2024 Nordica Steadfast 85 DC Ski Review with SkiEssentials.com
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- Опубликовано: 9 июл 2024
- We were always rather fond of the Navigator, but Nordica's replacement for it is even better. This Steadfast 85 and their commitment to Double Core construction is really cool and the resulting performance is very rewarding.
Written Review: www.skiessentials.com/Chairli...
0:00 - Intro
4:20 - Construction
10:00 - Shape
13:00 - On-Piste Performance
17:45 - Off-Piste Performance
This is the 9wood & 5hybrid for the Florida Golfing crowd. Where I ski, north of Toronto, we have a large & growing semi-retired, retired crowd that daily skis during the week. They are all very competent lifetime skiers, still go fast occasionally, but their goal is to stay fit & avoid the hospital from a high-speed ski accident. This would be a perfect ski for them - and that is a lot of skis to sell - I think I'll start recommending it.
I love the analogy. Even more, Jeff is sitting behind me watching golf right now. It makes a clean carve (straight shot) a lot easier and more accessible to more skiers. If you like shooting low scores with minimal effort, this is the ski for you.
85 really is an East coast sweet spot! Had my Kastle DX 85s at stowe last week. 85mm handled hard groomers, rain, and 6 inches of powder flawlessly. I actually put my 95 mm away and went back to the 85 even with the fresh snow.
Agree 100%! There are so many days here in VT that call for skis like this!
This is in the Salomon Stance 84 class... nice to see more skis in this class... I really enjoy this class... don't need 2 sheets of metal most of the time... very glad to see it... this is my favorite ski width for groomers/resort skiing ... not to skinny and not to fat... just right .... :)
Great feedback! Agree that it fits a mid-zone that a lot of skiers are in.
Does it have more or less higher speed stability than the Stance 84?
Great review of the Nordica Steadfast 85. Now leaning toward the Steadfast, but still thinking about the Ripstick 88 and the Line Blade Optic 92. Mostly skiing frontside & enjoy short quick turns but use my old go to Volkl Supersport 5 Stars for full carving days.
As you get wider, you're losing some torsional stiffness and edge to edge quickness. Since you're mainly frontside with quick turns, I think it prudent to stick to the narrower skis. That said, the Ripstick makes some of the quickest and most agile turns out there, it just doesn't do the round carves that we loved so much about the Steadfast. Additionally, I was pretty darn impressed with the Nordica's versatility.
In the uk we have no snow so can only ski on holidays or on dry slopes. I understand it’s possible you have never been on dry slopes. But based on what you do know. Can you advise what you would say would be a good ski for dry slopes ? I am looking at this or the spitfire 74 but it doesn’t matter brand or cos. I am an intermediate just really getting into carving and trying a lot to improve. But right at the beginning of that journey. I also am 5 foot ten and 85kg. Shorter skis tend to be used on dry slopes. I would appreciate any opinions you have with your vast knowledge and I appreciate your videos very much.
Certainly not too familiar with how a ski translates from snow to dry slope. If you're thinking that a shorter turning ski would work better, I'd go with the Steadfast--I don't think--and I could be wrong--that stability at speed is much of a thing on a dry slope that would necessitate the longer turn of the Spitfire.
Could you pls share going forward what are the recommended edge/base angel for each tested model and how much ski feel could change by changing the angel … or maybe one ski prep video from quick on parking lot prep to full scale bells and whistles prep. Many thanks for you channel and your recommendations … looking to test the new set.
Most skis these days come with a one degree base and three degree side angle. The bigger difference is when you take the base down to a .5 or .75, and then you're really getting some crazy engagement. While we can generally tell a difference if a ski is poorly or well-tuned, we're mainly not that techy when it comes to angles and tunes.
First of all, I love all of your reviews They're extremely helpful and very well done. How would this ski compare to the Elan Ripstick 88?
Thanks!
The Elan is more flexible in the shovel, and also uses carbon to power the turn while the Nordica has a stiffer overall flex from tip to tail and uses metal for damping and strength. If you spend most/all of your time on groomers in search of a clean and round carved turn, the Nordica is a superior ski, but if you want something more friendly for bumps, trees, soft snow, and versatility, the Elan is absolutely wonderful.
Really nice video as always!
could you guys do a video of the Nordica enforcer 88 unlimited?
We did focus mainly on the 94 and 104, but by extrapolating that information, the 88 is a lot more like the 94, just lighter, quicker, and more agile. We feel it's more of a touring option than the other two Unlimited options.
Hi Guys, I‘m impressed of your knowledge around all these different skis and your reviews are highly appreciated - thx! Q: What would you recommend. Spitfire 80 or Steadfast 85. Also the Nordica website is not clear on the difference. I am looking for a on pist ski (90%) that brings me trough the hole day. I am having a Völkl Deacon 74mm. Great ski but to „hard“ and not playful enough with a very narrow usecase. For powder days I have an alternative ski. Thx for your support on this!
Thanks!
We've found that they share the same build, so the difference is mainly in the shape. The Spitfire is shaped more like their race skis while the Steadfast is an easier-going carver shape. The Spitfire is shaped more like the Deacon only a bit wider, so you're going to get a similar behavior out of those two. Steadfast is more different--it loves to come across the fall line and the turn initiation is phenomenal. If you found the Deacon to be on the hard side, I'd go more to the rounder Steadfast. Love that ski.
Let‘s go for Steadfast then 😊
Hi guys great review could u give your take on the differences and the different purpeses between this ski and Black Crows Mirus
Thank you 🙏
Thanks! We really like that Steadfast for more business-like groomer skiing while the Mirus Cor takes the playfulness to the next level. you can carve really fun, short, and round turns on the Mirus Cor at moderate speeds, while the Steadfast has more of a fall-line mentality to it. In terms of versatility, the Mirus Cor has a lot more to offer, not only from an off-trail perspective, but a freestyle one as well.
Great review as always! I'm thinking of adding these to accompany my Enforcer 93s. I'm an advanced intermediate who weighs 210 and is '5"8. Looking for an approachable ski to practice carving on my east coast groomers. Do you think there would be much difference between these and stance 84s? I'm looking for edge grip on ice, light swing weight and tail rocker to release a turn easily. Thanks again!
The Steadfast 85 is considerably better for carving on groomers--it's one of the most satisfying front side skis I've been on in quite some time. The Stance is great, but fills a different role, and that crosses into Enforcer land when it comes to all-mountain versatility. I'd get the Steadfast in the 168 or 174 depending on how you feel about length.
Goodbye Navigator, it’s been nice. Hope you’ll find your paradise. Tried to ski you down the hill. 🎶🎶🎶
The 90 was one of my favorite models--I think it met an untimely end.
Hello, thx for your Great reviews. How would this ski compare to a Wingman 82 or 86 cti? I am always skiing in Europe and am looking for an all mountain ski with a clear focus on groomers and I really appreciate agility and edge to edge quickness in a ski. I have skied on Elan Amphibio 76 rentals this Year and really liked them.
Quite similar to the Wingman 86 CTI, although it feels more damp than energetic. Wingman has a really snappy finish to a turn, these have better vibration damping and feel like they have a better connection to the snow. Both great skis, just a slightly different feel.
Great review! How does this ski compare to Faction dancer 1 and Elan wingman 86 cti? I am a intermediate to advanced skier ski on groomers most and also bumps and trees occasionally. Thanks a lot!!
The Dancer has the most all-mountain versatility to it while the Wingman is the highest-performing front side ski of this list. Steadfast is somewhere in the middle. If you're looking for something energetic and fun that can also carve well, I'd lean to the Dancer, but this Steadfast is a fantastic ski.
Hi guys. This is getting increasingly difficult to decide. So many options. From the UK, and mostly ski in Colorado (Vail mostly, although not skiing this year unfortunately). I currently have the QST 106 (2022) and it's incredible, so fun to ski, but I'm looking for a narrower, more carving focused option to add to it for next season, with some mogul/tree capability being beneficial.
This Steadfast 85 looks a great option. I'm also looking at Rossi Exp 82/86 Ti, Declivity 82 Ti, Deacon 80/84, and Kanjo 84. I ski fast and more on the aggressive side, but want to practice quicker and shorter carving turns. Any info re. how the Steadfast compares to these other options would be awesome.
For reference, I'm 5'10, ~155lbs, and ski the QST 106 in a 181, which feels spot on (given it's rocker profile).
Steadfast feels more sturdy than most, with the possible exception of the Deacon 84 or the Experience 86Ti. It's a great mid-range ski that makes exceptional medium-radius turns. If you're looking to get more off-trail, I'd say the Experience and the Kanjo are the most versatile. Overall, the Experience 86Ti checks all of these boxes, from high-speed carving turns to the off-trail versatility. I'd think it'd complement the QST 106 quite nicely.
I have a pair of older Nordica Steadfast that are 90 mm underfoot. I always liked those skis but felt that 90 mm underfoot was a bit too wide. The side to side edge change was too slow and would sometimes get caught up especially when skiing crud. I found that 84 mm to 85 mm underfoot ski was better reactive for my skiing and defiantly more stable. Currently skiing on a pair of Fischer RC Ones GT 86. (85 mm underfoot in 168 cm length). Before that skied on a pair of Rossi Experience 84's. (a bit too soft though) YEA for 85's underfoot!
Definitely get on the 85's this year--very different skis than the 90's and a whole lot of fun!
I would love to own these and the q9.8. I love the 85ish waist width. The 9.8 can rail all day but I’m hoping these are a little more all mountain. 9.8 when there hasn’t been snow and the steadfast on those fresh snow days.
I had very positive experiences last year on the Steadfast 85, even in about 4-5 inches of snow, bumps, and trees. I would certainly say they're the more all-mountain oriented of the two skis.
I tried the Redster in the 181 and they were good but just for fun tried the 173 and it was much better.
Tried the Nordica steadfast and Q9.8 back to back. The steadfast was much easier to ski and had a playful element to them.
great review as usual! looking for a ski that can handel different snow condition during the day: icy\groomed in the morinig, bumpy\chompy in the afternoon. based on your review this Nordica sounds the right choice. How this compare to Stockli Montero AX? thanks!!
It's actually more similar to the AR in terms of width, but feels like it makes a shorter turn like the AX. This adds to the allure of the ski as a great option for bumps and chop in the afternoon with good short arcs in the morning.
@@SkiEssentials thank you fore the reply. Happy to know there is a valid alterantive to Stockli Montero that doen't break the bank
Exciting to see a new ski in the width range I'm looking for. Would appreciate a quick opinion among my current front runners. I'm a progressing intermediate that wants to improve technique on piste, and am upgrading from a narrower metal-less ski. Looking for more stability at speeds between 25-35mph (generally do not go faster than that), ability to handle choppy afternoon snow, and not get super bogged down in shallow west coast powder (like at the edge of a groomed trail).
1) Rossi 86 Basalt
2) Elan Wingman 86 Ti
3) Atomic Redster Q7
4) Steadfast 85
Thoughts appreciated. Cheers!
I really enjoyed that Steadfast! I'd say the Elan is right up there with it in terms of being a versatile carver. I don't think the Rossignol quite has the chops for what you're looking to do, although the 86Ti version is worth a look, and the Redster is more front-side shaped and oriented for great carving, but can get pretty bogged down. I'd lean to the Steadfast, but don't take the Rossignol 86Ti off your list just yet.
How would you compare the stifness and edge hold on hardpack of the Steadfast to the Brahma 88 or 82?
I'd say the Steadfast is slightly less grippy on hard pack than the burly Brahmas. Those skis are exceptional in this realm. That said, you have to be going a lot faster in order to access this performance while with Steadfast, it's more prevalent at a greater range of speeds and turn styles.
Curious how you rank this against the Stance 84, and the Wingman 86ti/CTI? At 6'3" 235lbs 179 seems pretty short also. However where it's a front side ski. Maybe not.
I'm 6'2 225 so when the 179 pops up as the longest length, I too, get hesitant. I didn't feel like it was too short for what it's meant to do, and I also felt like the build was enough to support the shorter length. That said, the 185 Stance 84 is more versatile, lighter, and a ton of fun. The Wingmans start getting more business like, even in the Ti version as it has a very sharp and square shape. I'd say the Stance is the most well-rounded, the Wingman is the highest on-trail performance, and the Steadfast is somewhere in the middle.
Hi. I’m 1.77, advanced skier. Which length would you buy? Thx. Great review.
I'd go with the 174 in that ski. Have fun, such great skis!
Hi guys, thank you for great content you keep providing. I ski only in Central Europe and with mild winters groomers are in good conditions only few hours in the morning, then they become chopped and bumpy. I am 177cm, 88kg and use Blizzard Thunderbird WB which is perfect for morning session. For worsening surface conditions would you take Nordica Steadfast 85DC, Deacon 80 or Kanjo 84? I stay more than 90% of time on groomers, 70% carving, rest skidding. Would length be 174 ok?
The 90% groomers makes the Steadfast pop to the top with the Deacon just behind. The Deacon is more agile and quicker edge to edge, but more in a skidded turn. I think that if you go with the Steadfast, your 70% skidding time will decrease because it's such an amazing carver.
@@SkiEssentialsI'm in the same conditions (chopped-up Central Europe) 194cm, 97kg. I am between Steadfast, Maverick 88 Ti and Ripstick 88. Intermediate with ambitions to advanced. Which one of these would you recommend and why?
@@impact0r I'd go Steadfast! Great ski with smoothness and ease of turning. The 90% groomers point the needle in that direction.
@@SkiEssentialsThanks, but I already got Ripstick 80. What do you think about it in this environment? I am coming off Atomic Redster X9wb and was curious to try something different.
Where do you guys do your on hill reviews?
Mostly Stowe, Vermont.
I’m debating on the steadfast 85 or the steadfast 80 - any opinions on the differences of those two ski’s
The 80 doesn't have the more sophisticated double core build--it's more like a re-hashed navigator 80C, and that's fine, but the 85 has the new technology and one sheet of metal so there is a higher performance aspect to the 85, so it's not just width that's different. If you're looking for the higher end product, look to the 85.
Hey guys. Would you recommend the Steadfast 85 or the Wingman 86ti for mainly groomers. 15% off piste?
Personally, I prefer the Steadfast as that was one of my favorite skis this past season. Wingman is great, but it doesn't quite make the same round turns as the Nordica. Off piste, neither shines, but I was more successful and happy on the Steadfast than the Elan, which is a lot sharper in terms of angles while the Steadfast is rounder, and that leads to a better off-trail character.
Hi, im looking at the steadfast 85 and it looks really good, but i am 195cm tall and weigh 82kg. Will the ski be too short at 179cm?
I'm 190cm and 100 kg and found the 179 to be a very good length for this ski, especially since it's such an accomplished turner and carver--it's not really meant to go top speed and make long super g turns, it's more of a mid-range ski.
How are those Kastle boots you’re skiing in?
I am loving the Kastle K130P. It's a 130-flex, 100 mm last boot that is more stout than most other boots in this range. There's a lot of plastic, and a very minimal liner, so it has a different feel than some other boots that focus more on liner technology.
can you guys please do a review on 2023 armada arv 166 JJ, the stoke elk 🙏
the 116s right?
@@darinsmith2458 yes w/ the Elk
@@va7796 i follow a guy on youtube that has them and he loves them.. i have been thinking about getting a pair..
We need some snow to do a proper review of that ski. Will keep our eyes out!
What size for 8/10, 176cm, 78kg? 168cm will be good?
I think so! The skis are pretty darn stable, and if you want to take advantage of the shorter turn radius, then the 168 will be a great fit.
hey guys I've just bought the 156cm 80,s I'm 55kg use Nordica pro machine 120 boots for last 2 yrs , question is? will I like em
1st ski purchase
156 steadfast
Probably going to be great! We loved the Steadfast skis this year, and as long as your boots fit, you should do great!
yes absolutely love em
few trips to cervinia to break them in
boots are few years old, well used to them.
find the boot great as ive a slim foot. 98 is perfect
Steadfast 85 or Black Crows Mirus Cor?
Tough call. Very different end uses and overall characters. Traditional skiers will lean to the Steadfast while more modern and progressive skiers like the central feel of the Mirus Cor. The Steadfast is certainly a safer bet.
Odd that 4 months after this review they are still not on the website. Navigators still up.
We're still waiting on our shipment of 2024 Steadfasts. The Navigators are still hanging on though! Hopefully will see those Nordica's pretty darn soon as some of our 2024's have started to trickle in.
@@SkiEssentials sorry I meant to say the Nordica website. I don’t understand why they aren’t there yet.
Vs blizzard anomaly 84?
There's more horsepower and versatility in the Anomaly. The shape of the Blizzard lends to more all-mountain conditions and terrain while the build of it is sturdier and more damp than that of the Steadfast. This, at least, is certainly true for more expert level skiers. I think an intermediate or early advanced skier will benefit more from the easier to ski and overall friendlier pace of the Steadfast.
@@SkiEssentials thanks!
Oh boy is this great!⛷❄️ sad to say goodbye to the navigator but this screams buy me !!!
The 90 was one of my favorites! Sad to see that ski go way too soon.