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Hi NZ Heli King (that is one heck of an addition for most people's bucket list, surely). Thanks for the comment and really pleased you like it. It's lovely receiving positive vibes, thank you. We've got a whole lot more to come, but have been snowed under ('scuse the pun) doing reviews for major press and ski publications. We will get more reviews up soon though. Hope the southern hemisphere winter season is a great one this season - it's getting closer. Hope you have a great one, from Al at the SkiKitInfo office.

@@SkiKitInfo Awesome, be good to hear your thoughts on the new Rustler 10!

@@nzheliking1278 The new Rustler 10 for 23/24 is a rather superb ski. I love the current version but they've enhanced it with the new model, and it was one of my stand-out skis when recently testing next season's crop of skis. The geometry for next season is not that different but the the lengths offered are closer together. The big change is that the Rustler (and Sheeva) skis will have TrueBlend woodcores, with FluxForm Titanal frames, with a beefy metal layer underfoot, then a metal frame over the edges heading towards the tip and tail. I found them a sensational ski. In shorter turns, helped by the rocker and taper, they're really nimble and agile. Open the throttle and they're stable and have plenty of support, grip and power. The fact you can just pick your feet up and throw the skis out the side is fantastic, or you can simply lay them over and carve great turns. A fantastic freeride style all-mountain ski that'll let you take on the whole mountain. Excellent flex, agility and power. Ahhhh, happy days.

Hi Kuan-wen Lo. Thank you for the comment and I hope you've been having a great season. I'm sorry it's taken a little time to get back to you. The Quantum Asolo Factory is a great boot, and superb when paired with light touring products. This is not really about driving a 105mm, 180cm ski, to be frank, however, the ski you mention is fairly light. If you're just going to be skiing deep, soft snow then the boot will manage OK. If the snow's hard packed or cruddy/crusty and you want a lot of edge hold, then (if looking at Dalbello), you'd be better off in a pair of Lupo's. The Quantum does now come in a Free version, so you may be better off looking at the Free 130 version (www.dalbello.it/en/boots/touring/quantum-free-a-factory-130/). It will depend, to some extent, on the ski that you're pairing it with, as well as how you ski. Regarding bindings, then the boots are ISO 9523 boots so can work with Shifts and Kingpins. As they're all so light, then go lighter on bindings too (so dismiss Marker Duke PT's and Armada/Atomic/Salomon shifts) and pair with pin, or Kingpin, bindings. I would go for the Marker M-Works Kingpin with the Quantum Free 130 boot and a 105mm ski. I hope this helps and that you have an ace ski time for the rest of the season. From Al at the SkiKitInfo office. Happy skinning.

Hi Hans Werner. Thanks for the comment and hope you found the video useful and I'm sorry I've not been able to respond before now. Which model are you looking at? People often look at how tall they are when selecting ski length, which is a method used when skiing on straight sides pencil skis of yesteryear. Modern skis have a lot more shape, boots have progressed a lot, as has how we ski. Ski length selection is therefore less about how tall you are (although this can be viewed as a lever force), but rather about how much energy is going through the ski and the skiing you do (turn shape, speed preference, terrain choice). On hard snow, when you want grip, more energy means a longer edge is better, to hold that edge. In powder, more energy going down through the ski will try to sink the ski, therefore more energy requires a longer ski. This is for one given ski, as there are loads of other factors such as ski construction, width, shaping etc. The energy going through the ski is provided by the mass of the load (the skier, their clothing and equipment) and the force being applied (aggressive skiers tend to put more energy into the ski than gentle or timid skiers), as well as the speed it's being skied (faster is more energy, adding to the force being applied). Therefore, for any one ski, a heavier and more aggressive skier, skiing really fast, will benefit from a longer ski than a light, gentle skier who skis at low speeds (irrespective of whether this is on-piste or in deep power). If you can tell me a little bit more about your skiing (ability, aggression, preferred terrain, turn shape and speed), which ski model you're looking at and your weight. please, then I'll be better placed to assist you with ski length selection. I hope this isn't information overload, but I hope it helps in understanding the criteria to look at for ski selection. Thanks once again and happy skiing, from Al at the SkiKitInfo office.

@@SkiKitInfo hi! Thanks for the answer, i was looking at the slash model, but i already bought them (:

Hi @@hanswerner8194 , great to hear you got some new shred sticks. The Slash 100 is such a fun ski, so I hope you love them. What length did you select? It's an interesting ski and some awesome skis in this width, like the Blizzard Rustler 10/Hustle 10 (the new Rustler 10 for next winter is superb), Atomic Bent 100 and the new Armada ARV 100 for winter 23/24 (fantastic and fun ski). I hope you have a really enjoy the new skis and that you have a total blast on them. Al @ SkiKitInfo. Happy shreddding.

Hi Timmi 762. Ha, you made us smile, thank you. Yup, shorter skis are logically lighter. For the Deacon 74 and 75, the weight difference, on your feet, between those two models is significantly different. There's a lot more material and tech in the 74, compared to the 75, and that's the main reason for the large difference in weight (around 8% difference in weight versus around 3% difference in length). They also ski differently, but Mark talks about that too. Thanks again for making us smile and have an ace time in the mountains this winter. From Al @ the SkiKitInfo office.

@@SkiKitInfo :-) I bought the 75 in 168 Hope i will get goods next week I will report After testing in the mid Dezember

Test was Top Easy Ski on Track Easy turning 👍

Hi Spine Guy, thanks for the question and interesting you're looking to replace that ski. They'll be around 15 years old now (were available around 2005-2007 period). If I recall correctly, the B5's I skied had a synthetic core, using Atomic's Densolite material, along with metal (I seem to remember them quoting using magnesium). The stand-out to remember is obviously the shape of the ski. If you cut across the ski it would look a lot like the letter B. That ski also had a pretty tight radius (11-12m in that length, I think). It was quite some time ago, so I am sorry I'm not giving you dead-on info on that ski. Also, depending on the year, they adapted the ski, so the specifics will depend on the precise ski. I would look at your skiing, the terrain, speeds and turn shapes you like, what you want to improve or develop in your skiing, your athleticism and weight and go from there. However, if you're looking at a relatively turny piste ski that is not too narrow (mid 70's underfoot) then look at their new Redster Q skis. Depending on your skiing ability etc then you can look at their upper-end Q9, or their slightly easier Q7. They do models below this too, but those two are great starting points if you have a good level of skiing ability. Also look at Volkl Deacon skis (even look at something like the Deacon 84, if you want a little more width), Salomon S/Max 10 (73mm), Salomon S/Force Ti 76, Dynastar Speed 763, Rossignol React R10 Ti, Head Supershape e-Magnum (72mm) or e-Rally (78mm). You're basically looking at one of the key segments for skis, so the selection in huge. Defo look at the Head's, as you may have a similar skiing experience, although arguably quite a lot better, than the Metron's. That Rossignol is a beautiful ski. The S/force skis are very popular, but personally I prefer the S/Max skis (the S/Max Blast is an incredible ski, but too race-like for what you're seeking). The Speed 763 has a new construction for this season (was just a Speedzone 12 last season, in a new look). The new ski is superb and again would be a really great option to replace the B5, but again a lot better. The new Atomic q skis are superb. I love skiing the Q9. They do a wider Q9.8, but actually the Q9 feels a little more refined yet still performs so well in some soft snow and chopped-up crud. Anyway, hope this helps and that you have a superb time on the new gear you get. Enjoy the winter and put in some turns for me. From Al @ the SkiKitInfo office.

Hi Jonah, we're on-board with you. Alex Hall is an incredible skier, super nice guy and a bit of a legend. Happy skiing.

@@SkiKitInfo super, I'm trying to save up for Faction Ski gear!!!

@@iprayforloveandpeace They make super nice kit, and their sister clothing brand, FW, has some awesome soft goods. Hope you love the new gear you get.

Hi Emil. Thanks for your comment and the feedback, and that's super cool if you don't agree with how we've done something. It's great being challenged and to learn even more about what skiers want to see and hear about. Part of our role, as testers and reviewers, is to help inform skiers about the latest ski developments out there. This is, in part, done by using some of the media that brands create (we don't have the time or any budget to create the assets they can produce). However, the statements about how a ski performs and behaves are ours alone, and the brands don't have any say in what we talk about, regarding ski performance, good or bad. We hope you've enjoyed the videos we've created so far and that you continue to enjoy them as we provide even more this season. More than any of this, we hope you have an awesome time skiing this season. Bring on the snow!

@@SkiKitInfo So stick to talking about the results of your tests instead of repeating idiotic marketing gibberish written by someone with kindergarten-level science awareness.

Hi Stumblin-Bummblin, thanks for the comment and white is always an interesting choice for skis by ski brands. They've actually changed the graphic for this season on the M-Free skis. The white part is now in the centre, with black for the tip and tail. Even with your white tips, I hope you have an awesome time shredding this season. Just keep looking forward at what you're charging through and you won't even notice the colour of your tips 😁

@@SkiKitInfo i actually just saw that today. Got my daughter some rentals. They didnt affect my skiing, just visually is a trip, losing them and then you see what looks like snow boiling. Like the skis though, i own almost all dynastar

@@stumblin_bummblin9774 Thanks for that and hope your daughter loves the skis she was on. Dynastar does make some incredible kit, along with their Lange boots. Have an awesome winter.

Hi @sleuth 2077. Thanks for the comment and hope you've enjoyed the SkiKitinfo videos. The RTM 8.0 was part of Volkl's rental range in Europe and the UK for the 2016/17 and 2017/18 ranges. It was offered in the retail line in parts of North America. The RTM 8.0 was designed to help those progress on their skiing journey, into carving and to help negotiate terrain off the sides of the groomers. There was no direct equivalent in their main retail range. The RTM 81 was the closest, in waist width, but is a different construction and profile. They made two versions of the RTM 81, the standard and more performance orientated RTM 81, along with the RTM 81 e. The e reflected Volkl's Efficient Skiing moniker. The RTM 81 e was a wood and carbon ski, while the standard RTM 81 was wood and metal. The e version is a more forgiving ski, while the standard RTM 81 has more stability and power. For the RTM 8.0, compared to the Deacon 75, then they're not a million miles apart. Volkl's obviously changed what they do with their ski construction and shaping in this timeframe, but they're both aimed at skiers wishing to develop. The RTM 8.0 doesn't have the direct firm snow performance of the Deacon 75, but it is on the really easy side of the forgiveness scale. If you ski the RTM 8.0 and are looking to upgrade, but don't want to go for as much performance as the Deacon 74 offers (a great ski, but better suited to higher levels), then the Deacon 75 is a good choice. You will have better grip on firm snow without it being a handful to control. It is an easy ski, and the tip and tail rocker helps with rotation for slower speed turns, as well as keeping the ski really adaptable when laying out carves. (The RTM 8.0 just had rocker in the tip). If you were also looking at the Deacon 74, it's worth noting that this changes to the Deacon 72 for this coming (northern hemisphere) winter season. The Deacon 72 is a superb ski. I hope this helps and that you love whichever skis you end up with. Happy skiing, from Al at the SkiKitInfo office.

Hi yvesn58 and thank you for the comment and for watching the video, we hope you found it useful. The R8 is a good ski, but the point we tried to make is that the R6 delivers incredible performance and is fantastic for those developing their carving (where we felt the R8 sits) but is a lot cheaper. The R10 is a superb ski too - essentially if you're getting into carving and want to progress then go R6, and if you're a competent skier with decent technique then go for the R10. Hope this helps to clear up any confusion, but if not then just let me know. Thanks again for watching and we've got a load more coming out before next season, so we hope you enjoy those too. From Al at the SkiKitInfo office.

@@SkiKitInfo Actually, I switched from Atomic slalom skis to R8 HP last season, which I found much easier and forgiving. Do I understand that R8 are more difficult to carve than R6 from your point of view? Since I'm a rather inexperienced skier, I wonder what kind of skis would allow me the best progression/feeling. I prefer to ski on well groomed trails, not powder like - anyway rare conditions where I am. Thanks.

Thanks @@yvesn58 . The R8 HP, now called the R8 is a great ski for developing your carving. Mark Jones, the person in the video, is a ski instructor trainer and ski instructor, so has a good understanding of what may help or hinder someone's progression at different stages of their skiing journey. He noted that the R8 (R8 HP) is a good ski for those wishing to develop their carving (ruclips.net/video/sQPdmR_2xTs/видео.html). If you own the R8, I wouldn't be looking to sell the R8 and buy the R6. However, if someone hasn't bought either and is looking to get that level of performance while on a budget, then they can easily plumb for the R6 and not be concerned. You can ski hard on the R8, but if you wanted something for driving hard or with more punch and performance then the R10 is a more powerful choice. If you were on a slalom ski but hadn't got to grips with carving, then switching to the R8 makes sense. It should make it easier for you to develop the skills required for good carving. Hope this helps and that you love the Rossi ski you have and that you find that it helps your development. Al from SkiKitInfo.

@@SkiKitInfo really appreciate your comments ;)

Hi @@yvesn58 . Just glad to help - that's what SkiKitInfo exists for. Thank you so much for your sub too - massively motivating and makes a huge difference to us; thank you.

Hi Truett Calvin. Thanks for the comment. This video is has quite a lot of echo. It was a pretty spur of the moment shoot, to be honest. Faction were doing a launch and evening for many of their investors (we're not one of them, for clarity). We'd been invited along to a movie launch, but got to grab some time with Alex in the basement of their investor meeting. It was a brick basement (as you can see from the background). We grabbed a couch and moved some things around, but had to go with what we had. Sound is so important on videos and we're getting better and better with this side of things, but sometimes you've got to just roll with what you've got, as in this case. Hope it didn't spoil the video too much for you and that you found it interesting, finding out what Alex uses. He's such a great person to chat with. Hope you had an awesome season and are looking forward to next winter. Enjoy the sunshine before then. From Al at SkiKitInfo.

Hi @the1412. Thanks for the comment and hope you enjoyed the video. Sorry we've not been able to respond sooner. A good question on the liners. I actually ski in a K2 Mindbender 130 Ltd for a lot of my freeride touring, so can compare. However, it's worth noting that K2 did make changes to this liner, so it will depend on which one you are looking at. The first iteration has great support and is a stiffer liner than the Lange liner around the leg, with a different stitching strategy. They they improved the liner by using a little stiffer foam and improving the hold around the forefoot. It is not a seamless toe box though, unlike the Lange. I don't find this as an issue at all, and the firm hold of the EVA foam in the mid-foot is welcomed. Ultralon is a brand name, but like the Lange these are EVA liners - the vast majority of ski boot liners are EVA, so I wouldn't get too hung-up on a brand name. The Lange is a great liner with more a snugger first-fit in the heel pocket. The forefoot construction, which is a relatively soft foam, extends quite far back down the liner, compared to the comparatively short stretch toe box of the Mindbender 130. They both can be tightened around the lower leg. It's draw string on the Lange with a Velcro style strap, which is good. The K2 is a lace up system, which you tie like normal laces. Not quite as swift as the draw string of the Lange, but still easy to use. Both the Lange and K2 liner tongues give good support and are pretty stiff, but then the stiffener stops just above the ankle so there's decent mobility in tour mode. If you are after buying a new liner for your boots, and that's why you're asking, then it's also worth looking at Atomic's Mimic liner from their XTD range. This moulds so well to not only your shape but also to the shell. The stiffener is completely heat mouldable, unlike other liners. People talk about Intuition liners, which are great, but they don't have this stiffener. It makes a big difference, not only to the fit but as importantly it improves power transfer from skier through the shell, and therefore power to the ski. You can of course look at Intuition liners too, and Sidas liners - there are many to choose from, and fit and function are important. A good local ski shop can be the best way forward on these things - they can take you through options and advise on what may work best for your skiing, your shape and build and your boots. Hope this helps and that you had an ace time skiing this winter. Have a great summer and roll on next season. From Al at SkiKitInfo.

@@SkiKitInfo OMG you’re the BEST

@@whoisthe1412 Just glad we can help, even if only a little

Hi @10percent. Thanks for the comment and so sorry we've not come back to you sooner. Alex's set-up, form the one's we've seen, is pretty darn close to centre. However, when looking at them it's not true centre and around a couple of cm back. We don't have the exact figure, I'm afraid. It will also depend on the ski and conditions. You can't go with the same mount point on all skis, as the construction and flex pattern, the terrain and conditions your skiing etc all come into play. We appreciate this may not be exactly what you're seeking, but we hope this helps nonetheless. Thanks so much for checking out our videos. We hope you had a great time skiing this season and that you have a fantastic summer. From Al and the SkiKitInfo team.

Hi Allen. Thanks for the enquiry and hope you found the review useful. Thanks for liking/subscribing, if you did. It massively motivates us and really helps us out. East coast skiing can be pretty tough with hard-packed (boiler plate) conditions, although it does depend on climatic and snow conditions, obvs. For us, the Dictator 1.0 would be better as it's torsionally stiffer (two layers of metal on a narrower footprint) and more of a firm snow-orientated all-mountain product from Faction. We've skied the 1.0 also (although not made a review of it in the last 2 seasons), so are confident in it's ability. Still gives you a bit of a freeride feel, and can be playful but, for conditions like the eastern US resorts, it would be a safer option. If you are not set on Faction, then you may also want to look at dedicated piste performance skis - give amazing grip and bite on hard snow, and many of the modern wider skis (Head Titan, Atomic Redster Q range coming for winter 22/23, Salomon S/Force, Rossignol React, Fischer RC One GT, Volkl Deacon skis etc) are incredible on-piste yet can still cut-it off the sides of the groomers. Hope this helps and that you have a fab time skiing, when you're next in the mountains. Enjoy some turns for us. From all at the SkiKitInfo office.

Thank you so much. Happy skiing and have a great end to your season.

Hi @designcsm. Thank you and so look forward to hearing your feedback on them. Hope you have a fab day of skiing. From Al at SkiKitInfo.

Hi @RussianSkiAmateurs, thanks for the question and sorry we've not been able to respond sooner. Hope you're enjoying the reviews and a massive thanks if you've subscribed and liked the video. Some of the length choice will depend on personal preference; do you prefer a shorter ski and slower speeds, with improved manoeuvrability or do you ski longer turns at higher speed and favour greater stability over how quickly they turn on an edge? If you've been skiing a while and have decent ability (higher intermediate upwards, but definitively if you're an advanced or expert level skier) then the 186cm length in the M-Pro 90 would be the obvious length for both of those models. If you go shorter then accept that the skis won't float as well or be as stable but they will be easier to handle at low speeds. If you don't want to go long, but want the flotation, then go for the M-Pro 99 over the M-Pro 90. The 90 is really an all-mountain ski with a freeride profile, while the 99 is more of a true freeride ski. Hope this helps and that you have a fantastic time with your new skis, whichever length or width you go for. Happy riding from Al in the SkiKitInfo office.

Hi @the1412, thanks for your question and we hope you found the review useful. Thanks for subscribing, if you have. It's great to see more and more skiers jumping on-board with SkiKitInfo. If you've like the video, a massive thanks as this also really helps the channel. This season's been super tough for us, but we've got a load more videos coming soon. Great question about the M-Free 99 versus Sky 7. The Free has way more of a freeride freestyle feel than the Sky 7. The Sky was a great ski and had a different build than the M-Free, which made it feel more of an all-mountain style freeride ski, in our experience. The Soul-7 was possibly more akin to the feeling we get from the M-Free 99, even through the Dynastar's a narrower footprint and doesn't have the construction bells-and-whistles of the Rossi S series. The M-Free is really playful, soft flexing tip and tail and a ton of fun. Surprising how much bite you get underfoot too. Hope this helps and happy skiing, wherever you get your snow fix this season. From Al at the SkiKitInfo office.

@@SkiKitInfo thanks

Hi Christos, Thanks for the comment, it's great to get questions like this. We hope you enjoyed the video. If you've subscribed, thank you and welcome to the SkiKitInfo family. If you haven't, the we look forward to you hopefully getting on board with us at some point in the future. The Elite MT Ti and React 10 Ti are pretty close. Both poplar woodcore, with Titanal to beef things up and add some dampening. They both have line control tech and, although the MT is 1mm narrower, they're almost identical in turn shape and geometry. Even though the Elite MT sits in their 'race' family, it's got a more forgiving construction than the other Elite skis, with that poplar woodcore (same as the React R10 Ti). The React does have the flex tip though, to make for easy feed into the turn. This makes them great to ski, with no nasty surprises, yet you can still ski hard and fast on the React R10. To be honest, there's not a whole deal in it. If you want a touch more precision in how the ski needs to be skied, and if you have that level of ability/want to ski gates and don't want a full-on race ski, then the Elite MT Ti is arguably the stronger choice. If you're not racing and want a capable, stable piste performance option that'll bring a little more versatility, then opt for the React R10 Ti. They also make an Elite MT Ca, but this doesn't have the Titanal beef of the Ti, and if you were going to compare that ski then you'd really be looking at the React R8 HP. Hope this helps and that you have a fab time in the mountains this winter. Happy skiing, from Al at the SkiKitInfo office.

nice, I wonder what’s different between these and super shape e-magnum and e-rally? Thank You 🙏

Hi @@billdeng6559 . Thanks for the comment and sorry we've not been able to respond sooner. March has been a month of travel, without much internet connection. Thanks for the question. We'd potentially compare the React 10 Ti to the Magnum or Rally. We've been testing all of those skis quite a lot in the last year. The 10 Ti at, 75 underfoot, sits between the Magnum (72mm) and Rally (78mm), in terms of waist width. The React 8 is 1mm narrower, cheaper and a softer construction. You get more performance out of the 10 Ti. The Head Supershape e-Magnum is an incredible ski. The EMC keeps it easy and manageable at lower speeds, then when you open the throttle it is superb. We find this a more precise ski than the Rally, mainly as it is a little quicker edge-to-edge and more precise on it's steering. It engages through the shovel really quickly, with a slightly tighter turn shape. A phenomenal piste ski, and easy to understand why the Magnum skis have been a best seller. The Rally is still incredible on-piste, but the wider body makes it a little more forgiving, if your technique is not as dialled in. It also makes it a touch more versatile for a wider range of slopes, snow conditions and skiing styles. The Rally is a really under-rated ski, as the Magnum and Titan are the models people often focus on. The Rossignol React 8 doesn't really compete with the performance of the Supershape Magnum or Rally, from a performance perspective, but it is a lot cheaper. The Rossignol React 10 Ti is an all-round better ski than the 8. It is still accessible, but has a lot more top-end performance. The feel and way is skis is a little closer to the Rally, than the Magnum, from our testing of all of these skis. You can see our review of the Magnum here - ruclips.net/video/pQeIrohnkz8/видео.html and our review of the Titan can be seen here - ruclips.net/video/TUs4tEML6eY/видео.html. We've filmed the Rally recently so the video for that won't be up until later this year. Thanks so much, once again. Happy skiing and enjoy some turns for us please. From all at the SkiKitInfo office.

@@SkiKitInfo Hi bro Thank you for your detail comparison. At the end I bought the emagnum before the end of season.

Hi @@billdeng6559. That's awesome. The eMagnum is such a superb ski. I had more time on it in March again and it's still a stand-out model. Love the breadth of speeds and aggression the EMC system covers. Hope you love it and managed to get some time on it before the end of the season. So, so sorry I'm only coming back to you now. I always keep an eye out for comments, as talking ski kit with you guys is one of the real joys of this job. This one didn't pop up on my alerts, so I have only happened on it now. So sorry. Have a fantastic summer and I hope you love the Supershape eMagnum next season too. From Al at SkiKitInfo.

Hi Pat, thanks for the comment and hope you liked the video. Those skis are pretty great, glad you like them too. Happy skiing and enjoy laying some skin tracks for us. Al from the SkiKitInfo office.

Hi @CooGuR, thank you for your comment and sincerely sorry we've not been able to come back to you sooner. The glove Mark's wearing is the Black Diamond Legend glove - you can find out more about this on their site - www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_GB/product/legend-gloves/. Even though it's an under-cuff design, it has a good amount of insulation, superb leather palm and is really toasty. It's great if you want protection from cold days but still want the dexterity of a full 5 finger design, rather than a lobster claw style or mitt. Some prefer an over-the-cuff design and then you might veer towards something like the Guide or Patrol gloves. They do a lot of gloves, but those are superb ones to think about first. The glove Mark's wearing are his own that he went out and bought - it's not a test glove from BD, just to be clear. Thanks for the question - we love getting these. Hope this helps and that you have a superb time skiing this winter. Response from Al at the SkiKitInfo office.

Hi Mani, thank you for the comment and hope you're enjoying the reviews. We've been testing a load more kit recently, so more videos are coming. The 74 is quite a different ski to the 75. If you've decent technique and can carve then the 74 is a far better choice. If you're an intermediate level skier (despite weight considerations) then the 75 is a more manageable ski and will help you to develop more quickly than battling against the performance level of the 74. Caveat here though - the rocker profile of the 74 does mean that it's not too much of a handful compared to some non-rockered, top performance piste skis, but still dishes out masses of performance, grip and precision for adept skiers. The longest length you can get the 74 is 178cm, while the 75 comes in at 175cm. At 105kg, if you've a good ability, then those are the lengths you'd look at. Hope that helps with considerations for yourself. The 74 is a superb ski and a real stand-out piste ski, we do love skiing it. The 75 is still a lot of fun and carves well, and while it lacks the upper-end performance we adore in the 74, it is a much better ski for those without that dialled-in technique. Like most sports, you develop more quickly when using kit that's appropriate for your level. For your girlfriend, the Flair skis (the ladies versions of the Deacon models) could be a great choice. They offer a Flair 75, with a slightly lighter woodcore than the Deacon 75, but still with metal and tip/tail rocker. If the Deacon 75 sounds good for her, then I'd definitely look at the Flair 75. They also offer a slightly wider Flair 76 and 76 Elite. The 76 is an easier ski while the 76 Elite is more comparable with the Flair 75. If she has good technique and is developing her carving, then the 75 is the one. If she is not quite into carving but her parallel skiing is developing, then the 76 or 76 Elite are the ones. We've recently tested the Flair 76, 76 Elite and 79, and the review video of those is one of the next videos to be edited. These will be up soon, but not before your testing day tomorrow unfortunately. If the location you're testing at doesn't have Flair skis, but has the Deacon 75, then she can of course demo those and they could work ace for her. At 65kg then the 154 or 161cm lengths would be the two to look at. The 161cm, longer ski if she skis at speed, and/or has good technique and/or prefers a longer ski/longer turn shape. If she's got better ability and wants something with a little more performance, then look at the Flair SC. They offer a Flair SC Carbon too, however this is a £725/$1,125 ski (inc. binding). I hope this helps and I really hope you have a fantastic day skiing tomorrow - we're not jealous at all. If you've subscribed to the SkiKitInfo channel then thank you so much and welcome to the family. If you haven't and you're enjoying the reviews, then we look forward to the time you decide to take the plunge and get on-board with us. We love to see more ski fans getting involved with us. Have a great season and enjoy some turns for us. Response by Al from the SkiKitInfo team.

@@SkiKitInfo thanks so much for this awesome answer, will try to get her the flair sc tomorrow as i believe the rental place has them and i try the 74 , looking forward to the rest of the videos

Thanks @@manivankappel4045 . So good to get that feedback and I hope you both have an ace time tomorrow. Hope she loves the Flair SC. Tested them a few seasons ago in Italy and they're ace. Happy skiing.

@@SkiKitInfo so I tested the ski, and it was just not for me, i had to push it very hard and the tips where all over the place, haha probably my technique, so went back and they gave me the head super shape i magnum, now i liked that, but only was able to test the 170 cm what do you think i should buy the 170 or 177 . which ski will give me the most energy back in my short turn bounce :)

Hi Martinmkp. Glad you like the test report of the Lange XT3 Tour boots and thank you for posting a comment. We love receiving these questions from viewers. We're working with Tecnica/Blizzard currently to see when we can get on some of their kit, but haven't skied in the Zero G Tour Pro yet. I do know the boot and it has some interesting features, like the rear double locking tour mode, to beef up the spine and reduce any potential play over time, as well as allowing a decent ROM in tour mode. It is a lighter boot than the XT3 Tour Pro (which would be the direct competitor on Lange's range). They're both stiff boots, and both a moderately snug last. While the Lange has the Dual Core shell and a great shape, the Tecnica has the CAS shell so is designed for stretching/grinding. The Tecnica's also a great shape, from when we've put it on - we've just not had a pair to ski in yet. To be honest, you can do these boot mods with the Lange shell too, although moulding the CAS shell (Tecnica) is a little easier and can hold its shape better. The main benefit of the Tecnica, over the Lange, is the reduced weight. If you want a powerful boot for skiing but spend a lot of time going uphill too, the Zero G wins-out over the Lange. The most important factor is still fit though - so ideally you want to try both on. The power strap is a nice touch too, and with the neat metal hook it's super easy to use without having to totally unthread the strap from the cam (they're not the only brand to use this approach, but we are fans of this type system). I'd always select a cam type strap over a Velcro system, and if I bought the Lange I'd probably swap the Velcro strap for a cam-type affair. Hope that helps and that you're looking forward to some great skiing this winter. If you've subscribed then thank you so much and welcome to the SkiKitInfo family. If you haven't sub'd yet, then a pre-emptive thank you and welcome if you do dive in. Happy skiing and have a fantastic winter. From Al and all at SkiKitInfo.

@@SkiKitInfo Thanks a lot for your answer. Have a cool and fun ski sezone 21/22 and happy New year 👍⛷

I think they are very similar. Tecnica might be a little lighter?

Hi Pierreoj, thanks for the comment and hope you found the review useful. It's great to see people getting involved, with comments like this. The M-Pro 99 women's did feel really short. Not as much of an issue with the men's longer M-Pro 99. Even though that ski has a long rocker and taper, the ski was much longer (186cm for men's versus 162cm for women's) so the rocker was a lower percentage of the overall length of the ski. With the women's, the rocker is still pretty much the same length as the men's but the ski is far shorter. This means the rocker on the women's M-Pro 99 is around 21% of the length of the 162cm ski (rocker around 34cm long), while the men's is only 18% of the length of that 186cm option (rocker length around 34cm). The M-Pro 90 has a similar length rocker (around 33cm) and, as the ski we tested was a 178cm model, it means the rocker's only around 18% of the length of the ski. These may not sound like big differences on paper - but when skiing it makes a BIG difference (ie between the longer men's and shorter women's skis we tested). The beauty with all of these skis having this long rocker and taper up front, and a rear rocker (albeit shorter) at the tail is the pivoty nature of them. Great for getting out of trouble when giving it some beans in variable terrain. So, the M-Pro 90 we tested in a 178cm length - felt really sure-footed and stable, with a lot of grip through the strong core, torsion-box and Rocket Ti layer. The rocker is noticeable and, if you're deciding between two lengths, this helps to make the decision in going or the longer one due to the long rocker keeping then manoeuvrable. This ski, albeit 90(ish) underfoot, is still designed for those whose ideal day involves powder. So here the rocker helps to float up too, and stable but manoeuvrable is a great combo. Hope that helps and that you're looking forward to some great skiing this winter. If you've subscribed then thank you so much and welcome to the SkiKitInfo family. If you haven't sub'd yet, then a pre-emptive thank you and welcome if you do dive in. Happy skiing and have a fantastic winter. From Al and all at SkiKitInfo.

Hi Roger and thanks for the comment and glad you like the video. Funny you mention the retro aspect, as the the colour of that particular set-up is 'retro-blue/red'. If you've subscribed - thank you as it really helps us to test more kit and make other reviews for you. If you've not, and you like the content, it'd be great to have you as part of the SkiKitInfo family; subscribe if you wish to. Thanks again and have a fab time skiing this winter. Al from SkiKitInfo.

@@SkiKitInfo Hehe, yea I know that retro color ... I used to have a Jean Claude Killy coat back when and it was the cats a** lol for the look at that time and of course...that color! Thanks and your review garnered a sub....Hoping this season we remain safe although if I could squeeze a run down a hill this year that would be phenomenal...last season where I live (Searchmont Ski Resort Ontario) was locked down to COVID so my first year in history I didn't strap ski's on!

@@RogerDiotte Superb, thank you and great to have you as part of the SkiKitInfo clan; welcome. JCK; total legend. Fingers crossed for skiers around the world that this winter allows us time in the mountains. I know we really want it to happen, and it feels like we need that mental rebalance the mountains provide. Hope you get sliding and that you have a fantastic time in the snow. Al from SkiKitInfo.

Glad you like it and thank you for subscribing to the channel, if you have. It makes a mega difference to how we're able to make reviews for you. If you haven't subscribed, and you like the videos, it'd be great to have you as part of the SkiKitInfo family. Thanks so much for your comment. Have a fab time skiing this winter. Al from SkiKitInfo.

@@SkiKitInfo subscribed

@@whoisthe1412 legendary work and thank you. Welcome to the SkiKitInfo family. Hope you're super excited about the winter. We're so looking forward to it.

@@SkiKitInfo I'm 5"10" 165 lbs, which size of the M-Free 99 should I get? 171 or 179?

Hi @@whoisthe1412 . Length options is always a good discussion. As the M-Free range has a relatively long taper and rocker, front and back, it's a wise thing to check. I'm 5' 10'', but a little heavier than you at 80kg/176lbs. I skied that M-Free 99 in the 185cm version and it does ski pretty short. The mount point is also quite far forward, compared to a regular directional ski (like the M-Pro 99), so you do have a bit more tail and less front to the ski. If you're used to a freeski feel and that mount point, or have good technique and can get the tail round in challenging conditions, then it's not an issue. To be clear, it's not a true centre-mount ski though. So the real way to discern which length would work best for you, if you don't have the opportunity to demo the ski first, is to look at your skiing, ability, power/aggression and preference. At first thought I would have said straight away to go for the 179cm, as the ski is easy to handle and it works well to go a little longer than you may normally do. However, if you're newly developing your off-piste/backcountry skiing (intermediate level skier) and prefer a shorter ski, something that's super easy to turn, and you prefer lower speeds and/or tighter turns, then the 171cm would work. It will compromise the stability at speed and on landings (a great ski for jumping about), and won't offer quite as much float or grip. If you're an advanced-level skier or higher, like something that's stable at higher speeds and gives ace float in the soft stuff then it'd be the 179cm, of those two lengths you're asking about. I wouldn't be too nervous about the 179cm version as the ski does feel really short when skied. So, preference and how and where you ski, really. Hope this helps and please do ask if you're still not sure of have any other questions about these skis. PS: I really do think the M-Free models look a ton better than the M-Pros. Thanks again and hope you love the new planks when you get them, Al from SkiKitInfo.

Hi @doublethink and thanks for the comment and really glad you liked the video. I do not know if they're stocking them but Dynastar Lange in the UK will be at the Snow Show in Birmingham at the NEC this weekend - nationalsnowshow.com/ If you're there, then you can go along and talk to them. I think they may be on, or near, the Ski Exchange stand (they're all listed as E10). You could (at some point recently) use the code DYNASTAR to get a free ticket to the show, but not sure if it's still valid. Ski Exchange aren't listing the XT3 Tour on their site yet, but it's early days for many retailers, in terms of receiving stock for this winter. I am at the show on Sunday and will ask Dynastar Lange UK which retailers may be stocking the Sport. I'll report back when I know more. BackCountryUK (www.backcountryuk.com/lange-xt3-tour-pro-2022---power-blue-71205-p.asp) is stocking the XT3 Tour Pro, but not the Sport model. You could talk to them and try the fit of the XT3 Tour Pro - same fit as the Sport, but I appreciate the flex is a little different.

@@SkiKitInfo - Wow, many thanks for detailed response!! Myself & my friends did think of going to the NEC ski show, but getting there was proving too long winded & expensive by bus/rail. If it'd been near me in Manchester I'd have gone. Actually I have previously spoken to Backcountry UK, when they told me they'd only be stocking the Pro model. My present older Lange XT3s are 120 flex & are perfect, especially since I fitted Intuitions & a Booster strap, but lack tech inserts. I expect Pro's 130 flex would be too stiff for me, even if the plastics in the shell are different. Otherwise they look great, especially coming with an Intuition-like EVA liner. I totally agree with you about not buying online, and as such I'm ideally looking for a stockist somewhere near the Chill Factore, so I can test out any shell adjustments. Better safe than sorry!

@@Benzknees no worries. Glad could help, even if just a little. I'll talk with them all this weekend and come back to you next week. The odd thing with the Sport is that they rated it as 110 flex up until a few weeks ago, and now they're rating it as 120. Could be worth trying the Pro on to see how you find the support in it. Have you developed, as a akier, since buying the XT3 120's or have you gained weight? All worth taking into account. Let's pick this up next week. Have a fab weekend. Al from SkiKitInfo.

@@Benzknees Thanks for your patience. So, The Lange XT3 Tour Sport is being stocked by Skiers Lounge (www.theskierslounge.co.uk). I believe that they, like most retailers, are still awaiting delivery of the bulk of their hardware for this winter, so they're not currently showing the XT3 Tour Sport online yet. Others stocking XT3 Tour boots (but not the Sport model) include: Ski Bartlett (www.skibartlett.com/), Solutions4Feet (www.solutions4feet.com/), Craigdon Mountain Sports Edinburgh (www.craigdon-edinburgh.com/), Snow Lab (www.snowlab.co.uk/) and BackCountry UK, as mentioned already (www.backcountryuk.com/), if you want to try the fit of the XT3 Tour family on. BackCountry will be the closest to you, if you're in Manchester. I hope this helps and that you love any new boots you get. Al from SkiKitInfo.

@@SkiKitInfo - Many thanks for all those links. Hope the NEC event went well. As you say few of those retailers are listing the boots & even Backcountry UK are out of stock right now. Those troublesome supply chain issues I guess. I might travel over to Backcountry UK once they have restocked. As you say, it's possible the 130 flex might not be too bad for me. I thought my previous Nordicas were okay at 100 flex, but once I got into my current Langes I realised they were more like soft carpet slippers!

Hi dkong5 & thanks for the question. Sorry we couldn't respond sooner as we closed the office for a little summer break. The Scott Shield doesn't have a quick swap design for the lens, but rather has the classic slot and notch system of most goggles (the lens edge sits in a groove or slot in the frame, and the edge of the lens has little notches in it. These secure over little 'pins' in the frame, holding the lens very securely in place). What makes the Shield a little easier is it's semi-frameless design. This means that in front of your forehead and by your cheeks the lens doesn't need to sit in a slot. This makes it quicker to re-engage a lens. To remove a Scott Shield lens, simply grab the frame by the nose arch in one hand and brow area in the other, then gently pull apart (don't pull on the foam - but hold and pull on the rubber frame). You can then lift the lens out from one of the sides. To insert a lens, locate the nose of the lens in the slot in the frame nose arch, engage the notch on either side of the nose, then fit one side (1 notch at the bottom and 2 at top on each side), then the other. It's pretty easy, and easier than many full framed designs, although quick change systems are quicker and easier (but not always as secure). Scott does have a quick change system, Scott's LCG (Lens Change) system, that works really well. There are many other interchangeable lens systems out there too, like Dragon's Swiftlock, Oakley Switchlock etc, and numerous magnetic lens systems available. If you change lenses a lot then I'd opt for the dedicated design of an quick and easy interchangeable lens system. If you may only change the lens now and then, a traditional system (like the Scott Shield) is definitely suitable. Hope this helps and happy sliding the next time you get on snow. From Al Morgan at SkiKitInfo.com

Hi Erik, thanks for the question. It was mounted at recommended mount point. If you jump to 1.07 in the video you can see the little centre mount line in the middle of the binding, on the sidewall of the ski. This was how the ski was mounted by Black Crows for us to test. Hope you're enjoying the videos. If you've subscribed, thank you - it really helps us when looking to make more videos for you. If you haven't subscribed, we look forward to you hopefully becoming part of the SkiKitInfo.com gang in the future. Happy skiing. Al from the SkiKitInfo.com team.

Hi Kody, great to hear of your new sticks. Stöckli makes some truly superb skis, and the Stormriders are ace. One of my strongest ski memories was the first time I rode a pair of their Stormrider XL's back in 2004, and they blew me away. Felt like if a tree got in your way when blasting about then they would just slice straight through the tree; I loved that ski. Hope you have a superb time with the new Stormrider 95's - less full-on than the, now rather ancient, XL's and more fun and more versatile because of it; Stöckli produce quality skis. Happy skiing chief, from Al of SkiKitInfo.com.

Hi Ryan, thanks for the comment and I hope you're enjoying the videos. The new shaped for the Anima for this season still charges hard - you can see how strong this ski is in competitions like the Freeride World Tour (Kristofer Turdell nailing it in Verbier, for example). The ski is just a lot more manageable at lower speeds now too - thanks to a wider tip & tail. When tilted, these engage quicker than last year's model, and the ski is more 'turny'; it has a tighter sidecut radius as the tip and tail are wider and waist stayed the same. Black Crows actually stiffened up the core of this ski compared to the previous model, to stop them being bent into too tight of a turn shape, due to the expanded tip and tail; a balance of 'ease of use (for a big, relatively stiff, big mountain freeride ski) and stability. They've done an awesome job with this ski. We hope this helps to answer any concerns with this ski, and just let us know if not or if there's something else you'd like to know. If you've subscribed, thank you - it really helps us when looking to make more videos for you. If you haven't subscribed, we look forward to you hopefully becoming part of the SkiKitInfo gang in the future. Happy skiing, from Alyn in the SkiKitInfo.com team.

Hi Glincho. Thank you so much for your thoughts on the new Brahma and it's great to hear you love them. Blizzard's done a great job with that ski this season and we, like you, were really impressed by the new construction. Hope you're enjoying the videos. If you've subscribed, thank you - it really helps us when looking to make more videos for you. If you haven't subscribed, we look forward to you hopefully becoming part of the SkiKitInfo.com gang in the future. Happy skiing. Al from the SkiKitInfo.com team.

Hi Thomas. Thanks for the comment & we hope you're enjoying the videos. The Deacon 75 is a great ski for intermediate skiers looking to develop & improve their carving. It also has good levels of performance, so can carry that level of skier through their improvement as an advanced level skier too, without really reaching the limit of the ski's performance. It doesn't have the top-end grunt of the Deacon 74, which is a beautiful ski, but the Deacon 75 is far more manageable for intermediate level skiers. Völkl also offers the Deacon in a softer X version (X, XT & XTD), but for most skiers the 75 is a better option as it will carry them further through their skiing development. Hope this helps but just ask if there's something else you're interested in or looking for. If you like the videos, have you thought about subscribing to the channel? If you have, then thank you, that's great. If not, then have a think if you'd like to. It's hugely motivating when people subscribe & really helps us to make more videos for you. Thanks again & happy skiing. Al from SkiKitInfo.

Hi Fred, thanks for the question and I hope you're finding the videos useful. Hope you've managed to get into the mountains this winter. Really sorry we've not been able to come back to you until now, but we hope the info below helps. The Stance 90 is an absolutely fantastic ski, and if you ski 85% of your time on the groomers and 15% in powder, then it is one of the key models to fit that requirement this season (you can see a full review of the entire Stance range here - skikitinfo.com/whats-new/2021/salomon-stance/). While this ski is not primarily designed for touring and skinning, at 1,775g per ski in the 176cm model, it is not too heavy. So, if you put a Shift binding on this (880g) then the ski + binding combo is 2,655g, which is pretty respectable for a ski that skis so well. Most people would view the QST range from Salomon as being more touring focussed than the Stance, but the Stance 90 is actually lighter than the equivalent QST's (85 and 92 widths). For contrast; the 177cm K2 Mindbender 90 Ti is 2,150g, the Atomic Vantage 90 Ti is 1,750g in 176cm, and the free-tour designed Rossignol Escaper Blackops Escaper is 1,800g in 178cm. You can go a lot lighter, with something like the Volkl Blaze 94 at 1,570g in 179cm, but this ski is not as strong on firm snow as the Stance 90. The Blaze is a fantastic ski, but quite different to the Stance. For the type of skiing you talk about and your skiing history, the Stance is a better choice, and the slight increase in weight for the uphill will be more than made up for on the downhill. The Rossignol Blackops Escaper 93 is a great ski, but doesn't offer quite the same calibre of performance on-piste as the Stance 90. So, from what you've said, I would focus more on the Stance than the Escaper. If you want to read more about the Blackops skis, we've got a full range review here - skikitinfo.com/whats-new/2021/rossignol-blackops/. The Blizzard Brahma 88 (ruclips.net/video/8hBNEYCIk-M/видео.html) is a great ski to look at too, and lots of people do use this for touring. The new construction they've brought into that ski this year really improves the ski, but it is quite a bit heavier than the Stance at 2,100g in 177cm. Therefore, if you are looking to do some skinning, the Stance 90 would still be the ski to select, from the models we've discussed. Really hope this helps to focus your thoughts and that you love the new skis you get - whichever way you go. Would love to hear what you end up with and what you think of them. Have a great rest of your winter. From Al and the team at SkiKitInfo.com

Привет Алексей. Спасибо за ваш комментарий, и я надеюсь, вам нравятся наши лыжные видео. Magnum был классикой Head на протяжении многих лет и получил множество наград. Это всегда были лыжные трассы с отличными характеристиками. Это лыжи с коротким поворотом для лыжников продвинутого уровня. Новая версия Magnum - это следующий уровень в развитии этого превосходного зарядного устройства для катания на лыжах. Одной из сильных сторон этих лыж всегда было то, что они просты в использовании и поэтому хорошо подходят для лыжников, развивающих карвинг. Затем, когда вы открываете дроссель, он все еще работает на более высоких скоростях и более высоких углах кромки. Система EMC нового e-Magnum действительно имеет значение для лыж и их высочайших характеристик. Да, это не гоночные лыжи, поскольку у Head есть отличная продукция отдела гонок, которую можно увидеть на подиумах FIS. Если система EMC работает для таких, как Аксель Лунд Свиндаль, то это неплохо. Я тестировал Head Magnum со спортсменами и гонщиками FIS, и они всегда были впечатлены его характеристиками на лыжах для любительской трассы (то есть это не гоночные лыжи). Если вам нравятся лыжи Head и вы хотите добиться еще большей мощности и производительности, то обратите внимание на что-нибудь вроде Supershape e-Speed ​​или одной из их гоночных лыж. Какой из них вы выберете, будет зависеть от ваших способностей и типа катания на лыжах, которым вы хотите заниматься. Однако, если вам нужны лыжи более традиционной конструкции с деревянным сердечником и некоторыми другими ламинатами, есть на что посмотреть. Например, Nordica Doberman Spitfire 70 Pro имеет классическую конструкцию, и вы можете увидеть наш тест этих лыж здесь - ruclips.net/video/-zGT3quBG_8/видео.html. Я надеюсь, что это поможет, и вы отлично проведете время, катаясь на лыжах, если этой зимой вы сможете выбраться в горы. Удачного катания на лыжах, от Эла на SkiKitInfo.com Hi Alexey. Thank you for your comment and I hope you're enjoying our ski videos. The Magnum has been a classic for Head for many years, receiving a lot of awards. It has always been an excellent performance piste ski. It is a short-turn ski for advanced level skiers. The new iteration of the Magnum is the next level in the progression of this superb on-piste charger. One of the strengths of this ski has always been how easy it is to use, and therefore works well for skiers developing their carving. Then, when you open the throttle, it still performs at higher speeds and higher edge angles. The new e-Magnum's EMC system really does make a difference to the ski and the top-end performance. Yes, this is not a race ski, as Head has excellent race department products that can be seen on FIS podiums. If the EMC system works for the likes of Axel Lund Svindal, then it is no bad thing. I've tested Head Magnum's with FIS athletes and racers, and they've always been impressed with it's performance for a recreational piste ski (that is, this is not a race ski). If you like Head skis and wish to look for even more grunt and performance, then look at something like the Supershape e-Speed or one of their race skis. Which one you look at will depend on your ability and the type of skiing you wish to do. However, if you want a more traditionally constructed ski with just a wood-core and some other laminates, there are a lot of skis to look at. The Nordica Doberman Spitfire 70 Pro, for example, has a classic type construction , and you can see our test of this ski here - ruclips.net/video/-zGT3quBG_8/видео.html. I hope this helps and that you have a great time skiing, if you can make it out into the mountains this winter. Happy skiing, from Al at SkiKitInfo.com

Hi Robert, thanks for your comment and I hope you're liking the videos. The Agent 2.0 is a superb ski. I was on the 171cm, which is shorter than I would choose, but when testing we can only ski the length(s) they have available in the demo pool. The 171cm model was the longest available for me, but it was surprisingly stable for a short ski (I'd choose this in 179cm). I'm relatively aggressive, have heavy, quite strong legs (from other sports) and weigh around 85kg (without ski kit). I'm not the most technically proficient skier. It's a common belief that ski length is selected from your height - and this is reinforced by brands and retailers suggesting length relative to your height. This is not that helpful. Ski length is primarily arrived at by looking at the forces involved and the type of skiing, such as weight, skiing ability and aggression. For example, on firmly groomed runs, edge grip is important. Therefore a heavier, more aggressive skier may need more edge in contact with the slope to maintain grip, while a light, timid skier may not need the same length of edge for grip, as the force they drive through the ski won't push the ski edge to break-away as readily (loose grip). In deep, soft powder snow a light, gentle skier doesn't need as much ski to support their mass as someone who's heavier and more aggressive. Hence, of a specific ski model, the heavier skier in this example would benefit from a longer ski. To add a little flesh to the bones of this discussion, a longer ski is more stable than the shorter version of that ski, therefore a higher speed should dictate the need for a longer ski. However, a longer ski (of one chosen model) is harder to manoeuvre and heavier, and won't ski tight turns as easily. There's always a trade off between grip/float/stability and ease of use/manoeuvrability/weight. Often people say go for a longer ski for powder snow and a shorter ski for groomed snow, but skis for powder are wide and skis for groomed runs are narrow. The added float you need for soft snow comes from increasing the width, more than increasing the length. So, what to choose? Think about your weight and skiing level/aggression and preference. Lighter, less aggressive skiers wanting ease of use should look at the shorter lengths, while heavier, aggressive skiers wanting a stable ski for higher speeds should look at longer lengths. For example, a person who's 152cm/5ft tall, weighing 70kg and who skis aggressively and at high speed in large turn shapes would warrant a longer ski (171 - 187cm in this ski, ideally 171cm or 179cm) than someone who's 183cm/6 foot tall, weighing 70kg, is an upper intermediate ability and skis short turns at lower speeds (163 - 179cm for this person, ideally 163cm or 171cm). You can see there's crossover in the lengths suggested, as we're all different and personal preference can count for a lot. Height is a lever force but, as you're pretty centred over modern skis, it's less of an important factor than weight, skier aggression and skiing preference. The main criteria to look at are skier weight, aggression and ability. I hope this helps. If not, please let me know and we can think about your skiing ability/style and weight and we can go from there. Thanks again for the comment and for watching, and I hope you get to enjoy some of the other videos,. But mostly I hope you get to enjoy some fantastic turns this winter. Response by Al from SkiKitInfo.com

@@SkiKitInfo Thx for the reviw. I have also a question regarding the length. Thought to buy the 2.0 in 179cm. I am an advanced skier with 175,5cm height but I only weigh 63kg. Do you think the 179 is too long? My concern with 171 is that is not stable enough for harsh snow.

Hi @@a.b.2523 and thanks so much for the question, and a totally valid point to raise. The Agent skis are way more stable than many touring skis, and at 85kg, and 178cm tall I was charging about on the Agent 2.0 in the 171cm length with others on skis like Black Crows Corvus Freebird in longer length than the Agent, and Volkl Mantra V-Werks, again in longer length, and the Agent in 171cm was not a problem. For me, as I am so much heavier than you, I would personally choose the 179cm but was blown away by how good the 171cm model was. The conditions were variable, with some soft powder, some wind crust, some dense, chalky snow and it never felt unstable. So, for you, it comes down to a few factors: do you prefer skiing longer skis for greater stability over ease of manoeuvring, what boot/binding selection will you be using with the ski (if super stiff and powerful, then the 179 model may work better), do you ski at higher speeds and larger turn shapes as this suggests the longer ski, is weight a critical factor (shorter is lighter) and more. I hope this helps to give you a steer as to which way you go. I wouldn't overthink it though, as you can have a stonking time on either length. Thanks for watching the review, and liking (if you did). If you've sub'd then thank you so, so much. It's great to see more and more ski fans jumping on-board with SkiKitInfo. This season's been tough for us to get videos up, but a load more are coming soon. Happy skiing and skinning, Al from SkiKitInfo.

@@SkiKitInfo thx for the quick answer. Until now I drove an 170, but for me this was not stable enough with harder snow conditions although it was nice in the woods with soft snow. Concerning binding I would like to put a marker kingpin, so an hybrid pin tech binding. The difference in the weight does not matter at all for me, cause I was used to tour with a heavier ski with a heavier binding (Fritschi Freeride). Hmm hard decision but I think I will purchase the 179 cause with shoes and everything I am 177.

@@a.b.2523 That sounds like a sound decision and that you're thinking about this the right way - past experience and personal preference are massive factors in deciding ski length. Height not as important as weight and skiing aggression, style and speed/turn shape. The Kingpin will be a great selection on this ski - Kingpin or Shift, or Duke PT 12 (not 16 - so much heavier and really a different category of binding to the others). Sincerely hope your new rig and that you have an ace time touring and skiing with them. Al from SkiKitInfo.

Hi Robert, thanks for the comment and hope you're enjoying the ski test videos. The dimensions printed on the Pow Chaser ski in the video are incorrect, but the dimensions stated in the black info box in the video are correct. The Pow Chaser is 139 (tip) - 115 (waist) - 134mm (tail). Available in 177 and 186cm lengths. Radius is 17m in the 186cm ski, weighing 2,135g in that length. This info, and other specs of that model, can be watched from around 3.05 - 3.30 into the video. I hope this helps with your enquiry and answers what you wish to know. If not, just let us know and we'll try to help you further. I hope you to enjoy some fab turns this winter. It'll be great when we can all get back in the mountains. Happy skiing Robert- response by Al from SkiKitInfo.com

Hi Miguel. Thanks for the question and I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. They're both soft and playful skis, but the Slash is a more versatile, all-round option at 100mm underfoot. The Pow Chaser is a lot wider at 115mm so not as capable when the snow's firmer, however it really is a lot of fun and superb on deep, soft snow days. The Slash is really playful, grips well on firm snow for something so playful with such a pronounced tip and tail rocker, and lets you treat the whole mountain as your playground. It offers loads of flotation too and has more than enough width for all but the deepest powder days. Either are not the lightest skis, but if you wanted to stick a pair of Shift binding or Duke PT's on them, you can ski hard and use them for a bit of skinning for fresh lines (both the Slash and Pow Chaser) - this season this is more of a consideration for many than it is during a normal season. The Look bindings you get them with are still great, if you're not looking for touring ability. Hope this helps and I hope you get out to ski and have a great time in the mountains this season. Stay safe and have fun. Response by Al Morgan from SkiKitInfo.com

@@SkiKitInfo Wow, what a fast and in-depth response! I'll definitely take into account your wise advice. These skis look like a lot of fun at their price point, I'll let you know! You gained a new subscriber, take care!

@@miguelmurua96 Thanks Miguel - so glad you like the content and so pleased we could help you. Great to have you as part of the ski loving crew, thanks for Subscribing. Al from SkiKitInfo.com

Hi David, Thanks for the comment and hope you're enjoying the videos. In brief:- The X9 WB and X9i WB come out of the same mould, have the same geometry , same Titanium laminates and same binding. All X9 skis have Servotec - the stabilising rod at the front of the ski that aids turn initiation. The difference is the woodcore - a poplar & ash blend in the X9 WB while the X9i WB has poplar & karuba. Karuba is lighter (less dense) and softer flexing than ash. They are very similar skis, but the X9 WB is cheaper and slightly higher performing than the X9i WB. In more depth: - The X9 WB uses the same construction as the X9 ski did, up until they changed the X9 to the X9 S for last season, 19/20. Last season they brought out the X9 S, which used the Ultra Power Woodcore from the race skis - poplar & beech rather than poplar & ash. Beech is denser and offers more power in the ski than the ash. The other change was the thickness of the Titanium layers. The race skis use thicker Titanium layers than the regular retail skis, but they used these thicker metal laminates (Ultra Titanium Powered is their term) in the X9 S too - boosting the performance level of the X9, so the X9 S is basically a race ski but with a more generic sidecut (R15.4m in 175cm). At the same time they introduced the X9 WB. This is the old style X9 but it's wider; same construction of poplar & ash with a layer of the thinner Titanium laminate above and below the core. The one above the core is only under the binding though, as it's always been; Atomic calls this Titanium Powered. The X9 WB is a great ski for higher intermediate skiers through to expert level. The X9 S is too stiff and higher performing for upper intermediate skiers, and lower advanced skiers would arguably be better using the X9 WB rather than the X9 S. The slightly lighter and more forgiving construction of the X9i WB means this skis also suits that upper intermediate to expert skier, however it's sweet spot is that upper intermediate to advanced level skier. Intermediate skiers in general would be OK on this ski, but it's still quite grunty and other models (like the X7 WB) may be better. In all honesty though, there's not a huge deal of difference between the X9 WB and X9i WB, and given the price difference it's not too surprising that the X9i WB is not widely stocked, compared to the X9 WB and X9 S. I hope this helps and really hope you get to enjoy some skiing this winter. Response from Al from SkiKitInfo.com

@@SkiKitInfo Thanks for the reply. I did notice that not too many X9I skis are out there. I need to try and demo the S9 as they seem much more common and popular. On the other end, I may demo the Stockli Laser AR. A wider ski but stocklis ski very nice and the 83 waisted AR might give me more versatility. Love your videos.

@@SkiKitInfo The details in your response are really impressive. Thanks for taking the time.

Hi @@Kleeblatt2304 , thank you and we're glad you like the videos and info we can provide. Really hope you manage to get into the mountains this winter and enjoy some turns. Happy skiing. Al from the SkiKitInfo.com team

Hi A T, thanks for the comment and great you've been enjoying the videos. An interesting point regarding top sheet colours, and one I can talk with the brands about, so thank you for raising it; the brands really like feedback from consumers, so they'll appreciate this. Have a great winter and I hope you get to enjoy lots of skinning and skiing. Response from Al from the SkiKitInfo.com team

Hi Klaus, thanks for the question and I hope you're enjoying the videos. The X9i WB and X9i were originally intended for the Japanese market, from my discussions with Atomic, and have a slightly softer construction and shorter lengths than the X9 S. The X9 WB is only available up to 176cm though. If you want a longer ski for stability at speed or because you're a hard charger, then go for the X9 S (much easier to get too, as the X9i WB is not that widely stocked). If you are powerful, technically strong or heavy enough to warrant a longer ski then it makes sense to go for a model with a stronger construction, like the X9 S. The X9 S is available in lengths up to 181cm (I have a previous year's version of this ski in 181cm and although that's long for this type of ski, it works well for me and it's really stable. I weight 85kg (plus all my kit) for reference. It has a poplar and beech woodcore (like in the race skis) and thicker titanum metal layers than the other X9 skis (again like the race skis). In the 181cm ski it has a sidecut of 115-65.5-100.5mm and radius of 16.2m. If you go for the Redster G9 then you can get this up to 183cm, or the Redster TR (team racer) in 182cm. If you want a pure piste ski from Atomic in a longer length then you need to step up to FIS GS skis really. Hope this helps and enjoy the reviews. Al from SkiKitInfo.com

SkiKitInfo thanks a lot for your comment - appreciate it 🙏✌️

@Uriel Jayceon illegal flix shit

@Uriel Jayceon illegal flix shit

Hi Gorazd, thank you for your comment and watching the videos. I hope you find them useful. The binding mounted on that ski was on a demo track, so it can be adjusted to a variety of boot lengths. It is therefore a longer base than a regular Warden binding, and hence closer to the red graphic on the rear section of the ski. Bindings are adjusted so the A line on the boot lines up with the mount line on the ski, which is not the same as the red graphic you refer to on the rear section of the ski; don't use that red graphic to mount your bindings. The mount line can be red (depending on the ski), but is under the boot centre, not behind the binding. When using a regular Warden, how close the rear of the binding base plate is to the graphic you refer to will depend on the boot sole length. Just to reiterate - the red graphic in the rear portion of that ski has nothing to do with where the bindings are mounted. I hope this helps to clear up any confusion. Al from SkiKitInfo.com

@@SkiKitInfo Thank you for your reply. The bindings on my skis seem to be misplaced, line A does not match. I'll contact the seller tomorrow.

@@gorazdcosic glad I could help and I hope the seller can sort things for you. Al

i guess it is pretty off topic but does anybody know of a good website to watch newly released tv shows online?

@Bowen Peyton I watch on Flixzone. Just search on google for it =)

Hi Kody, so good to hear you love the Ruslter 10. It's such an ace ski. Happy sliding & fingers crossed you get plenty of turns in this season.

What if the Dalbello dont fit your feet?

Hi @@mbal4052. Thanks for the question and I hope you're liking the reviews. If you're after a freeride touring boot, like the Lupo AX 120 (100mm last), then there are lots of alternatives out there. Which ones may work for you will mainly depend on the shape of your feet/lower leg, and this is why it's always best to buy boots from a specialist retailer in person. At the moment, I appreciate this may not be the easiest thing to achieve, but it is worth getting ski boots professionally fitted. It also depends on if you want pin inserts, flat ISO 5355 sole, curved Grip Walk sole or ISO 9523 AT sole. With pins and GW sole (like Lupo AX 120), in a 120 flex, you can look at at boots such as: Lange XT3 120 LV (97mm last) K2 Mindbender 120 (98mm) Atomic Hawx Ultra 120 Tech GW (98mm) Tecnica Cochise 120 Dyn GW (99mm) Fischer Ranger 120 Walk Dyn (99mm) Nordica Strider 120 Dyn (100mm) Lange XT3 120 (100mm) Salomon Shift Pro 120 AT (100mm) Atomic Hawx Prime 120 Tech GW (100mm) Fischer Ranger One 120 Vacuum Walk (101mm) Full Tilt Ascendant Sammy Carlson (102mm) Full Tilt Ascendant Approach (102mm) The forefoot width (brackets) is a guide for you, if you know the last that works for you, as they're all different shapes inside. You do need to try them on and really have them professionally fitted. Some have custom mouldable shells too, and other bits of tech, so the width and shape can be played with a lot. Hope this helps and I hope you get to enjoy some snowy turns this winter and have an ace time. Al from SkiKitInfo.com

@@mbal4052 have your feet AMPUTATED LMAO 😂 !

Nice on the gold Pivots. A superb binding and will look so good on the Justis'. Mount point - it doesn't come with various points, just one line for adult boot centre. The Justis doesn't have a twin tail and, while it will ride switch, it's designed as a directional ski. For this ski, Black Crows has absolutely nailed the flex pattern and I wouldn't chose to move the mount forward. As it's a directional ski, unless you're spending a lot of time switch (there are better skis for this) you'd sacrifice the flex and skiing characteristic. With regards will it hold - depends how you ski and which length you get. At 240lbs I guess you may be looking at 183 or 189cm. I weigh 176lbs and skied it in 183cm, and it's not a super stiff ski, so I wouldn't chose to go forward in mount point. I ride switch a little (I'm no Pep Fujas), and you can do this easily on this ski for a bit of messing about without moving mount point. As you wouldn't be directly over the strongest part of the ski, you may sacrifice edge hold a little, and if you're aggressive and move the mount point forward I guess you may overpressure the front. Hard to say with absolute certainty as we didn't play with that option. If you want a ski to ride switch a lot, there are other skis to look at first. If you want a directional ski to play around on the whole mountain without being so beefy it wears you out, and that'll look really trick with the gold Pivots - go Justis. Hope this helps, Al from SkiKitInfo.com NB: There are various schools of thought on the mount point and if people really notice being moved this amount (15mm either way - specifically mentioning this amount as some work was done by a brand looking at whether 30mm can make a difference to how people felt the skis behaved, and if they noticed a difference in blind tests. Short answer; not really). A lot of this comes down to the skier rather than the ski - pros and those really attuned to the flex and ski behaviour will notice it more than most others.

@@SkiKitInfo bought it with gold pivots, putting it on the suggested, got enought centerd skis allready I guess

@@pewpewpew8390 Gonna be one sweet set-up; enjoy your winter with them

Hi Miquel, thanks for the question and hope you love your Daemons; a full reverse camber, poplar core ski with a Titanal plate running around 2/3 of the ski (132-99-120mm, R20m, 1,850g per ski, in 183.6cm), that they ran in their range for 3 seasons (17/18 - 19/20). Relatively soft flex through the front of the ski with quite a long rocker, then stiffens a lot underfoot, with good support through the tail, although quite a long (shallow) rocker in tail too. The Justis marries up some of the Daemon with the Navis (poplar core, quite a lot of camber with a front rocker, that's much less than the Daemon, and a short tail rocker. 133-102-118mm, R19, 1,925g per ski, in 179.4cm). The Navis was a classic from BC, in their range for a long time (introduced a couple of seasons, after they started in 2006), with changes through the years. For me, the Justis is a superb mix of both skis; longer front and back rocker from the Daemon (although back rocker is noticeably shorter), regular camber underfoot (like the Navis, but not as long or pronounced). The Titanal layers are in BC's H shape, with loads of power underfoot, and a sublimely smooth flex through the front and back. The flex through the Justis is better balanced than the Daemon. It's only 1mm wider underfoot but the overall footprint is bigger, than the Daemon, as the tip and tail are quite bit wider. The Justis is a superb ski, floats really well (thanks to long front rocker and forgiving flex up-front) yet skis surprisingly well on firmer groomed snow. Yes, it's not there for racing icy slopes, but does a great ski of ticking the box of a one-ski quiver for someone that loves soft snow, but also spends time on groomed snow, and treats the mountain as a bit of a playground. Would I swap the Daemon for the Justis? Tough one - I think the Justis is a better all-round ski, but it is different to the Daemon. If you love the Daemon you've not long owned, then I wouldn't give it a second thought and I'd just ski that. If you're not in love with the Daemon, but fancy a new ski, then the Justis is definitely one to seriously consider. Bit of a long response, I know, but hope it helps. Al from SkiKitInfo.com