In the world of skiing, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Völkl Deacon 80 Skis + Lowride XL 13 FR Demo GW Bindings, both 2023 models, are two top contenders. The Kendo 88 skis are known for their versatility and agility on a variety of terrains, with a particular emphasis on groomers and hardpacked snow. They offer a smooth and confident ride at higher speeds, thanks to their high-quality construction and design. On the other hand, the Deacon 80 skis are a fantastic performer on hard pack snow, offering excellent edge grip and rebound. They are lively and have no speed limit, making them a dream for weight reduction and precision when turning. Both skis are excellent choices for advanced to expert skiers, but the Kendo 88 skis are more suited for those who prefer groomers and hardpacked snow, while the Deacon 80 skis are ideal for those who love to charge hard on any terrain.

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 be the best choice for fresh powder days due to their 88mm underfoot, and their extremely firm flex rating creates stability but sacrifices forgiveness and playfulness.

Völkl Deacon 80 Skis + Lowride XL 13 FR Demo GW Bindings · 2023 summary

The Völkl Deacon 80 Skis + Lowride XL 13 FR Demo GW Bindings are a fantastic performing overall ski. The 3D Glass technology makes this ski a top performer on hard pack snow, thanks to the multiple layers of glass in both the tip and the tail area. This supplies excellent edge grip and provides a lot of rebound coming out of turns. The slim wood core is a dream for weight reduction and lets you have great control and precision with this ski when turning. This ski is lively and has no speed limit, making it a great choice for advanced skiers who love to charge hard on any terrain.

The Deacon 80 skis are heavier and stiffer than some other options, making them a bit more aggressive. However, they are still manageable at lower speeds and trickier snow conditions. They are not the most ideal for powder, but they will be everything you want for hitting the groomers at speed. The bindings included in the price are designed to sit lower to increase power transmission to the edges of the skis, providing a direct feel and amazing responsiveness.

Similarities

Both the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Völkl Deacon 80 Skis + Lowride XL 13 FR Demo GW Bindings are designed for advanced to expert skiers who love to charge hard on a variety of terrains. They both offer excellent edge grip, rebound, and precision when turning, thanks to their high-quality construction and design. Both skis are known for their stability at higher speeds, offering a smooth and confident ride. They both feature Volkl's "3D turn radii", meaning that you have 3 different turn radii packed into one ski, allowing for a range of turn styles from quick and short to long GS turns.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis are more suited for those who prefer groomers and hardpacked snow. They offer a smooth and confident ride at higher speeds, thanks to their high-quality construction and design. However, they may not be the best choice 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 Völkl Deacon 80 Skis + Lowride XL 13 FR Demo GW Bindings are a fantastic performer on hard pack snow, offering excellent edge grip and rebound. They are lively and have no speed limit, making them a dream for weight reduction and precision when turning. They are not the most ideal for powder, but they will be everything you want for hitting the groomers at speed. The bindings included in the price are designed to sit lower to increase power transmission to the edges of the skis, providing a direct feel and amazing responsiveness.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility and agility on a variety of terrains, the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis take the lead. They strike a balance between carving on groomed runs and maneuverability in variable conditions, making them a more versatile option.

In terms of construction and design, both skis are top-notch. However, the Völkl Deacon 80 Skis + Lowride XL 13 FR Demo GW Bindings edge out the Kendo 88 skis with their 3D Glass technology and slim wood core, which offer excellent edge grip, rebound, and precision when turning.

For speed and stability, both skis perform exceptionally well. However, the Kendo 88 skis are known for their stability at higher speeds, offering a smooth and confident ride, making them the winner in this category.

Finally, when it comes to value for money, the Völkl Deacon 80 Skis + Lowride XL 13 FR Demo GW Bindings come out on top. They are a bit more expensive, but they come with bindings included in the price, providing a direct feel and amazing responsiveness.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl Kendo 88 Skis and the Völkl Deacon 80 Skis + Lowride XL 13 FR Demo GW Bindings are excellent choices for advanced to expert skiers. The Kendo 88 skis are more versatile and agile, making them a great choice for those who prefer groomers and hardpacked snow. On the other hand, the Deacon 80 skis are a fantastic performer on hard pack snow, offering excellent edge grip and rebound. They are lively and have no speed limit, making them a dream for weight reduction and precision when turning. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal preferences and skiing style. So, whether you're a groomer lover or a hard pack snow enthusiast, you can't go wrong with either of these skis. Happy skiing!