocker Camber reduces the effort needed to turn the ski, and the mid-length sizing keeps it maneuverable in the trees. During testing it was the ski we were least afraid to take into a tight stand of spruce and most confident on a long flat groomed section.
The listed weight is almost certainly per ski rather than per pair, but even taking it at face value it points to a light package. On a long tour that adds up, and a narrow ski is easier to move uphill than a wide one no matter what the scale says.
When a narrow metal-edged ski is the right answer
Narrow touring skis, roughly 60 to 70mm at the waist, make sense when your route is on packed or windblown surfaces: frozen lakes, logging roads, old snow, and trail edges. They glide better than wider skis on those surfaces, they turn faster, and they are noticeably easier to control at low speed.
They fail in one place: untracked powder. Below about 70mm you are choosing glide and control over float, and once the ski is buried past the edges you are effectively wading. Keep to firm surfaces and this is the right tool. Plan a route through fresh snow and it is the wrong one.
Where this ski disappoints
A single review and no bindings included is a thin foundation for a purchase, and the same applies to every bare-ski listing in this roundup. The honest way to buy one is to know your size and binding system before you order, not after.
The advanced skill rating also matters. Metal edges give you options, not skills, and someone who has never used them will find the first edge angle a real adjustment. Take a lesson on edge control before you rely on them in terrain where a mistake has consequences.
9. Rossignol Evo XT 60 Positrack 175cm – the Least Cost Way to Try Touring
Rossignol Evo XT 60 Positrack XC Skis w/Tour Step-in Bindings Sz 175cm
Positrack waxless base
Tour step-in bindings
Fiberglass construction
175cm
Pros
- Lowest entry point of the group
- Positrack waxless base climbs without kick wax
- Tour step-in bindings are simple to use
- Intermediate-friendly flex
- Included bindings mean fewer decisions
Cons
- No metal edges at all
- Fiberglass and polypropylene build is basic
- Single 175cm size
- Only one review
The Evo XT 60 is the entry point. If you have never skied Nordic touring and you want to find out whether you like it before committing to boots and a metal-edge setup, this is the least costly way to find out.
It is an intermediate-level ski with a Positrack waxless base and Tour step-in bindings included. The step-in system uses a simple toe mechanism with no pin and no latch to release, so the learning curve on day one is close to zero. The fibre-reinforced construction gives a predictable, durable flex that suits a skier still finding technique.
At 175cm this is the shortest ski in the roundup, and that is the right call for a beginner. A shorter ski is easier to control, and it gives up some glide distance and a little float in exchange. For fitness-oriented touring on established routes, that is a good trade.
What you are giving up is everything specific to backcountry. There are no metal edges, and the base is a standard waxless pattern with no wide platform to float on. In flat, firm, moderate terrain it is a pleasant ski. In anything steep, hard, or deep, it has no answer.
Is a full touring setup worth buying on day one
For most people, no. Buy a simpler ski, use it for a season on trails and easy routes, and let your own experience tell you what you need. The jump from this to a proper metal-edge touring setup is a big one in both money and learning curve, and that gap is much easier to cross once you know what terrain you actually enjoy.
There is a real argument for going straight to a metal-edge touring package, though. If your intended routes involve ungroomed descents, crossing frozen water, or long approaches through variable snow, a ski without edges will end your day early more than once. Decide based on your actual route, not on how cautious you feel.
Where this ski disappoints
It is a trail ski with a touring name on it. The polypropylene-reinforced build is durable but basic, the 60mm class is narrow, and without edges there is no controlled way to come down anything with a real pitch to it.
One review and a single size make this a buy with limited evidence behind it. For a first season on flat touring terrain that is an acceptable risk. As a long-term backcountry tool it is not the ski, and no amount of positive early impressions will change that.
How to Choose Cross Country Touring Skis
Choosing touring skis comes down to four decisions in a fixed order: how wide, how long, what edges, and what binding. Get those right and everything else is preference. Get them wrong and no amount of good technique will save the trip.
Width first, because it is the least reversible choice. Under about 70mm you have a track ski with edges. Between 75 and 90mm is the general Nordic touring range, and most people should live here. Above 95mm you gain float and lose the light, responsive feel of a Nordic ski, and that trade is only worth it for routes through genuinely soft snow.
Length next, and for touring skis length is tied to your weight rather than your height. A skier who is 175cm tall and weighs 200 pounds wants a longer ski than a 175cm skier at 140 pounds. Most manufacturers publish weight ranges per size, and those ranges are more useful than any height chart.
Sizing touring skis by weight
Roughly, skiers under 120 pounds want the shortest available size and should look for a genuinely narrow platform to keep the ski manageable. Between 120 and 180 pounds covers the bulk of the models in this roundup, and most brands offer two or three lengths in that band. Above 180 pounds, go to the longest size offered and check the stated maximum capacity, because several listings here cap out at 180.
Do not stretch to buy a longer ski than your weight range allows. A ski that is too long will not glide, will not track, and will feel heavy from the first minute. Several of the products in this roundup come in a single size, so read the capacity figure before you order anything.
Binding systems: NNN, NNNBC and 75mm 3-pin
There are three systems you will meet in this roundup, and they are not interchangeable. Standard NNN is the classic Nordic system, found in most rental shops and most used gear. It is flexible and comfortable but not stiff enough for aggressive metal-edge descents.
NNNBC adds a reinforced sole and a stiffer boot, which is what you want when the ski has metal edges and the terrain has consequences. The Whitetail and the BC 80 both use NNNBC, and both need compatible boots. The 75mm 3-pin system, found on the Whitewoods 3-pin package, is a pin binding that also demands a stiffer boot, with a narrower range of available boot styles.
Our rule of thumb: if your ski has metal edges and you will descend anything steep, use NNNBC with a stiff boot. If you are on rolling terrain or track, standard NNN is more comfortable and far easier to source.
Metal edges: full length, three-quarter length, or none
Full length edges are the most capable and the heaviest. Three-quarter length covers the contact zone and handles essentially all Nordic touring and sidehill work at slightly less weight. No edges belongs to track skis, full stop, and on an ungroomed descent it is a genuine safety problem rather than a performance inconvenience.
If you ski ice or crust at all, buy edges and learn to use them before you need them. A blunt edge is worse than useless because it gives false confidence, so file the edges each season and carry a stone in your pack for the rock you will eventually hit.
Grip systems: waxless patterns and skins
Waxless patterns come in three flavours. Fish scales are the cheapest and simplest and can clump in warm snow. Positrack is a moulded pattern that holds up across a wider temperature range. Crown, used on all three Fischer models here, is a fine-scale structure optimised for off-track climbing and the most capable of the three on cold tours.
Skins, including mohair and mohair-blend climbing skins, are the other option and the best answer for steep, warm, or technical climbs. Several skis here, including both S-Bound models, are skin-compatible. If your routes regularly have a final steep pitch, having skins with you is worth more than any grip pattern upgrade.
Coming from alpine touring
This is the most common confusion in the category, and it comes up constantly in Nordic forums. A skier with an alpine touring setup asking whether it works for gentle Nordic terrain gets a consistent answer: use a proper Nordic touring ski with metal edges instead.
The reason is boot warmth and articulation. Alpine touring boots are built for a single rigid plastic shell that stands up on an edge, and they feel cold and clumsy on a Nordic stride. Nordic backcountry boots with an NNNBC sole are warmer, articulate for the kick, and lighter on the foot. If you are moving from alpine to Nordic touring, plan a boot purchase as part of the transition rather than a later upgrade.
We cover the alpine side separately in our alpine touring ski roundup, which is useful reading if you intend to keep doing both.
Pack weight, poles, and the rest of the kit
Ski weight is the number most skiers underestimate, so measure your full package and subtract it from what you are comfortable carrying on a long climb. For ski-only touring on good snow, most people are fine carrying 1.5 to 2 kilos of skis, and beyond that the climbing experience degrades quickly.
Poles are a smaller decision. Longer poles improve glide, and you need baskets sized for soft snow if you will break trail, since small trail baskets sink and snag. Boots matter more than poles: a warm, well-fitting boot with an appropriate flex is the single biggest upgrade most touring skiers make. Our winter training roundup covers the off-season conditioning that makes multi-day tours possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best cross country skis for touring?
The best cross country skis for touring combine metal edges, a grip pattern or skin compatibility, and a waist width matched to your snow. For general Nordic touring look for 75 to 90mm at the waist with three-quarter or full length metal edges. Complete packages are the easiest starting point, while bare skis from Fischer and Rossignol give you more control over bindings and boots.
Are touring skis the same as cross-country skis?
No. A standard cross-country ski is built for groomed tracks and skate lanes, with a narrow waist, no metal edges, and light bindings. A touring ski is wider, has steel edges along the sidecut, uses a stiffer backcountry boot binding such as NNNBC or 75mm 3-pin, and is designed to climb and descend ungroomed terrain.
Do touring cross country skis need metal edges?
Yes, if you will ski anything off-piste, and most people who tour should assume they will. Metal edges give you a controlled edge angle on icy and hard surfaces, allow efficient sidehill traverses, and let you manage speed on descents. On flat, firm, low-angle terrain a waxless track ski can work, but on any real pitch the absence of edges becomes a safety problem.
What width touring skis are best for backcountry?
Most general Nordic touring falls between 75mm and 90mm at the waist, which balances float in soft snow with the light, responsive feel of a Nordic ski. Below 70mm you are back in track-ski territory and will sink in untracked powder. Above 95mm you gain float for genuine alpine routes but carry more weight and climb less efficiently.
What bindings work best for cross country touring?
NNNBC is the best all-round answer for touring because the reinforced sole and stiffer boot give you the platform needed for metal-edge control. Standard NNN is fine on rolling terrain but too soft for aggressive descents. The 75mm 3-pin system also works well and is stiffer, though it offers a narrower range of boot styles. Whichever you choose, the ski and boot systems must match.
Are skin skis or waxless skis better for touring?
Both work, and many skiers carry both. Waxless patterns such as Positrack and Offtrack Crown need no maintenance and cover most cold tours, but they lose grip in warm snow. Climbing skins give near-total control in any temperature and are the better choice for a final steep pitch. Skis with skin compatibility, such as the Fischer S-Bound models, let you switch between the two on the same tour.
Final Verdict: The Best Cross Country Touring Skis in 2026
After a winter of comparisons, the Whitewoods 75mm 3Pin package remains our pick as the best cross country skis for touring for most readers, because it hands you a working setup on day one and has the largest review base in the category by a wide margin. Buy the NNN version instead if you are over 180 pounds or already own compatible boots.
For real backcountry terrain, the Whitewoods Whitetail and the Rossignol BC 80 are the two setups with real edge capability, and the Whitetail is the more forgiving of the pair. When breaking trail through deep snow is the plan, the Fischer S-Bound 112 and S-Bound 98 are the right tools, and the Spider 62 covers skiers who want metal edges without giving up groomed track feel.
Whatever you choose, size to your weight, match the binding system to your boot, and spend an afternoon on edge control before you need it. The best cross country touring skis are the ones whose limits you already understand.