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Expert Comparison: Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023 vs Salomon QST 92 Skis · 2023

Published on 02/11/2024 · 5 min readCompare Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023 and Salomon QST 92 Skis · 2023. Get expert insight below!
Dennis Walton, Ski Expert
Elias Lawson, Ski Expert
Jake Renner, Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Dennis Walton, Elias Lawson, Jake Renner, Gary Neft, Phil Chandler and others

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Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2023
Out of stock
Salomon QST 92 Skis · 2023
Price
$419.99
40% off
$329.97
40% off
User rating
5(1)
4.71(7)
The Curated Take
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Best for modern freeride skiers seeking a versatile, responsive all-mountain ski.

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, the Völkl Kendo 88 and Salomon QST 92 are two top contenders. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers who want to conquer a variety of terrains. The Kendo 88, with its titanal metal construction and 3D turn radius, is a powerhouse on groomers and hardpacked snow, offering stability and precision. The QST 92, on the other hand, is a versatile weapon that excels in carving on trails and hardpack, while also being nimble and playful off-trail. Both skis are praised for their performance, but the Kendo 88 is more suited for those who prioritize stability and power, while the QST 92 is for those who value versatility and playfulness.

The Völkl Kendo 88 skis are a force to be reckoned with on the mountain. These skis are designed with an 88mm waist width, striking 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.

On-snow performance is where the Kendo 88 skis truly shine. They 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.

Dennis Walton
Ski Expert

The Salomon QST 92 skis are a versatile all-mountain option that offers a combination of performance and agility on a variety of terrain. With a 92mm waist width, these skis are designed to handle a wide range of conditions. The QST 92 skis are constructed without metal, making them surprisingly light for an all-mountain ski. This construction, combined with the cork damplifiers in the tip and tail and the carbon material woven into the frame, keeps the ski nimble and playful when going off trail or into more varied terrain, like trees.

In terms of on-snow performance, the QST 92 skis excel in a variety of conditions. They have less rocker in the tip and tail, giving them more effective edge for carving on trails and hardpack. Despite being narrow enough to be considered a carving and trail specialist, these skis are very versatile and can handle a wide range of conditions. They are easy to turn in tight spots and can handle speed with ease.

The QST 92 skis are known for their versatility and playfulness, offering a responsive and supple ride. Their construction and shape contribute to excellent energy transfer and edge control, allowing for powerful turns and a solid connection with the snow.

The QST 92 is a powerful and highly versatile all-mountain weapon, despite it being the narrowest of the QST line. The 92 has less rocker in the tip and tail, giving it more effective edge for carving on trails and hardpack. And though the 92 is narrow enough to be considered a carving and trail specialist, the cork damplifiers in the the tip and tail combined with the carbon material woven into the frame keep the ski very nimble and playful when going off trail or into more varied terrain, like trees.

Elias Lawson
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the Völkl Kendo 88 and Salomon QST 92 skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers who want to conquer a variety of terrains. They both have a waist width in the 88-92mm range, making them versatile for different snow conditions. Both skis are praised for their performance on groomed runs and hardpacked snow, with excellent edge grip and carving abilities. They both feature construction techniques that enhance stability, responsiveness, and power transmission. Both skis are also known for their ability to handle speed with ease, offering a smooth and confident ride.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for all-mountain performance, they cater to slightly different personas. The Völkl Kendo 88 skis, with their titanal metal construction, are more suited for skiers who prioritize stability and power. They are ideal for those who love carving on groomers and hardpacked snow, and who appreciate a ski that can hold its edge with authority even on ice. However, they may not be the best choice for those who frequently ski in fresh powder, as their 88mm underfoot may not offer enough float.

On the other hand, the Salomon QST 92 skis are more versatile and playful, making them a great choice for skiers who value adaptability. They are ideal for those who want a ski that can handle a wide range of conditions, from carving on trails to exploring off-trail terrain. Their light construction without metal makes them easy to maneuver, which is a plus for skiers who enjoy tight turns and quick maneuvers. However, they may not be the best choice for those who prefer a stiffer, more aggressive ski.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to stability, the Völkl Kendo 88 skis take the lead with their titanal metal construction that provides excellent stability, especially at higher speeds. For versatility, the Salomon QST 92 skis come out on top with their ability to handle a wide range of conditions and their playful, nimble nature. In terms of carving ability, both skis perform exceptionally well, but the Kendo 88's 3D turn radius gives it a slight edge. Finally, for weight and maneuverability, the QST 92's light construction without metal makes it the winner, offering intuitive turns in tight spots.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl Kendo 88 and Salomon QST 92 skis are excellent choices for advanced to expert skiers looking for all-mountain performance. The Kendo 88, with its emphasis on stability and power, is a great choice for those who love to carve on groomers and hardpacked snow. The QST 92, with its versatility and playfulness, is ideal for those who want a ski that can handle a wide range of conditions and who value nimbleness and adaptability. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference and the specific conditions and terrain you plan to tackle. Happy skiing!

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