Review: Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023
Published on 07/21/2023 · 3 min readCurated Ski Expert Jake Renner shares his experience with using the 2023 Völkl Kendo 88 Skis. Note that experts are not sponsored by any brands; these are their honest opinions.By Ski Expert
Jake Renner
9 photos
The Curated Take
3.9/5
The Volkl Kendo 88 skis excel on groomed runs and hardpacked snow, ideal for skiers who value high-speed stability and precise carving. The 88mm waist width, 3D turn radius, and titanal metal core provide a versatile, stable ride with intuitive turn initiation. The skis' solid construction ensures durability over multiple seasons. However, they may struggle in deep powder or ungroomed terrain due to their underfoot width and limited rocker.
Ideal for
- The 3D turn radius allows this ski to offer a multitude of turns–short and quick or hip to hip–across the trail
- Ultimately damp at higher speeds and holds its edge with authority even on ice and hardpacked snow
- The solid build has this ski holding up for multiple seasons regardless of how hard they are skied
Not ideal for
- At 88mm underfoot, it does not offer enough float for fresh powder days
- An extremely firm flex rating creates stability but sacrifices forgiveness and playfulness
Flotation
88mm underfoot does not offer enough float for anyone getting deeper into fresh snow than about 4-6". A slight rocker in the nose and a flat underfoot do not provide...Read more
High Speed Stability
The construction of the Kendo 88 skis incorporates high-quality materials to optimize performance. They feature a wood core combined with layers of titanal metal, which provides stability, dampness, and power...Read more
Carving
The 3D turn radius allows this ski to offer a multitude of turns—short and quick or hip to hip across the trail without forcing me into one or the other....Read more
Playfulness
An extremely firm flex rating creates stability but sacrifices forgiveness and playfulness. A rigid build with a flat underfoot, a flat tail, and tailored titanal metal in the core keeps...Read more
Durability
The construction of the Kendo 88 skis incorporates high-quality materials to optimize performance. They feature a wood core combined with layers of specifically tailored titanal metal, which provides stability, dampness,...Read more
Turn Ease
At 88mm underfoot, the Kendo 88s have a smooth and precise edge-to-edge transition, and a 17m turn radius in 184cm length allows me to rip tight turns easily. They require...Read more
Versatility
The Volkl Kendo 88 skis are a versatile all-mountain option that combines performance and agility on various terrain. With an 88mm waist width, these skis strike a balance between carving...Read more
Expert Reviews of the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis
Jake Renner The Volkl Kendo 88 skis are a versatile all-mountain option that offers a combination of performance and agility on a variety of terrain. With an 88mm waist width, these skis strike a balance between carving on groomed runs and maneuverability in variable conditions.
The construction of the Kendo 88 skis incorporates high-quality materials to optimize performance. They feature a wood core combined with layers of titanal metal, which provides stability, dampness, and power transmission. This construction enhances the ski's responsiveness, edge hold, and overall performance.
In terms of on-snow performance, the Kendo 88 skis excel in a variety of conditions with more of an emphasis on groomers and hardpacked snow. Their light amount of camber underfoot provides reliable edge grip and precise carving on firm snow. At the same time, the slight rocker in the tip and tail adds maneuverability and helps with turn initiation. This combination makes them effective on groomed runs, moguls, and even lighter amounts of soft snow.
The Kendo 88 skis are known for their stability at higher speeds, offering a smooth and confident ride. Their construction and shape contribute to excellent energy transfer and edge control, allowing for powerful turns and a solid connection with the snow.
Review Ratings
Flotation
2/5
Jake Renner gave 2 of 5 stars. 88mm underfoot does not offer enough float for anyone getting deeper into fresh snow than about 4-6". A slight rocker in the nose and a flat underfoot do not provide enough of an angle to keep the nose out of deeper powder. Definitely recommend bumping up to the Mantra 102 or Mantra M6 if one plans on getting into a bit more ungroomed terrain.
High Speed Stability
5/5
Jake Renner gave 5 of 5 stars. The construction of the Kendo 88 skis incorporates high-quality materials to optimize performance. They feature a wood core combined with layers of titanal metal, which provides stability, dampness, and power transmission. This construction enhances the ski's responsiveness, edge hold, and overall performance. Ultimately damp at higher speeds with no chatter in the nose or tail, I give the Kendo 88 a 5/5 for high-speed stability.
Carving
5/5
Jake Renner gave 5 of 5 stars. The 3D turn radius allows this ski to offer a multitude of turns—short and quick or hip to hip across the trail without forcing me into one or the other. Ultimately damp at high speeds, no chatter or movement in the nose, and great edge hold if on hardpacked or groomed snow—very pleasant and intuitive edge-to-edge transition at 88mm underfoot.
Playfulness
2/5
Jake Renner gave 2 of 5 stars. An extremely firm flex rating creates stability but sacrifices forgiveness and playfulness. A rigid build with a flat underfoot, a flat tail, and tailored titanal metal in the core keeps this ski feeling smooth and stable. It's more of a precision carving tool than a surfy, buttery ski—not recommended for buttering, jumping, or nose/tail presses. One can get away with it sometimes, but it requires so much effort to flex using one's body weight.
Durability
5/5
Jake Renner gave 5 of 5 stars. The construction of the Kendo 88 skis incorporates high-quality materials to optimize performance. They feature a wood core combined with layers of specifically tailored titanal metal, which provides stability, dampness, and power transmission. This construction and overall shape enhance the ski's responsiveness, edge hold, and overall performance. A supremely firm flex rating keeps this ski damp at higher speeds and held together for future seasons.
Turn Ease
5/5
Jake Renner gave 5 of 5 stars. At 88mm underfoot, the Kendo 88s have a smooth and precise edge-to-edge transition, and a 17m turn radius in 184cm length allows me to rip tight turns easily. They require less speed than their big brother, the Mantra, to get up and engage one's edge. The skis can also take wider turns by locking into their tip or tail turn radius, an intuitive design that allows skiers to pick and choose how they want to turn/carve.
Versatility
3/5
Jake Renner gave 3 of 5 stars. The Volkl Kendo 88 skis are a versatile all-mountain option that combines performance and agility on various terrain. With an 88mm waist width, these skis strike a balance between carving on groomed runs and maneuverability in variable conditions. In terms of on-snow performance, the Kendo 88 skis excel in a variety of conditions with more of an emphasis on groomers and hardpacked snow. Their light amount of camber underfoot provides reliable edge grip and precise carving on firm snow. At the same time, the slight rocker in the tip aids with keeping the ski above a little bit of fresh snow.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Jake Renner My favorite moment on the Kendo 88 was when I swapped them out for a twin tip and carved on some harder, groomed snow. This ski absolutely rips, and it was like night and day going from a twin-tipped freestyle ski to the Kendo 88. High-speed carving, edge hold, and extreme stability have this ski feeling like it belongs on hardpacked, groomed, or icy terrain. The edge-to-edge transition and ability to carve tight or wide turns without forcing me into a certain turn radius were ideal for a versatile ride.
Why did you choose this product?
Jake Renner We were actually assigned the 2023 Kendo 88s during our film production for the year 2024. I was surprised at how pleasantly shocked I was while riding them—a true precision carving tool with a nod toward all-mountain versatility. Great edge hold, extremely damp, and an intuitive and enjoyable edge-to-edge transition have me going back to the Volkl Kendo 88 on those hardpacked days.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Jake Renner The Kendo 88 is a bombproof, versatile, and stable ski with a firm flex rating and solid construction. Tailored titanal metal in the core helps to keep this ski super damp at higher speeds. Due to the durability and performance aspects of the Kendo 88, I believe it retains its value for longer than alternative options. All in all, the Kendo 88 is a safe bet that will hold up for seasons to come.
What do you love about this product?
Jake Renner I enjoy this ski's feel on groomers and hardpack with its 3D turn radius and tailored titanal metal in the core. A performance carving ski that allows skiers to pick and choose between tight turns or sweeping arches from hip to hip. Supremely stable at higher speeds and ultimate edge hold have this ski at the top concerning carving while also retaining versatility for all-mountain conditions. All in all, I love the feel of this ski for carving and handling hardpacked snow conditions.
4.98
Jake Renner
Ski Expert1242 Reviews
5370 Customers helped
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