In the world of all-mountain skis, the Völkl Kendo 88 and Atomic Maverick 86 C are two top contenders. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers and offer a blend of performance features that make them versatile and fun to ride. The Völkl Kendo 88 is a stiff all-mountain charger with a narrow waist and Titanal throughout, making it a fantastic choice for east coast skiers who spend a lot of time carving on groomers. On the other hand, the Atomic Maverick 86 C is a more forgiving ski with a lively flex and stability at high speeds, perfect for carving on corduroy and handling various terrain. While both skis are excellent choices, the Völkl Kendo 88 is the winner for its superior edge hold and stability in turns. However, the Atomic Maverick 86 C is a great option for those looking for a more forgiving and versatile ski.

Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2024 summary

The Völkl Kendo 88 is a narrow all-mountain ski that is designed to be a stiff all-mountain charger. It features Titanal throughout, which gives it a stiff and responsive feel. This ski is perfect for east coast skiers who spend a lot of their time carving on groomers. It holds an edge like nobody's business and has a lot of energy in and out of the turn.

The Kendo 88 has a little bit of tip rocker to help with turn initiation and float in softer snow. It has an 88-millimeter waist and a fairly mellow side cut. The ski has a 16-meter turn radius, which is great for short to medium turns. It's perfect for the kind of turns you're going to want to make on groomed Eastern terrain.

This ski is very stable in the turn. It's a very damp ski that can handle a range of conditions. It's great in hard snow, good in soft snow, and a little bit too stiff for super manky snow. The Titanal layer on foot absorbs the vibration, so you won't feel any chatter while skiing.

The Kendo 88 is ideal for groomed terrain in the east or anything firmer in the west. They are a solid mogul ski for an expert mogul skier. However, they might not be the best choice in deep powder or manky snow.

Atomic Maverick 86 C Skis · 2024 summary

The Atomic Maverick 86 C is a versatile all-mountain ski that is perfect for experienced skiers who enjoy powerful turns on any terrain. It has a lively flex and stability at high speeds, making it perfect for carving on corduroy and handling various terrain. The OMatic Construction and Flow Profile make for a lightweight and easy-to-handle ski, making it a great choice for confident skiing in any condition.

The Maverick 86 C is a bit more forgiving than the Kendo 88, making it a great choice for intermediate skiers looking to improve their skills. It's also a great option for advanced skiers who value quickness and maneuverability in their ski.

This ski is more at home making tighter, more controlled turns than really laid out, long, high-speed turns. It really holds a great edge and is definitely a little bit stiffer. However, when it gets up to higher speeds, it can be a little chattery.

The Maverick 86 C is a great ski for the progressing beginner all the way to the advanced skier. It’s a great all-mountain, one ski quiver on the East Coast that’s more forgiving than stiffer, more aggressive, metal-based skis.

Similarities

Both the Völkl Kendo 88 and the Atomic Maverick 86 C are all-mountain skis designed for advanced to expert skiers. They both excel in carving on groomers and can handle a variety of terrain. Both skis are agile and quick edge-to-edge, making them great for moguls. They both offer stability at high speeds and have a lively flex that gets you in and out of turns quickly. Both skis are also versatile, with the ability to handle hard snow, soft snow, and even some powder.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are excellent all-mountain options, they cater to slightly different skier personas. The Völkl Kendo 88 is a stiff all-mountain charger that is perfect for east coast skiers who spend a lot of their time carving on groomers. It's a bit stiffer and more demanding, making it a great choice for advanced to expert skiers who want a ski that can handle a range of conditions with stability and precision.

On the other hand, the Atomic Maverick 86 C is a bit more forgiving and versatile, making it a great choice for intermediate skiers looking to improve their skills. It's also a great option for advanced skiers who value quickness and maneuverability in their ski. The Maverick 86 C is more at home making tighter, more controlled turns and is a bit more approachable for skiers who are still mastering their skills.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to carving, the Völkl Kendo 88 takes the win with its superior edge hold and stability in turns. For versatility, the Atomic Maverick 86 C comes out on top with its forgiving flex and ability to handle a variety of terrain. In terms of maneuverability, both skis are agile and quick edge-to-edge, making them great for moguls. However, the Atomic Maverick 86 C is a bit more forgiving, making it a better choice for intermediate skiers. Finally, for stability at high speeds, both skis offer a confident ride, but the Völkl Kendo 88's stiff construction gives it the edge.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl Kendo 88 and the Atomic Maverick 86 C are excellent all-mountain skis that cater to different skier personas. The Völkl Kendo 88 is a stiff all-mountain charger that is perfect for advanced to expert skiers who spend a lot of their time carving on groomers. On the other hand, the Atomic Maverick 86 C is a bit more forgiving and versatile, making it a great choice for intermediate skiers looking to improve their skills. Both skis offer a confident ride with stability at high speeds and are agile and quick edge-to-edge, making them great for moguls. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal skiing style and preferences.