Hi REI, There are a number of factual inaccuracies in your "How to Choose Randonee Ski Gear" FAQ which you may want to address as the season approaches.

"Randonee boots are stiffer and the skis typically wider than 'tele' gear, so you have a bit more control for negotiating steep chutes while carrying a pack."

(Randonnée boots are typically equal to or less stiff laterally and lighter these days than comparable price-point tele boots, the difference in downhill control is due solely to the binding being latched down).

"In the free-heel mode, you can even carve telemark turns with randonee gear."

(You would do well to omit this piece of information; although people often do this for fun, no randonnée binding is designed to withstand the forces generated by tele skiing while unlatched and this might create some liability issues for you).

"There are slight drawbacks to this style (the reference is to Dynafits), though. You have to get out of them in order to switch between uphill and downhill modes, and they are also compatible only with boots made specifically to fit them."

(Your writer may be thinking of the widespread myth that Dynafits must be removed to go from skiing to skinning mode, but neither statement is true. Anyone with reasonable flexibility can lock their heel and remove skins with Dynafits on; you can also unlock the heel after skiing by twisting the heelpiece while applying upward pressure with the boot heel).

"Randonee skis are usually wider than either telemark or standard skis. How wide you get them will depend on the type of snow you most often encounter."

(In practice, most tele skis are now marketed or at least used as both rando and tele tools, so the skis are exactly the same. In fact, any alpine ski without a plate can and often is used as a "randonnée" ski).

"Keep in mind that, because of the walking sole, randonee boots cannot be used with regular (downhill) bindings. Plastic mountaineering boots may fit some randonee bindings, but it's best not to use them."

(Randonnée boots will work with many common alpine bindings, notably most Salomon models, though the release may be inconsistent due to greater friction from the rubber soles. PMB's can and often are used as an approach tool for alpine climbs in conjunction with light rando bindings and short skis. They are well-suited to such use and the danger of needing reliable release is small).

You may want to reconsider your spelling of the word "randonee" - correct spelling in French is "randonnée" with the first e accented acute (é) - I would be inclined to use this spelling as many European customers see this site. My second choice would be the "Americanized" spelling without accent, "randonnee" - Just my two cents worth. Sincerely, Greg Louie