Review: Armada Stranger Skis · 2024
By Ski Expert
Lucia L
Armada Stranger Skis · 2024
$749.95
$875.00
14% off
4 photos
The Curated Take
4.9/5
The Armada Stranger Skis cater to skiers seeking a playful yet "carvy" experience on the mountain. With a 100mm waist, steep sidecut, and a 15m turn radius, these skis excel in tight turns and offer a poppy feel, ideal for dynamic off-piste and groomed runs. The skis' weight adds to their stability at high speeds despite a slight compromise in powder flotation due to their flex and width. They stand out for their durability and versatile performance, making them a top choice for those who enjoy a mix of charging, carving, and playful skiing across a variety of conditions.
Ideal for
- Steep sidecut makes for a super tight turning and "carvy" ski
- Very poppy and playful ski
- Very damp when carving and traveling at high speeds
Not ideal for
- Pretty heavy ski
- Can get floppy when off-piste
- Requires some drive, so it's not for everyone
Turn Ease
The Armada Zero Strangers turn on a dime, no matter the terrain they are in. I have tried both the 172 and the 180 versions, and while the 180 was...Read more
Playfulness
The Armada Strangers are a playful ski that will add pop and play to any run. They are closer to a freestyle ski than an all-mountain ski, but these are...Read more
Durability
I have a solid reputation for destroying bases and blowing out edges, and so far, the Armada Strangers have held up well. The topsheets get visible scratches easily because of...Read more
High Speed Stability
I love the Strangers because of how "carvy" and "chargy" the skis are. Although they are super flexible, the metal in the core of the skis makes them stable and...Read more
Carving
One of my favorite things about the Strangers is how well they carve and hold an edge. These skis have a 15m turn radius and are so much fun on...Read more
Versatility
The Armada Strangers have become my daily driver due to how versatile of a ski they are. I can take these out 90% of the days and know they will...Read more
Flotation
While the Strangers do great as a front-side, all-mountain ski, they are a little limited in the flotation department. While the 100mm waist does a decent job floating in not-so-deep...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Lucia L
About the ski gear
- Model: Armada Stranger Skis · 2024
Test conditions
- When I bought these: Fall 2023
- Where I’ve used them: Crystal Mountain, WA
- How many times I've used it: 20
Expert Reviews of the Armada Stranger Skis
Lucia L I bought the Armada Zero Strangers because of the versatility and ability of the skis. When I first rode them, I was very impressed by how well they carved even at their 100mm width and playful flex. These skis have a wide tip and steep sidecut, delivering a super fun 15m turn radius. After a day of riding off-piste in fresh snow, I can take these skis to a groomer and have a ton of fun, ripping quick turns all around. The Strangers are pretty heavy, but the rockered tip and tail still make them really poppy and fun off side hits and bumps. They are also very flexible, which makes the skis pretty forgiving. These skis are my daily drivers, and they are a great pick for the snow we get here in the Cascades.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Men's |
| Includes bindings | No |
| Model year | 2024 |
| Ski type | All Mountain |
| Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced |
Review Ratings
Turn Ease
5/5
Lucia L gave 5 of 5 stars. The Armada Zero Strangers turn on a dime, no matter the terrain they are in. I have tried both the 172 and the 180 versions, and while the 180 was nicer to carve on and ride off-piste with, I liked the feel of the 162 more as it was more snappy and would zip through trees or bumps without flopping. The wider nose makes it easy to engage and hold a sharp carve, while the 100mm waist makes it easy to shift edge to edge.
Playfulness
5/5
Lucia L gave 5 of 5 stars. The Armada Strangers are a playful ski that will add pop and play to any run. They are closer to a freestyle ski than an all-mountain ski, but these are a great option if skiers like carving and playing while they ride. Skiers can pop off any bump or mogul or butter in any section. While the skis are pretty heavy, they are soft and easy to boost and pop with.
Durability
5/5
Lucia L gave 5 of 5 stars. I have a solid reputation for destroying bases and blowing out edges, and so far, the Armada Strangers have held up well. The topsheets get visible scratches easily because of the matte black finish, but the bases are strong and durable. Most Armadas skis are made well and built to resist impacts from rails and features, so I am pretty confident in their durability.
High Speed Stability
5/5
Lucia L gave 5 of 5 stars. I love the Strangers because of how "carvy" and "chargy" the skis are. Although they are super flexible, the metal in the core of the skis makes them stable and strong when riding steeper terrain at higher speeds. I can lay into these skis and carve with them, trusting they will be stable and not take off when they hit an accidental bump.
Carving
5/5
Lucia L gave 5 of 5 stars. One of my favorite things about the Strangers is how well they carve and hold an edge. These skis have a 15m turn radius and are so much fun on the groomer or slushy days. The skis easily get on edge and hold a solid edge through quick turns. The flexibleness of the skis makes it easy to lay into the carve and hold a solid, smooth turn. A lot of people are surprised by the carving ability of these skis. It's pretty unexpected.
Versatility
5/5
Lucia L gave 5 of 5 stars. The Armada Strangers have become my daily driver due to how versatile of a ski they are. I can take these out 90% of the days and know they will ride well and be fun. They will surf the snow and pop off bumps on the mushy and slushy days. I don't ride through the park often, but they are always fun and buttery. The only limitation would be in powder, where I prefer a stiffer and wider ski. That being said, the wider nose gives them a good enough float to survive the not-so-deep days.
Flotation
4/5
Lucia L gave 4 of 5 stars. While the Strangers do great as a front-side, all-mountain ski, they are a little limited in the flotation department. While the 100mm waist does a decent job floating in not-so-deep stuff, once it gets more than 8", the skis dip down a little. They are heavy skis with lots of flex, so they charge through and come back up, but if skiers are looking for a true "slashy" ski, something with a wider waist and stiffer flex might be more ideal.
FAQs
What do you love about this product?
Lucia L My favorite feature about the Strangers is their 15m turn radius. This makes the ski so fun and snappy on a groomer, even on those icy days when there is little to ride.
Why did you choose this product?
Lucia L I chose these skis as they are the ideal mix between a fun, playful ski with lots of flex and a charging groomer ski that will lay a nice carve.
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