Materials Stio uses a fabric called Dermizax for the Environ Bib which is a flexible water-resistant laminate that is also highly breathable. It is a 3 layer laminate which is as durable as they get and since it’s just a shell there is no insulation. Testers really enjoyed this fabric because it was fully waterproof Read more ›
Materials The Powder Keg II received an update for the 2018/19 ski season. This new version features Columbia’s new Omni heat 3D technology, designed to increase heat reflection and retention. The lining uses more coverage to enhance its reflective properties in addition to pods of fiber that create an air gap between body and fabric Read more ›
Materials Salomon’s QST Snow Pant uses materials called AdvancedSkin Warm and AdvancedSkin Dry that is very distinct from all the other pants in the test. The AdvancedSkin Warm boasts 40 grams per square meter of synthetic insulation, providing warmth by reflecting and retaining body heat even if the material is wet. The AdvancedSkin Dry is Read more ›
Materials The Black Diamond Helio Active is a shell layer using a Gore-tex Active 3-layer fabric, yet weigh only 11 ounces. The Gore-tex Active fabric proved a lot more pliable than typical Gore-tex material and comfortable to wear while actively skiing uphill. The Helio Active is by far the thinnest pant that was tested and Read more ›
Materials The Black Crows Corpus Insulated Gore-Tex Pant uses a 2 layer Gore-tex fabric for its outer shell. Gore-Tex is one of the top materials for waterproof fabric and holds up great in tough weather. The only way to improve on these materials would be to use a 3-layer fabric rather than the 2-layer that Read more ›
The Mantra has been such a standard of All Mountain performance over the years that you could imagine the cliché, “Locals on Volkls,” is the second thing you say after, “No friends on a powder day,” when you check into your first meeting at Deep Snow Addicts Anonymous. And truth be told, Mantras could very Read more ›
The big offseason news for Salomon’s popular QST line was the incorporation of the brand’s newest iteration of C/FX Superfiber construction (CF/X 3), which also includes a Basalt fiber layer running the length of the ski for increased dampening. In our estimation, it also includes an added dimension of all-terrain performance. Where last year we Read more ›
Rossignol’s completely redesigned Experience line raises the bar on a series of skis which in past years have been at the top of many of our test results. While the Experience 88 Ti took top honors in the Frontside Category, in this All Mountain Category, the 94 Ti was easily one of the top three Read more ›
Head’s Kore 99, much like the Kore 93, which we tested in this category last season, is one of the lightest skis in the category by utilizing unique, weight-shaving materials such as Graphene, Koroyd, and Head’s “Topsheet Free Construction,” which eliminates the traditional plastic topsheet. It also features Carbon Fiber Construction and Karuba wood core Read more ›
Fischer’s Ranger Ti is one of the key examples of a new breed of lighter, easier to ski All Mountain models that are quite frankly surprisingly simple to arc in the kind of varied snow conditions that used to require a lot more work. Unlike the Pro MTN 95 Ti Fischer offered up in this Read more ›
Combining Elan’s new “Black Edition” carbon construction for lighter weight, less vibrations, and an amazingly buttery sense of constant ski-to-snow contact with Elan’s Amphibio Technology, results in an All Mountain ski with a smooth sense of authority that is easy to access. The asymmetrical ski design, with dedicated left and right skis featuring camber on Read more ›
Dynastar’s Legend X96 has remarkable quickness and control from edge-to-edge. It absolutely carves up the fall-line, particularly in steep terrain, where it is stable and confident. Thanks to Dynastar’s All Mountain profile, with tip and tail rocker and five-point sidecut, the ski engages quickly with great edge grip. It earned great scores for Carving and Read more ›