Expert Comparison: Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023 vs Fischer Ranger 90 Skis · 2024
VS
Side by side comparison | Out of stock | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
Price | $419.99 40% off | $449.99 40% off |
User rating | 5(1) | -- |
The Curated Take | -- | Best for intermediate to lower advanced skiers wanting a versatile ski for various terrains and conditions. |
Ski type | Carving, All Mountain, Freeride | All Mountain |
Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
In the world of all-mountain skis, two models stand out: the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023 and the Fischer Ranger 90 Skis · 2024. Both are versatile, high-performance skis designed for advanced skiers who want to conquer a variety of terrains. The Kendo 88 skis are known for their stability at high speeds, excellent edge control, and responsiveness, making them ideal for groomers and hardpacked snow. On the other hand, the Ranger 90 skis are lightweight, maneuverable, and forgiving, making them perfect for intermediate skiers looking to improve their skills in moguls, trees, and steeper terrain. While both skis have their strengths, the Kendo 88 skis are more suited for advanced to expert skiers who spend most of their time on groomed runs, while the Ranger 90 skis are more forgiving and versatile, making them a great choice for intermediate to lower advanced skiers.
Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023 summary
The Völkl Kendo 88 skis are a versatile all-mountain option that offers a combination of performance and agility on a variety of terrain. With an 88mm waist width, these skis strike a balance between carving on groomed runs and maneuverability in variable conditions. The construction of the Kendo 88 skis incorporates high-quality materials to optimize performance. They feature a wood core combined with layers of titanal metal, which provides stability, dampness, and power transmission. This construction enhances the ski's responsiveness, edge hold, and overall performance.
In terms of on-snow performance, the Kendo 88 skis excel in a variety of conditions with more of an emphasis on groomers and hardpacked snow. Their light amount of camber underfoot provides reliable edge grip and precise carving on firm snow, while the slight rocker in the tip and tail adds maneuverability and helps with turn initiation. This combination makes them effective on groomed runs, moguls, and even lighter amounts of soft snow. The Kendo 88 skis are known for their stability at higher speeds, offering a smooth and confident ride. Their construction and shape contribute to excellent energy transfer and edge control, allowing for powerful turns and a solid connection with the snow.
These are going to carve like crazy, and still let you hit the fresh snow, Groomers to trees lets do it with these. But these still have a wider shovel up front with a bit of rocker to handle some boot top powder if there's an unexpected storm. They are agile and quick edge-to-edge, but if you want to arc them fast down wide open groomers, they'll stay stable and confident. These have Volkl's "3D turn radii", meaning that you have 3 different turn radii packed into one ski. So you can make short quick turns, or long GS style turns.
These are going to carve like crazy, and still let you hit the fresh snow, Groomers to trees lets do it with these. But these still have a wider shovel up front with a bit of rocker to handle some boot top powder if there's an unexpected storm. They are agile and quick edge-to-edge, but if you want to arc them fast down wide open groomers, they'll stay stable and confident. These have Volkl's "3D turn radii", meaning that you have 3 different turn radii packed into one ski. So you can make short quick turns, or long GS style turns.
Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023
- We price match
- Returnable
Fischer Ranger 90 Skis · 2024 summary
The Fischer Ranger 90 skis are a fantastic all-mountain ski that is extremely light and maneuverable, making it perfect for navigating through trees and tight terrain. The skis have a more forgiving flex, which is great for pivoting and slashing, and is also easy for those who are not experts to ski. The metal in the ski helps to hold an edge while skiing, and it can hold an edge well even though it is 90 underfoot. It performs well in off-piste conditions. This ski likes to be quick and is extremely agile while going through turns. While it doesn't hold up amazingly for super super fast turns, it is much more versatile to accommodate a wide variety of skiing styles.
The Ranger 90 is a bridge ski between narrow carving skis and bigger all-mountain skis, making it a great option for intermediate to lower advanced skiers looking to improve their skills in moguls, trees, and steeper terrain. It has a sandwiched sidewall construction, freeski rocker, and Titanal reinforcements for excellent all-mountain performance.
The fischer ranger 90 is a great all mountain ski. It is extremely light and maneuverable which helps a ton for maneuvering through trees and tight terrain. A more forgiving flex is great for pivoting and slashing while also being easy for those who are not experts to ski. Metal in the ski helps to hold an edge while skiing. It can hold an edge well and even though it is 90 underfoot it does well in off piste conditions. This ski likes to be quick and is extremely agile while going through turns.
The fischer ranger 90 is a great all mountain ski. It is extremely light and maneuverable which helps a ton for maneuvering through trees and tight terrain. A more forgiving flex is great for pivoting and slashing while also being easy for those who are not experts to ski. Metal in the ski helps to hold an edge while skiing. It can hold an edge well and even though it is 90 underfoot it does well in off piste conditions. This ski likes to be quick and is extremely agile while going through turns.
Fischer Ranger 90 Skis · 2024
- We price match
- Returnable
Similarities
Both the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Fischer Ranger 90 Skis are designed for all-mountain skiing, offering versatility and performance across a variety of terrains. They both feature advanced construction techniques and materials, including a wood core and metal layers, to enhance stability, dampness, and power transmission. Both skis are designed to excel in a variety of conditions, with an emphasis on groomers and hardpacked snow. They both offer a balance of carving ability and maneuverability, with features like camber underfoot for edge grip and precise carving, and rocker in the tip and tail for turn initiation and maneuverability. Both skis are also known for their stability at high speeds and excellent energy transfer and edge control.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While both skis are designed for all-mountain skiing, they cater to different types of skiers. The Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are more suited for advanced to expert skiers who spend most of their time on groomed runs. They are known for their stability at high speeds, excellent edge control, and responsiveness. They are not ideal for fresh powder days due to their 88mm underfoot, and their extremely firm flex rating creates stability but sacrifices forgiveness and playfulness.
On the other hand, the Fischer Ranger 90 Skis are more forgiving and versatile, making them a great choice for intermediate to lower advanced skiers. They are extremely light and maneuverable, which helps a ton for maneuvering through trees and tight terrain. They are not ideal for skiing powder or for hard charging skiers who want a stiffer ski.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When it comes to stability at high speeds, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis take the lead. Their construction and shape contribute to excellent energy transfer and edge control, allowing for powerful turns and a solid connection with the snow. For maneuverability, the Fischer Ranger 90 Skis come out on top. They are extremely light and agile, making them perfect for navigating through trees and tight terrain.
In terms of versatility, the Fischer Ranger 90 Skis have the edge. They are more forgiving and can accommodate a wide variety of skiing styles, making them a great choice for intermediate to lower advanced skiers. However, for performance on groomed runs and hardpacked snow, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis excel. Their light amount of camber underfoot provides reliable edge grip and precise carving on firm snow.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Fischer Ranger 90 Skis are excellent all-mountain skis that cater to different types of skiers. The Kendo 88 skis are more suited for advanced to expert skiers who spend most of their time on groomed runs, while the Ranger 90 skis are more forgiving and versatile, making them a great choice for intermediate to lower advanced skiers. Both skis offer a balance of carving ability and maneuverability, with features designed to enhance stability, dampness, and power transmission. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your skiing style and the conditions you typically ski in.
