Expert Comparison: Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2024 vs Atomic Maverick 88 Ti Skis · 2024
VS
Side by side comparison | Out of stock | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
Price | $419.99 40% off | $389.97 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 prioritize stability and power at high speeds. |
Ski type | Freeride, Carving, All Mountain | All Mountain |
Skill level | Expert, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
In the world of skiing, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and Atomic Maverick 88 Ti Skis are two top contenders for the 2024 season. Both skis are designed for advanced riders who crave speed, stability, and versatility. The Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are praised for their fast edge-to-edge performance and their ability to handle a variety of turn styles, thanks to their unique 3D turn radius. On the other hand, the Atomic Maverick 88 Ti Skis are lauded for their stability and power, with a wood core and layers of titanal metal that provide a solid and responsive ride. Both skis excel in carving and offer a versatile all-mountain rocker profile. However, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are more recommended for those who primarily stay on groomed trails, while the Atomic Maverick 88 Ti Skis are a fantastic daily driver for icy hardpack days and can handle occasional off-piste adventures.
Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2024 summary
The Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are a force to be reckoned with on the slopes. These skis are designed for speed and versatility, making them a top choice for advanced skiers. The brand claims that this is your directional, frontside, on-piste, freeride jammin’ ski - and it checks out! The Kendo 88 Skis are built with a multilayer wood core, a bit of carbon fiber weave in the tip, and the tailored titanal frame, creating a very stable, damp, and responsive ski.
One of the standout features of the Kendo 88 Skis is the 3D turn radius. This innovative design allows for a variety of turn styles, from long, GS, fall line, arc style turns to tighter turns in bumps or on groomed runs. The 3D radius sidecut, which varies in the 184 length, creates a very easy turning ski.
When it comes to carving, the Kendo 88 Skis are a blast. They thrive on the corduroy, offering zero chatter and a fast edge-to-edge performance. However, they are not the most playful ski and are not designed for freestyle skiing.
In terms of freeride performance, the Kendo 88 Skis do well in uneven terrain, moguls, and trees, but they are not the best off-trail ski in 5+ inches of powder. Despite this, they are recommended for intermediate to advanced level skiers who mainly stay on groomed trails and enjoy skiing bumps every now and then.
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
The Atomic Maverick 88 Ti Skis are a powerhouse on the mountain. These skis are designed for stability and power, making them a top choice for advanced skiers. The brand calls the Maverick 88 Ti a narrow directional all-mountain ski, and it lives up to this claim. The Maverick 88 Ti Skis are built with a wood core and layers of titanal metal, providing a solid and responsive ride.
One of the standout features of the Maverick 88 Ti Skis is their carving capabilities. With a 19.5-meter turn radius, these skis are ideal for medium turns, but they are also surprisingly maneuverable for shorter turns. The edge hold is great, offering a nice amount of rebound and energy out of the turn for an 88-millimeter waisted ski.
When it comes to freestyle performance, the Maverick 88 Ti Skis are not designed for the park. They are fairly heavy and not particularly poppy. However, they can handle the occasional jump.
In terms of freeride performance, the Maverick 88 Ti Skis are fairly maneuverable for a directional ski. They perform well on groomed terrain and are recommended for strong skiers who ski mostly in the East. However, they are not ideal for deep powder or park skiing.
On my first run, I took this ski down a trail that had about half an inch of fresh snow over a fairly hard surface that had refrozen from the night before. I was really impressed when I was trying to hold an edge on that surface. The ski was able to hold an edge, but it was also capable of smearing turns very well, which isn't always true of a ski this narrow.
On my first run, I took this ski down a trail that had about half an inch of fresh snow over a fairly hard surface that had refrozen from the night before. I was really impressed when I was trying to hold an edge on that surface. The ski was able to hold an edge, but it was also capable of smearing turns very well, which isn't always true of a ski this narrow.
Atomic Maverick 88 Ti Skis · 2024
- We price match
- Returnable
Similarities
The Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and Atomic Maverick 88 Ti Skis share several similarities. Both skis are designed for advanced skiers and are built for stability and power. They both have a wood core and layers of metal, providing a solid and responsive ride. Both skis excel in carving and offer a versatile all-mountain rocker profile. They are both agile and quick edge-to-edge, making them great for moguls. Both skis are also not designed for freestyle skiing and are not ideal for deep powder days.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and Atomic Maverick 88 Ti Skis share many similarities, they also have some key differences. The Kendo 88 Skis are known for their fast edge-to-edge performance and their ability to handle a variety of turn styles, thanks to their unique 3D turn radius. They are recommended for skiers who primarily stay on groomed trails and enjoy skiing bumps every now and then.
On the other hand, the Maverick 88 Ti Skis are lauded for their stability and power. They are a fantastic daily driver for icy hardpack days and can handle occasional off-piste adventures. They are recommended for strong skiers who ski mostly in the East.
In terms of persona, the Kendo 88 Skis are perfect for the speed-loving, advanced skier who enjoys a variety of turn styles and primarily stays on groomed trails. The Maverick 88 Ti Skis, on the other hand, are ideal for the power-seeking, advanced skier who wants a daily driver for icy hardpack days and occasional off-piste adventures.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When comparing the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and Atomic Maverick 88 Ti Skis, the winner depends on the specific dimension being considered:
- Speed and Stability: Both skis offer excellent stability and power, but the Kendo 88 Skis are known for their fast edge-to-edge performance, making them the winner in this dimension.
- Versatility: Both skis offer a versatile all-mountain rocker profile. However, the Maverick 88 Ti Skis are a fantastic daily driver for icy hardpack days and can handle occasional off-piste adventures, making them the winner in this dimension.
- Carving: Both skis excel in carving, but the Kendo 88 Skis offer a unique 3D turn radius that allows for a variety of turn styles, making them the winner in this dimension.
- Off-Piste Performance: While neither ski is ideal for deep powder days, the Maverick 88 Ti Skis can handle occasional off-piste adventures, making them the winner in this dimension.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and Atomic Maverick 88 Ti Skis are top contenders for the 2024 season. They both offer stability, power, and versatility, making them excellent choices for advanced skiers. The Kendo 88 Skis stand out for their fast edge-to-edge performance and unique 3D turn radius, making them a top choice for skiers who primarily stay on groomed trails. The Maverick 88 Ti Skis, on the other hand, are a fantastic daily driver for icy hardpack days and can handle occasional off-piste adventures, making them a top choice for strong skiers who ski mostly in the East. Ultimately, the best ski depends on the specific needs and preferences of the skier.
