In the world of skiing, the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are two titans that stand out for their exceptional performance and versatility. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers, offering a blend of power, precision, and agility that's hard to match. The M6 Mantra is a powerhouse, known for its supreme grip, variable turn radius, and high energy performance. On the other hand, the Kendo 88 shines with its balance of performance and agility, excelling on groomers and hardpacked snow. While both skis share similarities in construction and performance, they cater to different skiing styles and conditions. The M6 Mantra is ideal for those who love to push their limits, while the Kendo 88 is perfect for those who value versatility and maneuverability. In the end, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and skiing style.

Völkl M6 Mantra Skis · 2023 summary

The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis are a new school build on a construction that has been a proven package for strength and versatility. These skis are designed for the expert level skier who can put forth the variations of energy needed. They offer an incredibly powerful platform for those willing to push it, and a progressive ski for the intermediate with expert level intentions and an applicable athleticism.

The M6 Mantra is known for its supreme grip on edge at speed. Its variable turn radius provides progressive grip no matter the turn shape, making it surprisingly easy to turn laterally, despite the long effective edge. This ski is built with Volkl's 3D Radii sidecut, which means it's just as at home making short turn radius turns as it is making longer, more high-speed turns. It's surprisingly light for such an all-mountain ski, and it's built for speed.

However, the high energy ski may not be best for beginners and it lacks surface area for powder floatation. But for advanced to expert skiers who want a race ski feel in an all-mountain shape, the M6 Mantra is a top pick.

Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023 summary

The Völkl 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, while 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.

Similarities

Both the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers, offering high performance on a variety of terrains. They both feature a wood core combined with layers of titanal metal, which provides stability, dampness, and power transmission. This construction enhances the skis' responsiveness, edge hold, and overall performance.

Both skis also feature Volkl's 3D Radii sidecut, which means they're just as at home making short turn radius turns as they are making longer, more high-speed turns. They are agile and quick edge-to-edge, but if you want to arc them fast down wide open groomers, they'll stay stable and confident.

In terms of on-snow performance, both 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, while the slight rocker in the tip and tail adds maneuverability and helps with turn initiation.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis share similarities, they cater to different skiing styles and conditions. The M6 Mantra is a powerhouse, known for its supreme grip, variable turn radius, and high energy performance. It's ideal for those who love to push their limits and are willing to put forth the variations of energy needed. However, its high energy may not be best for beginners and it lacks surface area for powder floatation.

On the other hand, the Kendo 88 shines with its balance of performance and agility. It's perfect for those who value versatility and maneuverability. It's known for its stability at higher speeds, offering a smooth and confident ride. However, at 88mm underfoot, it does not offer enough float for fresh powder days and its extremely firm flex rating creates stability but sacrifices forgiveness and playfulness.

In essence, the M6 Mantra is for the aggressive, expert skier who loves to push the boundaries, while the Kendo 88 is for the advanced skier who values versatility and a balanced performance.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to performance, both skis excel, but the M6 Mantra takes the lead with its supreme grip and high energy performance. It's a powerhouse that's built for speed and precision, making it the winner in this dimension.

In terms of versatility, the Kendo 88 comes out on top. Its balance of performance and agility makes it a versatile all-mountain option that can handle a variety of conditions and terrains.

For stability, both skis offer excellent stability at high speeds, but the M6 Mantra's high energy and powerful platform give it an edge, making it the winner in this dimension.

Finally, in terms of maneuverability, the Kendo 88 shines. Its light amount of camber underfoot and slight rocker in the tip and tail add maneuverability and help with turn initiation, making it the winner in this dimension.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are exceptional in their own right. They both offer high performance, stability, and versatility, catering to advanced to expert skiers. The M6 Mantra is a powerhouse, ideal for those who love to push their limits and crave high energy performance. On the other hand, the Kendo 88 offers a balance of performance and agility, perfect for those who value versatility and a balanced performance. In the end, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and skiing style. So, whether you're an aggressive, expert skier or an advanced skier who values versatility, both these skis have something to offer. Happy skiing!