In this comparison, we are looking at two women's skis from Head: the Kore 97 W Skis (2023) and the Pure Joy Skis + Joy 9 GW SLR Bindings (2024). The Kore 97 W is a versatile, lightweight all-mountain ski that is ideal for intermediate to expert skiers. It's known for its quick cutting turns, crisp carves, and float for powder days. The Pure Joy Skis, on the other hand, are perfect for beginner to intermediate skiers. They are lightweight, easy to control, and excellent for carving on groomed trails. Both skis utilize Graphene, a one-atom-thick layer of carbon, which makes them light, flexible, and incredibly strong. However, they cater to different skill levels and have different performance characteristics.

Head Kore 97 W Skis · Women's · 2023 summary

The Head Kore 97 W Skis (2023) is a featherweight ski that is capable of tackling the entire mountain and venturing outside of the resort. It's ideal for intermediate, advanced, and expert skiers who want to make quick cutting turns through moguls and trees, lay down crisp carves, and still have plenty of float for the powder days.

What sets the Kore 97 W apart from other skis on the market is the Graphene core material. Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon that is the building blocks of graphite. It's flexible, light, and incredibly strong, giving the ski a unique backbone and performance.

However, there's always a give and take when it comes to skis. The Kore 97 W, despite its benefits, lacks dampening, so it can feel bouncy at times on skied out crud. The short turn radius that makes it easy to whip around can lack stability for long drawn out high-speed GS style turns.

Despite these drawbacks, the Kore 97 W is a great pick for the right skiers, for the right reasons. It's one of the lightest weight all-mountain skis on the market, making it a great choice for resort and touring. It's very versatile to all conditions and designed to be an effortless one ski quiver.

Head Pure Joy Skis + Joy 9 GW SLR Bindings · Women's · 2024 summary

The Head Pure Joy Skis + Joy 9 GW SLR Bindings (2024) is a great fit for beginner skiers who want a lightweight and forgiving ski that is easy to control. These skis are perfect for those looking to improve their carving skills and progress their skiing. With a narrow waist and rockered tip, they offer easy steering and reliable edge grip.

The Pure Joy Skis utilize Graphene technology, offering optimal weight balance and control. They are quick edge to edge and allow skiers to progress their skiing. The skis come with bindings as a package deal, which will need to be attached by a shop and have the bindings adjusted to your boots.

However, these skis are not ideal for deeper snow conditions. They are great for a starter carving ski option, but will not perform as well as the Kore 97 W in deeper snow.

Similarities

Both the Head Kore 97 W Skis and the Head Pure Joy Skis + Joy 9 GW SLR Bindings are designed with Graphene, a one-atom-thick layer of carbon, which makes them light, flexible, and incredibly strong. They are both praised for their lightweight construction and their ability to carve well. Both skis are also designed for easy steering and reliable edge grip, making them great options for skiers who want to improve their carving skills.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed with Graphene, they cater to different skill levels and have different performance characteristics. The Kore 97 W is a versatile all-mountain ski that is ideal for intermediate to expert skiers. It's known for its quick cutting turns, crisp carves, and float for powder days. This ski is less ideal for freestyle and may not offer a lot of dampening through skied out frozen crud.

On the other hand, the Pure Joy Skis are perfect for beginner to intermediate skiers. They are easy to control and excellent for carving on groomed trails. However, they may not perform as well in deeper snow conditions.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, the Kore 97 W takes the lead. It's capable of tackling the entire mountain and venturing outside of the resort, making it a great choice for intermediate to expert skiers.

In terms of ease of control and learning, the Pure Joy Skis come out on top. They are perfect for beginner to intermediate skiers looking to improve their carving skills and progress their skiing.

In terms of weight, both skis are lightweight thanks to the Graphene core material. However, the Kore 97 W is one of the lightest weight all-mountain skis on the market, giving it a slight edge in this dimension.

Finally, in terms of value, the Pure Joy Skis offer a great package deal with the inclusion of bindings, making them a great choice for those looking to get off rentals and own their own skis.

Comparison Table

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Head Kore 97 W Skis and the Head Pure Joy Skis + Joy 9 GW SLR Bindings are excellent choices, but they cater to different skill levels. The Kore 97 W is a versatile all-mountain ski that is ideal for intermediate to expert skiers, while the Pure Joy Skis are perfect for beginner to intermediate skiers looking to improve their carving skills. Both skis utilize Graphene, making them light, flexible, and incredibly strong. However, the right choice depends on the skier's skill level and what they are looking for in a ski.