Expert Comparison: Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023 vs Armada Declivity 92 Ti Skis · 2023
VS
Side by side comparison | Out of stock | Out of stock |
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Price | $419.99 40% off | $419.97 40% off |
User rating | 5(1) | 5(15) |
Ski type | Carving, All Mountain, Freeride | All Mountain |
Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced | Advanced, Expert |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker | Rocker/Camber |
Tail profile | Partial twin tip | Flat |
In the world of all-mountain skis, the Völkl Kendo 88 and Armada Declivity 92 Ti are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced riders and offer a blend of performance, agility, and versatility. The Kendo 88 is known for its stability at high speeds and excellent performance on groomers and hardpacked snow, while the Declivity 92 Ti is praised for its carving prowess and stability in various conditions. However, the Kendo 88 may not be ideal for fresh powder days due to its narrower waist width, and the Declivity 92 Ti might not be the best choice for beginners due to its stiffness. In the end, the choice between these two skis will depend on your personal preferences and skiing style.
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. However, they may not offer enough float for fresh powder days due to their 88mm underfoot, and their extremely firm flex rating creates stability but sacrifices forgiveness and playfulness.
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
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The Armada Declivity 92 Ti skis are designed to handle a little bit of everything. Whether you're charging hard on fresh corduroy or ripping through trees and off-piste, these skis are up to the task. They feature a Caruba wood core paired with Titanal banding, a unique Titanal layup that gives the ski more energy and power transmission than a typical Titanal layer. This construction results in a ski that's not overly heavy or burly, but still stiff enough to provide a predictable flex pattern and excellent edge hold.
The Declivity 92 Ti skis are great for carving, with a lot of camber underfoot and a 17.5-meter turning radius that allows for quick edge-to-edge transitions and a variety of turn shapes. They hold an edge well and remain stable at high speeds, with minimal chatter even on firmer snow. The skis also have a slight early rise in the tip, which can help with float in softer snow conditions.
While the Declivity 92 Ti skis are not specifically designed for park riding or deep powder, they are versatile enough to handle a range of conditions and terrain. They're not the highest-performance ski in any one category, but they're a strong competitor in all of them.
Armada's Declivity 92 Ti is designed for the advanced rider. The only reason I say that it is a burly ski that takes a lot; the ski's going to push you around. I think this ski would be best for an East Coast skier who is definitely an intermediate-to-advanced rider.
Armada's Declivity 92 Ti is designed for the advanced rider. The only reason I say that it is a burly ski that takes a lot; the ski's going to push you around. I think this ski would be best for an East Coast skier who is definitely an intermediate-to-advanced rider.
Armada Declivity 92 Ti Skis · 2023
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- Returnable
Similarities
Both the Völkl Kendo 88 and the Armada Declivity 92 Ti are all-mountain skis designed for advanced skiers. They both feature a combination of wood and Titanal in their construction, which provides stability, dampness, and power transmission. Both skis are known for their excellent edge hold and stability at high speeds, making them great options for carving on groomed runs.
In terms of performance, both skis excel in a variety of conditions, with an emphasis on groomers and hardpacked snow. They both have a slight rocker in the tip and tail for added maneuverability and turn initiation, and they both offer a smooth and confident ride at higher speeds.
Both skis also have a similar turning radius, allowing for a variety of turn shapes and quick edge-to-edge transitions. They're both versatile enough to handle a range of conditions and terrain, although they may not be the best choice for deep powder or park riding.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While the Völkl Kendo 88 and Armada Declivity 92 Ti have many similarities, they also have some key differences that make them suited to different types of skiers. The Kendo 88, with its 88mm waist width, is a bit narrower than the Declivity 92 Ti, making it more agile and quick edge-to-edge. This makes the Kendo 88 a great choice for skiers who spend most of their time on groomed runs and hardpacked snow. However, its narrower waist width means it may not offer enough float for fresh powder days.
On the other hand, the Declivity 92 Ti, with its 92mm waist width, offers a bit more float in softer snow conditions. It also features a unique Titanal layup that gives the ski more energy and power transmission, making it a great option for skiers who like to charge hard and fast. However, its stiffness may make it less forgiving and more challenging for beginner skiers.
In terms of persona, the Kendo 88 is ideal for advanced to expert skiers who love ripping groomers and want a ski that offers stability and power at high speeds. The Declivity 92 Ti, on the other hand, is best suited for intermediate to advanced skiers who want a versatile all-mountain ski that can handle a bit of everything.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When comparing the Völkl Kendo 88 and Armada Declivity 92 Ti, it's clear that both skis excel in their own ways. However, if we break it down into four dimensions - performance on groomers, versatility, stability at high speeds, and forgiveness - we can see some clear winners.
- Performance on Groomers: Both skis perform well on groomers, but the Kendo 88's emphasis on groomers and hardpacked snow gives it a slight edge in this category.
- Versatility: The Declivity 92 Ti takes the win here, with its wider waist width and unique Titanal layup allowing it to handle a wider range of conditions and terrain.
- Stability at High Speeds: Both skis offer excellent stability at high speeds, but the Kendo 88's reputation for stability and confidence at higher speeds gives it the win in this category.
- Forgiveness: The Declivity 92 Ti, with its more forgiving flex pattern and playful tip and tail, is the clear winner in this category.
Overall, the choice between the two will depend on your personal preferences and skiing style. If you prioritize performance on groomers and stability at high speeds, the Kendo 88 may be the better choice. However, if you value versatility and forgiveness, the Declivity 92 Ti could be the ski for you.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Völkl Kendo 88 and Armada Declivity 92 Ti are excellent all-mountain skis that offer a blend of performance, agility, and versatility. The Kendo 88 shines on groomers and hardpacked snow, offering stability and power at high speeds. The Declivity 92 Ti, on the other hand, stands out for its versatility and forgiveness, making it a great option for skiers who want a ski that can handle a bit of everything.
Ultimately, the choice between these two skis will depend on your personal preferences and skiing style. If you're an advanced to expert skier who loves ripping groomers and wants a ski that offers stability and power at high speeds, the Kendo 88 could be the ski for you. If you're an intermediate to advanced skier who wants a versatile all-mountain ski that can handle a bit of everything, the Declivity 92 Ti could be a great choice. Either way, you're sure to have a blast on the slopes with either of these skis!