Review: Line Honey Badger Skis · 2024
Published on 07/27/2023 · 3 min readCurated Ski Expert Jake Renner shares his experience with using the 2024 Line Honey Badger Skis. Note that experts are not sponsored by any brands; these are their honest opinions.By Ski Expert
Jake Renner
6 photos
The Curated Take
3.3/5
The 2024 Line Honey Badger Ski excels in freestyle conditions. Its light construction, 92mm underfoot, full tip and tail rocker, and camber underfoot provide easy turning and good flotation in up to 6-8" powder. Its durability, however, is questionable due to the thin tip and tail technology, potentially leading to delamination over time. Its high-speed stability is average and unsuitable for experts due to the absence of metal in the build. The ski's value-for-money proposition is higher for younger or smaller freestyle skiers seeking a versatile all-mountain ski that is easy to maneuver and perform tricks.
Ideal for
- Super light swingweight keeps this ski easy to spin and initiate turns with
- Full tip/tail rocker helps keep this ski feeling nimble, easy to pivot, and transition from edge to edge
- Perfect for younger progressing freestyle skiers who are relatively smaller/lighter
Not ideal for
- Thin tip/tail tech may jeopardize durability as tips can delaminate easier
- Super light ski is not ideal for high-speed stability on hardpacked snow
Flotation
A 92mm underfoot does not quite offer enough float for skiers that frequent fresh snow over about 6" of powder. The full tip and tail rocker helps with maneuverability and...Read more
Carving
When it comes to performance, the Honey Badger offers a playful and lively ride. Its camber underfoot provides decent edge hold and responsiveness, allowing precise carving on groomed runs. The...Read more
High Speed Stability
A medium flex rating with a touch of camber underfoot allows this ski to hold up relatively well at higher speeds. However, the Honey Badger gets an average rating for...Read more
Playfulness
Super light swingweight and full tip and tail rocker combined with a bit of camber underfoot provides pop for jumping and edge hold for carving. A medium flex rating keeps...Read more
Durability
The Honey Badger's construction typically includes a mix of materials, like wood and fiberglass, which balances responsiveness and weight reduction. However, this construction may be more prone to showing signs...Read more
Turn Ease
The Line Honey Badger has an underfoot width of 92mm, a full tip and tail rocker, and a touch of camber underfoot, creating a medium turn radius for this ski....Read more
Expert Reviews of the Line Honey Badger Skis
Jake Renner The Line Honey Badger skis are known for their playful performance but may not be as durable as some other skis on the market. While they are designed to handle the demands of freestyle skiing, including park features, their construction and materials may not offer the same level of long-term durability as more robust skis.
The Honey Badger's construction typically includes a mix of materials, like wood and fiberglass, balancing responsiveness and weight reduction. However, this construction may be more prone to showing signs of wear and tear over time, especially with heavy use on hard surfaces or aggressive landings, especially if one is adult-sized.
It's important to note that the durability of skis can vary depending on individual usage, skiing style, and maintenance. Freestyle skiing, with its emphasis on jumps, rails, and high-impact maneuvers, can put additional stress on skis compared to other disciplines. Therefore, the Honey Badger skis might require more frequent maintenance or have a shorter overall lifespan when subjected to intense freestyle use.
Review Ratings
Flotation
3/5
Jake Renner gave 3 of 5 stars. A 92mm underfoot does not quite offer enough float for skiers that frequent fresh snow over about 6" of powder. The full tip and tail rocker helps with maneuverability and flotation in fresh snow and off-piste terrain. However, due to the narrower underfoot width (relative to a true powder ski), the Honey Badger gets an average rating for flotation. If someone skis into powder deeper than 6-8", they will notice a bit more sinking.
Carving
3/5
Jake Renner gave 3 of 5 stars. When it comes to performance, the Honey Badger offers a playful and lively ride. Its camber underfoot provides decent edge hold and responsiveness, allowing precise carving on groomed runs. The rocker in the tip and tail enhances maneuverability, making it easier to initiate and land tricks while also improving flotation in softer snow. The versatility of the Honey Badger extends beyond the park, making it a capable all-mountain ski for those who like to explore the entire mountain. It can handle various conditions, from groomed runs to ungroomed terrain and even some powder. However, it excels more in freestyle-oriented environments.
High Speed Stability
3/5
Jake Renner gave 3 of 5 stars. A medium flex rating with a touch of camber underfoot allows this ski to hold up relatively well at higher speeds. However, the Honey Badger gets an average rating for high-speed stability because of its wood and fiberglass core, no metal in the build, and only offers a length of 177cm for its longest option. This length is not quite suitable for expert adult skiers who reach high speeds or push into their boots downhill. Definitely more suited for beginner to intermediate skiers or younger and smaller freestyle skiers looking for a playful option that performs decently well all over the mountain.
Playfulness
5/5
Jake Renner gave 5 of 5 stars. Super light swingweight and full tip and tail rocker combined with a bit of camber underfoot provides pop for jumping and edge hold for carving. A medium flex rating keeps this ski easy to spin and maneuver while also feeling rather playful when jumping and spinning.
When considering the Line Honey Badger skis, weighing their playful performance and versatility against the potential trade-off in long-term durability is important. If skiers prioritize a more durable ski, it may be worth exploring alternative options in Line's lineup or considering skis from other brands known for their durability in freestyle skiing.
Durability
2/5
Jake Renner gave 2 of 5 stars. The Honey Badger's construction typically includes a mix of materials, like wood and fiberglass, which balances responsiveness and weight reduction. However, this construction may be more prone to showing signs of wear and tear over time, especially with heavy use on hard surfaces or aggressive landings.
It's important to note that the durability of skis can vary depending on individual usage, skiing style, and maintenance. Freestyle skiing, with its emphasis on jumps, rails, and high-impact maneuvers, can put additional stress on skis compared to other disciplines. Therefore, the Honey Badger skis might require more frequent maintenance or have a shorter overall lifespan when subjected to intense freestyle use.
If durability is a top priority, other ski models are available that are specifically engineered to withstand the rigors of freestyle skiing and offer enhanced durability features, such as reinforced sidewalls or thicker bases.
Turn Ease
4/5
Jake Renner gave 4 of 5 stars. The Line Honey Badger has an underfoot width of 92mm, a full tip and tail rocker, and a touch of camber underfoot, creating a medium turn radius for this ski. A lighter construction makes the swingweight easy to throw side to side. It provides a nimble feeling, especially when initiating carves.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Jake Renner The best part of riding the Honey Badgers was that my buddy, Hayden, and I got into the terrain park with them. They're super light and geared toward smaller freestyle skiers and younger athletes in general since the longest length increment available on the market is 177cm. This is a tad shorter than what I typically ride, so this ski felt extremely easy to spin and fairly nimble for carving. At higher speeds, it didn't offer the same amount of stability that I typically prefer from longer skis, so the squirrelly nature made things a bit spicy and kept me on my toes. All in all, a super playful ski that's easy to turn and spin with and feels at home while jumping and sliding rails.
Why did you choose this product?
Jake Renner To be honest, I didn't choose the Honey Badgers. They were assigned to us for our ski content reviews. I prefer a slightly longer ski than is offered. That being said, there are a handful of factors in the build, design, and shape that I do enjoy about this ski. The full tip and tail rocker allows for ease of skiing switch (backward) and provides a bit more forgiveness while jumping. Its camber underfoot also keeps this ski feeling relatively responsive and easy to get up on edge to turn with. The Honey Badger is a versatile twin-tipped ski that lends itself to all mountain conditions and playful skiing.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Jake Renner Line Honey Badgers are typically on the more affordable end of the scale with regard to the price range for new skis. The low cost definitely increases their appeal to many skiers. However, if someone is a more aggressive skier or an adult over 180lbs, they may run through this ski quicker than other options. Thin tip and tail tech, a new feature for this season, also jeopardizes the longevity of the build, and I've noticed some of the 2024 models from Line with this feature already delaminating. All in all, this is a super affordable ski that would be better suited to younger freestyle skiers or smaller athletes in general.
What do you love about this product?
Jake Renner The Honey Badger is a pretty straightforward twin-tipped ski with a full tip and tail rocker that offers a light swingweight that keeps it easy to initiate carves. When it comes to performance, the Honey Badger offers a playful and lively ride. Its camber underfoot provides excellent edge hold and responsiveness, allowing precise carving on groomed runs. The rocker in the tip and tail enhances maneuverability, making it easier to initiate and land tricks while improving flotation in softer snow. All in all, the honey badger is a playful twin-tipped ski, and it is conducive for smaller or younger freestyle skiers.
4.98
Jake Renner
Ski Expert1242 Reviews
5372 Customers helped
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