Expert Comparison: Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2024 vs Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis · 2024
VS
Side by side comparison | Out of stock | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
Price | $419.99 40% off | from:$419.97 40% off |
User rating | 5(1) | -- |
The Curated Take | Best for experienced skiers looking for a versatile all-mountain ski that excels in various conditions. | Best for skiers who want a versatile all-mountain ski that excels on groomed runs and firmer snow, and who enjoy high-speed turns. |
Ski type | Freeride, Carving, All Mountain | All Mountain |
Skill level | Expert, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
Welcome, ski enthusiasts! Today, we're comparing two top-notch skis: the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis, both 2024 models. These skis are both excellent choices for intermediate to advanced skiers who love to carve up groomers and occasionally venture off-piste.
The Völkl Kendo 88 is a fast, edge-to-edge ski that thrives in carving and offers a unique 3D turn radius for versatile turning options. It's a stable, damp, and responsive ski that's perfect for those who love speed and precision. However, it's not the most playful or forgiving ski, and it's not ideal for deep powder or freestyle skiing.
On the other hand, the Blizzard Brahma 88 is a stiff all-mountain charger that's great for hard chargers who love skiing through the tip of the ski with a lot of forward pressure. It's a heavy ski that's not as poppy or playful as others, but it's incredibly stable and secure, especially at high speeds.
Both skis are excellent choices for advanced skiers who love to carve and charge down the mountain. However, they cater to slightly different preferences and styles. Read on for a more detailed comparison!
Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2024 summary
The Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are a directional, frontside, on-piste, freeride jammin’ ski that lives up to its claims. Tested at the beautiful Copper Mountain in mid-April, these skis proved to be very fast edge-to-edge. The 3D turn radius is intuitive, allowing for both long, GS, fall line, arc style turns and tighter turns in bumps or on groomed runs.
The Kendo 88 features a 3D radius sidecut, which in the 184 length, has a 31m turn radius up in front of the foot, a 17m turn radius under the foot, and a 26m turn radius in the back. This unique design creates an easy turning ski. The ski's multilayer wood core, carbon fiber weave in the tip, and tailored titanal frame make it very stable, damp, and responsive, with zero chatter.
While the Kendo 88 is a blast for carving, it's not the most playful ski. It's not particularly buttery or forgiving, and while it has a good amount of pop, it's not designed for freestyle skiing. It does have a little early rise in the tail, so you can ski these switch on groomed runs, but it's not recommended for ungroomed runs or powder.
In terms of freeride performance, the Kendo 88 is not the best off-trail ski in 5+ inches of powder due to its lack of early rise and 88mm underfoot. However, it performs well in uneven terrain, moguls, chop, and trees.
The Kendo 88 is recommended for intermediate to advanced level skiers who mainly stay on groomed trails and occasionally ski bumps. It's not the best choice for beginners or those looking for a ski that's good on and off the trail.
The Volkl Kendo has the 3D radius sidecut - what is that? In the 184 length, it’s a 31m turn radius up in front of the foot, 17m turn radius under the foot, and in the back it's a 26m turn radius. This is very unique. Volkl has been playing around combining this, and it essentially creates a very easy turning ski!
The Volkl Kendo has the 3D radius sidecut - what is that? In the 184 length, it’s a 31m turn radius up in front of the foot, 17m turn radius under the foot, and in the back it's a 26m turn radius. This is very unique. Volkl has been playing around combining this, and it essentially creates a very easy turning ski!
Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2024
- We price match
- Returnable
Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis · 2024 summary
The Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis are a narrow all-mountain ski that's great for an Eastern skier or a firm snow ski for a Western skier. It's a stiff all-mountain charger that's perfect for hard chargers who like skiing through the tip of the ski with a lot of forward pressure on their boots.
The Brahma 88 is a heavy ski that's not as poppy or playful as others, but it's incredibly stable and secure, especially at high speeds. It's not a freestyle ski, but it can handle jumps and side hits with ease. It's a damper ski that's designed to absorb vibration, and the skier has to give the ski a little bit more direction.
The Brahma 88 is not the best choice for deep powder or for those looking for a twin tip ski. However, it's a reliable and confidence-inspiring ski for skiers who want to explore the entire mountain. It's a great ski for an East Coast skier who likes to carve big turns and dive into the fall line.
The Brahma 88 is a great ski for strong advanced to expert skiers. It really wants to be driven hard and doesn't like to be skied at slow to moderate paces. It's a great ski for an East Coast skier who likes to carve big turns and dive into the fall line.
The Blizzard Brahma would be a great ski for an East Coast skier who likes to carve big turns and dive into the fall line. It's the kind of ski if you like to put a ski on edge, ride down the fall line, and then at the end of a steep pitch, say to yourself, “I am Batman.”
The Blizzard Brahma would be a great ski for an East Coast skier who likes to carve big turns and dive into the fall line. It's the kind of ski if you like to put a ski on edge, ride down the fall line, and then at the end of a steep pitch, say to yourself, “I am Batman.”
Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis · 2024
- We price match
- Returnable
Similarities
The Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis share several similarities. Both are all-mountain skis designed for intermediate to advanced skiers. They both excel on groomed runs and firmer snow, offering excellent grip and stability.
Both skis feature a reduced rocker profile and two sheets of metal, providing a smooth and stable ride. They're both designed for high-speed turns and can handle jumps and side hits with ease.
Both skis are not ideal for deep powder or for those looking for a playful or freestyle ski. They're both more suited to carving and charging down the mountain.
Finally, both skis are not the best choice for beginners. They're designed for skiers who want to drive hard and ski at high speeds.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis share many similarities, they also have some key differences.
The Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are a very fast edge-to-edge ski with a unique 3D turn radius that allows for versatile turning options. They're a bit more forgiving and approachable, making them a good choice for intermediate skiers who are looking to progress. They're also a good choice for skiers who like to ski bumps every now and then.
On the other hand, the Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis are a stiff all-mountain charger that's perfect for hard chargers who like skiing through the tip of the ski with a lot of forward pressure. They're a heavier ski that's not as poppy or playful as others, but they're incredibly stable and secure, especially at high speeds. They're a great choice for strong advanced to expert skiers who want to drive hard and ski at high speeds.
In terms of persona, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are perfect for the intermediate to advanced skier who loves speed and precision but also wants a bit of versatility. The Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis, on the other hand, are ideal for the hard-charging advanced to expert skier who loves to carve big turns and dive into the fall line.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When comparing the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis, the winner depends on the specific dimension we're looking at:
Versatility: The Völkl Kendo 88 Skis take the win here with their unique 3D turn radius that allows for versatile turning options. They're a bit more forgiving and approachable, making them a good choice for a wider range of skiers.
Stability: Both skis offer excellent stability, but the Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis edge out the competition with their stiff all-mountain charger design. They're incredibly stable and secure, especially at high speeds.
Carving: Both skis excel in carving, but the Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis take the win here. They're designed for hard chargers who love to carve big turns and dive into the fall line.
Playfulness: Neither ski is particularly playful, but the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are a bit more forgiving and approachable, making them a better choice for skiers who want a bit of playfulness in their ride.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis are excellent choices for intermediate to advanced skiers who love to carve up groomers and occasionally venture off-piste.
The Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are a fast, edge-to-edge ski that thrives in carving and offers a unique 3D turn radius for versatile turning options. They're a bit more forgiving and approachable, making them a good choice for intermediate skiers who are looking to progress.
On the other hand, the Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis are a stiff all-mountain charger that's perfect for hard chargers who like skiing through the tip of the ski with a lot of forward pressure. They're a heavier ski that's not as poppy or playful as others, but they're incredibly stable and secure, especially at high speeds.
Ultimately, the best ski for you depends on your personal preferences and skiing style. If you love speed and precision and want a bit of versatility, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are a great choice. If you're a hard charger who loves to carve big turns and dive into the fall line, the Blizzard Brahma 88 Skis are the way to go. Either way, you're sure to have a blast on the slopes!
