Expert Comparison: Völkl Kenja 88 Skis · Women's · 2023 vs Armada Reliance 88 C Skis · Women's · 2023
VS
Side by side comparison | Out of stock | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
Price | $418.93 40% off | $398.93 49% off |
User rating | 5(1) | -- |
The Curated Take | -- | Best for beginner and intermediate riders looking to cruise on groomers due to its easy edge shifting and carving abilities. |
Ski type | All Mountain, Freeride | All Mountain |
Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
In the world of women's all-mountain skis, two models stand out for the 2023 season: the Völkl Kenja 88 and the Armada Reliance 88 C. Both skis are designed for lady shredders who love to ski the whole mountain with speed and precision. The Völkl Kenja 88 is a versatile ski that offers stability, speed, and playfulness, making it perfect for East Coast skiers or those who prefer groomers. On the other hand, the Armada Reliance 88 C is a lightweight, quick, and snappy all-mountain ski that offers pop and response, making it a reliable and high-performing ski for all-day use. While both skis have their strengths, the Völkl Kenja 88 edges out the Armada Reliance 88 C in terms of stability and versatility, making it the winner of this comparison.
The Völkl Kenja 88 Skis are a top choice for lady shredders who love to ski the whole mountain with speed and precision. With its 3D radius sidecut, rocker tip and tail, and Tailored Carbon Tips and Tailored Titanal Frame, this ski offers stability, speed, and playfulness. It's perfect for East Coast skiers or those who prefer groomers, but can also handle variable snow and powder. Its redesigned geometry and increased tip rocker make it a top choice for all-mountain skiing.
The 88mm underfoot allows for snappy edge to edge transitions and domination on hardpack. The 3D radius sidecut allows for changing turn radii based on speed and edge angle, providing versatility in different terrains. The rocker tip and tail provide float in variable snow and woods, while the Titanal Frame and carbon tips add stability without sacrificing playfulness.
These skis will give you all you are looking for and all you didn't realize you needed, I put these in at 163 they do have a rocker tip and tail so that means less ski on the snow, which makes them feel a bit shorter than the full length.
These skis will give you all you are looking for and all you didn't realize you needed, I put these in at 163 they do have a rocker tip and tail so that means less ski on the snow, which makes them feel a bit shorter than the full length.
Völkl Kenja 88 Skis · Women's · 2023
- We price match
- Returnable
The Armada Reliance 88 C Skis are perfect for intermediate to advanced female skiers who want a lightweight, quick, and snappy all-mountain ski. With a Caruba wood core and carbon stringers, these skis offer pop and response while the EST All-Mountain Rocker provides versatility in all conditions. The 88 mm waist and early rise tip make it easy to carve and handle variable terrain, while the cambered tail allows for powerful turns.
These skis are easy to shift edge to edge and are pretty light underfoot. They are a bit limited to speed and steepness of terrain, though. When traveling at high speeds on steeper terrain, the edge hold is a bit sketchy, and you really have to push into them to make sure you don't go flying.
I took the Armada Reliance 88s out a few times in the 2023 season around Crystal Mountain. I used them on hard-pack days where the snow was closer to concrete than anything else. These skis did a good job of getting on their edges and holding a firm place, especially on the intermediate and beginner terrain.
I took the Armada Reliance 88s out a few times in the 2023 season around Crystal Mountain. I used them on hard-pack days where the snow was closer to concrete than anything else. These skis did a good job of getting on their edges and holding a firm place, especially on the intermediate and beginner terrain.
Armada Reliance 88 C Skis · Women's · 2023
- We price match
- Returnable
Similarities
Both the Völkl Kenja 88 and the Armada Reliance 88 C are designed for women who love to ski the whole mountain with speed and precision. They both have a waist width of 88mm, which allows for snappy edge to edge transitions and domination on hardpack. Both skis also feature a rocker tip and tail, which provides float in variable snow and woods.
In terms of construction, both skis utilize advanced materials to enhance performance. The Völkl Kenja 88 features a Titanal Frame and carbon tips for added stability without sacrificing playfulness, while the Armada Reliance 88 C uses a Caruba wood core and carbon stringers for pop and response.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While both skis are designed for all-mountain skiing, they cater to slightly different personas. The Völkl Kenja 88 is perfect for lady shredders who want stability, speed, and playfulness on the whole mountain. Its 3D radius sidecut allows for changing turn radii based on speed and edge angle, making it a versatile ski for any terrain.
On the other hand, the Armada Reliance 88 C is ideal for intermediate to advanced female skiers who want a lightweight, quick, and snappy all-mountain ski. It's a bit more forgiving and is a great option for those who are less aggressive and looking to cruise on the groomers.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When comparing the Völkl Kenja 88 and the Armada Reliance 88 C, the Völkl Kenja 88 comes out on top in terms of stability, versatility, speed, and playfulness. Its 3D radius sidecut, rocker tip and tail, and Tailored Carbon Tips and Tailored Titanal Frame offer superior stability and speed, making it a top choice for all-mountain skiing.
In terms of versatility, the Völkl Kenja 88's 3D radius sidecut allows for changing turn radii based on speed and edge angle, providing versatility in different terrains. The Armada Reliance 88 C, while also versatile, is a bit more limited in terms of speed and steepness of terrain.
In terms of playfulness, both skis offer a playful ride, but the Völkl Kenja 88's Titanal Frame and carbon tips add stability without sacrificing playfulness, giving it the edge over the Armada Reliance 88 C.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Völkl Kenja 88 and the Armada Reliance 88 C are excellent choices for women who love to ski the whole mountain with speed and precision. However, the Völkl Kenja 88 edges out the Armada Reliance 88 C in terms of stability, versatility, speed, and playfulness, making it the winner of this comparison. Whether you're an East Coast skier who prefers groomers or a lady shredder who loves to ski the whole mountain, the Völkl Kenja 88 is a versatile and high-performing ski that won't disappoint.
